Your credit report plays a major role in your financial future. It affects your ability to get a mortgage, car loan, or even a job. But what happens when errors on your report hurt your credit score? You have the legal right to dispute them—and the government has laws in place to protect you.
Errors on credit reports are more common than you think. According to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) study, one in five Americans has at least one error on their credit report. These mistakes can lower your score and cost you thousands in higher interest rates. That’s why it’s crucial to know your rights and take action.
In this guide, we’ll break down the laws that protect you, explain how to dispute errors, and share a real-life example of how we helped a past client successfully fix their credit.
The Laws That Give You the Right to Dispute
The U.S. government has put laws in place to ensure your credit report is fair and accurate. Here are the key ones you should know:
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the most important law when it comes to disputing credit errors. It forces credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to maintain accurate information and gives you the power to challenge anything that’s incorrect.
• You have the right to dispute anything on your credit report that is inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable.
• Credit bureaus must investigate your dispute within 30 days.
• If they cannot verify the information, they must remove it from your report.
• If a company reports false information, they must correct it or be held legally responsible.
Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) protects you from billing errors on credit card accounts. If you see fraudulent charges, incorrect late fees, or double charges, you have the legal right to dispute them.
• You have 60 days to dispute a billing error.
• Your creditor must investigate and correct the mistake if it’s valid.
• While under investigation, the disputed charge cannot be reported as late.
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
If you’re dealing with aggressive debt collectors, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is your best friend. This law prevents harassment and stops debt collectors from reporting false debts on your credit report.
• You have the right to request proof of any debt a collector claims you owe.
• Debt collectors cannot report a debt as valid without verification.
• If a collector violates your rights, you can sue for damages.
How We Helped a Client Fix His Credit
Last year, we had a client named James R.
James was excited about buying his first home, but when his mortgage lender pulled his credit report, his score was much lower than expected. He reviewed his report and found two major errors that were costing him big time:
• A $4,500 medical bill that he had already paid off.
• A late payment on a credit card he had never even opened.
These mistakes dropped his score by nearly 100 points, putting his home loan at risk. That’s when he reached out to Credit Champs for help.
Here’s how we helped James get back on track:
• We reviewed his credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
• We gathered supporting documents, including payment receipts and fraud reports.
• We sent official dispute letters to each credit bureau, citing the FCRA and FCBA.
• Within 30 days, the errors were removed, and his credit score jumped back up—allowing him to qualify for his home loan.
James went from frustrated and stuck to pre-approved and ready to buy—all because he took the right steps to dispute inaccurate information on his report.
How to Dispute Credit Report Errors
Fixing credit errors is easier than you think. Just follow these steps:
1. Request your free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com.
2. Highlight any errors you find (wrong accounts, balances, personal details, etc.).
3. Gather supporting documents, like payment receipts, bank statements, or ID theft reports.
4. Write a formal dispute letter and send it to the credit bureaus via certified mail.
5. Monitor your report and follow up if needed.
Pro Tip: Keep copies of all your disputes and send everything via certified mail to ensure proof of delivery.
Need Help? Text Us!
Disputing credit errors can be time-consuming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you need help fixing your credit, text “DISPUTE HELP” to 407-588-7484 and let’s get started!
• Get expert guidance on how to file disputes properly
• Learn which laws to cite to strengthen your case
• Boost your credit score by removing inaccurate information
For more information, visit www.creditchamps.pro or email us at info@creditchamps.pro.
Your credit is your financial power—don’t let errors hold you back. Take action today.
About the Author
RJ Bellamy, also known as RJ the Credit Champ, is a credit repair and financial literacy expert dedicated to helping individuals take control of their financial future. As the founder of Credit Champs, RJ has helped countless clients fix errors on their credit reports, secure business funding, and achieve homeownership. His mission is to educate and empower people to leverage credit the right way, using legal strategies that work.
To learn more about RJ Bellamy and how Credit Champs can help you, visit www.creditchamps.pro or email info@creditchamps.pro.