Best Reasons to Dispute Your Credit Report – Fix Errors & Remove Listings Fast

Introduction

You've been knocked back for a home loan. Or maybe it was a car finance application. Perhaps you're staring at your credit report right now, wondering how on earth that default ended up there.

Here's what most Australians don't realise: your credit file isn't always accurate. Mistakes happen. Credit providers cut corners. And sometimes, listings that are damaging your score shouldn't be there at all.

At Australian Credit Solutions, we've helped over 5,000 Australians repair their credit files — and in our experience, a significant number of negative listings contain errors or weren't listed in compliance with the law.

Understanding Your Right to Dispute

Disputing your credit report isn't about trying to game the system or get away with debts you legitimately owe. It's about holding credit providers accountable to the laws that protect you.

In Australia, the Privacy Act 1988 and the Credit Reporting Code set strict rules about what can be listed on your credit file and how it must be done. When these rules aren't followed, you have the legal right to challenge the listing.

The Best Reasons to Dispute Credit Report Items

1. Incorrect Information or Factual Errors

This is the most straightforward reason to dispute. Common factual errors include:

• Wrong debt amount
• Incorrect date of default
• Misspelled name or wrong address
• Account numbers that don't match
• Debts listed under your name that belong to someone else
• Duplicate listings (same debt appearing multiple times)

2. Failure to Send Required Notices

Before a credit provider can list a default on your credit file, they must send you written notice (typically 14 days before listing) giving you the opportunity to pay or dispute the debt. If you never received this notice — or it was sent to the wrong address — the listing may not be valid.

3. The Debt Was Paid Before Being Listed

A default can only be listed if the debt remains unpaid at the time of listing. If you paid the debt before the default was reported, the listing shouldn't be there.

4. Identity Theft or Fraud

If accounts or debts appear on your credit file that you never applied for, you may be a victim of identity theft. Fraudulent listings can absolutely be disputed and removed.

5. The Listing Has Expired

Different types of negative information have different retention periods:

• Defaults: 5 years from listing date
• Serious credit infringements: 7 years
• Court judgments: 5 years
• Credit enquiries: 5 years
• Repayment history: 2 years

6. Listing Doesn't Meet Threshold Requirements

For a default to be validly listed, the debt must be at least $150 and at least 60 days overdue. If either condition isn't met, the listing shouldn't be there.

Key Stat: Our team achieves a 98% success rate on the cases we take on. The difference? We know exactly what compliance failures to look for and how to build an airtight case for removal.

How to Dispute Items on Your Credit Report

1. Get your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and illion
2. Identify disputable items using the reasons above
3. Lodge your dispute with the credit provider and/or credit bureau
4. Follow up within 30 days if you don't receive a response

Elisa Rothschild

(BA/LLB)

Principal Lawyer & Director

With over 12 years of experience in credit law, Elisa has helped thousands of Australians remove unfair credit listings and rebuild their financial futures. She leads Australian Credit Solutions' legal team with a focus on consumer advocacy and regulatory compliance.

ASIC Licensed

12+ Years Experience

970+ Clients Helped

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