Start with your free report
Before you dispute anything with Equifax, you need the actual report in hand. Get it from AnnualCreditReport.com — the only federally authorized source. Equifax also lets you pull your report directly at myequifax.com after creating a free account. Download or print it before starting a dispute. You'll need to reference specific account names, dates, and account numbers in your submission.
Three ways to file a dispute with Equifax
Online through the Equifax Dispute Center is the fastest option. Go to equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/ and log in or create a myEquifax account. You'll select the item you want to dispute, choose a reason from the dropdown (incorrect information, not mine, duplicate account, etc.), and submit supporting documents if you have them. Equifax confirms receipt by email.
By mail is slower but creates a harder paper trail. Send a written dispute letter to:
Equifax Information Services LLC P.O. Box 740256 Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Include: your full name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, the specific item(s) you're disputing, why each item is wrong, and copies (not originals) of any supporting documents. Send via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery and the exact date Equifax received it — the 30-day clock starts from that date.
By phone is an option but the least advisable for anything complex. Call 866-349-5191. Phone disputes are harder to document, and you're relying on a representative to accurately record your dispute. Use phone only for simple status checks or if you have an accessibility need.
What Equifax is required to do
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equifax must complete its investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute. If you provide additional information during the investigation, that can extend the window to 45 days. Equifax is required to forward your dispute and any supporting documents to the furnisher (the creditor or collector who reported the item) and give them a reasonable time to respond.
After the investigation closes, Equifax must:
- Tell you the result in writing
- Provide a free copy of your updated report if the dispute results in a change
- Note in your file that the item was disputed, even if it wasn't changed
What to expect and common outcomes
Most disputes resolve in 10–21 days, though Equifax can take the full 30. The outcome will be one of three things: the item is deleted, the item is updated or corrected, or the item is verified as accurate and remains unchanged.
If Equifax says "verified," that doesn't mean the item is necessarily correct. It means the furnisher responded and confirmed the information. Furnishers sometimes verify errors because their own records are wrong. "Verified" is not the end of the road.
If round 1 doesn't work
First, request the method of verification — what information Equifax used to verify the item. This is your right under the FCRA. Send a written request to the same address.
Second, dispute directly with the furnisher (the original creditor or collection agency), not just the bureau. Furnisher disputes go to their internal dispute department and often get different attention than bureau-forwarded disputes.
Third, if the item is still wrong after two rounds, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Equifax responds to CFPB complaints through an official channel, and outcomes are often better than direct disputes alone.
Documents that strengthen your case
Supporting documentation isn't required to file a dispute, but it significantly improves your odds. Useful documents include: payment confirmations, account statements showing a zero balance, letters from creditors confirming a debt was paid or discharged, court documents for dismissed judgments, and identity theft reports if the account isn't yours.
Don't send originals. Always send copies, and keep a full set for your records.
Your next step
Pull your Equifax report from AnnualCreditReport.com today. Identify any items with incorrect balances, wrong dates, accounts you don't recognize, or duplicate entries. Start your dispute online if you want speed, or by certified mail if you want documentation. Set a calendar reminder for day 30 — that's when you follow up if you haven't heard back.