Credit Dispute
A formal challenge to information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days and correct or remove items they cannot verify.
Related guides
- Full credit & FICO® glossary
Browse all defined terms by category.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The US federal law that regulates how credit bureaus (Consumer Reporting Agencies) collect, use, and share your credit information. The FCRA gives you the right to see your credit report, dispute inaccuracies, and limits how long negative information can remain on your report.
- Credit Bureau
A company that collects and maintains credit information about consumers and provides credit reports to lenders, creditors, and consumers. The three major US credit bureaus are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Also called Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Dispute
What does Credit Dispute mean?
A formal challenge to information on your credit report that you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. Under the FCRA, credit bureaus must investigate disputes within 30 days and correct or remove items they cannot verify.
Is Credit Dispute important for my FICO® score?
Understanding Credit Dispute helps you manage your credit profile more effectively, which in turn supports a stronger FICO® score.