File a dispute directly with Equifax by mail, phone, or online through their dispute portal
Equifax operates a dispute process separate from the other two major credit bureaus. You can start a dispute three ways: online through their website, by phone at 1-888-378-4329, or by mailing a letter to their dispute department. The online method is fastest — you upload documents and track progress through their portal. Phone disputes take about 15 minutes but create no written record. Mail is slowest but gives you proof of when you sent it.
Equifax must investigate your dispute within 30 days of receiving it. They contact the creditor or data source that reported the information and ask them to verify it. If the creditor cannot verify the account, Equifax removes it. If they verify it as correct, Equifax keeps it on your report and sends you a written explanation of why.
You do not need to prove you are right before filing. You only need to state that the information is inaccurate or incomplete. Equifax investigates whether the creditor can back up what they reported.
Key Takeaways
- File online at equifax.com/personal/disputes, by phone at 1-888-378-4329, or by certified mail to Equifax's dispute address to start the process.
- Equifax has 30 days to investigate and contact the creditor who reported the information.
- If the creditor cannot verify the account, Equifax removes it; if they verify it, Equifax keeps it and explains why in writing.
- You can dispute the same item again if new evidence shows it is still wrong, but filing the same dispute repeatedly without new information will not change the outcome.
- Request a free copy of your Equifax report from annualcreditreport.com before disputing, so you know exactly what to challenge.
What information you need before you start
Gather your Equifax credit report first. You can order a free copy from annualcreditreport.com, the official site run by all three bureaus. Write down the exact account number, creditor name, and the specific error — whether the balance is wrong, the payment status is wrong, the account opening date is wrong, or the account does not belong to you at all.
If you are disputing an account you do not recognize, note the date you first saw it on your report. If you are disputing a late payment, note when you actually paid it and gather your payment proof — a bank statement, cancelled check, or receipt. If you are disputing a balance, note what you believe the correct balance should be and why.
You do not need to attach documents to your initial dispute, but having them ready speeds up the investigation if Equifax asks for more information.
Filing online through Equifax's dispute portal
Go to equifax.com/personal/disputes and select "Dispute Online." You will need to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history. Equifax asks these questions to confirm you are the person on the account.
Once verified, select the item on your report you want to dispute. Equifax shows you what they have on file and asks you to describe the error. Be specific: say "This account shows a late payment in March 2023, but I paid on time" rather than "This is wrong." Equifax assigns your dispute a reference number and sends you to a tracking page where you can check progress.
The online method creates a digital record and usually processes faster than mail. Equifax typically sends you updates by email as the investigation moves forward.
Disputing by phone or mail
Call 1-888-378-4329 to dispute by phone. A representative walks you through each item you want to dispute and records your statement. The call takes 10 to 20 minutes. Ask for a confirmation number and write it down — this is your proof you filed.
To dispute by mail, send a letter to Equifax's dispute address. The address changes based on what type of dispute you are filing; check equifax.com/personal/disputes for the current mailing address. Write your name, address, Social Security number, and the account details you are disputing. Describe the error clearly. Send it by certified mail with return receipt requested — this proves Equifax received it and when.
Mail disputes take longer because Equifax must receive the letter, enter it into their system, and then investigate. Plan for 6 to 8 weeks total from mailing to receiving their response.
What happens during the 30-day investigation
Equifax contacts the creditor or data source that reported the information and asks them to verify it. The creditor has a important date to respond. If they do not respond or cannot verify the account, Equifax removes it from your report. If they verify it as accurate, Equifax keeps it.
During this time, Equifax may contact you for more information. If you filed online, check your email and your dispute portal regularly. If you filed by phone or mail, Equifax may call or mail you. Respond quickly — delays can extend the investigation past 30 days.
You can check your dispute status online if you filed through their portal. If you filed by phone or mail, use your confirmation number to call 1-888-378-4329 and ask for an update.
What to do if Equifax denies your dispute
If Equifax investigates and decides the information is accurate, they send you a written explanation. This does not mean you are out of options. You can file a second dispute if you have new evidence — a bank statement you did not have before, a letter from the creditor, or proof the account was fraudulent.
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB investigates complaints about credit bureaus and can pressure Equifax to re-examine their decision. Filing a CFPB complaint does not overturn Equifax's decision directly, but it creates a record and may lead to further investigation.
If the disputed item is fraudulent — an account opened in your name without your permission — file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC can issue an Identity Theft Report, which gives you stronger rights to dispute fraudulent accounts across all three bureaus.
Disputing the same item more than once
You can dispute an item again if circumstances change or you have new evidence. If you disputed a late payment and later find proof you paid on time, file a new dispute with that proof. If you disputed an account you did not recognize and later confirm it is fraudulent, file a new dispute and mention the fraud.
However, filing the same dispute repeatedly without new information will not change Equifax's decision. Equifax's system flags repetitive disputes and may stop processing them. Each new dispute should include something different — new documents, a new explanation, or evidence that the situation has changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to hear back from Equifax?
Equifax has 30 days by law to investigate and respond. Online disputes often resolve faster — sometimes in 2 to 3 weeks. Mail disputes take longer because of postal delays; plan for 6 to 8 weeks total. Equifax sends updates by email if you filed online, or by mail if you filed by phone or mail.
Do I have to pay to file a dispute with Equifax?
No. Disputing with Equifax is free whether you file online, by phone, or by mail. Any website charging you to dispute is not affiliated with Equifax and is taking your money for something you can do yourself at no cost.
What if the creditor does not respond to Equifax's investigation?
If the creditor fails to verify the account within the investigation period, Equifax must remove it from your report. This is why disputes often succeed — many creditors do not respond to verification requests, especially for old accounts or closed accounts.
Can I dispute information on Equifax if it is also on my report from TransUnion or Experian?
Yes, but you must file separate disputes with each bureau. Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian operate independently. Disputing with one does not automatically dispute with the others. If the same error appears on all three reports, file disputes with all three.
What if Equifax says the information is accurate but I still believe it is wrong?
You can add a 100-word statement to your credit report explaining your side of the story. File a new dispute with additional evidence, or file a complaint with the CFPB. You can also contact the creditor directly and ask them to correct the information they reported to Equifax.