What the Equifax dispute form does and where to find it
Equifax is one of three major credit reporting agencies that collect and maintain records of your payment history, debts, and credit inquiries. If you find an error on your Equifax credit report — a late payment that wasn't late, an account that isn't yours, a balance that's wrong — you can challenge it using Equifax's dispute form. This form tells Equifax which item you believe is inaccurate and asks them to investigate.
You can file a dispute three ways: online through Equifax's website, by mail using a paper form, or by phone. The online method is fastest. You can reach Equifax's dispute portal at equifax.com/personal/disputes. If you prefer mail, you can request a paper form from the same website or call Equifax at 1-800-685-1111. The phone line also lets you start a dispute verbally, though you'll receive written confirmation by mail.
You do not need to use Equifax's official form to file a dispute. You can also send a letter directly to Equifax's dispute department stating what you're challenging and why. Many people do this because a letter creates a paper trail and feels more formal. If you choose this route, send it to Equifax Information Services LLC, Attn: CRA Dispute, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
Key Takeaways
- You can dispute an error on your Equifax report online, by mail, or by phone, and Equifax must investigate within 30 days.
- Have your credit report in front of you when you file so you can reference the exact account, balance, or date you're disputing.
- Equifax will contact the creditor or data furnisher to verify the information; if they can't confirm it, the item must be removed or corrected.
- You can also send a dispute letter directly to Equifax's mailing address instead of using their form if you prefer a written record.
- If Equifax doesn't resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you have the right to add a consumer statement to your report and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
How to gather what you need before filing
Before you start a dispute, pull your Equifax credit report and identify exactly which item is wrong. You can get a free copy once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by all three credit bureaus. Write down the account name, account number (if shown), the balance listed, the payment status, and the date the error first appeared on your report.
Next, collect any documents that prove the item is wrong. If you're disputing a late payment, gather bank statements or payment confirmations showing you paid on time. If you're disputing an account you don't recognize, gather any evidence that it's not yours — a police report if it's fraud, or a letter from the creditor confirming the account was opened in error. If you're disputing a balance, get a recent statement from the creditor showing what you actually owe.
You don't have to send these documents with your dispute form — Equifax will contact the creditor directly to verify the information. But having them ready means you can answer follow-up questions quickly if Equifax or the creditor reaches out to you during the investigation.
Filing a dispute online through Equifax's website
Go to equifax.com/personal/disputes and select "Dispute Online." You'll be asked to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history. This usually takes a few minutes. Once verified, you'll see a summary of items on your Equifax report.
Find the item you want to dispute and select it. Equifax will ask you to choose a reason for the dispute from a list: "Not mine," "Incorrect balance," "Incorrect status," "Incorrect date," "Duplicate account," or "Other." Select the reason that matches your situation. Then write a brief explanation — a sentence or two describing what's wrong and what the correct information should be.
Review your dispute before submitting. Once you submit, Equifax will send you a confirmation number and a case number by email. Keep both. Equifax will investigate and send you results by mail within 30 days, though many disputes resolve faster. You can check the status of your dispute online using your case number.
Filing a dispute by mail
If you prefer to file by mail, request a paper dispute form from equifax.com/personal/disputes or call 1-800-685-1111. Fill out the form completely: your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number for identity verification. Then describe the item you're disputing, the reason you believe it's wrong, and what you think the correct information is.
Include a copy of your credit report with the disputed item circled or highlighted. Do not send original documents; send copies only. Mail everything to Equifax Information Services LLC, Attn: CRA Dispute, P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. Send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof Equifax received it.
Equifax will send you a confirmation letter with a case number. Keep this letter. The investigation takes up to 30 days from the date Equifax receives your dispute. You'll receive the results by mail.
What happens after you file: the investigation process
Once Equifax receives your dispute, they send it to the creditor or data furnisher who reported the information — the bank, credit card company, collection agency, or other entity that provided the data to Equifax. That creditor has 30 days to respond and either confirm the information is correct or tell Equifax it's wrong.
If the creditor confirms the information is accurate, the item stays on your report. If the creditor cannot confirm it or tells Equifax it's wrong, Equifax must remove or correct the item. If Equifax finds the item is a duplicate of another account, they'll remove the duplicate. If they find the balance or date is wrong, they'll correct it.
Equifax will notify you of the results in writing. The letter will explain what they found and what action they took. If an item was removed or corrected, ask Equifax to send an updated copy of your report. If the dispute was denied, the letter will explain why and tell you that you have the right to add a consumer statement to your report — a 100-word note explaining your side of the story.
What to do if Equifax denies your dispute
If Equifax investigates and decides the information is accurate, they'll deny your dispute. This doesn't mean you're out of options. You can add a consumer statement to your Equifax report — a brief written explanation of why you believe the item is wrong. Lenders and creditors will see this statement when they pull your report. To add one, contact Equifax and request a consumer statement form, or write to the same mailing address you used for your dispute.
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit reporting agencies and can pressure Equifax to re-examine your case. Filing a CFPB complaint doesn't cost anything and doesn't require a lawyer.
If you believe Equifax violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act — for example, by ignoring your dispute or failing to investigate properly — you may have grounds to sue. Consider consulting with a lawyer who handles credit reporting cases. Many offer free initial consultations.
Disputing errors reported by a creditor, not Equifax
Sometimes the error originates with the creditor, not with Equifax. For example, your credit card company might have reported a payment as late when it was actually on time. In this case, you should dispute the error directly with the creditor first, separate from disputing with Equifax.
Contact the creditor's customer service department and explain the error. Ask them to correct it and report the correction to all three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Get the name of the person you spoke with and the date of the call. If the creditor corrects the error, it usually appears on your Equifax report within 30 to 45 days.
If the creditor refuses to correct it or doesn't respond within 30 days, then file a dispute with Equifax. When you file, mention that you've already contacted the creditor and include the date you contacted them. This tells Equifax that the creditor has already been notified and may speed up the investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take Equifax to investigate a dispute?
Equifax has 30 days from the date they receive your dispute to investigate and send you results. Many disputes resolve faster, sometimes within two to three weeks. You can check the status of your dispute online if you filed through their website, or by calling 1-800-685-1111 with your case number.
Do I have to pay to file a dispute with Equifax?
No. Disputing an error on your credit report is free. Equifax cannot charge you to file a dispute, investigate, or remove an inaccurate item. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge fees to file disputes on your behalf — you can do it yourself at no cost.
What if the same error appears on my Experian or TransUnion report too?
File separate disputes with each bureau. Each one investigates independently. You can file disputes with all three at the same time. Experian and TransUnion have their own dispute processes on their websites, or you can mail disputes to them as well.
Can I dispute something that's technically accurate but happened years ago?
No. A dispute is for inaccurate information only. If the information is correct — you did miss a payment, you do owe that balance — Equifax won't remove it based on a dispute. However, negative items like late payments and collections naturally fall off your report after seven years, and bankruptcies after ten years.
What happens if Equifax removes an item and then the creditor reports it again?
If an item is removed and the creditor reports it again, file another dispute. This time, tell Equifax that this item was already investigated and removed, and the creditor has re-reported it. Equifax will investigate again, and if the creditor cannot provide new evidence, the item should be removed again.