What to Do If There Is Incorrect Information on Your Credit Report
Attorney Reviewed: Bryan Geiger
Last Updated: June 18, 2026
Quick Answer
If you find incorrect information on your credit report, you have the right to dispute it under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Gather documentation of the error, file a written dispute with the credit bureau reporting it, and send a separate dispute to the creditor or collector that furnished the information.
Credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate a dispute. If the error is not corrected, a consumer rights attorney may be able to help you pursue legal remedies.
Why Does Credit Report Accuracy Matter So Much?
Your credit report is not just a financial document.
Lenders, landlords, employers, insurance carriers, and others may rely on information in your credit report when making decisions that affect where you live, where you work, and what you pay.
When incorrect information appears on a credit report, the consequences can be significant. A single inaccurate entry may lower your credit score, increase borrowing costs, delay a mortgage approval, or create obstacles when applying for housing or employment.
Consumers throughout Tampa Bay and Florida experience these issues every day, often without realizing the error itself may violate federal consumer protection laws.
What Are the Most Common Credit Report Errors?
A Debt That Does Not Belong to You
This is one of the most damaging credit reporting errors.
A debt may appear on your report because of a data entry mistake, a mixed file issue, identity theft, or inaccurate reporting by a creditor. Even though the debt is not yours, it can negatively affect your credit profile.
Identity Theft
Fraudulent accounts opened in your name may appear on your credit report and create significant financial problems.
Identity theft situations often require consumers to work with multiple credit bureaus, creditors, and government agencies to correct inaccurate information.
Mixed Credit Files
Credit bureaus occasionally combine information from two different consumers with similar identifying information.
When this happens, another person’s accounts, debts, or payment history may appear on your report.
Duplicate Accounts
A single account may appear multiple times, creating the appearance that you owe more debt than you actually do.
This commonly occurs when accounts are transferred or sold from one company to another.
Incorrect Balances or Credit Limits
Even accounts that legitimately belong to you can contain inaccurate information.
An inflated balance or incorrect credit limit can affect your credit utilization ratio and potentially impact your credit score.
Outdated Negative Information
Most negative items must be removed from a credit report after a certain period of time.
If old collection accounts, charge-offs, or other negative information remain beyond the applicable reporting period, the information may need to be corrected or removed.
How Can a Credit Report Error Affect Your Life?
Mortgage Applications
An inaccurate credit report may delay or prevent mortgage approval.
In the Tampa Bay housing market, even a small change in your interest rate can significantly increase the total cost of homeownership.
Auto Loans
Incorrect information may result in higher interest rates and increased borrowing costs when financing a vehicle.
Employment Opportunities
Many employers review credit information during the hiring process for certain positions.
An inaccurate derogatory item could create unnecessary complications during a job search.
Rental Applications
Landlords frequently review credit reports before approving prospective tenants.
Incorrect negative information may result in a denial or additional rental requirements.
Insurance Costs
Certain insurers consider credit-related information when determining premiums.
Errors on a credit report may indirectly affect what consumers pay for coverage.
What Should You Do If You Find an Error?
Step 1: Obtain Your Credit Reports
Review reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These are the “Big Three” credit bureaus that most commonly affect consumer credit reporting.
However, other nationwide consumer reporting agencies exist as well. An error may appear with Innovis, LexisNexis, Clarity Services, or FactorTrust, among others. Reviewing each report for accuracy can be important because the same error may not appear on every report.
Step 2: Document the Error
Identify the account, creditor, and specific information that appears inaccurate.
Gather any documents that support your position.
Step 3: Dispute the Error in Writing to the Credit Bureaus
Submit a written dispute to the credit bureau reporting the inaccurate information.
It is important to dispute the information with the credit bureau. While you can also dispute it with the company reporting the information (the “furnisher”), only a dispute to the credit bureau will trigger certain obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Include supporting documentation whenever possible.
Step 4: Contact the Furnisher
The company that reported the information may also have obligations under the FCRA.
Providing written notice creates an additional record of your efforts to correct the issue.
Step 5: Keep Detailed Records
Save copies of all correspondence, responses, and supporting documentation throughout the process.
Step 6: Contact a Consumer Rights Attorney
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain reasonable procedures to assure the maximum possible accuracy of consumer credit reports.
A consumer rights attorney can advise you regarding the best path forward, including how and when to dispute information with a credit bureau.
What Documentation Should You Save?
Keep copies of:
- Credit reports showing the error
- Written disputes submitted to credit bureaus
- Written disputes submitted to creditors or collectors
- Certified mail receipts
- Account statements and payment records
- Identity theft reports, if applicable
- Notes regarding phone calls and communications
Documentation can become extremely important if the dispute is not resolved properly.
How Seraph Legal Helps Florida Consumers
Seraph Legal is a Tampa-based consumer rights law firm serving consumers throughout Tampa Bay and across Florida.
Our attorneys help clients understand their rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and evaluate situations involving inaccurate credit reporting, debt collection issues, financial hardship, and related consumer protection matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my credit report contains an error?
Many consumers discover errors after receiving an adverse action, such as a credit denial or less favorable lending terms. However, consumers do not have to wait until they are denied credit to discover an error.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires each credit bureau to provide consumers with a copy of the information in their credit file upon request.
The best way to obtain reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion is through AnnualCreditReport.com. Other consumer reporting agencies, such as LexisNexis, may provide reports directly through their websites.
Our team at Seraph Legal can assist consumers with obtaining copies of these reports.
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate a dispute?
In most situations, credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate and respond.
Can incorrect information affect my ability to obtain a mortgage?
Yes. Credit report errors may affect mortgage approvals, underwriting decisions, and loan terms.
What is a mixed credit file?
A mixed file occurs when information belonging to another consumer appears on your credit report.
Can identity theft create credit reporting problems?
Yes. Fraudulent accounts opened by identity thieves frequently appear on credit reports and may require extensive corrective action.
Do I need an attorney to dispute a credit report error?
Not necessarily. However, a consumer rights attorney can provide guidance regarding what information should be disputed and how disputes should be submitted.
Request a Free Consultation
If incorrect information on your credit report is affecting your financial opportunities, contact Seraph Legal to learn more about your rights and available options.
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Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consumers should consult an attorney regarding their specific circumstances.
