How to dispute a late payment on Equifax
Paid on time but Equifax says you didn’t? That’s fixable. You have the right to dispute it, and Equifax must investigate within 21 days.
This guide walks you through the exact process for disputing a late payment on your Equifax report — where to submit, what evidence you need, and what to expect.
Key takeaways
- Free to dispute — your legal right under CCA s.159 and UK GDPR.
- Equifax must respond within 28 days.
- Lender has 21 days to respond to Equifax’s enquiry.
- Check your Equifax report free via ClearScore.
How to dispute with Equifax
Go to help.equifax.co.uk/EquifaxOnlineHelp and log in (or create an account). Select “Errors on my Credit Report”, then choose “Financial Account information” as the dispute category. Select the appropriate dispute reason and provide details about the late payment error.
Upload your evidence (bank statement, payment confirmation) through the portal. Equifax confirms receipt within 24 hours.
Alternatively, you can dispute through ClearScore, which feeds through to Equifax. Or call 0800 014 2955 (freephone).
Equifax gives the lender 21 days to respond — shorter than Experian and TransUnion’s 28 days.
Equifax-specific tips
Equifax’s shorter 21-day lender response window means disputes can resolve faster. If you dispute through ClearScore, Equifax creates an Online Help account for you to track progress. For complex disputes with evidence, going direct to the Equifax portal gives you more control over the submission.
Evidence you’ll need
- The most convincing evidence is a bank statement showing the payment left your account on or before the due date. Pair this with a payment confirmation or receipt from the lender, the direct debit mandate showing the payment was configured correctly, and any lender correspondence confirming the payment due date.
- Equifax accepts standard document formats (PDF, JPEG, PNG) through the Online Help portal at help.equifax.co.uk/EquifaxOnlineHelp. No specific file size limits are published. If submitting by post to PO Box 10036, Leicester, LE3 4FS, send clear legible copies — never originals. You can also raise the dispute through ClearScore, which feeds into Equifax.
Timeline
Equifax must respond within 28 days under the Consumer Credit Act. The lender has 21 days to respond to Equifax’s enquiry — the shortest window of any UK credit reference agency, which often means faster resolution. Equifax confirms receipt of your dispute within 24 hours.
A dispute flag is added to the entry during investigation, visible to anyone checking your file. Many late payment disputes resolve within 2–3 weeks if the evidence is straightforward.
If your dispute is rejected
If Equifax rejects your dispute, you have the statutory right to add a Notice of Correction (up to 200 words) to your file, visible to every lender who checks it. File a formal complaint with the lender (they have 8 weeks to respond). If still unresolved, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (free, 0300 123 9 123) or the ICO for data protection issues.
Equifax has an alternative dispute form at disputeuk.zendesk.com for re-submissions. For formal complaints, email [email protected] or call 0800 014 2955 (freephone).
Sample dispute letter
For a template letter you can use to dispute a late payment with Equifax, see our dispute letter templates page.
FAQs
How long does a late payment stay on my Equifax report?
Six years from the date it was recorded. Its impact on your score diminishes over time, with the most significant effect in the first two years.
Can I dispute a late payment through ClearScore?
Yes. ClearScore shows your Equifax data and you can raise disputes through it, which are forwarded to Equifax for investigation.
What if the payment was only a few days late?
If the payment was genuinely late, even by one day, the lender can report it and a dispute won’t succeed. However, you can contact the lender directly and ask for a goodwill removal.
Dispute this on another CRA
Other disputes on Equifax
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