Key takeaways
- Check your report at least once a year and before every big loan.
- Raise disputes with the credit bureau, and tell the lender at the same time.
- Keep proof: closure letters and statements settle most disputes.
Parts of the report
- Personal details: name, date of birth, PAN, addresses and phone numbers.
- Accounts: each loan or card with its opening date, limit or amount, current balance, and payment history month by month.
- Enquiries: lenders who checked your report after you applied.
- Remarks: status such as active, closed, written off or settled.
Common errors to look for
- A loan you closed still shows as active.
- A payment marked late when you paid on time.
- An account you do not recognise, which can point to identity misuse.
- The same account listed twice.
- Wrong personal details that cause your data to mix with someone else’s.
How to dispute an error
- Download your report and note the exact account and the exact mistake.
- File an online dispute with the credit bureau through its website. Attach documents such as a loan closure letter or payment receipts.
- Write to the lender as well, because the bureau asks the lender to confirm the data.
- Track the dispute number. Regulations set a time limit, currently 30 days, for resolving a dispute, with compensation if the delay is not the customer’s fault.
- Pull a fresh report after the correction to confirm it is fixed.
If you find fraud
If an account is not yours, tell the bureau and the lender immediately, and consider a police or cyber crime complaint. Read about staying safe from loan fraud.
Next, see how to improve your score.
This article is for general information only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Interest rates, fees and rules change, so confirm current terms with the lender or the regulator before you decide. Examples use illustrative figures. Last reviewed: October 2026.
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