Credit reports are supposed to tell the story of how you manage debt, but sometimes, that story gets the facts wrong. In fact, about 1 in 5 people have an error on at least one of their credit reports, according to a recent FTC study. Credit report mistakes 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, 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. 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
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 Reporting Error Resources:
