Disputes & Corrections

Fix Business Credit Errors Before They Cost You an Approval

Business credit reports can contain incorrect trade lines, wrong company details, or outdated status data. This page outlines a clean, documented dispute workflow to correct issues efficiently in the USA and Canada.

Educational, lender-neutral guidance. Excellence in every decision.

What You Can Dispute on a Business Credit Report

Most business credit disputes fall into five common categories:

1. Company Identity Errors

Incorrect business name, address, phone, industry, or duplicate profiles can prevent accurate matching, causing positive payment history to attach incorrectly or not appear at all.

2. Trade Line / Payment Experience Errors

Errors in balances, limits, terms, or payment status can misrepresent risk, making reliable businesses appear late, overextended, or financially unstable to lenders.

3. Public Record Mismatches (Where Applicable)

Incorrect or outdated legal records tied to the wrong entity can severely harm credibility, approvals, and risk assessments if not corrected promptly.

4. Inquiry / “Who Viewed My File” Issues

Unrecognized inquiries may signal unauthorized access, unexpected applications, or early fraud indicators that require immediate review and follow-up.

5. Fraud / Identity Concerns

Unknown accounts, address changes, or ownership updates can indicate identity misuse and must be corrected quickly to prevent long-term credit damage.

Important Reality:

Business credit dispute rights differ from consumer credit, and small businesses may lack equal legal protections, making accurate reporting essential for approvals.

The #1 Rule — Contact the Data Furnisher First (When Possible)

For trade line or payment errors, the fastest correction path is often:

Correcting errors at the furnisher level reduces delays and avoids unnecessary bureau back-and-forth. This approach aligns with common industry guidance when reported information appears inaccurate.

Bureau-Specific Correction Paths (High-Level)

Business credit bureaus use different systems and processes for file updates and corrections. Understanding
where and how to submit disputes helps reduce delays.

Common Bureaus Referenced in Business Credit Decisions

Dun & Bradstreet

Offers tools to manage your business profile and request corrections or reviews of payment experiences and company data.

Experian

Provides a business report correction process with guidance focused on improving overall commercial credit report accuracy.

Equifax

Supports business credit file updates and correction requests through its commercial reporting products and data management systems.

TransUnion (Canada)

Offers business credit and risk reporting tools, including correction processes designed specifically for Canadian business credit files.

Your “Dispute Packet” (What to Include)

Create one reusable dispute packet you can submit to vendors or bureaus as needed.

Core Items (Always Include)

1. Marked-up report page showing the incorrect item

2. One-page dispute summary explaining:

3. Proof documents (copies only), such as: