Disputes

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 at the address below, 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.

Absolutely. Disputes are 100% free. 

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 that can be used to support your claim 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. 

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

The investigation process includes three steps:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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. 

Hard Inquiry

• May appear on your credit report when someone accessed your credit report in connection with an application for credit like for mortgages, auto loans or credit cards
• Can remain on your credit report for up to two years
• Can be seen by lenders
• May have a temporary negative impact your credit score

Soft Inquiry

There are two types of soft inquiries: 

• Promotional inquiries: 
  • Occur when a company wants to make a credit offer, like a pre-approved credit card or other loan offer

• Account review inquiries: 
  • Can appear on your credit report when an insurer pulls your credit report for underwriting purposes, when employers verify your credit as part of their hiring process or when a landlord screens you as a potential tenant
  • Can also appear when a creditor you already have an account with reviews your credit
  • A prequalification for some loans, like mortgages, can result in a soft inquiry
  • You may also see an account review inquiry when you look at your own credit report for review

• Some loans, like buy now, pay later installment loans, may also require a soft inquiry before you’re approved for a purchase

• Won’t impact your credit score

If you’re interested in learning when and why your lenders are pulling your credit report, reach out to them. You can find their contact information on your credit report. 

Don’t worry, there’s no impact to your credit score if 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. 

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. 

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.