The Dispute Process Explained
When your credit report contains inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information, you have the legal right to request an investigation. Here's how the process works.
Your rights under FCRA
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute any information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Bureaus must investigate within 30 days (sometimes 45 if you provide additional information). If they can't verify the item, they must correct or remove it.
Who to dispute with
You can dispute directly with the credit bureau (CRA dispute) or with the furnisher (the company that reported the information). CRA disputes are most common for consumers. Furnisher disputes can be more effective for specific account-level issues. The ScorePros AI platform helps you determine the right target.
What makes a strong dispute
Specific, factual language. Identify the exact item, the exact error, and reference specific data points. "This account shows a balance of $2,340 but was paid in full on [date]" is stronger than "please remove this account." Include supporting evidence when possible.
The investigation timeline
After receiving your dispute, the bureau has 30 days to investigate (45 days if you submit additional information during the investigation). They contact the furnisher to verify the information. Possible outcomes: verified (stays), updated (corrected), deleted (removed), or no response from furnisher (must be removed).
Round 2+ disputes
If a dispute comes back "verified" but you have new evidence, a new inconsistency, or a procedural issue, you can dispute again. Round 2+ disputes should include new information — re-sending the same dispute with the same reason is unlikely to produce different results.
When to escalate
If bureaus repeatedly verify information that appears inaccurate, or fail to respond within required timelines, you may have grounds for escalation — including CFPB complaints. Escalation should be based on evidence and procedural failures, not frustration.
ScorePros AI puts this knowledge to work
A rules engine to find issues. AI to explain them. Tools to act. Tracking to measure progress.