How to Get Inaccurate Late Payments Removed from Your Credit Report
Few things are more frustrating than discovering a late payment on your credit report that you know isn’t correct. Whether it was posted late by the creditor, misreported entirely, or tied to an account that isn’t even yours, an inaccurately reported late payment can seriously damage your credit score. If you’ve been searching for how to get late payments removed from your credit report, this guide will walk you step-by-step through what to do, how to dispute the error, and how to protect your credit moving forward.
This article focuses specifically on inaccurate late-payment entries — not legitimate late payments — because wrong information can and should be corrected under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). With the right documentation and strategy, consumers often succeed in removing late payments from credit history when those late payments were falsely reported.
Why Inaccurate Late Payments Show Up on Credit Reports
While every situation is unique, inaccurate late payments generally show up for a small handful of reasons:
Processing or Posting Delays
Sometimes you paid on time, but the creditor posted it late. This happens more often than consumers realize, especially with mailed payments or weekend/holiday processing delays.
Creditor Errors
Creditors occasionally report an account incorrectly — wrong date, wrong balance, wrong “days past due,” or even the wrong person.
Automatic Payment Issues
Autopay failures due to system errors or card expiration often cause “late” marks that aren’t your fault.
Mixed or Fraudulent Files
If a late payment appears on an account you never opened, or your information was mixed with someone else’s, the entry is invalid.
Outdated Information
Late payments older than seven years should no longer appear. According to Equifax, late payments “generally remain on credit reports for seven years” before falling off naturally.
When any of these situations occur, you have the right to remove wrong information on credit report entries through the dispute process.
When Can Late Payments Be Removed From Your Credit Report?
If you’re wondering when can late payments be removed from a credit report, the answer depends entirely on whether the information is accurate.
- Accurate late payments normally cannot be removed early. They fall off after seven years.
- Inaccurate late payments, however, can be removed as soon as the information is proven incorrect or unverifiable.
The key to getting an inaccurate late payment removed is simple:
Document the error and dispute it with both the creditor and the credit bureaus.
How to Dispute a Late Payment on Credit Report
The dispute process is your strongest legal tool, and the key to how to get late payments removed from a credit report when information is wrong. Under the FCRA, credit reporting agencies must remove or correct information they cannot verify.
Below is a clear, practical breakdown of each step.
Step 1: Get All Three Credit Reports
Pull your reports from:
- Experian
- Equifax
- TransUnion
You are entitled to free credit reports at least once per year. Check each report carefully because errors may appear on one bureau but not another.
Look closely at:
- Payment dates
- Account numbers
- “30-, 60-, or 90-day late” labels
- Whether the account is even yours
If anything looks off, flag it.
Step 2: Gather Proof the Late Payment Is Wrong
Examples of helpful documentation:
- Bank statements showing you paid on time
- Screenshots of online payment confirmations
- Email receipts
- Copies of canceled checks
- Statements from the creditor confirming an error
- Police report or identity theft affidavit (if account is fraudulent)
The more evidence you provide, the easier it is to challenge incorrect credit report entries.
Step 3: Dispute the Error with the Credit Bureaus
You have the legal right to dispute inaccuracies directly with each credit bureau reporting the error. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains that you must clearly identify what you believe is wrong and why.
Your dispute should include:
- A clear explanation of the problem
- Copies of your documentation
- A request for investigation and correction
Send disputes to each bureau online or by certified mail for tracking.
Step 4: Dispute the Error Directly With the Creditor
Creditors (called “furnishers”) are required to investigate disputes they receive. Provide them the same documentation you sent to the credit bureaus.
If they acknowledge the error, they must notify all three bureaus and request correction.
Step 5: Wait for the Investigation
The bureaus typically have 30 days to investigate your dispute. They will:
- Contact the creditor
- Request verification
- Review your evidence
If the creditor cannot verify the late payment, the bureau must remove it.
Experian explains that if the creditor can’t verify the late payment during the investigation, the credit bureau must delete it from your report.
Step 6: Check Your Updated Credit Reports
Once the investigation concludes, you will receive a notification with the results. If corrected, the inaccurate late payment should be removed or updated across all reports.
If the late payment still appears — despite your documentation — you may need to escalate by providing additional evidence or contacting a consumer protection attorney.
What If the Creditor Refuses to Fix the Error?
Creditors sometimes fail to verify information properly — even when the consumer provides clear evidence. If a creditor incorrectly verifies a late payment, you may have grounds for:
- A second dispute
- An escalated complaint
- Legal action under the FCRA
If the creditor violates the FCRA — such as failing to conduct a proper investigation — you may be entitled to damages.
This is often when consumers seek help from an attorney who handles credit reporting errors, like those at Vullings Law Group.
How Long Does It Take to Remove an Inaccurate Late Payment?
Typical timeline after submitting your dispute:
- Day 1–5: Bureaus receive and evaluate your dispute
- Day 5–30: Bureau contacts the creditor and investigates
- Day 30–45: Final decision and update to your credit report
If successful, your score may improve quickly, depending on your overall credit profile.
Preventing Future Reporting Errors
Once you’ve succeeded in removing late payments from your credit history, take these steps to keep your credit clean:
- Review your reports at least twice a year
- Keep records of payment confirmations
- Close unused accounts that cause confusion
- Update expired cards used for autopay
Credit reporting errors are common — checking often helps you catch mistakes early.
When to Involve a Consumer Protection Attorney
Consider contacting an attorney if:
- You have multiple inaccuracies
- The creditor verifies information you know is wrong
- A bureau refuses to fix the error after evidence is provided
- The error is severely damaging your credit
- The dispute process becomes overwhelming or time-consuming
A consumer protection law firm can:
- Handle disputes for you
- Communicate with the creditor
- Obtain and review your credit reports
- Demand corrections under the FCRA
- Pursue legal claims if your rights are violated
Most firms — including ours — offer representation at no out-of-pocket cost to consumers because attorneys’ fees can be recovered from the violating creditor or bureau under the FCRA.
Reclaiming Your Credit After an Error
If you’ve found a late payment on your credit report that isn’t accurate, take action immediately. Many people feel stuck when they see a late payment, but inaccurate information can be fixed — and the FCRA gives you the tools to correct it.
By gathering documentation, filing disputes, and monitoring the results, you can restore your credit and prevent long-term damage. And if the creditor or bureaus don’t take your dispute seriously, legal help is available.
Let Us Help You Fix an Inaccurate Late Payment
If you’re dealing with an inaccurately reported late payment, don’t navigate the dispute process alone. Our consumer protection law firm focuses exclusively on credit report errors and FCRA violations.
Reach out today for a FREE case review.
We’ll evaluate your situation, explain your rights, and help you determine the fastest path to removing the inaccurate late payment from your credit report.
Your credit matters — and you don’t have to fight this battle by yourself.
