These common errors could be hurting your credit score

By Corey Buhay | Published on October 21, 2025

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One in four credit reports are inaccurate. You heard that right: According to a recent federal study, about one in five Americans have some kind of error on their reports, ranging from incorrect phone numbers and outdated addresses to erroneously inflated debt and credit inquiries that never happened.

While many of these errors are clerical and may not impact your score, some do. If you end up with a low credit score by mistake, that can make it tough to apply for new types of credit, including student loans, auto loans, mortgages, and refinance loans. Having accurate information in your credit report means you are always getting the interest rates and credit limit you deserve. Here’s how to detect credit report errors and get them fixed fast.

Common credit report errors to look out for

The following are four of the most common errors found on credit reports.

Inaccurate information

Misspelled names, outdated employers, or old phone numbers can all show up on your report. These kinds of inaccuracies are the most common errors credit reporting agencies make, but are also the quickest and easiest to fix. They also don’t often impact your credit score. But say you apply for a new credit account, like a new student loan or refinance. The lender pulls your report and sees contradictory or incomplete information. That could really complicate your application. For that reason, it’s best to dispute errors with your credit reporting company right away.

Duplicate accounts

Sometimes accounts are listed twice by accident. If you owe money, your credit report could show double the debt, lowering your credit score. You could be denied new credit, or forced to pay a higher interest rate that doesn’t reflect your actual creditworthiness.

Activity you don’t recognize

Maybe you spot a new account that you didn’t open, or some hard inquiries you never made. “That could be an indicator that someone is out there shopping with your personal information.” Unfamiliar activity could also signal that someone else’s account (potentially someone with a similar name) is mistakenly appearing on your credit report. Regardless, it’s worth addressing ASAP.

Incorrect payment history or account status

Sometimes a creditor will incorrectly list a late payment. If you know you paid your bill on time, that’s worth disputing. Similarly, you may have a closed credit card listed as open, or an open account that never got reported. Both could impact your credit utilization ratio which affects your credit score.

How to order a free copy of your credit report

There are three main credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Every week, you can get one free credit report from each through annualcreditreport.com. Usually you can order your report online. Jessica Francese, a consumer credit counselor, recommends cycling through the three bureaus each year, reviewing your credit history every three to four months.

How to check your credit report for errors

First, read through your credit report and make sure you recognize all the phone numbers, addresses, accounts, and other information. Ensure everything is spelled correctly and up to date. Check that each of the listed account balances is correct and that there are no duplicates.

Each of the major credit bureaus has resources online that tell you how to read your credit report.

• Experian
• Equifax
• TransUnion

How to dispute credit report errors

When you spot an error, your first step in the dispute process is to gather documentation. Some commonly accepted documents include:

• A copy of a driver’s license or passport showing your name
• A court document showing proof of a bankruptcy schedule
• A utility bill or other verification of your current address
• A credit card statement or notice you received that shows you paid off a debt

Then, Francese recommends contacting the credit bureau as well as the organization involved in the error about the disputed item.

After you file a dispute, the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate. If the bureau agrees that a detail is in error, they’ll fix it for you for free, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

How to benefit from your improved credit report

Having a strong credit report is important any time you need to take out new credit, whether that’s a private student loan or a new credit card. But strong credit can also help you manage your existing debt—and even lower the monthly payments on loans you already have. If you’ve been able to boost your credit by fixing credit reporting errors, you might be able to leverage that improved score to refinance your student loans. Want to see if refinancing could work for you? Check out our eligibility requirements, then get a free rate estimate. It only takes three minutes, and it won’t impact your credit.

About the Author

Corey Buhay

Corey Buhay is a writer and editor based in Boulder, Colorado. She has been writing about student loans and personal finance for Earnest since 2019.