How to Dispute Your TransUnion Credit Report in 2025

Rejected for a loan you thought you’d qualify for? There’s a good chance your credit report has errors. One in five reports contains mistakes—and even small inaccuracies can drag down your credit score. If something doesn’t look right on your TransUnion report, it’s worth filing a dispute to get it corrected and protect your credit.

Here’s how to spot common errors, file a dispute with TransUnion, and make sure your credit report reflects accurate information.

What to Look for in Your TransUnion Credit Report

The primary categories of your TransUnion credit report are:

• Personal information: this section includes your Social Security number, date of birth, name and address. Information about your employer will also be listed here. This information on your credit report has no bearing on your credit score. It’s updated as you supply new information to lenders and creditors.
• Account information: this section includes information about accounts you have with both lenders and creditors. It mentions the amount of the loan or credit limit and the current outstanding balance. You will also see the current account status, along with the date you opened the loan or credit card and the payment history since that point.
• Credit Inquiries: this section includes both involuntary and voluntary inquiries. However, only the latter impacts your credit since it reflects applications for credit and not credit screenings for pre-qualification purposes.
• Public records and collection accounts: this section includes any tax liens, lawsuits, bankruptcies, foreclosure or wage garnishments, as reported by the state and county courts. Delinquent accounts that have already been sold to collection agencies are also reported here.

When reviewing your TransUnion credit report, carefully review the information in each of these categories to confirm they are accurate. And if you spot errors, note highlight or circle them so you can know which items to dispute.

Common TransUnion Credit Report Errors

Even small mistakes can lower your credit score or cause lenders to view you as a higher risk. Keep an eye out for these red flags when reviewing your TransUnion report:

• Unknown accounts – May signal identity theft or mixed files
• Wrong account names or numbers – Can lead to incorrect payment histories
• Incorrect credit limits or loan amounts – Affects your credit utilization ratio
• Payment history mistakes – Late payments marked incorrectly or missing on-time payments
• Unauthorized hard inquiries – Could mean someone tried to apply for credit in your name
• Old negative accounts – Items like collections or charge-offs that should’ve been removed after 7 years

Spotting and correcting these issues can help boost your score and improve your chances of getting approved for credit.

How to Dispute Your TransUnion Credit Report

Federal law gives you the right to challenge anything on your credit report that’s inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated. TransUnion allows you to file a dispute in three ways: by mail, online, or over the phone.

You can choose any method, but mailing a dispute is often the best option. It creates a paper trail and preserves more of your legal rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Online and phone disputes are faster, but may limit your ability to present full documentation or follow up effectively.

The FTC also recommends reaching out to both the credit bureau and the company that reported the inaccurate information. That gives you the best chance of getting the issue resolved quickly and permanently.

Disputing TransUnion by Mail

To dispute an item by mail, you’ll need to write a letter that includes:

• The File Identification Number from your TransUnion report
• Your full name and current address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Name of the company that reported the item
• Account number for the item in question
• Clear explanation of what’s wrong and what needs to be corrected
• Any personal info that needs updating

Mail your letter to:

TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000

Make copies of everything you send and keep the originals. Send the package by certified mail with return receipt requested so you can confirm it was delivered.

Disputing TransUnion Online

To file a dispute online, go to TransUnion’s dispute portal and create an account. You’ll need your:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Email address

Once logged in:

1. Select “New Investigation.”
2. Enter your last name, Social Security number, and ZIP code.
3. Review your report and find the items you want to dispute.
4. Click “Request An Investigation” next to the incorrect item.
5. Upload documents that support your claim.
6. Submit the dispute and save your confirmation.

You can also update your personal information from this page while submitting the dispute.

Disputing TransUnion by Phone

To dispute by phone, call 800-916-8800 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

Have your TransUnion credit report in front of you, along with the File Identification Number. You’ll also want to gather any documents that support your case. After the call, you’ll likely need to send the documents by mail or upload them through TransUnion’s website, depending on the instructions provided.

What Happens After You File a TransUnion Dispute

Once TransUnion receives your dispute, they have 30 days to investigate and respond. During that time, they’ll reach out to the company that reported the information to verify whether it’s accurate.

You can track your dispute status through TransUnion’s website. If the item is corrected or removed, you’ll get an updated copy of your credit report. If it remains, you may need to send additional documentation or file another dispute with new evidence.

What to Do if the Creditor Doesn’t Respond to Your Dispute

If the creditor doesn’t reply within the 30-day window, TransUnion is required to delete the disputed item. To boost your chances, send a letter directly to the creditor explaining the issue in detail. Include a copy of your credit report with the item highlighted.

Mail it with a return receipt so you have proof they received it. If you don’t get a response, follow up by phone—and if they still don’t cooperate, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Will disputing your TransUnion report affect your credit score?

Filing a dispute won’t hurt your score. In fact, if inaccurate negative information is removed, your credit score may go up within a month or so.

However, credit scores could drop if new negative information is added during the process. Before disputing anything, get the most up-to-date version of your credit report so you’re not caught off guard. Also note that while an account is under investigation, it gets a temporary “XB” code. This keeps it from affecting your credit score until the dispute is resolved, which can cause a short-term bump.

Final Thoughts

Credit report mistakes are more common than most people think—and they can quietly damage your score. If you spot something that doesn’t belong, take action as soon as possible.

Disputing errors with TransUnion is free, and it can lead to a healthier credit profile in just a few weeks. Stay proactive and follow through until you get the result you deserve.