Equifax Dispute Letter Template: Fix Errors on Your Equifax Report

Equifax is one of the three major credit bureaus and maintains credit files on hundreds of millions of Americans. If your Equifax credit report has errors — accounts you don't recognize, incorrect late payments, wrong balances, or outdated negative items — the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to dispute them at no cost.

This guide provides everything you need to dispute errors on your Equifax report effectively: a letter template, the correct mailing address, what to include, and how to follow up.

Why Equifax Specifically?

Each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — maintains an independent credit file. Information that appears on your Equifax report may not appear on the other two, and vice versa. Some creditors report to all three; others report to only one or two.

When disputing errors, you must send separate dispute letters to each bureau where the error appears. A dispute with Equifax has no effect on your Experian or TransUnion files.

What Can You Dispute with Equifax?

• Accounts that don't belong to you
• Late payments you believe are inaccurate
• Wrong account balances or credit limits
• Incorrect account open or close dates
• Wrong date of first delinquency (affects the 7-year removal date)
• Accounts showing as open when closed
• Collections or charge-offs with inaccurate information
• Items past the legal reporting window (7 years, 10 years for bankruptcy)
• Duplicate accounts for the same debt
• Personal information errors (name, address, SSN)

How to Write Your Equifax Dispute Letter

Required Information

• Full legal name
• Current and any recent previous address
• Date of birth
• Last 4 digits of SSN
• Copy of a government-issued photo ID
• Copy of utility bill or bank statement showing current address

For Each Disputed Item

• Creditor name
• Account number (last 4 digits)
• Current report status
• What is incorrect and why
• What the correct information should be
• Supporting documentation (copies only)

Where to Send Your Equifax Dispute Letter

Send via certified mail with return receipt requested. The green receipt card proves Equifax received your letter and the date — which starts the official 30-day investigation clock.

The Equifax Data Breach and Your Rights

Equifax experienced a massive data breach in 2017 that exposed the personal information of approximately 147 million Americans. If you were affected, you may have signed up for free credit monitoring through the settlement. Regardless, this breach is a reminder of why monitoring your Equifax report is particularly important and why unauthorized accounts should be disputed promptly.

What Happens After You Submit Your Equifax Dispute

1. Equifax confirms receipt and begins the investigation
2. Equifax contacts the furnisher (the creditor that reported the item) to verify the information
3. Investigation completes within 30 days (45 with additional info)
4. Equifax notifies you in writing of the results
5. Your report is updated if the dispute succeeds
6. Free updated report is provided if any changes are made

What to Do If Equifax Denies Your Dispute

• Add a consumer statement (up to 100 words) to your Equifax file
• Dispute directly with the furnisher using a Section 623 letter
• File a CFPB complaint at consumerfinance.gov
• Re-dispute with new documentation you didn't include the first time
• Consult a consumer attorney if Equifax violated the FCRA

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is Equifax different from Experian and TransUnion?

All three bureaus serve the same basic function — collecting and reporting credit information — but they operate independently and may have different information in their files. Some creditors report to all three; others report to only one or two. Always dispute with each bureau where the error appears.

How do I check my Equifax report for free?

Get your free Equifax credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. As of 2023, free weekly reports are available from all three bureaus. You can also access your Equifax report directly at Equifax.com, though you may need to register.

What if I believe Equifax has mishandled my dispute?

File a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov and with the FTC at ftc.gov. If Equifax has violated the FCRA, you may have grounds to sue for statutory damages of $100-$1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.

Should I dispute online or by mail?

For simple disputes, Equifax's online dispute center works fine. For complex disputes, items you've disputed before, or anything involving identity theft, send a certified letter. The paper trail is essential for escalation.