{"id":"experian","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/c/experian","html":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/c/experian/","generated":"2026-10-15","company":{"id":"experian","name":"Experian","aliases":["experian plc"],"sector":"credit_bureau","parent":"Experian plc","website":"https://www.experian.com/","account_url":"https://usa.experian.com/login/index","official_domains":["experian.com","experianplc.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"security":{"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Experian says scammers may try to trick you into entering your personal information on look-alike versions of AnnualCreditReport.com, or send spoofed emails that look like they come from the site and link to a scammer's site.","source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-annualcreditreport-com-safe/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},"regulators":["cfpb","ftc"],"notes":"Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) with its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. US consumer credit reports, disputes, freezes and fraud alerts are handled through experian.com. No 2025-2026 rename or ownership change was found.","channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Dispute by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name with middle initial, date of birth, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, a copy of a government-issued ID, a recent bill or statement showing the current address, and a description of each disputed item. Send copies, not originals; Experian does not return them.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EXPERIAN (fraud alerts, security freezes, identity theft, free report)","value":"+1-888-397-3742","purposes":["fraud","credit_report_error"],"notes":"For phone disputes, Experian says to get your personal credit report first and call the number displayed on that report. The CFPB lists (888) 397-3742 \"or the number on your credit report\" for Experian disputes.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Add, remove or schedule a security freeze online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account. A PIN is no longer needed to manage an Experian freeze.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-mail","type":"mail","label":"Security freeze by mail","value":"Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, and copies of a government-issued ID and a utility bill or bank statement.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Add a fraud alert online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to add a fraud alert\"). Sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=fra.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Fraud alert by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, a government ID, and a utility bill or bank statement. An extended alert needs an identity theft report, such as an FTC or police report.","source":"https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"membership-phone","type":"phone","label":"Experian membership customer service","value":"+1-866-617-1894","hours":"Mon-Fri 8am-8pm CT; Sat-Sun 8am-6pm CT","purposes":["cancel_service","account_access","billing_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"membership-mail","type":"mail","label":"Customer care by mail (memberships)","value":"experian.com, Attn. Customer Care, PO Box 2390, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["cancel_service","billing_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"virtual-assistant-chat","type":"chat","label":"EVA virtual assistant chat (signed in)","value":"https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&refUrl=%2Fmfe%2Fsupport%2Fhelp-center","hours":"24/7","purposes":["account_access","cancel_service"],"access":"login","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-phone","type":"phone","label":"Annual Credit Report request line (877 FACTACT)","value":"+1-877-322-8228","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-mail","type":"mail","label":"Annual Credit Report request by mail","value":"Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"escalation":[{"rung":"written_complaint","channel":"dispute-online","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data."},{"rung":"regulator","regulator":"cfpb"},{"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general"},{"rung":"small_claims"}],"playbooks":[{"issue":"credit_report_error","summary":"Get the report, dispute each wrong item in the Experian Dispute Center or by mail with proof, and also dispute it with the company that reported it.","evidence":["Experian credit report page with the error","proof of the correct information","copy of government ID","recent bill or statement showing current address"],"steps":[{"do":"Get a free Experian report from AnnualCreditReport.com and mark each wrong item.","channel":"annualcreditreport"},{"do":"Start the dispute in the Experian Dispute Center and upload proof.","channel":"dispute-online"},{"do":"If you cannot use the online center, mail the dispute with copies (not originals) of ID, proof of address and proof of the error.","channel":"dispute-mail"},{"do":"For a phone dispute, call the number shown on your Experian credit report.","channel":"consumer-phone"},{"do":"Dispute the item with the company that reported it, too."},{"do":"If Experian does not fix a verified error, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":"cfpb"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says a dispute should generally be resolved within 30 days with its online dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says most disputes are resolved within 30 days, but if the bureau asks for additional information after the investigation begins, it may take up to 45 days.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/faqs/instructions-for-disputing-by-mail/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The bureau must forward your evidence to the business that reported the information, give you the results in writing, and give you a free copy of the report if the dispute changes it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"If a bureau decides a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it must notify you within five business days and explain why.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"debt_collection","summary":"Dispute a wrong collection account with Experian and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.","evidence":["collection letter","proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours","Experian credit report page with the collection"],"steps":[{"do":"Ask the debt collector in writing for the validation information (creditor name, amount, how to dispute). Keep copies.","note":"CFPB sample letters cover \"I do not owe this debt\" and \"I need more information about this debt\"."},{"do":"Dispute the collection account with Experian online or by mail. Attach proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours.","channel":"dispute-online"},{"do":"If the collector or Experian does not correct it, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":"cfpb"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years; bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-negative-information-remain-on-my-credit-report-en-323/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Debt collectors generally must provide validation information within five days of the initial communication; some requests must be made within 30 days of being contacted.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-a-debt-collector-has-reported-a-debt-on-my-credit-report-that-isnt-mine-en-1695/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]},{"issue":"fraud","summary":"For identity theft, place a free fraud alert (it applies at all three bureaus) and a free security freeze at each bureau.","evidence":["FTC Identity Theft Report or police report (for an extended alert)","copy of government ID","utility bill or bank statement"],"steps":[{"do":"Add a fraud alert online, by phone or by mail. It is applied at all three bureaus.","channel":"fraud-alert-online"},{"do":"Add a security freeze with Experian. Repeat at Equifax and TransUnion, because a freeze is per bureau.","channel":"freeze-online"},{"do":"For a 7-year extended alert, send an identity theft report (FTC or police report).","channel":"fraud-alert-mail"},{"do":"Dispute accounts you did not open.","channel":"dispute-online"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"An initial or active duty fraud alert lasts 1 year and an extended fraud alert lasts 7 years.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Requesting a fraud alert at any one of the credit bureaus automatically applies alerts at all three bureaus; to remove an alert you must contact each bureau.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says an online freeze or unfreeze happens in real time, and a mailed freeze or unfreeze request takes up to 3 days after Experian receives it.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A bureau must place a freeze within one business day of a phone or online request and lift it within one hour; for a mailed request it has up to three business days.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"facts":[{"kind":"fee","claim":"Experian security freezes are free (\"Manage your freeze for free\").","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Placing a fraud alert with Experian is free, with no credit card required.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The three bureaus have permanently extended the program that lets you check your credit report from each of them once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"tips":[{"kind":"official","text":"Send photocopies, not originals, with a mailed dispute; Experian cannot return documents from a mailed dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"official","text":"Experian prefers that a caller has a copy of the personal credit report first and calls the number displayed on it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a free Experian account that the account holder creates and signs in to.","Phone disputes go to the number printed on the consumer's own Experian report, so the consumer needs the report first.","Mailed requests need copies of a government ID, a proof-of-address document and the Social Security number."]},"playbooks":{"credit_report_error":{"company":{"id":"experian","name":"Experian","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.experian.com/","account_url":"https://usa.experian.com/login/index"},"issue":{"id":"credit_report_error","name":"Error on a credit report"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Get the report, dispute each wrong item in the Experian Dispute Center or by mail with proof, and also dispute it with the company that reported it.","evidence":["Experian credit report page with the error","proof of the correct information","copy of government ID","recent bill or statement showing current address"],"steps":[{"do":"Get a free Experian report from AnnualCreditReport.com and mark each wrong item.","channel":{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Start the dispute in the Experian Dispute Center and upload proof.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If you cannot use the online center, mail the dispute with copies (not originals) of ID, proof of address and proof of the error.","channel":{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Dispute by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name with middle initial, date of birth, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, a copy of a government-issued ID, a recent bill or statement showing the current address, and a description of each disputed item. Send copies, not originals; Experian does not return them.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"For a phone dispute, call the number shown on your Experian credit report.","channel":{"id":"consumer-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EXPERIAN (fraud alerts, security freezes, identity theft, free report)","value":"+1-888-397-3742","purposes":["fraud","credit_report_error"],"notes":"For phone disputes, Experian says to get your personal credit report first and call the number displayed on that report. The CFPB lists (888) 397-3742 \"or the number on your credit report\" for Experian disputes.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Dispute the item with the company that reported it, too."},{"do":"If Experian does not fix a verified error, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}}],"channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Dispute by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name with middle initial, date of birth, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, a copy of a government-issued ID, a recent bill or statement showing the current address, and a description of each disputed item. Send copies, not originals; Experian does not return them.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"consumer-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EXPERIAN (fraud alerts, security freezes, identity theft, free report)","value":"+1-888-397-3742","purposes":["fraud","credit_report_error"],"notes":"For phone disputes, Experian says to get your personal credit report first and call the number displayed on that report. The CFPB lists (888) 397-3742 \"or the number on your credit report\" for Experian disputes.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-phone","type":"phone","label":"Annual Credit Report request line (877 FACTACT)","value":"+1-877-322-8228","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport-mail","type":"mail","label":"Annual Credit Report request by mail","value":"Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281","purposes":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says a dispute should generally be resolved within 30 days with its online dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says most disputes are resolved within 30 days, but if the bureau asks for additional information after the investigation begins, it may take up to 45 days.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/faqs/instructions-for-disputing-by-mail/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The bureau must forward your evidence to the business that reported the information, give you the results in writing, and give you a free copy of the report if the dispute changes it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/disputing-errors-your-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"If a bureau decides a dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it must notify you within five business days and explain why.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The three bureaus have permanently extended the program that lets you check your credit report from each of them once a week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"fcra-dispute","title":"Fair Credit Reporting Act dispute rights (credit bureaus and furnishers)","citation":"15 U.S.C. 1681i; 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(3); 12 CFR 1022.43 (Regulation V)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A consumer can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with a credit bureau, which must reinvestigate free of charge within 30 days (up to 15 more days in some cases), notify the furnisher within 5 business days, and delete or correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. A consumer can also dispute certain information directly with the company that furnished it.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points":[{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The credit bureau must reinvestigate free of charge and finish \"before the end of the 30-day period beginning on the date on which the agency receives the notice\" of the dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681i.htm","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The 30-day period may be extended \"for not more than 15 additional days\" if the bureau receives relevant information from the consumer during the 30 days. The extension does not apply if, during the 30 days, the information is found inaccurate or incomplete or the bureau finds it cannot be verified.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title15/html/USCODE-2023-title15-chap41-subchapIII-sec1681i.htm","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A reinvestigation requested after the consumer receives a free annual report from a nationwide bureau \"shall be completed not later than 45 days after the date on which the request is received\".","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681j","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The bureau must notify the furnisher of the dispute within 5 business days after receiving it, and must give the consumer written notice of the results not later than 5 business days after completing the reinvestigation. If it ends a dispute as frivolous or irrelevant, it must tell the consumer not later than 5 business days after that determination.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"Information found inaccurate or incomplete, or that cannot be verified, must be promptly deleted or modified. Deleted information cannot be put back unless the furnisher certifies it is complete and accurate, and the consumer must be told in writing within 5 business days of reinsertion.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, the consumer may file a brief statement of the dispute. The bureau may limit it to one hundred words if it helps the consumer write a clear summary. On request, the bureau must send notice of a deletion or correction to recipients who got the report for employment purposes within the past two years, or for any other purpose within the past six months.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Direct disputes with a furnisher (Regulation V): a furnisher must reasonably investigate a direct dispute about the consumer's liability on an account, the account terms, the consumer's conduct on the account, or other information bearing on creditworthiness. The dispute must go to the furnisher's direct-dispute address (an address on the credit report, an address the furnisher specified, or any business address if none was specified), identify the account and the disputed information, explain the basis, and include supporting documents.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The furnisher must complete its investigation of a direct dispute and report the results to the consumer within the same period a credit bureau has under FCRA section 611(a)(1). If it finds the information inaccurate, it must promptly notify each bureau it reported to and correct it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"limit","claim":"A furnisher need not investigate direct disputes about identifying information (name, date of birth, Social Security number), employers, inquiries, public records, or fraud and active-duty alerts, or disputes it reasonably believes come from a credit repair organization. If it finds a dispute frivolous or irrelevant, it must tell the consumer within five business days, with its reasons.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[{"kind":"official","text":"Send photocopies, not originals, with a mailed dispute; Experian cannot return documents from a mailed dispute.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"official","text":"Experian prefers that a caller has a copy of the personal credit report first and calls the number displayed on it.","issues":["credit_report_error"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a free Experian account that the account holder creates and signs in to.","Phone disputes go to the number printed on the consumer's own Experian report, so the consumer needs the report first.","Mailed requests need copies of a government ID, a proof-of-address document and the Social Security number."],"security":{"official_domains":["experian.com","experianplc.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Experian says scammers may try to trick you into entering your personal information on look-alike versions of AnnualCreditReport.com, or send spoofed emails that look like they come from the site and link to a scammer's site.","source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-annualcreditreport-com-safe/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":47},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 47 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) with its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. US consumer credit reports, disputes, freezes and fraud alerts are handled through experian.com. No 2025-2026 rename or ownership change was found.","warnings":[]},"debt_collection":{"company":{"id":"experian","name":"Experian","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.experian.com/","account_url":"https://usa.experian.com/login/index"},"issue":{"id":"debt_collection","name":"Sent to collections"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"Dispute a wrong collection account with Experian and ask the debt collector in writing for validation.","evidence":["collection letter","proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours","Experian credit report page with the collection"],"steps":[{"do":"Ask the debt collector in writing for the validation information (creditor name, amount, how to dispute). Keep copies.","note":"CFPB sample letters cover \"I do not owe this debt\" and \"I need more information about this debt\"."},{"do":"Dispute the collection account with Experian online or by mail. Attach proof of payment or proof the debt is not yours.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"If the collector or Experian does not correct it, complain to the CFPB.","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}}],"channels":[{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"dispute-mail","type":"mail","label":"Dispute by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name with middle initial, date of birth, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, a copy of a government-issued ID, a recent bill or statement showing the current address, and a description of each disputed item. Send copies, not originals; Experian does not return them.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"A credit reporting company generally can report most negative information for seven years; bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-negative-information-remain-on-my-credit-report-en-323/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Debt collectors generally must provide validation information within five days of the initial communication; some requests must be made within 30 days of being contacted.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-do-if-a-debt-collector-has-reported-a-debt-on-my-credit-report-that-isnt-mine-en-1695/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[{"id":"fcra-dispute","title":"Fair Credit Reporting Act dispute rights (credit bureaus and furnishers)","citation":"15 U.S.C. 1681i; 15 U.S.C. 1681j(a)(3); 12 CFR 1022.43 (Regulation V)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A consumer can dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with a credit bureau, which must reinvestigate free of charge within 30 days (up to 15 more days in some cases), notify the furnisher within 5 business days, and delete or correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. A consumer can also dispute certain information directly with the company that furnished it.","source":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681i","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points_omitted":9,"points":[]},{"id":"fdcpa-reg-f-validation","title":"Debt validation notice and dispute period (FDCPA, Regulation F)","citation":"12 CFR 1006.34; 12 CFR 1006.38 (Regulation F)","jurisdiction":"us-federal","status":"in_effect","summary":"A third-party debt collector must give the consumer validation information, including an itemization of the debt and the date the validation period ends. If the consumer disputes the debt in writing within the validation period (30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the information), the collector must stop collecting until it sends verification of the debt.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12","points":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Regulation F covers a debt collector: a person whose principal business purpose is collecting debts, or who regularly collects debts owed or asserted to be owed to another. It generally does not cover a creditor's own employees collecting in the creditor's name, or a person who got a debt before it was in default. A debt is a consumer obligation primarily for personal, family or household purposes.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/2/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The collector must give the validation information in the initial communication, or within five days after it, or orally in the initial communication.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"The validation period ends \"30 days after the consumer receives or is assumed to receive the validation information\". The collector may assume receipt on any date \"at least five days (excluding legal public holidays identified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), Saturdays, and Sundays)\" after it provides the information. The notice must state the date the collector will treat as the end of the validation period.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The validation information includes the itemization date, the amount of the debt on that date, an itemization of interest, fees, payments and credits since then, the current amount, and a consumer response section with dispute prompts.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/34/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"\"Upon receipt of a dispute submitted by the consumer in writing within the validation period, a debt collector must cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion of the debt,\" until it sends the consumer a copy of verification of the debt or of a judgment, in writing or electronically. A dispute sent through an electronic medium the collector accepts, such as its email address or website portal, counts as written.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"If the consumer asks in writing within the validation period for the name and address of the original creditor, the collector must stop collection until it provides that information.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"During the validation period the collector may not use collection activities or communications that overshadow or are inconsistent with the consumer's dispute rights. Failure to dispute does not count as a legal admission that the consumer owes the debt.","issues":["debt_collection"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1006/38/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}]}],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a free Experian account that the account holder creates and signs in to.","Phone disputes go to the number printed on the consumer's own Experian report, so the consumer needs the report first.","Mailed requests need copies of a government ID, a proof-of-address document and the Social Security number."],"security":{"official_domains":["experian.com","experianplc.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Experian says scammers may try to trick you into entering your personal information on look-alike versions of AnnualCreditReport.com, or send spoofed emails that look like they come from the site and link to a scammer's site.","source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-annualcreditreport-com-safe/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":47},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 47 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) with its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. US consumer credit reports, disputes, freezes and fraud alerts are handled through experian.com. No 2025-2026 rename or ownership change was found.","warnings":[]},"fraud":{"company":{"id":"experian","name":"Experian","sector":"credit_bureau","website":"https://www.experian.com/","account_url":"https://usa.experian.com/login/index"},"issue":{"id":"fraud","name":"Fraud or scam"},"playbook_source":"company","summary":"For identity theft, place a free fraud alert (it applies at all three bureaus) and a free security freeze at each bureau.","evidence":["FTC Identity Theft Report or police report (for an extended alert)","copy of government ID","utility bill or bank statement"],"steps":[{"do":"Add a fraud alert online, by phone or by mail. It is applied at all three bureaus.","channel":{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Add a fraud alert online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to add a fraud alert\"). Sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=fra.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Add a security freeze with Experian. Repeat at Equifax and TransUnion, because a freeze is per bureau.","channel":{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Add, remove or schedule a security freeze online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account. A PIN is no longer needed to manage an Experian freeze.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"For a 7-year extended alert, send an identity theft report (FTC or police report).","channel":{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Fraud alert by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, a government ID, and a utility bill or bank statement. An extended alert needs an identity theft report, such as an FTC or police report.","source":"https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"do":"Dispute accounts you did not open.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}}],"channels":[{"id":"consumer-phone","type":"phone","label":"1-888-EXPERIAN (fraud alerts, security freezes, identity theft, free report)","value":"+1-888-397-3742","purposes":["fraud","credit_report_error"],"notes":"For phone disputes, Experian says to get your personal credit report first and call the number displayed on that report. The CFPB lists (888) 397-3742 \"or the number on your credit report\" for Experian disputes.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/contact/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-online","type":"portal","label":"Add, remove or schedule a security freeze online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account. A PIN is no longer needed to manage an Experian freeze.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"freeze-mail","type":"mail","label":"Security freeze by mail","value":"Experian Security Freeze, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, and copies of a government-issued ID and a utility bill or bank statement.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-online","type":"portal","label":"Add a fraud alert online","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to add a fraud alert\"). Sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=fra.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"fraud-alert-mail","type":"mail","label":"Fraud alert by mail","value":"Experian, P.O. Box 9554, Allen, TX 75013","purposes":["fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"Include full name, Social Security number, addresses for the past two years, date of birth, a government ID, and a utility bill or bank statement. An extended alert needs an identity theft report, such as an FTC or police report.","source":"https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"annualcreditreport","type":"portal","label":"AnnualCreditReport.com (free reports from all three bureaus)","value":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","fraud"],"access":"open","notes":"The only site authorized under federal law to fill orders for the free reports. It blocks some automated requests.","source":"https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"limit","claim":"An initial or active duty fraud alert lasts 1 year and an extended fraud alert lasts 7 years.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"Requesting a fraud alert at any one of the credit bureaus automatically applies alerts at all three bureaus; to remove an alert you must contact each bureau.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/fraud/center.html","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Experian says an online freeze or unfreeze happens in real time, and a mailed freeze or unfreeze request takes up to 3 days after Experian receives it.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"A bureau must place a freeze within one business day of a phone or online request and lift it within one hour; for a mailed request it has up to three business days.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-freeze-or-security-freeze-on-my-credit-report-en-1341/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Experian security freezes are free (\"Manage your freeze for free\").","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"fee","claim":"Placing a fraud alert with Experian is free, with no credit card required.","issues":["fraud"],"source":"https://www.experian.com/help/fraud-alert/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"rules":{"in_force":[],"not_in_force":[]},"tips":[],"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"known_blockers":["Online disputes, freezes and fraud alerts need a free Experian account that the account holder creates and signs in to.","Phone disputes go to the number printed on the consumer's own Experian report, so the consumer needs the report first.","Mailed requests need copies of a government ID, a proof-of-address document and the Social Security number."],"security":{"official_domains":["experian.com","experianplc.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Experian says scammers may try to trick you into entering your personal information on look-alike versions of AnnualCreditReport.com, or send spoofed emails that look like they come from the site and link to a scammer's site.","source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-annualcreditreport-com-safe/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":47},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 47 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"context":{"dossier":true,"sector_guide":true,"hint":"Call get_context for how this company handles complaints in practice and which scams use its name."},"notes":"Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) with its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. US consumer credit reports, disputes, freezes and fraud alerts are handled through experian.com. No 2025-2026 rename or ownership change was found.","warnings":[]}},"escalation":[{"index":0,"rung":"written_complaint","note":"Or dispute by mail (dispute-mail). Also dispute with the company that supplied the data.","channel":{"id":"dispute-online","type":"portal","label":"Experian Dispute Center (online dispute)","value":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection"],"access":"login","notes":"Needs a free Experian account (\"Sign up to start a new dispute\"); sign-in is at https://usa.experian.com/login/index?br=exp&it=dsp. Documents such as a utility bill or government ID can be uploaded.","source":"https://www.experian.com/help/dispute-credit/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}},{"index":1,"rung":"regulator","regulator":{"id":"cfpb","name":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau","level":"federal","when_to_use":"Use for a problem with a consumer financial product (bank account, credit card, credit report, debt collection, money transfer, mortgage, loan) after the company did not fix it. Put every fact and document in one complaint, because a second complaint about the same problem is generally not accepted.","channels":[{"id":"complaint-form","type":"web_form","label":"Submit a complaint","value":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","purposes":["credit_report_error","debt_collection","transaction_dispute","fee_reversal","frozen_funds","fraud","billing_error","unauthorized_charge","student_loan_servicing"],"notes":"Online filing takes about 7 to 10 minutes. Your mailing address is required so the company can respond.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-phone","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line","value":"+1-855-411-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","notes":"A phone complaint takes about 25 to 30 minutes.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-tty","type":"phone","label":"Complaint line, TTY/TDD","value":"+1-855-729-2372","hours":"9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"id":"complaint-mail","type":"mail","label":"Complaints by mail","value":"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/contact-us/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"facts":[{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB sends each complaint to the company for a response. If another government agency is better able to help, the CFPB sends the complaint there and tells you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"Companies generally respond in 15 days. In some cases the company says its response is in progress and gives a final response within 60 days.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"deadline","claim":"You have 60 days after the company responds to give feedback about the response.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB publishes information about the complaint in its public Consumer Complaint Database, without information that directly identifies you.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/process/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"A complaint should give the key facts in your own words with the important dates, amounts and communications, and may attach supporting documents up to 50 pages. A person filing for someone else must say so, and companies generally need signed written authorization from the consumer.","source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"process","claim":"The CFPB says federal student loan programs are within the sole legal purview of the Department of Education, and sends federal loan questions to studentaid.gov.","issues":["student_loan_servicing"],"source":"https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/student-loans/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"notes":"2025-2026 status: the CFPB's funding, staffing and leadership were in litigation (a reduction-in-force order and the acting director's refusal to request Federal Reserve funding; three district courts rejected that refusal, the latest on 2026-09-25). On 2026-10-12 the complaint pages (modified 2026-10-05) still accepted complaints and described the 15-day company response, and the form had added a path for debanking complaints under Executive Order 14331. For federal student loans, use Federal Student Aid (ed-fsa) first."}},{"index":2,"rung":"state_agency","agency_kind":"attorney_general","agencies":"Ask for the person's state, then call find_regulators."},{"index":3,"rung":"small_claims"}],"security":{"official_domains":["experian.com","experianplc.com","annualcreditreport.com"],"never_asks":[],"known_scams":[{"kind":"policy","claim":"Experian says scammers may try to trick you into entering your personal information on look-alike versions of AnnualCreditReport.com, or send spoofed emails that look like they come from the site and link to a scammer's site.","source":"https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/is-annualcreditreport-com-safe/","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says an email, pop-up ad or phone call from someone claiming to be from AnnualCreditReport.com or any of the credit bureaus is probably a scam. AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports","last_verified":"2026-10-12"},{"kind":"policy","claim":"The FTC says companies that promise to repair your credit cannot remove true information, and it is illegal for credit repair companies to charge you before they help you. Scammers insist you pay first, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or tell you to lie on credit applications or file a false identity theft report.","source":"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs","last_verified":"2026-10-12"}],"report_phishing":[]},"credibility":{"grade":"A","primary_share":1.0,"sources":{"primary":47},"verified_from":{"page":31},"last_verified":"2026-10-12","oldest_verified":"2026-10-12","stale_items":0,"explanation":"Grade A (high: almost everything comes from official pages read directly). 100% of 47 sources are the organization's own pages or government sites.","dossier_last_verified":"2026-10-12"},"dossier":{"title":"Experian — how complaints actually go","last_verified":"2026-10-12","file":"dossiers/experian.md","markdown":"## In short\n\nDispute each wrong item with Experian first (online at the Dispute Center or by mail), keep the confirmation, and also dispute with the lender that reported it. A CFPB complaint is the usual next step: in the 12 months to June 2026 Experian closed 95.9% of CFPB complaints with an explanation only, and since early 2023 it has taken nearly the full 60 days to answer. The CFPB has an open lawsuit against Experian over its dispute handling. Get free reports only at AnnualCreditReport.com, and do not pay a credit repair company upfront.\n\n## How complaints actually go\n\n- A CFPB complaint goes to Experian, which has up to 60 days to respond. Experian has taken nearly the full 60 days on average since early 2023; in the most recent months the CFPB studied (to June 2025), all three nationwide bureaus averaged more than 50 days. [CFPB FCRA 611(e) report, December 2025](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611e-report_2025-12.pdf)\n- The CFPB found that Experian's volume of complaints closed with relief has decreased, while its use of administrative responses (returning a complaint without acting on it) has increased. [CFPB FCRA 611(e) report, December 2025](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_fcra-611e-report_2025-12.pdf)\n- The CFPB sued Experian on January 7, 2025, alleging it failed to properly reinvestigate disputes, failed to delete inaccurate or unverified information, failed to prevent reinsertion of deleted information, and relied too much on furnishers. The court denied Experian's renewed motion to dismiss on October 22, 2025; the CFPB's page, last updated March 13, 2026, says discovery is ongoing. [CFPB enforcement action](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/experian-information-solutions-inc/)\n\n## What tends to work\n\n- Dispute with the company that reported the information as well as with Experian. You can dispute directly with the furnisher at the address it gives for disputes, with your reasons and documents. [CFPB: Regulation V 1022.43](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/)\n- Write the complaint yourself and keep it accurate. In 2025 companies returned about 469,800 CFPB complaints as suspected fraud and 63,200 as coming from an unauthorized third party; one nationwide bureau accounted for more than 90% and more than 60% of these returns. The company takes no action on a returned complaint, and it is not published. [CFPB 2025 Consumer Response Annual Report](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2025-cr-annual-report_2026-03.pdf)\n- If Experian reinserts an item it deleted, or verifies an item only by asking the furnisher, the CFPB's pending lawsuit makes the same allegations; cite them in a CFPB or state attorney general complaint. [CFPB enforcement action](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/enforcement/actions/experian-information-solutions-inc/)\n\n## Traps and fine print\n\n- Credit repair companies cannot remove accurate information, and it is illegal for them to charge you before they help you. Anything they can do legally, you can do yourself for little or no cost. [FTC: fixing your credit FAQs](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs)\n- Credit reporting complaints to the CFPB in 2025 were 182% above the monthly average of the prior two years; the CFPB links the growth partly to third parties, including credit repair organizations and social media \"finfluencers\", using the complaint process. Companies can return a complaint submitted by an unauthorized third party without acting on it. [CFPB 2025 Consumer Response Annual Report](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_2025-cr-annual-report_2026-03.pdf)\n- A furnisher does not have to investigate a direct dispute that it reasonably believes was submitted by or for a credit repair organization; send those disputes to the bureau. [CFPB: Regulation V 1022.43](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1022/43/)\n\n## By the numbers\n\n- CFPB complaints received July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 for \"Experian Information Solutions Inc.\": 1,708,975, of which 1,689,439 were about credit or consumer reports. Top issues: incorrect information on a report 1,021,821, improper use of a report 336,491, the company's investigation into an existing problem 324,220. [CFPB complaint database search](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=Experian%20Information%20Solutions%20Inc.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n- Of those complaints, 1,639,145 (95.9%) closed with explanation, 69,652 (4.1%) with non-monetary relief and 174 with monetary relief; 4 were in progress. 1,708,938 were marked timely. Data retrieved 2026-10-12. [CFPB complaint database search](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=Experian%20Information%20Solutions%20Inc.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n- For comparison in the same period, Equifax closed 52.2% and TransUnion 45.0% of their CFPB complaints with non-monetary relief. [CFPB complaint database search: Equifax](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=EQUIFAX%2C%20INC.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0) [CFPB complaint database search: TransUnion](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/consumer-complaints/search/api/v1/?company=TRANSUNION%20INTERMEDIATE%20HOLDINGS%2C%20INC.&date_received_min=2025-07-01&date_received_max=2026-06-30&size=0)\n\n## Scams that target customers\n\n- Fake free-report sites: there is only one authorized place for the free credit reports you are entitled to by law, AnnualCreditReport.com. Other sites pretend to be associated with it, use \"free report\" in their names, or misspell the address. [FTC: free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports)\n- AnnualCreditReport.com and the credit bureaus will not email you asking for your Social Security number or account information; a call from someone claiming to be from a credit bureau is probably a scam. [FTC: free credit reports](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports)\n- Credit repair scams insist you pay before they help, tell you not to contact the credit bureaus, or tell you to dispute accurate information or file a false identity theft report. [FTC: fixing your credit FAQs](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs)\n"},"guide":{"key":"credit_bureau","title":"Credit bureaus — how disputes and complaints work","last_verified":"2026-10-12","file":"guides/credit_bureau.md","page":"https://escalate.alexgaoth.com/#/guides/credit_bureau"}}