Refused a loan? How to fix errors on your credit report
Credit report errors are surprisingly common, and a single mistake can be enough to get you refused. The good news is that disputing an error is free and straightforward. Reading your report carefully, identifying anything inaccurate, and raising it with the right party can clear an obstacle you did not even know was there.
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Check what you're owed →Mistakes on credit files happen more often than people expect: an account that is not yours, a payment marked late that you actually made on time, an outdated address, or details left over from someone you were once financially linked to. Any of these can quietly drag down a decision.
You have the right to have inaccurate information corrected, and it costs nothing. The process usually involves raising the issue with the credit reference agency or the lender that reported the information, providing any evidence you have, and asking for it to be put right. Disputed entries can be flagged while they are investigated.
Because errors can have an outsized effect, fixing them is often one of the quickest wins available. While a correction works its way through, checking entitlements and grants can meet any immediate need without you having to rely on an application your corrected file will soon support better.
Dispute a credit report error
- Read carefully. Go through your report and note anything that looks inaccurate or unfamiliar.
- Gather evidence. Collect any proof that supports your case, such as statements or letters.
- Raise the dispute. Contact the agency or the lender that reported the information to ask for a correction.
- Cover the gap. Use entitlements or grants for any immediate need while the fix is processed.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are credit report errors?
- More common than people realise. Wrong accounts, mismarked payments, outdated details and old financial links can all appear and affect decisions.
- Does it cost anything to fix an error?
- No. Disputing inaccurate information is free. You raise it with the agency or the lender that reported it and ask for it to be corrected.
- How long does a correction take?
- It varies, but the entry can be flagged as disputed while the investigation happens. Checking your report afterwards confirms the fix has been applied.
MoneyFinder is an independent sign-posting service that helps you find financial support you may be entitled to. We are not a government body and do not provide financial advice. Figures are taken from the official sources cited above and were correct when last checked — always confirm current details on the linked GOV.UK pages.