How Do You File a Credit Report Complaint?
Learn when to file a CFPB credit report complaint, why you usually dispute first, and what documents help.
To file a credit report complaint with the CFPB, first dispute inaccurate or incomplete information directly with the credit reporting company unless your issue is not about correcting report information. After the dispute is no longer pending, or more than 45 days have passed, use the CFPB complaint portal and include the disputed item, dates, responses, and supporting documents.
Credit complaint checklist
Credit reporting company
Identifies who handled the report
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
Dispute date
Shows timing
Date submitted to bureau
Disputed item
Defines the problem
Account, balance, identity issue
Company response
Shows result
Letter, portal response, email
Documents
Supports correction
Statements, proof of payment, police report
Dispute-first matters
For inaccurate or incomplete credit-report information, the CFPB complaint notice says consumers generally need to dispute with the credit reporting company first.
File the complaint
- 1Dispute inaccurate or incomplete information directly with the credit reporting company.
- 2Wait until the dispute is no longer pending or more than 45 days have passed.
- 3Gather the report page, dispute confirmation, company response, and supporting documents.
- 4Open the CFPB complaint portal and choose credit reporting.
- 5Describe the issue, attach documents, and submit.
FAQ
Do I have to dispute with the credit reporting agency first?
The CFPB says consumers generally must first dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit-report information directly with the credit reporting company.
When can I file a CFPB credit report complaint?
CFPB guidance says to file after the dispute is no longer pending or more than 45 days have passed, unless another complaint issue applies.
What should I include in a credit report complaint?
Include the credit reporting company, account or item details, dispute dates, written responses, report pages, and supporting documents.
Sources & method
We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.
- Credit and consumer reporting complaint noticeConsumer Financial Protection Bureau · consumerfinance.govSupports the rule that consumers generally must dispute inaccurate or incomplete credit-report information directly with the credit reporting company first.
- Submit a complaint about a financial product or serviceConsumer Financial Protection Bureau · consumerfinance.govSupports the complaint-submission path after the consumer is ready to proceed.