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Credit reports: get them free and fix mistakes

As of 2026-10-15

A credit report is the record of how you've handled credit: your accounts, payments, balances and collections. Lenders, landlords, insurers and some employers look at it. It is free to see and free to fix. Here is how, in plain words, from the FTC, the CFPB and the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Short answer: You can see your credit reports from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — free every week at AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. Never pay for them. If something is wrong, dispute it in writing with each bureau that shows it and with the company that reported it. The bureau has 30 days to investigate, for free. Correct negative items can stay for up to 7 years (bankruptcy 10).

Next step: open your free reports, then use the dates check to see when your dispute answer is due or when an old negative item should come off.

Key facts
Best move
Step by step
Dates check
Where to send
Sample letter
More rights

Key facts at a glance

Free, weeklyAll three bureaus permanently let you check each report once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com (FTC).

30 daysFor the bureau to investigate your dispute, starting the day it gets it (15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(1)).

Up to 45 daysIf you send more information during the 30 days, or you dispute after your free annual report (§ 1681i(a)(1)(B); § 1681j(a)(3)).

5 business daysAfter it finishes, the bureau must send you the results in writing (§ 1681i(a)(6)).

7 yearsMost correct negative information, like late payments and collections (§ 1681c(a); CFPB).

10 yearsBankruptcies, counted from the order date (§ 1681c(a)(1)).

Sources: FTC: Free credit reports (June 2026) · 15 U.S.C. § 1681i · § 1681j · § 1681c · CFPB: how long negative information stays (reviewed Sept. 2, 2026).

Best move for your situation

Your situation	Best move (free)	Why
I just want to look	Get all three reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (type the address yourself)	Each bureau can have different information, so the FTC says to check all three.
I found a mistake	Dispute it with each bureau that shows it and with the company that reported it	Both must fix wrong or incomplete information, for free (FTC).
I don't recognize an account	Call the company first: it may be a sold debt or a store card listed under the bank's name	CFPB. If it isn't yours, go to IdentityTheft.gov and freeze your credit.
The bad mark is correct	You can't make it go away early; let it age off (see the dates check)	No one can remove accurate negative information (CFPB). Don't pay for 'credit repair'.
My dispute didn't fix it	Ask the bureau to add your statement of dispute, then file a complaint with the CFPB	FTC; CFPB complaint line (855) 411-2372.
I'm applying for a loan of $150,000+ or a job paying $75,000+	Expect older items to be seen	The 7- and 10-year limits don't apply to those reports (§ 1681c(b)).

Sources: FTC: Free credit reports · FTC: Disputing errors (April 2024) · CFPB: unfamiliar creditor · CFPB: negative information · § 1681c(b).

Step by step: check and fix your reports

Go to AnnualCreditReport.com (type it yourself; look-alike sites sell things) or call 1-877-322-8228. By phone or mail, reports arrive within 15 days.
Get all three: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Have your Social Security number, date of birth and past addresses ready.
Check each one: your name and addresses, accounts you don't know, late payments, balances, collections, and who asked for your report.
For each mistake, write down what is wrong and why. Circle it on a copy of the report. Gather copies (never originals) of proof, like a paid-in-full letter.
Dispute with each bureau that shows the mistake: online, by phone, or by certified mail with a return receipt (addresses below). Use the sample letter.
Also send a dispute to the business that reported it (the FTC has a sample letter for that too).
Write down the date the bureau got your dispute and use the dates check to see when the answer is due.
When the results arrive, get your report again. If it is still wrong, ask the bureau to add your statement and file a complaint at the CFPB complaint form or call (855) 411-2372.

Sources: FTC: Free credit reports · FTC: Disputing errors · CFPB: How do I dispute an error? (reviewed Sept. 2, 2026).

Dates check (arithmetic)

Two simple date checks from the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. Type a date and tap the button. It is date math, not legal advice.

When is my dispute answer due?

Date the bureau got my dispute Did you send more information during the 30 days, or dispute right after your free annual report?

When should a negative item come off?

What kind of item? Date of the first missed payment that led to it

Counting rules used: the 30-day period begins on the day the bureau receives your dispute (§ 1681i(a)(1)(A)), so the day it gets it is day 1. Business days skip Saturdays and Sundays but not holidays. For collections and charge-offs, the 7 years start 180 days after the missed payment that led to it (§ 1681c(c)).

Where to send a dispute

Bureau	Online	Phone	Mail
Equifax	Equifax disputes	(866) 349-5191	Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian	Experian disputes	(888) 397-3742	Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion	TransUnion disputes	(800) 916-8800	TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Addresses and phone numbers as listed by the FTC and CFPB. You can also use the address printed on your credit report.

Sample dispute letter (fill in the blanks)

Based on what the FTC and CFPB say a dispute should include. The FTC also has its own sample letter.

[Today's date] [Your full name] [Your address] [Your phone number] [Report confirmation number, if you have one] [Credit bureau name and dispute address] I am disputing the following information in my credit report. The items I dispute are circled on the attached copy of my report. 1. [Company name], account number [last 4 digits]: this is wrong because [for example: I paid it in full on (date) / it is not my account / it was never late]. I am asking that this item be [removed / corrected to show ...]. Enclosed are copies (not originals) of [list your documents]. Please investigate and send me the results in writing. Sincerely, [Your name] Enclosures: [list]

Send it by certified mail with a return receipt, and keep copies of everything (FTC).

Other free reports and what bureaus must do

Extra free reports by law if a company turned you down because of your report (ask within 60 days), you're unemployed and job hunting within 60 days, you're on public assistance, or your report is wrong because of fraud (FTC).
Equifax: the FTC says anyone can get 6 more free Equifax reports a year through 2026 at Equifax's site or 1-866-349-5191.
Large print, Braille or audio reports: call 1-877-322-8228 (about three weeks). Deaf or hard of hearing: TDD 1-800-821-7232 (FTC).
After a correction, you get a free copy of your report. If you ask, the bureau must tell anyone who got your report in the past 6 months (2 years for a job) (FTC).
If it can't be verified, the bureau must delete or fix it, and can't put it back unless the company certifies it is accurate and tells you in writing within 5 business days (§ 1681i(a)(5)).
Scam warning: AnnualCreditReport.com and the bureaus won't email you asking for your Social Security number. Look-alike sites may sell your information (FTC).

Sources: FTC: Free credit reports · FTC: Disputing errors · § 1681i.

What this page doesn't do

We don't pull your report, see your score, or sell credit monitoring or credit repair. No company paid to be on this page.
The dates check is date math from the federal law. It ignores holidays, mail time and state laws, and it can't tell you whether a dispute will succeed.
Not legal advice. For help, contact the CFPB or a legal aid office.

Sources & as-of dates

FTC: Free Credit Reports (June 2026) (checked 2026-10-15)
FTC: Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports (April 2024) (checked 2026-10-15)
FTC: Sample letter to credit bureaus (checked 2026-10-15)
CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report? (last reviewed Sept. 2, 2026) (checked 2026-10-15)
CFPB: How long does negative information stay? (last reviewed Sept. 2, 2026) (checked 2026-10-15)
CFPB: Should I dispute a creditor I don't recognize? (reviewed Sept. 5, 2025) (checked 2026-10-15)
15 U.S.C. § 1681c (reporting time limits) (checked 2026-10-15)
15 U.S.C. § 1681i (dispute procedure) (checked 2026-10-15)
15 U.S.C. § 1681j (free reports; 45-day rule) (checked 2026-10-15)
11 U.S.C. § 301 (voluntary bankruptcy = order for relief) (checked 2026-10-15)
AnnualCreditReport.com (checked 2026-10-15)

FAQ

How can I get my credit report for free?

At AnnualCreditReport.com or 1-877-322-8228. All three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) let you check each report free once a week (FTC). It is the only site authorized for the free reports federal law requires.

How do I dispute an error on my credit report?

Write to each credit bureau that shows the error and to the company that reported it. Say what is wrong and why, circle it on a copy of your report, and include copies of proof. Online, phone and certified mail all work (FTC, CFPB).

How long does a credit bureau have to investigate a dispute?

30 days from the day it gets your dispute, or up to 45 days if you send more information during those 30 days or dispute after your free annual report. It must send you written results within 5 business days after it finishes (15 U.S.C. § 1681i, § 1681j).

How long do late payments and collections stay on my credit report?

Up to 7 years. For collections and charge-offs, the 7 years start 180 days after the missed payment that led to it. Bankruptcies can stay up to 10 years (15 U.S.C. § 1681c; CFPB).

Can I pay someone to remove negative items?

If the information is accurate, no one can remove it early (CFPB). You can dispute real errors yourself for free.

Is this legal advice?

No. VaultRubric republishes facts from the FTC, CFPB and federal law with dates, and the dates check is simple arithmetic.

Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.