If consumers wish to dispute information in their report, where can they submit their dispute?

Consumers can submit their dispute directly to the Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that issued the report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) provides consumers the right to dispute any inaccuracies in their credit reports, allowing them to challenge the information that they believe is incorrect. When a dispute is filed with the CRA, it is required to investigate the claim, generally within a 30-day window, and then notify the consumer of the findings.

Submitting a dispute exclusively to the end user, such as a lender or creditor, does not guarantee that the error will be rectified, as they may not have the same obligation to conduct an investigation as the CRA does. Similarly, while consumers can report issues to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or seek advice from a legal advisor, these avenues do not serve the purpose of directly correcting inaccuracies on their credit reports. The core mechanism for addressing disputes lies within the CRA, making it the proper channel for consumers to ensure their credit information is accurate.