If you've found an error on your credit report, you have a legal right to challenge it. Under UK data protection law and the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the three credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) are required to investigate any dispute you raise and either correct the data, remove it, or explain why they consider it accurate.
The dispute process is free. You don't need a lawyer, a credit repair company, or a paid service to raise one — and you shouldn't pay anyone who claims they can do it for you. This guide walks through exactly how to do it yourself, what to expect at each stage, and what to do if the CRA doesn't agree with you.
Before you start: gather your evidence
A dispute is only as strong as the evidence behind it. Before you contact a CRA, gather anything that supports your case:
- Bank statements showing payments were made on time
- Letters or emails from lenders confirming account closures, balances, or settlement
- Court paperwork if you're disputing a CCJ you've paid or that was registered incorrectly
- Proof of address for any period being disputed (utility bills, tenancy agreements, council tax records)
- Identity documents if the dispute involves a mixed file or suspected fraud
The CRA can investigate without every piece of supporting evidence, but providing it upfront makes the investigation faster and the outcome more likely to go your way.
Step 1
Identify which credit reference agency is reporting the error
Each CRA holds its own version of your credit file. An error on your Experian report might not appear on your Equifax or TransUnion file, or vice versa. Before you dispute, confirm which agency is reporting the inaccurate data by checking how to spot errors on your credit report.
If the same error appears on all three reports, you'll need to raise a separate dispute with each one. Raising it with one CRA won't automatically update the others.
Step 2
Contact the credit reference agency directly
All three CRAs accept disputes online through their own portals, and all three also accept disputes by post. Online is almost always faster.
When you submit your dispute, include:
- Your full name, date of birth, and current address (and any previous addresses relevant to the dispute)
- A clear description of what's wrong — which entry, what the current report shows, and what you believe it should show instead
- Your supporting evidence, either attached to the online form or enclosed with a postal letter
Keep your explanation concise and factual. A dispute isn't the place to explain the context of a financial difficulty — stick to what's inaccurate and why.
Step 3
Wait for the CRA to investigate
Once you've submitted your dispute, the CRA has a statutory obligation to investigate. In practice, this means they'll contact the lender or organisation that supplied the disputed data and ask them to verify or correct it.
The investigation usually takes up to 28 days, though straightforward cases are often resolved faster. You'll receive a response by email or post setting out what the CRA has done.
During the investigation, the CRA will typically add a "disputed" marker to the entry on your credit file. This tells any lender looking at your file that the data is being challenged.
Step 4
Review the CRA's response
One of three things will happen:
If the lender confirms the error or doesn't respond within the CRA's investigation window, the CRA will correct or remove the entry. Your file will be updated, and the "disputed" marker will come off.
If the lender stands by the original data, the CRA will leave the entry in place and explain their reasoning. This doesn't end your options — see Step 5. If you realise the data may be technically accurate, you can also learn about whether you can remove negative information from your credit report.
Occasionally, especially for complex disputes, the CRA may need longer than 28 days. They should keep you informed if this happens.
Step 5
What to do if you disagree with the outcome
If the CRA concludes that the disputed data is accurate but you still disagree, you have several options:
Contact the lender directly.
The CRA can only act on the data the lender supplies. If you have new evidence, sending it straight to the lender can sometimes resolve the issue where the CRA couldn't.
Add a notice of correction.
You can ask the CRA to add a short statement (up to 200 words) to your credit file explaining your side of the dispute. Lenders reviewing your file in future will see your statement alongside the disputed entry. It doesn't change the underlying data, but it provides context.
Complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
If the dispute involves a regulated financial firm (a bank, credit card provider, or lender), and you're not satisfied with how they've handled the matter, you can refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The ombudsman is free and independent.
Complain to the ICO.
If you believe a CRA has failed to handle your personal data correctly, you can raise a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office. The ICO oversees data protection compliance across all three CRAs.
How long does a dispute take in total?
Most straightforward disputes are resolved within the 28-day statutory window. More complex cases — particularly those involving disputed CCJs, suspected fraud, or mixed files — can take longer, especially if the lender takes time to respond or if new evidence is introduced partway through. You can find more detail on how long negative information stays on your credit report.
If a dispute drags on beyond 28 days without clear explanation, it's reasonable to chase the CRA for a progress update.
Can you speed up the process?
The single biggest factor in how fast a dispute is resolved is the quality of evidence you submit at the start. A clear, concise explanation with complete supporting documents can be resolved in days; a vague complaint with no evidence can take the full statutory window and may not succeed at all.
If you'd like to keep track of your disputes alongside your live credit file — with guided forms for raising disputes and ongoing monitoring to help flag new errors as they appear — UK Credit Ratings offers a free 14-day trial that includes these services.
Start your free trialAfter the 14 day trial, there will be a fee which is applied unless cancelled. At signup you will get to review all the terms. You can cancel your trial at any time during or after via your account or by contacting our support team.
FAQ
Is disputing a credit report free?
Yes. Raising a dispute directly with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion is free and is a statutory right under UK data protection law. Any service that charges you simply to raise a dispute is charging for something you can do yourself at no cost.
How long does the CRA have to respond to a dispute?
Under UK data protection rules, the CRA has up to 28 days to investigate a dispute and respond. Most straightforward disputes are resolved well within this window. Complex cases — especially those involving a lender who disputes the consumer's version of events — may take longer, but the CRA should keep you informed.
What if the lender confirms the entry is correct?
The CRA will typically accept the lender's position and leave the entry in place. If you disagree, you can contact the lender directly with new evidence, add a notice of correction to your credit file, or escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service (for regulated firms) or the ICO.
Can I dispute the same error with all three CRAs at once?
You can raise disputes with all three simultaneously if the same error appears on each report. However, correcting the data with one CRA doesn't automatically update the others — each agency handles its own investigation independently.
What's the difference between a dispute and a notice of correction?
A dispute asks the CRA to change or remove inaccurate data. A notice of correction is a short written statement (up to 200 words) added to your credit file to give context. You use a dispute when you believe the data is wrong; you use a notice of correction when the data is technically accurate but you want lenders to understand the circumstances.
For a full overview of your options, visit our guide to Disputing Errors on Your Credit Report and learn about the three UK credit reference agencies.