A Collection Account on Your Credit Report You Don't Owe?
Debt collectors that report to the credit bureaus have to follow two federal laws: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). When a collector reports a debt that isn't yours, the wrong amount, or ignores your dispute, you have the right to get it fixed.
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Other Credit Report Problems
Errors often come in groups. Check your report for these too.
All Credit Report Errors
The full guide to fixing your credit report under the FCRA.
Read moreIdentity Theft on Your Report
Accounts, inquiries or collections you never opened, put there by someone using your identity.
Read moreDispute Ignored or "Verified"
You disputed the error and the bureau rubber-stamped it, ignored you, or put it back.
Read moreSomeone Else's Accounts (Mixed File)
A relative's or stranger's accounts mixed into your file because of a similar name or number.
Read moreWrong Balance, Late Payment or Old Debt
Paid accounts showing a balance, late payments you didn't make, or debts past 7 years.
Read moreCommon Collection Reporting Problems
If a collector did any of these, it may have broken the FCRA, the FDCPA, or both.
A Debt That Isn't Yours
A collection for a debt you never had, often from identity theft or a mix-up.
The Wrong Amount
Fees or interest your agreement doesn't allow, or a balance you already paid.
Not Marked as Disputed
You disputed the debt but the collector keeps reporting it without saying so.
Reported Before Contacting You
A collector generally can't report a debt to the bureaus before it has contacted you about it.
The Same Debt Listed Twice
The original creditor and a collector both showing the same balance owed.
Re-Aged Old Debt
A newer delinquency date that keeps an old debt on your report past 7 years.
Free Tools to Fix Your Credit Report
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Credit Report Case Check
A few questions to see if your credit report problem has the signs of a strong case.
StartDispute Letter Builder
A free, ready-to-mail dispute letter for Equifax, Experian or TransUnion, including an identity theft block request.
StartCollection Dispute Letter Builder
A free letter asking a collector to prove the debt and report it as disputed.
StartWhat Can You Recover?
Under the FCRA, a collector that gets your dispute through a credit bureau must investigate and fix what it can't verify. Under the FDCPA, a collector can't report information it knows is false, including failing to show a debt is disputed (15 U.S.C. § 1692e(8)). Both laws allow damages and attorney's fees.
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Consumer Center for Resources is a nonprofit, not a law firm. Read the details.
Learn your rights
Read our free collection account guides to understand what the law says about your situation.
Tell us what happened
Use the form or call us. Share the basics: who you're dealing with, what happened, and any letters or dispute results you have.
We review your request
If it looks like you may have a claim, we connect you with Consumer Action Law Group, an independent consumer protection law firm, which may handle it or refer you to another attorney.
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An attorney explains your options. You are never obligated to hire anyone, and the review is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about collection accounts on your credit report.
Collection Still on Your Report?
Tell us who is reporting it, what you disputed and what happened. We'll review it for free.
Why Act Now?
- ✓FCRA claims have filing deadlines
- ✓Errors keep hurting your credit until fixed
- ✓Your dispute records are your best evidence
- ✓Run by a nonprofit consumer education organization
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Collector Won't Fix Your Report?
FDCPA claims must be filed within 1 year. Get your free, no-obligation case review.