# Credit file disputes guide > Credit cards & loans · Last updated 4 July 2026 Canonical HTML: https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/credit-file-disputes-guide/ Markdown mirror: https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/credit-file-disputes-guide.md ## Quick answer If your UK credit file has errors — wrong balances, duplicate accounts or fraudulent applications — you can dispute with the lender and credit reference agency under Data Protection Act rules. Inaccurate credit data can block mortgages and mobile contracts. Agencies must respond within eight weeks. This guide walks through the evidence you need and how to escalate if a dispute is not resolved. ## Key facts - Start with the lender that supplied incorrect data — they must correct records sent to agencies - Credit reference agencies investigate disputes within eight weeks under FCA consumer credit rules - Provide evidence — statements, closure letters, ID — to support corrections - Unresolved disputes can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service after eight weeks ## Common errors Settled accounts sometimes still show arrears, and fraudsters may have opened accounts in your name without your knowledge. Wrong linked addresses can also break the electoral roll match that lenders rely on. Duplicate entries from lender system changes can artificially lower your score by making it look like you have high credit utilisation across two accounts for the same debt. Merging duplicates usually fixes this quickly. ## Notice of correction You can add a notice of correction of up to 200 words explaining the context behind a negative entry on your file. Lenders must read it when assessing applications, though they are not bound to change their decision. A notice is useful after bereavement, illness or redundancy caused temporary missed payments that are now resolved. Keep the wording factual and concise so lenders can understand what happened. ## Escalation If a lender refuses to correct inaccurate data, complain formally and then refer the case to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months of the final response. The ombudsman can order corrections where the lender was wrong. The Information Commissioner's Office handles pure data protection breaches where personal data was processed unlawfully. Use the ICO route when the issue is about privacy rather than credit reporting accuracy. ## Frequently asked questions ### Will disputes improve my score immediately? Corrections can update within a few weeks once the lender amends the data it sent to agencies. The score impact depends on what changed — removing a wrongful default helps more than fixing a minor address error. ### Can I dispute a fair default? You can ask, but accurate negative data usually stays on your file for six years. Focus on rebuilding positive payment history rather than trying to remove defaults that were recorded correctly. ### Should I use credit repair companies? They are generally unnecessary because you can dispute errors yourself for free. Some firms charge for actions you can do directly with lenders and credit reference agencies. ## Primary source https://www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights/credit ## Related - [Soft vs hard credit search](https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/soft-vs-hard-credit-search/) - [Credit utilisation explained](https://moneyguide.org.uk/credit/credit-utilisation-explained/) --- Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Money Guide is not a financial adviser and does not currently earn commission on credit cards. This guide is educational information only — always check the issuer's own terms, eligibility checkers and fees before applying. 18+, subject to status. Credit is a commitment: only borrow what you can repay in full each month, because interest charges erase every reward on this page.