How to Dispute Incorrect Information on Experian Credit Report
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- How to Dispute Incorrect Information on Experian Credit Report
If You’ve Found an Inaccuracy in Your Experian Credit Report, You Need to File a Dispute as Soon as Possible. If Experian Fails to Act, You Need Our Help!
An error in your Experian credit report can have devastating consequences on your financial well-being. You should regularly review your credit report and when you find inaccuracies of any kind, file a dispute with Experian. The law provides they must investigate your claim and correct the error. If they don’t, you need to take action. Learn the dispute process, learn your rights, and learn how we can help you hold Experian accountable.
It has never been more important to manage your credit than it is today. Companies send huge amounts of data - including your data - back and forth and it ends up on a report that determines your eligibility for loans, credit, housing, and even employment. Part of credit management necessarily includes reviewing your credit reports to verify the accuracy of all the information it reveals to potential lenders, potential landlords, and anyone with a stake in your creditworthiness.
Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus whose business is compiling your credit history into a report that can greatly impact your financial opportunities. When your Experian credit report contains incorrect information, your credit score and your financial well-being are adversely affected. Your ability to secure fair loans, obtain credit cards, or even employment is all compromised. Therefore, you should know how to dispute inaccurate information when you find it. We will walk you through every step you should take to identify errors, file a dispute with Experian to fix your credit report, and take further action should Experian’s response to the dispute prove inadequate.
An experienced credit report attorney will be able to assess your case and if appropriate, know how to sue Experian for the damage the inaccuracy caused.
What Should You Look for on Experian Credit Report?
The first step in taking charge of and maintaining your financial health is reviewing your Experian credit report. To do that you need to request that report. is reviewing it. You can receive one free credit report from Experian every week. Visit their website to request one. Examine each section. Look for inaccuracies in your personal information, account histories, account balances, account statuses, credit inquiries, and public records related to bankruptcies and civil judgments. Ensure that all listed accounts belong to you and that every detail, from account balances to payment histories, is correct. If you detect errors, you’ll need to dispute that inaccurate information with Experian.
You can also dispute Experian credit score and Experian background check, if necessary. Additionally, you should look for any indications of identity theft or fraudulent activity. If you see any transactions you do not recognize or detect and unfamiliar open accounts, you could be the victim of identity theft. Any transaction or account resulting from identity theft will require you to file an Experian dispute.
Common Mistakes Found on an Experian Credit Report
Errors on credit reports can include outdated information like closed accounts appearing as open, misspelled names, transposed digits in your Social Security number, incorrect addresses, inaccurate account balances, duplicate accounts, or inaccuracies in credit limits and balances. Incorrect reporting of late payments can also be a common issue. The slightest mistake can significantly impact your creditworthiness and should be disputed promptly.
Documents You Need to Dispute Your Experian Credit Report
To dispute your Experian credit report, start collecting documents to support your claim. Here are some documents you’ll need:
Personal Information
- Government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport)
- Social Security card
- Proof of Date of birth
- Addresses for the past two years
- A bank statement or utility bill with your home address on it as proof of address
Account Information
- Relevant account numbers
- Statements or records that reflect the correct information
- Payment confirmations if they reflect on-time payments
Other Information
- Legal documents for cases involving identity theft or fraud
- Any correspondence that might support your dispute, this can include screen grans or screen prints of online confirmations from banks and creditors
How to Dispute Your Experian Report by Mail
The traditional method of challenging inaccuracies in an Experian credit report or to dispute Experian credit score is writing a dispute letter. Include your personal information, the specifics of what you're disputing, and why. Attach copies (not originals) of the documents you have gathered to support your position and why you are disputing the report. Send your Experian dispute letter to:
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
How to Dispute Your Experian Report by Phone
To dispute Experian credit report information by phone, call the number listed on your report or (888) EXPERIAN. Have your report at the ready because you will need to provide the specifics about the items you’re disputing. It's also advisable to have your supporting documents within reach in case you need to reference specific details. Remain calm, polite, and professional on the phone.
How to Dispute Your Experian Report Online
While filing an Experian dispute online is often the fastest method, we do not recommend it as in doing so, you are consenting to an arbitration clause and waiving class action participation. If you have to file the dispute online, visit Experian's website and follow the prompts to file a dispute with Experian. You can upload digital copies of your supporting documents.
What Will Happen After Filing a Dispute?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”) outlines the procedures Experian must take after you file a dispute. The FCRA provides that Experian must investigate your dispute within 30 days (21 days for Maine residents). Upon receiving your Experian dispute, Experian will examine the documents you've provided, consult with the entity that supplied the data you allege is inaccurate, and inform you of the outcome, either that they agree with you and have taken steps to correct the inaccuracy or that they disagree with you and will not change personal credit report from Experian.
What Steps Do Credit Bureaus Take to Correct Your Credit Report?
Upon receiving your Experian credit report dispute, Experian must investigate the contested items thoroughly and correct the errors. They must also inform the other major credit bureaus of the inaccurate information so that they can adjust their records accordingly.
If Your Report is Not Corrected
If, however, Experian does not correct the errors, you can resubmit the dispute with additional documents or additional explanation and hope that they see it your way. You could also contact the bank or the lender who supplied Experian with the information and determine if they are responsible for the error. You could also contact a lawyers that sue Experian who can use their experience to expedite things. We discuss taking legal action against Experian in the next section.
What if Your Credit Report Dispute is Ignored by Experian?
The FCRA mandates that Experian reply to your dispute. If Experian does not reply to your dispute or replies in a manner that suggests they did not take your dispute seriously, it might be time for legal action.
Sue Experian if Errors Not Fixed
If Experian fails to correct the errors after your dispute, you have the right to sue them. A credit report lawyer will assist in evaluating your case and determine the best course of action and if a lawsuit is appropriate. A credit report attorney will know how to navigate the world of credit reports, how to advocate for you, how to preserve your rights, how to assess the damage from the inaccuracy on your credit report, how to sue Experian, and how to secure the money that you deserve you for the damage that the Experian error has caused. If you win, Experian may be required to pay you for damages (including statutory damages, legal costs, and actual damages) you’ve incurred as a result of their mistake. If their non-compliance with the FCRA warrants, you could also collect punitive damages.
You may ask, “Why dispute my credit report with Experian?” Disputing and clarifying the incorrect information on your Experian credit report before you must rely on that report for a loan or mortgage or apartment is essential for maintaining financial well-being. While this guide outlines standard protocols and procedures for disputing credit report inaccuracies, an experienced credit report attorney knows that your situation is unique and uniquely valuable to you. They will treat it as such even - and especially - when Experian will not.
There are several ways to reach us: call (+1 877-615-1725), email ([email protected]), fill out the online intake form, or use the virtual chat option to speak with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
To dispute inaccuracies on your Experian credit report, follow the steps in this article. Get in the habit of regularly requesting your Experian credit report and reviewing that report for personal information errors, incorrect account information, or inaccurate data of any kind. If you spot an error, collect all the documents that support your position. This will include receipts, correspondence, account statements, and proof of both account and personal information. Then, contact the Experian dispute department by phone or mail to start the dispute process. Provide specific details about the inaccuracies and attach supporting documents. Experian will investigate your dispute and inform you of the results. Be persistent and contact an attorney if necessary.
To request your credit report from Experian, follow these steps: 1. Go to the official Experian website or call their toll-free number 1-888-EXPERIAN; 2. Locate the “Free Credit Report” option in the drop down under “Credit” in the menu section on their website and then click the “Get Your Free Credit Report” button. 3. Provide the information they request and select the report you want. 4. Verify your identity and choose how you want to receive your credit report.
An Experian credit report provides a comprehensive review of a person’s entire credit history, including personal identification details like their name, address, Social Security number, and employment information. The Experian credit report will list open and closed credit accounts such as loans, credit cards, and mortgages, along with account balances, payment histories, and the length of credit history. The report will also include public records like bankruptcies, foreclosures, and repossessions. Additionally, it features credit inquiries from companies that have requested the report when the individual applied for credit. The report is necessary for gauging a person’s financial health so the report should be error-free.
Experian typically updates credit reports monthly. Creditors and lenders provide their information to Experian which then adds the information to the appropriate person’s credit report. The precise timing of these updates will vary as lenders and creditors do not all send their data to Experian on the same day. Transactions which would result in changes to your credit report may not appear on your credit report immediately. You should allow at least 30 days for updates on account balances, payment histories and account balances to appear on your Experian credit report. You should request copies of and monitor your Experian credit report frequently, review the information, and dispute any inaccuracies.
Daniel Cohen is the Founder of Consumer Attorneys. Daniel manages the firm’s branding, marketing, client intake and business development efforts. Since 2017, he is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the National Consumer Law Center. Mr. Cohen is a nationally-recognized practitioner of consumer protection law. He has a we... Read more
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