Experian Tenant Screening Reported a Criminal Case That Isn’t Mine — How Do I Dispute It?
Get the exact Experian tenant screening report
Ask the landlord/property manager for the name of the screening product and a copy of the report they received (or instructions you can use to access it). If you were denied, ask for the adverse action details too - this helps identify the vendor and what entry triggered the decision.
Save everything: emails, screenshots, application portal messages, and any denial notice.
Identify what makes the record “not yours”
Look for red flags that prove it belongs to someone else, such as:
Different date of birth or middle name
Case in a county/state you’ve never lived in
Wrong address history
Multiple entries that don’t match your identity
Write down the case number, court/county, and date; those details are what Experian (or the court) can verify.
Collect proof before you file the dispute
Your dispute should include documents that quickly separate you from the other person, such as:
Driver’s license + another ID (or SSN card)
Proof of your address history (utility bill/lease)
If available, a court record showing that the defendant's identifiers don’t match you
You don’t need to “prove innocence”, you need to prove misidentification.
File the dispute with Experian (keep it simple and specific)
Submit a dispute directly to Experian and clearly state:
The criminal case does not belong to you,
The report contains a mixed-file error,
You want the item removed and the report corrected.
Include:
Your full legal name, DOB, current address, and recent addresses
The report number/reference ID (if listed)
The exact criminal case entry you’re disputing
Copies of your supporting documents
Always keep copies of everything you send (and if you mail, use tracking).
If Experian refuses to fix it
If Experian “verifies” a record that clearly isn’t yours, delays unreasonably, or the false record caused a denial or higher costs, you may have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and may be entitled to compensation, especially with severe false criminal allegations.