If you’ve discovered wrong information on your credit report, your first instinct might be to dispute it online for a quick fix. But there are several reasons you shouldn’t dispute your credit report online — and they all come down to your legal rights.
Under credit dispute laws, you have protections that ensure credit bureaus investigate your claim properly. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a powerful law that helps consumers fix inaccuracies in their credit reports. It requires credit bureaus and creditors to investigate disputes and correct any errors. But if you file your dispute online, you could weaken your ability to enforce these rights.
We get it, you want it fixed fast
Many consumers choose to file an online dispute because they want their credit report fixed fast. However, this can work against you. This is because online disputes often provide no solid proof of what you submitted. If credit bureaus fail to correct their mistakes, you may not have the necessary evidence to take further action.
By filing your dispute via certified mail, you create a documented paper trail that proves:
- The date your dispute was submitted.
- What specific information you disputed.
- That the credit bureaus received your dispute.
Without this proof, enforcing credit dispute laws becomes much harder, and your claim could be ignored. Other reasons to mail in your credit report dispute instead include:
- Keeping a copy of your letter and any supporting documents.
- Having more flexibility to explain details and provide evidence.
- Proving the credit bureau received your dispute with a certified return receipt.
- Including copies of key documents that support your dispute.
If fixing your credit report matters, it’s worth understanding why you shouldn’t dispute your credit report online. Remember: once you submit an online dispute, you’re at the mercy of an automated system. Credit bureaus use algorithms, not people, to review your claim. Mailing your dispute forces real people to give your claim the attention it deserves.
Getting the result you deserve
Successfully removing credit report errors can update your credit report, improve your credit score and increase your borrowing power. But, since credit bureaus often fail to fix mistakes on the first attempt, you need to be prepared to take legal action if necessary.
Under the FCRA, you have several options including:
- Filing a lawsuit to force a correction.
- Seeking compensation for wrongful credit damage.
- Pursuing damages for delays in correcting the error.
Credit bureaus must correct errors within a reasonable period of time (usually 30 days). If credit bureaus refuse to correct an error, they may be guilty of “willful noncompliance” or “negligent noncompliance.” When that happens, legal action may be the only way to get the compensation you deserve.