What the Equifax Dispute Center does

The Equifax Dispute Center is an online tool where you can challenge inaccurate information on your Equifax credit report. You submit details about the error—a late payment that wasn't late, an account you didn't open, a balance that's wrong—and Equifax sends your dispute to the company that reported the information. That company then has 30 days to verify the data or remove it. If they can't prove it's accurate, Equifax deletes it from your report.

You do not need to pay to use the Dispute Center. You also do not need to hire a credit repair company or a lawyer. The process is free and you can do it yourself online, by mail, or by phone.

Equifax is one of three major credit bureaus. The other two—Experian and TransUnion—have their own dispute processes. If an error appears on all three reports, you will need to dispute it with each bureau separately.

Key Takeaways

  • You can dispute errors on your Equifax report through their online Dispute Center, by mail, or by phone at 1-888-378-4329.
  • Equifax sends your dispute to the company that reported the information, which has 30 days to verify it or remove it.
  • You should gather documentation before you dispute—a bank statement, a letter from the creditor, or a police report if the account is fraudulent.
  • If Equifax removes an error, you can ask them to send the corrected report to anyone who received your report in the past six months.
  • If you disagree with Equifax's decision, you can add a statement to your report explaining your side of the dispute.

How to start a dispute through the Equifax Dispute Center

Go to disputes.equifax.com and select "Dispute Online." You will need to create an account or sign in if you already have one. Equifax will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history.

Once you are logged in, select the item on your report you want to dispute. Equifax will ask you to choose a reason—for example, "This account is not mine," "This balance is incorrect," or "This payment was made on time." Be specific. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for the company being disputed to investigate.

You can upload documents to support your dispute. A bank statement showing you made a payment, a letter from the creditor confirming the account was closed, or a police report for identity theft all strengthen your case. Equifax will accept these files as part of your online submission.

After you submit, Equifax will send your dispute to the company that reported the information. You will receive a confirmation number and can track your dispute's status online.

Disputing by mail or phone if you prefer not to go online

You can also dispute by mail. Write a letter to Equifax that includes your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Describe the error clearly and explain why you believe it is wrong. Include copies—not originals—of any supporting documents. Mail it to:

Equifax Disputes P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

Keep a copy of everything you send. Equifax should receive your letter within 7 to 10 business days. The 30-day investigation period starts when they receive it, not when you mail it.

You can also call Equifax at 1-888-378-4329 to dispute by phone. A representative will take down your information and the details of the error. Ask for a reference number and write it down. Follow up with a written letter that includes that reference number so there is a paper trail.

What happens after you submit your dispute

Equifax forwards your dispute to the company that reported the information—usually a bank, credit card company, or collection agency. That company has 30 days to investigate. They will check their records to see if the information is accurate.

If the company cannot verify the information, they must tell Equifax to remove it. If they confirm it is accurate, it stays on your report. If the company does not respond within 30 days, Equifax removes the item by default.

Equifax will send you the results of the investigation by mail. The letter will explain whether the item was removed, updated, or left unchanged. If it was removed or changed, Equifax will also tell you that you can ask them to send the corrected report to anyone who received your report in the past six months for employment purposes, or in the past year for other purposes.

What to do if Equifax denies your dispute

If Equifax says the information is accurate and refuses to remove it, you have options. First, review the letter they sent you. It should explain why the company being disputed said the information was correct. If you still disagree, you can submit a new dispute with additional documentation or a clearer explanation.

You also have the right to add a consumer statement to your credit report. This is a note, up to 100 words, that explains your side of the dispute. For example, you might write: "I dispute this late payment. I have bank records showing I paid on time. The creditor has not provided proof of the late payment." The statement appears on your report whenever someone views it.

If you believe Equifax handled your dispute incorrectly, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit bureaus and can order them to correct errors or pay damages.

Documents that help your dispute

The stronger your evidence, the more likely the company being disputed will remove the error. Gather what you have before you submit:

  • Bank statements or credit card statements showing you made a payment or that the balance is different from what is reported.
  • Cancelled checks or payment confirmations from your bank.
  • Letters from the creditor confirming the account was closed, paid off, or never opened.
  • A police report if the account is fraudulent or you are a victim of identity theft.
  • Proof of death if you are disputing an account belonging to a deceased relative.
  • Court documents if a debt was discharged in bankruptcy.

You do not need all of these. Even one piece of supporting evidence makes your dispute stronger than submitting it with no documentation at all.

Disputing fraud or identity theft

If someone opened an account in your name without your permission, or if you see charges you did not make, you are dealing with fraud or identity theft. The dispute process is the same, but you should also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at identitytheft.gov. The FTC creates an Identity Theft Report, which you can use to show creditors and credit bureaus that you are a victim.

Include a copy of your FTC Identity Theft Report when you dispute with Equifax. This strengthens your case and often speeds up the removal of fraudulent accounts. You should also consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your report to prevent further unauthorized accounts from being opened.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Equifax to remove an error from my report?

Equifax has 30 days to investigate your dispute after they receive it. Once the company being disputed confirms the error or fails to respond, Equifax removes the item. You should see the change on your report within a few days of the investigation ending, though it may take up to two weeks to appear everywhere.

Can I dispute the same error more than once?

Yes, but only if you have new information or documentation. Submitting the same dispute with no new evidence will likely result in the same decision. If you have a bank statement you didn't include the first time, or a letter from the creditor, submit a new dispute and include it.

What if the error is on my report from Experian or TransUnion too?

You must dispute with each bureau separately. They do not share dispute information. Go to Experian.com and TransUnion.com to start disputes with those bureaus using the same process.

Do I need to dispute in writing, or is online enough?

Online is enough. The Equifax Dispute Center is designed to handle disputes completely online. Mail and phone are options if you prefer them, but they are not more effective than the online tool.

What happens if Equifax removes an error and it comes back on my report later?

This can happen if the creditor reports the same information again. If it does, dispute it again. You can also send Equifax a letter asking them to block the reinsertion of the item, which tells them not to add it back if the creditor reports it again.