Tips for Disputing Online

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How can I track the status of my dispute?

Once you've started an online dispute through your Experian membership, you will receive alerts via email whenever there is an update, and you can also view your dispute alerts in the main "Alerts" section of your Experian account. Some of the alerts you'll receive throughout the process include:

  • Open — This indicates that your dispute has been submitted and the dispute process has been initiated.
  • Update — Your dispute investigation has been completed and your credit report is being updated with the results of your dispute.
  • Dispute results ready — Your credit report has been updated with the results of our dispute investigation.

How long does an item remain on my credit report?

Your Experian credit report includes information reported by creditors and lenders as well as public records, such as bankruptcies. Potentially negative information, such as missed payments remain on a personal credit report for seven years from the original missed payment. The exceptions are Chapters 7, 11 and 12 bankruptcies, which remain for ten years. Positive information may remain on a report indefinitely. Paid closed accounts generally display for ten years. Requests for your credit history also known as hard inquiries remain on your personal credit report for 25 months (although these only impact your FICO® Score powered by Experian data for one year).

Payments appearing on your credit report

Creditors and lenders send Experian updated payment information routinely, but that does not guarantee that your most recent payment will show up on your personal credit report. Experian updates its records once the information is received from the creditor or lender. If you're concerned about a payment you sent that you don't see reflected in your credit report, you may first want to login to your account with that lender or creditor or check with them to ensure the payment was received.

Revolving lines of credit, retail charge cards and bank credit card accounts that are currently open are lines of credit, which means that you have credit available. These don't show up as paid, but rather a "current" status indicates that the account is not past due.

What information on my credit report could hurt me if I apply for credit?

These statuses, either open or paid, are considered potentially negative: missed payments, accounts included in bankruptcies, collection, creditor-received deed, foreclosed, foreclosure proceedings started, claim filed with government, insurance claim filed, paid by creditor, paid in settlement, creditor cannot locate individual, repossession, defaulted on contract, voluntarily surrendered, and charge-off. Every lender or creditor and situation is different, though. Something negative doesn't necessarily mean you won't qualify for a loan or new credit. You may just be approved or given a loan with a higher interest rate. By practicing good credit habits, such as paying your bills on time and keeping your credit utilization (the ratio of credit used to overall credit available) low, you can do your part to keep your credit report and credit scores looking good.

What do my dispute results mean for me?

These are the dispute results you may see and what they mean for you. You can also review your Experian credit report for specific details related to the result listed.

Disputes related to accounts or public records

  • Updated: This can mean a couple different things, such as:

    • The information you disputed has been updated, which may include an update to the disputed information.
    • The information you disputed might have been verified as accurate, but information unrelated to your dispute has been updated.
  • Deleted: The item was removed from your credit report.
  • Processed: The item was updated or deleted from your credit report.
  • Remains: The company reporting the information has certified to Experian that the information is accurate, so the item wasn't changed.

Disputes related to your personal information or an inquiry

  • Added: This item was added to your credit report.
  • Updated: The information you disputed has been updated on your credit report.
  • Address Updated: May appear to you as ‘deleted' as your address is updated to the current address.
  • Deleted: The item was removed from your credit report.
  • Processed: The item was either updated or deleted.
  • Remains: The company reporting the information has certified to Experian that the information is accurate, so the item wasn't changed.