Experian Dispute: How To Dispute Online Or By Letter (Address & Form)
By Amy Beardsley
Last updated 6/25/2020
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Summary: An Experian dispute is easy to do through the online dispute center or by mail. Learn where to send your dispute letter and how to check dispute status.
Credit reports impact pretty much everything in your life. Keeping them up to date and error-free is important.
It can also be a hassle.
A Federal Trade Commission study found that 20% of people have at least one error on their credit report.
And it’s no secret that errors can drag your credit score down.
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What should you do to improve your credit score?
Luckily, Experian makes it easy to dispute errors on your credit report.
Here’s what to look for, how to file a dispute, and how to get help if you need it.
6 Common Errors On Your Credit Report
Have you checked your credit report recently?
If not, you should review it at least once a year. Since errors can pop up when you least expect it, checking your credit report quarterly is the best way to protect yourself.
I can hear you now:
That sounds great, but what should I look for?
Let me break it down for you.
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The most common errors are one of these six areas.
So, grab a highlighter and check your credit report for:
Wrong personal information like your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth
Collections accounts or bankruptcies that are past the statute of limitations for reporting
Paid collections accounts or debt included in bankruptcy that still shows a balance
Mixed credit files of someone sharing the same name as you
Duplicate reporting of a collections account
Inquiries, accounts, or collections you don’t recognize and never applied for
If you’re not sure, you can talk to a credit repair company to get advice from an expert.
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2 Ways To File An Experian Dispute
If you catch an error on your credit report, file a dispute right away. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), there’s a simple process for cleaning up your report.
Although you can do it online or by mail, we always recommend doing it by mail.
The Easy Way To Dispute The Errors Online
Experian has a dispute center that makes correcting errors on your credit report a breeze.
To begin, head over to the online dispute center.
This is where you click Start a new dispute online.
You’ll enter personal information, such as your name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth on the dispute form. A phone number and email address are required, too, just in case they need to contact you about your dispute.
Click Submit and Continue to be taken to your credit report.
You’ll never believe how simple this next step is.
When Experian brings up your credit report, filing a dispute is as easy as checking a box.
Locate the error you want to dispute on your credit report, check the box, or click on Dispute, and you’ll be on your way.
Now, here’s the thing.
Submitting a dispute online is convenient, but it misses one crucial step.
It doesn’t get you the paper trail you need to hold Experian accountable.
After you dispute something, there’s a 30-day window to respond. Using a certified letter sent through the mail is an easier way to start the clock to track the 30 days.
The good news?
It’s not as hard as you might think.
Here’s what to do.
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Sending An Experian Dispute By Mail (The Best Option)
The Experian dispute center has instructions to submit an online dispute. The advice is helpful, but it leaves out a few things you need to know.
Let me walk you through it.
First, you can use Experian’s dispute form - but a much simpler option is to download our free credit dispute letter.
Trust me on this one.
It’s based on Section 609 of the FCRA and includes the exact language you need to correct errors on your credit report.
The free dispute letter is a template that lets you fill in the blanks. You copy and paste it to Google Docs or Microsoft Word and update it with your information.
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Second, you need to find out:
Where do I send my dispute letter to?
Our free template includes the dispute address for all three credit bureaus, but here is Experian’s address if you need it:
Experian Dispute Department
PO Box 9701
Allen, TX 75013
Now, this is important:
Make sure you send your letter using certified mail with return receipt requested.
This does two things:
Provides written proof that you sent the letter
Requires the recipient to sign for it, proving it was delivered
And just like that, your 30-day clock starts ticking.
Increase Your Credit by 100+ Points
In a recent study at Credit Knocks, we found that *48% of clients who used a credit repair company got a credit score increase of 100+ points.
Consultation is quick, easy, and free.
How To Check Dispute Status
The next step is the hardest part.
Waiting.
But you don’t have to wait forever.
The FCRA requires credit bureaus to respond to a dispute within 30 days.
If they don’t?
You hit the jackpot.
You see, after 30 days, Experian must remove the negative listing from your credit report.
If you get impatient or are curious about the status of your dispute, it easy to check. Head back to Experian’s online dispute center and select the option to check an existing dispute.
Keep in mind that this option is only available if Experian sent you a notice that your results are available for online viewing.
You could also call the dispute phone number on your credit report, or contact Experian's National Consumer Assistance Center at 888 397 3742.
Understanding FICO Scores
Did you know lenders pull different FICO scores when you apply for a car loan vs a home loan? And yet another for credit cards? And the scores can vary (a LOT!) Learn more about your FICO credit scores in this guide.
When You Shouldn't DIY A Credit Dispute
As you can see, fixing your own credit report is pretty straightforward if you have an obvious error or two.
But what if your situation isn’t that simple?
Well, that’s when you can rely on credit repair experts.
Our #1 recommended credit repair company will review your credit report, dig up errors that might be harder to find, and dispute them on your behalf.
Even if you can only find one error, a credit repair company can make sure all three credit bureaus are notified and follow up to make sure it gets taken care of.
It takes time to repair credit, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
A bad credit score can cost you thousands of dollars in higher interest rates and insurance premiums.
Don’t let it hold you back from achieving major life goals. It’s time to give your credit report the attention it deserves.
*Study found 48% of professional credit repair clients who stuck with their service for 6+ months saw an average of 100+ points to their credit score. Source.
