Question 1

What is a dispute?

Accepted Answer

If you see an item on your credit report that you think is inaccurate, you can start a “dispute” and the credit reporting agency (such as TransUnion) will investigate the possible inaccuracy.

Question 2

Are disputes free?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Disputes are 100% free.

Question 3

What is the difference between a hard and soft inquiry?

Accepted Answer

Generally, hard inquiries show up on your credit report when you’ve filled out an application for credit and the company you authorized pulls your report to analyze your creditworthiness. Only hard inquiries affect your credit score. Soft inquiries can appear for a variety of reasons, including promotional offers, employment verification and when you pull your own credit report. Typically, promotional inquiries stay on your credit report for one year, while other soft inquiries and hard inquiries may stay on your credit report for two years. Read our blog to learn more about the difference between hard and soft inquiries.

Question 4

I disputed an account and it says it was already verified. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

It means we already investigated the item(s) you are disputing, and the company who provided the information to TransUnion told us the information on your credit report was correct. If you have documents to support your dispute, you can submit your request again online, with the supporting documents, and we will be happy to investigate the item(s) again. Examples of supporting documents might be a letter from the creditor or courthouse, billing statement, letter from the IRS, canceled check or money order showing payment, etc. You may also want to contact the company you hold the account with directly to make the update. Or, you can add a statement of 100 words or less to your credit file.

Question 5

My credit report contains another person’s information, how can I fix it?

Accepted Answer

If you believe your credit report has been mixed up with another person’s credit report, please follow the dispute process to notify us. You should also: Check your credit report with the other bureaus to ensure they are accurate, and check your reports annually to ensure accuracy. Identify all of the information that doesn’t belong to you, which could include accounts, addresses and other identification information. Ensure that your personal identification information is complete and includes your full name, date of birth, Social Security Number and complete address. If you believe that the incorrect information may belong to a family member, be sure to let us know during the dispute process.

Question 6

Why can't I dispute my credit score?

Accepted Answer

There are many different scoring models used to determine a score from the information in your credit report at the time you check it. Credit history information in your credit report, including the number of inquiries, outstanding balances, number of accounts, age of accounts, etc., is considered when calculating the score. As the information in your credit report changes, your score may changes. For that reason, we are unable to accept a dispute regarding your credit score. We can, however, investigate the information on your TransUnion Credit Report if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete. For more information on credit scores, check out our blog. Note: TransUnion does not make credit decisions, and does not maintain information on how a specific creditor uses a score, or even which scoring model they use. You can contact the creditor directly to discuss how your score was used.

Question 7

What does a typical dispute investigation process look like?

Accepted Answer

The investigation process includes three steps: You submit an investigation request (dispute). If you believe that an item contained in your TransUnion credit report is inaccurate or needs updating, send TransUnion a request for investigation or request to change information. You can start your investigation online. You can also submit a dispute by phone or mail. TransUnion contacts the creditor for verification. After TransUnion receives your request, we will either contact the creditor for verification or change the information directly if it does not require verification. The creditor returns verification and TransUnion completes the process. Once the creditor returns verification, we will revise or delete the information in your credit report if it is inaccurate. No change will be made if the creditor verifies its accuracy. In either case, TransUnion will send you a summary of the investigation results and, if applicable, a revised copy of your TransUnion credit report. If our investigation has not resolved your dispute, you may add a 100-word statement to your report. If you provide a consumer statement that contains medical information related to service providers or medical procedures, then you expressly consent to TransUnion including this information in every credit report we issue about you. If you wish to obtain documentation or written verification concerning your accounts, please contact your creditors directly. You may also request a description of how we conducted the investigation or file a complaint about TransUnion or the business reporting the disputed information with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or your state’s attorney general’s office.

Question 8

I’m a veteran and have a medical debt I don’t think I’m responsible for. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

As of May 24, 2019, medical debt that should be covered by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical benefits are not to be included on consumer credit reports. We encourage you to call the VA at (877)-881-7618 if you have outstanding medical debt that you think is the responsibility of the VA, and the staff will work with you to find a resolution. If you see medical debt on your TransUnion credit report you think is the responsibility of the VA, go online to start a dispute. Be sure to upload a copy of your VA Health Identification Card (VHIC) and/or a copy of a letter from the VA describing the adverse credit report and TransUnion will investigate.

Question 9

How do I get information that was previously removed added back onto my TransUnion credit report?

Accepted Answer

If personal information or an account were previously removed from your TransUnion credit report, but you later determine that information should show up on your credit report again, follow the instructions below. Personal Information: To re-add a phone number or employer, contact us. To re-add other personal information such as a name or address, mail current documents that show the information you want to add. Get more detailed instructions here. Account: To re-add an account, ask the lender or company that manages the account to contact TransUnion to see if the account is eligible to be re-reported or reinserted to your credit report. To manage a consumer statement on your credit report, please use our online dispute process.

Question 10

What is a consumer statement? How do I add one to my credit report?

Accepted Answer

Every person has a unique financial story, and a consumer statement is an opportunity to tell yours. If you are experiencing a financial hardship related to a public health emergency or your personal circumstances, you can add a consumer statement to your credit report to explain your situation. We provide several pre-worded options that you can choose from, or you can write your own statement of 100 words or fewer. Please note: Anyone who views your credit report will be able to see your consumer statement. Do not include personal, medical or human trafficking victim status information in your consumer statement. If you think adding a consumer statement is the right option for you, simply follow these instructions: Sign in to the TransUnion Service Center. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free. When you're signed in, scroll down to the Manage Your Consumer Statement section. Click "Manage My Statement" and then choose one of the provided consumer statement options or write your own statement of 100 words or fewer. Add an expiration date for your statement and then click "Save & Continue". If you later decide you want to add to or delete your consumer statement, sign in to the TransUnion Service Center to remove it.

Question 11

My credit report mistakenly reports me as deceased, how can I fix it?

Accepted Answer

If you’ve mistakenly been reported as deceased on your TransUnion credit report, please call us 800-916-8800 and we’ll help get this resolved right away. You can also submit a dispute online to notify us about this error.

Question 12

Why is my employment information incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Employment information is typically reported from applications for credit. This information is generally not used by credit grantors or employers in making their decisions, but it is typically used for demographic purposes. You can update your employment information online through the TransUnion Service Center. Start a dispute and click the “Add” button next to employment history. You can also start a dispute by phone or mail.

Question 13

What’s the difference between a credit bureau and a creditor?

Accepted Answer

A credit bureau, or credit reporting agency, usually refers to a company that collects consumer data, like TransUnion. A creditor (sometimes called a data provider) is a company that extends credit to you, such as an auto loan company or a credit card company.

Question 14

Is disputing something on my TransUnion credit report through Credit Karma the same as disputing directly with TransUnion?

Accepted Answer

Yes. When you dispute through Credit Karma, they will send us your dispute and we will start an investigation.

Question 15

Can I submit a complaint if I’m unsatisfied with a TransUnion service?

Accepted Answer

If you’re not getting the resolution you’re hoping for, you can visit our Consumer Support page to contact us for more help. If you disagree with the results of a dispute investigation, you can file a complaint about the company reporting the item you’re disputing or about TransUnion with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or with your State’s Attorney General’s office.

Question 16

How do I dispute items on a credit report for someone who is deceased?

Accepted Answer

To dispute an item on a credit report for someone who is deceased, along with a copy of a death certificate, provide their legal name, the name of the companies that reported the item you’re disputing and the partial account number (from their credit report), the reason for the dispute and any supporting documents. If you are the spouse, simply state your name and indicate you are the spouse and include a mailing address. If you are an executor or other third party you will need to provide identification such as a driver’s license, and a copy of the will, executor agreement or Power of Attorney documentation along with your mailing address. Send your dispute letter and any supporting documents to the following address: TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016

Question 17

Can I dispute an inquiry?

Accepted Answer

First, check what kind of inquiry is on your credit report. Soft inquiries don’t affect your credit score. On your TransUnion credit report, account review inquiries and promotional inquiries are considered soft inquiries. If you see an inquiry on your credit report from a company you don’t recognize, we recommend you contact the company that placed the inquiry and ask them why — it could be someone else made an application in your name. If that happened, you can ask the company to send a letter directly to TransUnion, requesting the inquiry be deleted. Or, if you have information that the inquiry was made fraudulently, you can mail that information to us directly. Please note there isn’t a way to do this online.

Question 18

Can I dispute a collection charge?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can dispute a collection charge and then we’ll start an investigation.

Question 19

Can I dispute credit card debt?

Accepted Answer

If you think there is an inaccuracy with the information reported from a credit card company, you can dispute and we’ll start an investigation.

Question 20

Can I dispute an address?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you see an address on your credit report that never belonged to you, you can dispute it online to remove it. After you log in, select “New Investigation” and then “Edit Addresses.” You can also start a dispute by phone or mail if you prefer. To add a new address to your credit report, you need to mail in supporting documents to make that change. You can learn more here.

Question 21

Can I add supporting documents to my dispute?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Before you submit your dispute online, you will be given the option to attach supporting documents. You don’t need to have supporting documents to submit a dispute, so this step is optional. If you choose to add documents, please consider the following: Generally, documents sufficient to support your dispute are from a relevant source (such as a court or a lender), and include specific details that support the change you are requesting. An example of a helpful document is a statement that shows an account has been paid off and closed. Documents should be JPG, JPEG, PDF or TIFF file types. There should only be letters and numbers in the file name. You can upload up to five (5) documents, no more than 5 MB in total size. We don't currently support online document uploads for public records disputes like bankruptcy or updates to personal information such as Social Security number, date of birth, name and address. If you need to provide supporting documents for either type of dispute, please file your dispute request by phone or mail.

Question 22

Will my credit score go down if I dispute?

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry, there’s no impact to your credit score because you start a dispute. However, if your dispute results in items being changed or removed from your credit report, your score may change due to that.

Question 23

How do I dispute an item on my credit report?

Accepted Answer

If you think there is something inaccurate on your credit report, you can easily dispute online. Find more information on disputes and learn how to get started here. You can also dispute by phone or mail.

Question 24

Can I dispute by mail?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. To complete a dispute by mail, provide as much of the following information as possible: Your name, Partial account number of the disputed item (from your credit report), Current address, Your TransUnion file number (if you have one), Social Security number, Date of birth, Name of company that reported the item you’re disputing (from your credit report), Reason for your dispute (not your account; you have paid the account, etc.), Any corrections to your personal information (address, phone number, etc.). Send your documents to: TransUnion Consumer Solutions P.O. Box 2000 Chester, PA 19016-2000. Please note: We accept either standard or certified mail. Once your mail is received, it can take up to 30 days to resolve your dispute.

Question 25

Can creditors access my credit report if I have an open dispute?

Accepted Answer

An open dispute does not block creditors from accessing your credit report.

Question 26

I have TransUnion Credit Monitoring. Can I dispute when I login into my account?

Accepted Answer

Of course. Login to your account and you can start a dispute from your dashboard.

Question 27

Can I save my dispute selections or document attachments and come back later?

Accepted Answer

You need to complete your entire dispute transaction in one session. If you start your dispute request but can’t finish it in a single session, go to the “Review” page and print off your selections so you can add them more easily later.

Question 28

What if I have more than 5 documents I want to include with my dispute?

Accepted Answer

You can only upload a maximum of 5 documents with your dispute. Choose the documents that are most relevant to your dispute and are from an authoritative source (such as a lender or court).

Question 29

Is there a mobile app for dispute?

Accepted Answer

Not at this time, but you can access the TransUnion Service Center using your mobile device.

Question 30

Can I dispute more than one item at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can add more items as many times as you need to before you submit your dispute.

Question 31

Can I dispute my Social Security number, date of birth or current name/address?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but this type of dispute can’t be submitted online. For security reasons, some personal information disputes require supporting documents that must be sent to TransUnion via postal mail. Get instructions for disputing by mail here.

Question 32

I’m a survivor of human trafficking. How do I submit a request to remove adverse information from my TransUnion credit report?

Accepted Answer

To request the removal of adverse information from your TransUnion credit report, take the following steps: Prepare a letter to TransUnion that identifies the adverse items of information that are on your credit report as a result of the trafficking. Gather one proof of identity document and one trafficking victim determination document. Visit our Human Trafficking Survivor Resources page for a list of acceptable documents. Submit your letter and copies of your documents to TransUnion by mail or online. Our Human Trafficking Survivor Resources page has more details on each step and contact information. If you need additional help, you can call us at 833-982-4057 on Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays.

Question 33

How long does it take to get the results of my dispute?

Accepted Answer

Dispute investigations can take up to 30 days.

Question 34

Will I receive updates during the dispute process?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if we have your email address on file, we will send you email notifications to keep you informed about the status of your dispute. You can add or update your email address in the TransUnion Service Center. You will receive an email when the dispute is opened, and then again at various stages while the dispute is still open, as well as a notification upon the completion of the investigation. You can also log in to the TransUnion Service Center at any time to check the status of your dispute. If you submit a dispute by regular mail or phone, you won’t receive updates through the investigation process. Your results will be mailed to you within 5 business days following the completion of the dispute investigation.

Question 35

Can I place a credit freeze or fraud alert if I am currently disputing something on my credit report?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can add a credit freeze or fraud alert to your credit report as you normally would while we work on the investigation.

Question 36

How do I cancel a dispute?

Accepted Answer

If you started a dispute less than 15 days ago, you can cancel your dispute by calling us at 800-916-8800 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern Time. If you submitted a dispute online, you can't make changes to it online. If you started a dispute more than 15 days ago, you will have to wait for the response from the creditor your dispute was with. If your dispute has already been completed, there is no way to cancel it.

Question 37

What happens if the creditor does not respond within the required time?

Accepted Answer

If the creditor does not respond within 30 days, TransUnion will delete the information from your credit report.

Question 38

Why did the disputed item not come off my credit report?

Accepted Answer

If a dispute investigation shows that an item is accurate, TransUnion will continue to show that item in your credit report. Read our blog to learn more about what to do if you don't agree with your dispute results.

Question 39

Can I see the correspondence my creditor sent to you about my account?

Accepted Answer

No, but we provide you with the creditor’s name, address and telephone number to enable you to request written verification or documentation directly from them.

Question 40

What if I submit more than one dispute at the same time?

Accepted Answer

We will investigate all of the items in question during the same time period. At the conclusion of the investigation, you will receive a report reflecting all of the results. Please allow 5 – 7 business days following the completion of our investigation for mail delivery. If you entered your dispute online, you will be notified via email and can view the results of the investigation immediately.

Question 41

What is identity theft? How can I protect myself from it?

Accepted Answer

Identity theft is a serious crime where your personal information — anything from your name, driver’s license or Social Security Number — has been hijacked by an imposter to commit fraud in your name. You’re the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your identity. Check your credit reports and financial accounts regularly for any suspicious activity. You can get your credit report here for free weekly from all three credit reporting agencies. Set up transaction alerts if your bank offers them to notify you of all account activity. Finally, consider adding a fraud alert or credit freeze. For more information, check out our Identity Theft Resources.

Question 42

What should I do if the inquiries on my credit report are from fraudulent activity?

Accepted Answer

If you believe you have an inquiry on your credit report as a result of fraud, contact the lender directly to ask them about the inquiry. If they find it was made in error, ask them to inform the credit reporting agencies. If it was made fraudulently, contact the TransUnion Fraud Department. In addition, we recommend freezing your credit report to limit access to it. You may also want to check out these resources from identitytheft.gov.

Question 43

Where do I begin if I’ve been a victim of fraud?

Accepted Answer

Identity theft is a serious crime, but we’re here to help you through it. Contact the TransUnion Fraud Department for guidance on steps toward fraud resolution. You can also: Alert your financial institutions and cancel credit cards and checks, if needed; Report the fraud to the FTC and your local law enforcement; Protect your credit report with a credit freeze and add a fraud alert; Get a copy of your credit report and check it for inaccuracies; Use our Fraud Companion Guide as you work toward recovery.

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