What the Equifax dispute form is and when to use it

The Equifax dispute form is a written request to Equifax — one of the three major credit reporting agencies — asking them to investigate an error on your credit report. You use it when you spot something wrong: a late payment that wasn't yours, an account you never opened, a balance that's listed incorrectly, or a debt that should have fallen off after seven years.

Equifax is required by federal law to investigate disputes within 30 days. They contact the creditor or lender who reported the information, ask them to verify it, and then tell you the result. If the creditor can't verify the information, Equifax removes it. If they can verify it, it stays.

You don't have to use Equifax's official form to dispute — you can send a letter instead — but the form exists to make sure your dispute reaches the right department and includes what they need to investigate.

Key Takeaways

  • You can dispute errors on your Equifax credit report by mail, online, or by phone, and Equifax must investigate within 30 days.
  • The dispute form asks you to describe the error, explain why you believe it's wrong, and provide any documents that support your claim.
  • Equifax will contact the creditor who reported the information and ask them to verify it; if they can't, the item is removed from your report.
  • You have the right to add a statement to your credit report if Equifax investigates but doesn't remove the item, explaining your side of the story.
  • If you dispute online or by phone, keep records of the date, time, and person you spoke with in case you need to follow up.

How to get the Equifax dispute form

Equifax offers three ways to dispute: online through their website, by phone, or by mail. The online method is fastest and leaves the clearest record.

To dispute online, go to Equifax.com and look for the "Dispute" or "File a Dispute" link. You'll need to create an account or log in if you already have one. The online form walks you through describing the error and uploading supporting documents. Equifax will send you a confirmation number and timeline for their investigation.

To dispute by phone, call Equifax at 1-800-685-1111. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and the details of the error ready. Ask for a confirmation number and the name of the person you spoke with.

To dispute by mail, write a letter to Equifax Dispute Department, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374. Include your name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and a clear description of each error. Attach copies — never originals — of any documents that support your claim, such as a bank statement showing you paid a bill or a letter from a creditor confirming an account was closed.

What information to include in your dispute

Whether you use the form or write a letter, Equifax needs to know exactly what you're disputing and why. Be specific: don't just say "this account is wrong." Say "this account shows a late payment in March 2023, but I have bank records showing I paid on time" or "this account was opened in my name but I never authorized it."

Include copies of documents that back up your claim. If you're disputing a late payment, attach a bank statement or payment confirmation. If you're disputing an account you didn't open, attach a police report if you filed one, or a letter from the creditor confirming fraud. If you're disputing a balance, attach a statement from the creditor showing what you actually owe.

Don't send originals — only copies. Equifax receives thousands of disputes and documents can be lost. Keep the originals for your records and for any follow-up you may need to do.

What happens after you submit your dispute

Once Equifax receives your dispute, they send it to the creditor or lender who reported the information. That creditor has 30 days to verify the information — to confirm it's accurate and that it belongs to you. If they don't respond within 30 days, Equifax must remove the item from your report.

If the creditor verifies the information, it stays on your report. If they can't verify it or don't respond, Equifax removes it. Equifax will send you a written result, usually within 30 to 45 days, explaining what they found and what changed on your report.

If the item stays on your report and you still believe it's wrong, you have the right to add a consumer statement — a 100-word note explaining your side of the story. This statement appears on your report whenever someone pulls it. You can add it through the same online portal or by mail.

What to do if Equifax doesn't respond or investigates incorrectly

If Equifax doesn't send you a result within 45 days, or if you believe they investigated incorrectly, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The CFPB is a federal agency that oversees credit reporting and can pressure Equifax to reinvestigate or correct their process.

To file a complaint, go to ConsumerFinance.gov and select "Submit a complaint." Choose "Credit reporting" as the category and describe what happened. The CFPB will forward your complaint to Equifax and give you a case number to track it.

You can also dispute with the other two major credit bureaus — Experian and TransUnion — using the same process. If an error appears on all three reports, disputing with all three increases the chance it will be removed.

Disputing vs. requesting a credit report correction

A dispute is different from a correction request. A dispute asks Equifax to investigate whether the information is accurate. A correction request asks them to fix something you know is wrong — like a misspelled name or an address you haven't lived at in years.

If the error is factual — a late payment that wasn't yours, an account you didn't open — use the dispute form. If the error is just contact information or personal details, you can request a correction directly through your Equifax account without going through the formal dispute process. Both are free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Equifax to investigate a dispute?

Equifax has 30 days by law to investigate and send you results. In practice, most disputes are resolved within 30 to 45 days. If you don't hear back within 45 days, contact Equifax again and ask for a status update. If they still don't respond, file a complaint with the CFPB.

Can I dispute the same item more than once?

Yes, but only if you have new information or evidence. If you dispute the same item twice with no new evidence, Equifax can dismiss the second dispute as frivolous. If you have new documents or a creditor's written confirmation that the item is wrong, you can dispute again.

Will disputing hurt my credit score?

No. Submitting a dispute does not affect your credit score. The dispute itself is not reported to lenders. Only the outcome matters — if the item is removed, your score may improve; if it stays, your score stays the same.

What if the creditor says the information is correct but I still disagree?

You can add a consumer statement to your credit report explaining your side. This 100-word note appears whenever someone pulls your report. You can also file a complaint with the CFPB or consult a consumer rights attorney if you believe the creditor is breaking the law.

Do I need to dispute with all three credit bureaus?

Not necessarily, but it's a good idea if the error appears on all three reports. Each bureau investigates separately, so disputing with all three increases your chances of getting the error removed. You can check all three reports free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.