Types of Disputable Errors

Understanding Disputable Errors

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information on your credit report. Credit bureaus are required to investigate your disputes and correct or remove erroneous information.

1. Identity Errors

These errors occur when someone else's information appears on your credit report or your personal information is incorrect.

Common Identity Errors:

• Mixed Files: Another person's credit accounts appear on your report due to similar names or Social Security numbers
• Name Misspellings: Your name is spelled incorrectly or shows variations you never used
• Wrong Address: Addresses where you never lived
• Incorrect Social Security Number: Wrong or partial SSN listed
• Wrong Date of Birth: Incorrect birth date

Why These Matter:

Identity errors can indicate mixed credit files, where your information is confused with someone else's. This can result in accounts you don't own appearing on your report, potentially damaging your credit score.

2. Account Status Errors

Incorrect reporting of account status can significantly impact your credit score.

Common Status Errors:

• Closed Accounts Showing Open: Accounts you closed reported as still open
• Open Accounts Showing Closed: Active accounts incorrectly marked as closed
• Incorrect Account Type: Individual account shown as joint, or vice versa
• Wrong Account Ownership: You're listed as primary when you're an authorized user
• Incorrect Credit Limit: Your actual credit limit is higher than reported

3. Balance and Payment Errors

Inaccurate balance or payment information directly affects your credit utilization and payment history.

Common Balance/Payment Errors:

• Incorrect Balance: Wrong amount owed on an account
• Paid Accounts Showing Balance: Accounts you paid off still showing a balance
• Wrong Payment History: Late payments you made on time
• Duplicate Payments: Same late payment reported multiple times
• Incorrect Payment Status: Current account showing as delinquent

4. Duplicate Accounts

The same account listed multiple times can artificially inflate your debt and hurt your credit score.

How Duplicates Occur:

• Account sold to collection agency but original still reports
• Same debt purchased by multiple collectors
• Account reported by different divisions of same company
• Account number changed but both versions appear
• Technical glitches in reporting systems

5. Accounts That Aren't Yours

Fraudulent accounts or accounts opened without your authorization must be disputed immediately.

Common Causes:

• Identity Theft: Someone fraudulently opened accounts using your information
• Mixed Credit Files: Another person's accounts mistakenly merged with yours
• Clerical Errors: Wrong account number or information entered
• Ex-Spouse Accounts: Former spouse's accounts still appearing after divorce

6. Outdated Information

Most negative information must be removed from your credit report after a certain time period.

Standard Reporting Periods:

• Late Payments: 7 years from original delinquency date
• Collections: 7 years from original delinquency date
• Charge-Offs: 7 years from charge-off date
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: 7 years from filing
• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: 10 years from filing
• Tax Liens (paid): 7 years from payment date
• Judgments: 7 years or until statute of limitations expires
• Hard Inquiries: 2 years

7. Incorrect Dates

Wrong dates can make negative items stay on your report longer than legally allowed.

Important Dates to Verify:

• Account opening date
• Date of first delinquency
• Date account charged off
• Date sent to collections
• Last payment date
• Account closing date

8. Incorrect Credit Inquiries

Unauthorized or incorrect inquiries can lower your credit score.

Disputable Inquiries:

• Inquiries you didn't authorize
• Multiple inquiries from one application
• Inquiries older than 2 years
• Inquiries after identity theft
• Promotional inquiries showing as hard pulls

9. Bankruptcy Errors

Bankruptcy filings must be accurately reported with correct dates and included accounts.

Common Bankruptcy Errors:

• Wrong bankruptcy chapter (7 vs 13)
• Incorrect filing or discharge date
• Accounts not discharged still showing balance
• Bankruptcy lasting longer than 7 or 10 years
• Discharged debts reported as unpaid

10. Settled or Paid Collection Accounts

Once paid or settled, collection accounts should be updated to reflect the new status.

What to Check:

• Status changed from "unpaid" to "paid" or "settled"
• Balance shows $0 after payment
• Settlement date is accurate
• Account is not being reported by multiple collectors

How to Identify Errors

Follow these steps to find errors on your credit report:

• Get Reports from All Three Bureaus: Errors may only appear on one report
• Review Personal Information: Check names, addresses, SSN, DOB
• Verify Every Account: Confirm you recognize each account
• Check Balances: Compare report balances to your records
• Review Payment History: Look for incorrectly reported late payments
• Verify Dates: Ensure all dates are accurate
• Look for Duplicates: Same debt reported multiple times
• Check Inquiries: Verify you authorized each hard inquiry

Gathering Evidence for Disputes

Strong documentation increases your chances of a successful dispute:

• Bank Statements: Proof of payments made on time
• Cancelled Checks: Evidence of payment
• Credit Card Statements: Showing correct balances
• Payment Receipts: Confirmation of paid accounts
• Correspondence: Letters from creditors or collectors
• Court Documents: Bankruptcy discharge papers, dismissed judgments
• Police Reports: For identity theft cases
• Identity Theft Reports: From FTC for fraudulent accounts