✓
Paid on Time
Your records show a timely payment, but the account was reported as delinquent.
Fair Credit Reporting Act
Is an Incorrect Late Payment Hurting Your Credit?
If a creditor or lender reported a late payment inaccurately, federal law gives consumers a process to challenge inaccurate or incomplete information on their credit reports. Beverly Hills Legal Services can help you understand your options and next steps.
Clear Review of the billing issue
Documentation and dispute guidance
Next Steps based on your situation
Common Reporting Problems
Late-Payment Reporting Can Be Wrong
The key issue is accuracy. The FCRA gives consumers rights to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information; it does not require deletion of accurate negative information simply because it hurts a credit score.
30
Wrong Delinquency Level
A payment is reported 60 or 90 days late when the actual payment history shows something different.
↔
Misapplied Payment
A payment was received but applied incorrectly and a late mark followed.
?
Information Isn't Yours
An account or payment history may belong to another consumer or appear because of a mixed-file or identity issue.
Your FCRA Dispute Rights
You can challenge inaccurate information.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act provides a formal process for consumers to dispute information in their credit files. When a credit bureau receives a qualifying dispute, it generally must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation.
The bureau generally forwards relevant dispute information to the company that furnished the data. Furnishers also have investigation and correction duties in applicable circumstances.
1
Review your reports
Identify which bureau, creditor, account, month, and delinquency status is being reported incorrectly.
2
Gather documentation
Bank statements, payment confirmations, creditor correspondence, agreements, and copies of the credit reports can matter.
3
Dispute the specific inaccuracy
Explain exactly what is wrong and provide supporting records rather than making a generic request to “fix” credit.
4
Review the result
If inaccurate or unverifiable information is not properly corrected, additional options may need to be evaluated.
What to Have Ready
Documents Can Make the Difference
A well-documented dispute makes it easier to identify the exact reporting problem and evaluate what happened.
1
Credit Reports
Copies showing the disputed late payment from each bureau where it appears.
2
Bank Records
Statements, canceled checks, ACH records, or other evidence showing when payment was made.
3
Payment Confirmations
Emails, screenshots, receipts, confirmation numbers, or online account history.
4
Prior Disputes
Copies of dispute letters, bureau results, creditor responses, and delivery records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Incorrect Late Payments
Can an accurate late payment be removed under the FCRA?
The FCRA addresses inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, or otherwise legally problematic reporting. Accurate negative information generally does not have to be deleted merely because it lowers a credit score.
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate?
A consumer reporting agency generally has 30 days to conduct its reinvestigation. The FCRA permits an extension of up to 15 additional days in certain circumstances, including when relevant additional information is provided during the initial period.
Should I dispute with the bureau or the creditor?
Depending on the facts, consumers may dispute inaccurate information with the credit reporting company and with the business that furnished the information. The appropriate approach depends on what is being reported and what documentation exists.
What if I already disputed it and nothing changed?
Keep the dispute, supporting documents, delivery records, investigation results, and updated credit reports. Those records can help determine whether further review is appropriate.
Request a Credit Report Review
Think a late payment was reported incorrectly?
Tell us what happened. Beverly Hills Legal Services can review the information you provide, help identify the reporting issue, evaluate useful documentation and prior dispute results, and discuss potential next steps based on the facts.
✓Concise review of the issue and relevant documents
✓Guidance regarding dispute requirements and deadlines
✓Clear next-step recommendations based on the facts presented
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. The Fair Credit Reporting Act does not provide a general right to erase accurate negative credit history. Whether information is inaccurate, incomplete, obsolete, unverifiable, or otherwise actionable depends on the facts and applicable law. No result is guaranteed.