How to dispute a late payment on TransUnion
Paid on time but TransUnion says you didn’t? That’s fixable. You have the right to dispute it, and TransUnion must investigate within 28 days.
This guide walks you through the exact process for disputing a late payment on your TransUnion 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.
- TransUnion must respond within 28 days.
- Lender has 28 days to respond to TransUnion’s enquiry.
- Check your TransUnion report free via Credit Karma.
How to dispute with TransUnion
Go to transunionstatreport.co.uk and view your report. Find the account with the incorrect late payment and click “Something not right?”. Select “Raise a dispute”, describe the error, and upload your evidence (up to 5 documents; JPG, JPEG, PDF, or TIFF).
Alternatively, dispute through Credit Karma (which uses TransUnion data) by clicking “Raise a dispute with TransUnion” on the entry. Or email [email protected]. Or post to PO Box 647, Unit 4, Hull, HU9 9QZ.
TransUnion automatically places a Notice of Dispute (NOD) on the entry, visible to lenders during the investigation.
TransUnion-specific tips
TransUnion is the only CRA that automatically places a formal Notice of Dispute (NOD) on disputed entries. This is visible to lenders and signals the data is under investigation. If the lender doesn’t respond within 28 days, TransUnion’s policy is to suppress or remove the disputed data — a stronger default action than the other CRAs.
Evidence you’ll need
- Start with your bank statement — it needs to clearly show the payment date, amount, and recipient matching the due date or earlier. Back this up with a payment confirmation from the lender, the direct debit mandate proving the payment schedule was correct, and any correspondence from the lender acknowledging the due date.
- TransUnion accepts up to 5 documents per dispute in JPG, JPEG, PDF, or TIFF format. Upload via the statutory report site at transunionstatreport.co.uk, or email your evidence to [email protected]. You can also post copies to PO Box 647, Unit 4, Hull, HU9 9QZ.
Timeline
TransUnion must respond within 28 days under the Consumer Credit Act. The lender has 28 days to respond to TransUnion’s enquiry. TransUnion automatically places a formal Notice of Dispute (NOD) on the entry during investigation — visible to lenders, signalling the data is being contested.
If the lender doesn’t respond within 28 days, TransUnion’s policy is to suppress or remove the disputed data. Credit Karma users should allow an additional 7 days for the refresh cycle to show the updated status.
If your dispute is rejected
If TransUnion rejects your dispute, you can add a Notice of Correction (up to 200 words) to your file. 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.
TransUnion must acknowledge formal complaints within 5 working days and provide a final response within 8 weeks. Email [email protected] or post to PO Box 647, Hull, HU9 9QZ. The Notice of Dispute that TransUnion places during investigation remains visible to lenders even after the dispute concludes, until the data is corrected or the NOD expires.
Sample dispute letter
For a template letter you can use to dispute a late payment with TransUnion, see our dispute letter templates page.
FAQs
How long does a late payment stay on my TransUnion 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 Credit Karma?
Yes. Credit Karma shows your TransUnion data and you can raise disputes through it, which are forwarded to TransUnion 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 TransUnion
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