Common Errors People Find on Their Credit Report (and How to Fix Them)
These credit report errors are more common than you realize.
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These credit report errors are more common than you realize.
Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock
Monitoring your credit report is more important than you might think. Even if you don't spot something as extreme as identity theft (knock on wood), minor errors here and there could be damaging your overall credit health. The accuracy of your credit report impacts your ability to secure loans, rent apartments, and even obtain certain jobs. Unfortunately, errors are more common than many people realize, and these mistakes can cause serious financial headaches if left unaddressed.
Common errors people find on their credit report
Use this list to review your own credit report and make sure everything checks out.
Identity and personal information mistakes
Seemingly minor errors can cause major problems—they can lead to confusion with credit agencies and potentially mix up your credit history with someone else's.
Misspelled name
Incorrect address history
Wrong Social Security Number
Incorrect birth date
Fraudulent accounts and identity theft
One of the most dangerous types of credit report errors involves accounts opened without your knowledge:
Credit cards you never applied for
Loans taken out in your name
Unauthorized financial transactions
Accounts resulting from identity theft
Duplicate debt listings
Sometimes, the same debt appears multiple times on a credit report:
The same collection account listed more than once
Transferred debts showing as separate entries
Paid-off debts still appearing as active
Incorrect account statuses
Credit reports can incorrectly show:
Accounts marked as late when payments were made on time
Closed accounts appearing as open
Incorrect credit limits
Wrong payment histories
Outdated negative information
Negative information should automatically drop off after a certain period:
Bankruptcies older than 10 years
Late payments older than 7 years
Outdated collection accounts
How to fix errors on your credit report
If you do spot mistakes on your credit report, you'll want to take these steps to submit a dispute.
Obtain your credit reports. You can request free reports from all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Document the errors. Review each report carefully for discrepancies and gather any supporting documentation that applies. Make copies of proof (payment records, identity documents). Write a clear, concise explanation of each error.
File a dispute. I have a more thorough guide to filing a credit dispute here, but what you need to know is there are three primary methods to submit disputes: Online, by mail, and by phone. Online is the most efficient method, but by phone could suffice for simple, straightforward errors.
Follow up. Bureaus must investigate within 30 days. Track your dispute's progress until you receive a written resolution. If your dispute is valid, the bureau must correct information and notify other the bureaus to do the same.
How to protect your credit score
Your best strategy is to take preventative measures like checking credit reports annually, using credit monitoring services, and placing fraud alerts or credit freezes if you find yourself a victim of identity theft. In general, do what you can to give away less of your personal data. In cases of significant identity theft, contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or file a report with local law enforcement.
Credit report errors are not just inconvenient—they can be financially devastating. Remember, you are your own best advocate when it comes to maintaining accurate credit information. For more, check out some of my tips for boosting your credit score here.
Meredith Dietz
Senior Finance Writer
Meredith Dietz is Lifehacker’s Senior Finance Writer. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Communications from Northeastern University, where she graduated as valedictorian of her college. She grew up waitressing in her family restaurant in Wilmington, DE and worked at Hasbro Games, where she wrote rules for new games. Previously, she worked in the non-profit space as a Leadership Resident with the Harpswell Foundation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; later, she was a travel coordinator for a study abroad program that traced the rise of fascist propaganda across Western Europe.
Since then, Meredith has been driven to make personal finance accessible and address taboos of talking openly about money, including debt, investing, and saving for retirement. Outside of finance writing, Meredith is a marathon runner and stand-up comedian who has been a regular contributor to The Onion and Reductress. Meredith lives in Brooklyn, NY.
