Credit report errors

Disputing Credit Report Errors: What Works, What Doesn’t, and When to Get Help

Finding an error on your credit report can be frustrating, even frightening, especially if it’s affecting your ability to get a loan, rent an apartment, or apply for a job. But you’re not alone, and you have rights under federal law. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to dispute the error, protect your credit, and start fixing the problem.

Step 1: Write a Letter to the Credit Reporting Agency

Your first step is to prepare a dispute letter and send it to the credit reporting agency. The most common CRAs are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

It’s critical that your dispute go directly to the CRA, not just the creditor or company that furnished the information. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have no meaningful legal rights until a dispute is made to the credit reporting agency itself.

⚠️ Why Not Use the CRA’s Website?

Although all the CRAs offer online dispute forms, we strongly recommend mailing a letter instead. Here’s why:

  • Online portals may require you to waive some of your legal rights, including your right to sue in court if the CRA doesn’t follow the law.

  • You can’t attach detailed documentation as easily.

  • A letter creates a strong paper trail, which is critical if the CRA doesn’t fix the error.

📋 Credit Report Dispute Letter Checklist

Before you send your letter, make sure it includes:

✅ Your full name, address, and Social Security number
✅ A list of the inaccurate items (circle them on a copy of your credit report)
✅ A detailed explanation of what’s wrong with each item
✅ Copies of documents that support your position
✅ Information about any previous disputes, including phone calls
✅ A clear statement of what you want them to do (e.g., delete, correct)

✍️ Tip: Avoid internet templates or generic sample letters — many are shallow or misleading. The best letter uses your own words.

Step 2: Mail the Letter Certified and Keep a Copy of the Letter for Your Records

Mail your letter using certified mail with return receipt and keep a full copy of your letter and proof of delivery. This documentation is vital in case the CRA ignores your dispute or fails to fix the mistake.

Step 3: Review the CRA’s Response to Your Dispute

Within about 30 days, the CRA will send you a response and an updated credit report. This response will tell you whether the disputed item was corrected or deleted.

Compare this new report to your old one. If the mistake is fixed, great! If not, save the response and continue to Step 4.

📄 Tip: The CRA must conduct a real investigation — it can’t just rubber-stamp whatever the furnisher says. If it fails to investigate properly, it may have violated your rights under federal law.

Step 4: Talk to an Attorney if Your Dispute Didn’t Fix the Mistake

If your dispute letter was clear and well-documented but the CRA still refuses to fix the mistake, don’t give up.

At this point, you should talk to a consumer protection attorney with experience handling FCRA claims. A lawyer can:

  • Review your dispute and CRA response;

  • Advise you on if you should dispute a second time;

  • Force the CRA to act or face legal consequences

  • Help you seek damages for harm to your credit

Most FCRA attorneys offer free consultations and, if your legal rights were violated, the law may require the CRA to pay your legal fees. If you live in Minnesota or Western Wisconsin, feel free to contact us.

FREE CREDIT REPORT ERROR RESOURCES

What Is a “Mixed File” on My Credit Report and What Can I Do About It?

If your credit report suddenly shows debts you don’t recognize, accounts you never opened, or names that aren’t quite yours, you might be dealing with a mixed file.

Mixed files are one of the most serious, and frustrating, types of credit report errors. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly half of all consumer complaints about credit reports involve this very issue. It can feel like identity theft, except no one stole your identity. Instead, the credit bureau just mixed your credit report up with someone else’s.

Let’s walk through what a mixed file is, how it happens, how it can affect you, and, most importantly, what you can do to fix it.

What Is a Mixed File?

A mixed file happens when a credit bureau combines the information of two or more people into a single credit report.

That means someone else’s credit history, good and bad, gets added to your report. Often, it’s someone with a similar name, address, or Social Security number.

How Does It Happen?

Mixed files are usually caused by the credit reporting agencies themselves.

These companies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, receive data from thousands of sources: banks, lenders, collection agencies, and public records. They match that data to your file using identifiers like:

  • Name

  • Social Security number

  • Date of birth

  • Current and past addresses

But their matching process doesn’t require an exact match and they won’t reveal their criteria. As a result, sometimes one person’s file gets mixed up with another’s. This usually happens for one or more of these reasons:

  • Similar names (e.g., Jon Smith vs. Jonathan Smith)

  • Generational name sharing (Sr./Jr./III)

  • Similar or transposed Social Security numbers

  • Shared addresses (like roommates or relatives)

In some cases, the error starts with a creditor who incorrectly reports your name on someone else’s account. But often, it’s the credit bureau’s matching system that allows the error to make it into your report.

Why Mixed Files Are So Dangerous

This isn’t just a minor clerical error. A mixed file can have major consequences for your life and finances.

It Can Devastate Your Credit Score

If the other person’s accounts are maxed out, delinquent, or in collections, your score can plummet overnight, even though the debts aren’t yours.

You Might Get Collection Calls or Letters

Debt collectors may start contacting you about debts you never incurred. It’s stressful and confusing, and hard to convince them it’s not your responsibility.

It’s Hard to Prove a Negative

One of the most frustrating aspects of a mixed file is how hard it can be to prove that an account doesn’t belong to you. You may have to provide:

  • Copies of your ID and Social Security card

  • Proof of your address history

  • Sworn affidavits or birth certificates

Even then, the bureaus don’t always fix the problem on the first try.

How to Fix a Mixed File

If you think someone else’s information is on your credit report, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Get All Three Credit Reports

Start by requesting your reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized site for free credit reports.

Why all three? Because each bureau may report different information. A mixed file might show up on one report but not the others.

Step 2: Send a Written Dispute

Write a detailed letter to each credit bureau reporting the error. Describe which accounts are not yours and include any supporting documents you have.

  • Use certified mail with return receipt

  • Include a copy of your credit report with the wrong accounts clearly marked

  • Attach proof of your identity and address

Step 3: Be Persistent

Bureaus are required by law to investigate your dispute, usually within 30 days. But mixed files can be stubborn. Don’t hesitate to follow up, escalate, or resend documentation if needed.

When to Call a Lawyer

If you've disputed the error and the credit bureaus still haven’t fixed your report, it may be time to talk to a lawyer.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to accurate credit reporting. If a bureau fails to properly investigate or correct your report, you may be entitled to:

  • Actual damages (like loan denials or emotional distress)

  • Statutory damages up to $1,000

  • Attorney’s fees and costs

Typically, you don’t have to pay a lawyer upfront. If you win, the credit bureau pays your legal fees.

Serving Minnesota and Western Wisconsin

Tired of fighting a credit report error on your own? Book a free consult with FCRA attorney Todd Murray today.

Since 2009, Todd has helped people across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin fix credit report errors and reclaim their finances. He’s recovered millions of dollars for clients and corrected all kinds of credit reporting mistakes. Originally from Wisconsin, and now based in the Twin Cities, clients describe Todd as professional, approachable, and easy to work with.

Common Credit Reporting Mistakes And How to Spot and Fix Them

Credit reports are supposed to tell the story of how you manage debt, but sometimes, that story gets the facts wrong. In fact, a recent study indicates that nearly 80% of credit reports have a mistake on them. Credit report errors can hurt your credit score, cost you money, and even affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a job.

Imagine being denied a mortgage refinance because of a late payment on your credit report that wasn’t actually late. This is exactly what happened to a former client from St. Paul, let’s call him Dave. Dave’s credit report showed a late payment to his cell phone provider. This report was dead wrong. Dave had the deposited check proving that the cell phone company got his payment on time. But this inaccurate late payment kept Dave from refinancing his mortgage.

Or imagine being denied credit because your credit report doesn’t have your married name on it. This is what happened to Jenny, another former client from Eagan, Minnesota. Jenny changed her last name when she got married. But her credit reports showed her old name and didn’t include her new, married name. This led to repeated credit denials for loans she should have easily qualified for.

As these examples show, even a single mistake on your credit reports can result in credit denials or higher interest rates.

At this point, you might be asking yourself “how can I avoid being like Dave or Jenny?” The answer is simple: check your credit reports at least a couple times a year and fix any mistakes immediately.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common credit reporting errors, how to recognize them, and what to do if you find one.

Incorrect Personal Information

It might seem minor, but even a misspelled name or wrong address can cause mix-ups, especially if you share a name with someone else.

Common issues include:

  • Wrong address

  • Incorrect date of birth

  • Misspelled names or name mix-ups

  • Wrong Social Security number (even one digit off)

Why it matters: Errors in personal info can lead to someone else's accounts showing up on your report or can be signs of identity theft or fraud.

What to do: If you notice incorrect personal info, file a dispute (sample letter and instructions below) with each credit bureau showing the error. Be sure to provide documents like a copy of your ID, Social Security card, or utility bill showing the correct information.

Accounts That Don’t Belong to You

Sometimes, accounts from someone else — like a family member or a complete stranger — end up on your report.

This could be due to:

  • Identity theft

  • Mixed files (your information getting confused with another person’s)

  • Credit reporting errors from lenders, such as Blaze Credit Union or Associated Bank.

Why it matters: Accounts that don’t belong to you could be a sign of a serious problem, like identity theft or a mixed credit file. They can also lead lenders to believe you have more debt than you really do, which can lead to credit denials or higher interest rates.

What to do: Review the account details carefully to make absolutely sure it isn’t yours. If you’re sure, dispute it right away with each credit bureau showing the error. You may also consider requesting that a fraud alert be placed on your credit file.

Incorrect Payment History

Another frequent credit report mistake is when your payment history is reported incorrectly.

Common problems:

  • Payments marked “late” when you paid on time

  • Missed payments that were actually made

  • Accounts showing the wrong status (e.g., “delinquent” or “in collections” when they’re not)

Why it matters: Your payment history has a significant impact on your credit score so when it’s wrong, it’s a big deal.

What to do: Gather proof, like payment confirmations or bank statements, and submit it when disputing the error with the credit bureaus. You may also contact the lender directly and ask them to correct the reporting.

Outdated or Duplicate Information

Sometimes, old or closed accounts stay on your report longer than they should.

Examples include:

  • Accounts that should’ve been removed (e.g., after 7 years)

  • Closed accounts still marked “open”

  • The same debt listed more than once (especially with collections)

Why it matters: Closed accounts reported as open or the same debt listed twice can make it appear that you are carrying more debt than you really are. This may have an impact on your ability to get credit in the future.

What to do: Check the age of the accounts. If an account has been delinquent for more than 7 years, it should be removed from your report. If it's still there, you can dispute it. For duplicates, include screenshots or printed reports to highlight repeated entries along with your dispute letter.

Reinserted or Re-Appearing Errors

Sometimes, an error you’ve already disputed and fixed comes back. This is called reinserted information and it’s a red flag.

Under the law, credit bureaus have to notify you if they reinsert a disputed item, but that doesn’t always happen.

Why it matters: Reinserted debts are a serious problem. After all, you’ve already disputed the mistake once and the credit bureau has agreed it was wrong. But now they’ve put the mistake back on your report, dragging down your score.

What to do: If a corrected error comes back, dispute it again and request the reinsertion notice. If they fail to notify you or continue reporting inaccurate information, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

Final Thoughts

Credit report mistakes are more common than most people realize but they’re not something you have to live with.

Start by getting your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s the only federally authorized source and lets you check your reports from all three major bureaus for free.

Already found a mistake? File a dispute as soon as possible, and be sure to keep copies of all documentation. If the credit bureau or creditor doesn’t correct the error, you may have legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

FREE CREDIT REPORT ERROR RESOURCES