Updated on April 21, 2022 Show
Photo: Rob Lewine / Getty Images The information in your credit report has a significant impact on your life. It affects your ability to get approved for credit cards and loans, including a mortgage and auto loan. It's important to make sure that your credit report contains only accurate and current information. NoteYou should check your credit report a minimum of once per year to verify the information in it. If you find errors, you have the right to dispute them with the credit bureau. While you're allowed to dispute credit report errors online, you may prefer to do so by mail. Writing a letter to dispute credit report information gives you a record of your dispute that you can use if you later have to file a lawsuit against the credit bureau. For example, you may be able to sue a collector who fails to update your credit report or who does not correct your information within the time frame outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Don't worry if you're not quite sure about the best way to phrase a credit report dispute letter. We've included a sample credit report dispute letter that you can send to credit bureaus. Use it to request an update to, or removal of, inaccurate information on your credit report. NoteBe sure to customize the letter for your unique situation by replacing the bold statementswith your information. Sample Credit Report Dispute LetterDate Complaint Department Dear Sir or Madam: I recently obtained a copy of my credit report from your agency and found the following item to be in error: Item 1: I dispute the unpaid balance on [ABC credit card] account number [555111]. This account has been paid in full as of [date]. I am requesting that the item be [removed, updated, or other suggested change] to correct the information. Enclosed are copies of [use this statement if you have bank statements, canceled checks, or other documentation] supporting my position. Please investigate this matter and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible. Sincerely,
Enclosures: [List the documents you are enclosing. If none, do not include this section]. Where to Send Your Dispute LetterBe sure you're sending your dispute to the right credit bureau (whichever one issued the report you're trying to correct). The addresses of each of the three major bureaus are: Equifax Information Services LLC Experian TransUnion
Consumer Solutions Tips for Sending Your Credit Report DisputeWhen you send a credit report dispute, make sure to keep a copy of the letter for your records. You can also include any proof you have that supports your dispute. For instance, you can send a copy of a cashed check or a statement from your lender proving that you actually made a payment on time. Send copies of your proof, and keep the originals for yourself. It can be helpful to include a copy of your credit report with the disputed information circled so the credit bureau can easily identify what you're disputing. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, credit bureaus typically have 30 days to investigate your dispute and respond to you. To track the time accurately, send your letter via certified mail. You'll have proof of the date you mailed the dispute letter, and you'll be able to track the time when the credit bureau receives your letter. You might also consider sending the letter with a return receipt request. A representative from the credit bureau signs the return receipt, and it's mailed back to you, giving you additional proof that your dispute letter was received.
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. A study by the Federal Trade Commission found that one in five consumers had at least one error in their credit report. One in four had an error that would hurt the consumer’s credit score. Those numbers show why it’s so critical to review your credit reports regularly and dispute errors when you find them. It may seem old-school, but the best way to get a dispute heard is to send a letter. That’s right. A real letter that you send through physical mail. This guide will teach you how and explain how to decide if you’d be better off getting professional help. Table of Contents
What is a credit report dispute letter?A credit report dispute letter does just what the name suggests. It disputes information that you believe is inaccurate in your credit report. When you find that kind of information, you can send letters to credit bureaus (also known as credit reporting agencies) or to the data furnishers that provided the information to the bureaus in the first place. A dispute letter has several parts, including a section that highlights disputed items and responds with evidence. It ask the credit bureau to remove or correct the disputed item. Why snail mail dispute letters are better than online disputesWhile you have the option to respond to credit report errors online through credit bureau websites, experts recommend sending written letters. Sending physical copies means:
The FTC advises that letters be sent with “return receipt requested.”[1] That way, you know exactly when the credit bureau receives the letter . By law, the bureaus and data furnishers have 30 days to respond once they receive your dispute. Types of dispute lettersGeneral dispute letterThis is generally the best type of dispute letter to send. It is a simple, general-purpose letter. There is no need to invoke any aspect of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in your letter as the letters below do. It just lists the mistake from the credit report, supplies evidence to prove your case, and asks to remove the negative item. 609 credit report dispute letterThis letter references Section 609 of the FCRA and requests that the credit bureau verify an item in your credit report. In this letter, you ask a credit bureau to verify information, and if that information cannot be verified, it must be removed. This essentially does the same thing as the general-purpose letter, but points to a specific section of the FCRA and requests that additional step of verification. However, keep in mind that that step actually occurs whether you ask for it or not. The process the credit bureau does with any dispute is to see if an item can be verified and remove it if it can’t. 611 credit report dispute letterA 611 credit dispute letter references Section 611 of the FCRA. It requests that the credit bureau provide the method of verification they used to verify a disputed item. You send this letter after a credit bureau responds to a dispute and says that they verified the information. You’re basically asking the bureau to check again. 623 credit report dispute letterThe 623 credit dispute letter, which references Section 623 of the FCRA, is a “last-ditch” attempt to remove a record. Once you go through the process of sending a general dispute letter or a 609, then sending a 611 dispute letter, you have the last option of contacting the data furnisher directly. In this letter, you ask the data furnisher to prove that the debt belongs to you. This is known as debt validation and generally only applies to disputes about third-party debt collection accounts. How to write a credit report dispute letterAccording to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a credit dispute letter should have four main parts.[2]
What you’ll need to include with any credit dispute letter:
Credit dispute letter sample templatesBelow you will find samples of the four types of dispute letters we outline above. You can download a template letter in Word for each type of dispute. Simply replace the lines in brackets <> with your information to write your dispute letter. General dispute letter sample templateUse this template to ask for the removal of errors on your credit report. <your name> <credit bureau name> Subject: Disputed items in credit report I’m writing about the following data that appears on my credit report. I’m challenging the validity of this record showing a debt that is recorded in your system under the FCRA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 609. I am asking you to verify this record. If you cannot verify this record, I request you remove this data from my account immediately. Disputed Item 1 <name of company> Reasons why this is an error: [list your reason(s) here] Thank you for your time. Sincerely, <your signature> <print your name> Enclosures: [list items enclosed] <Copy of the credit report with the item(s) circled or marked> Download this letter as a Word document » 609 dispute letter sample templateUse this template to ask to verify a debt on your credit report. <date> <your name> <credit bureau name> Subject: Disputed items in credit report I’m writing about the following data that appears on my credit report. I’m challenging the validity of this record showing a debt that is recorded in your system under the FCRA, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Section 609. I am asking you to verify this record. If you cannot verify this record, I request you remove this data from my account immediately. Disputed Item 1 <name of company> Reasons why this is an error: [list your reason(s) here] Thank you for your time. Sincerely, <your signature> <print your name> Enclosures: [list items enclosed] <Copy of the credit report with the item(s) circled or marked> Download this letter as a Word document » 611 dispute letter sample templateUse this template to ask for a re-investigation of errors on your credit report. <date> <your name> <credit bureau name> Subject: Disputed items in credit report I am requesting a re-investigation of the following data that appears on my credit report. On [date], your company responded and stated that the data which appears below is verifiable and therefore cannot be deleted. At this time, I ask that you provide all supporting documentation and information on how you arrived at that conclusion. This is my request and right under FCRA 611. Please reply within the time limits as stated by the FCRA or delete the data which appears on my credit report. Disputed Item 1 <name of company> Reasons why this is an error: [list your reason(s) here] I have enclosed the following documentation to support this request: [summarize documents you’ve enclosed] Thank you for your time. Sincerely, <your signature> <print your name> Enclosures: [list items enclosed] <Copy of the credit report with the item(s) circled or marked> Download this letter as a Word document » 623 credit report dispute letter sample templateUse this template to ask data furnishers to verify and remove errors on your credit report(s). <date> <your name> <creditor/collection agency name> Subject: Disputing credit report items I am requesting an investigation of the following data that appears on my credit report. Specifically, I’m disputing the records that your company is sending to the credit reporting agencies. When I disputed this record with the credit bureaus, they stated the information was verified. However, because credit recording agencies often use software that doesn’t provide complete investigations, I am disputing the information directly with you. This is my right under section 623 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you cannot perform this type of investigation or locate all of the records to investigate this dispute, please update the credit bureaus to remove the information. I’m also asking that you send your method of investigation, along with all records, as well as documentation that proves the account belongs to me. Then I may conduct my own investigation. Disputed Item 1 <name of company> Reasons why this is an error: [list your reason(s) here] Thank you for your time. Sincerely, <your signature> <print your name> Enclosures: [list items
enclosed] <Copy of the credit report with the item(s) circled or marked> Download this letter as a Word document » Do 609, 611, and 623 dispute letters work?Although some people have success invoking specific sections of the FCRA, these letters may not help any more than a well-written general-purpose credit report dispute letter. It is even possible that credit reporting agencies may flag 609 and 611 credit report letters as potentially frivolous. That’s because some credit repair companies advise people to send dispute letters that point to certain sections of the FCRA to question everything on their credit report. Why 609, 611, 623 letters aren’t a loopholeWith a quick internet search, you can find vendors selling these types of letters and claiming they give you a “loophole” to get any item off your credit report. Unfortunately, there are no loopholes. Any valid legitimate item in your credit report will remain there until the date it will naturally fall off. Credit bureaus are not under any obligation to delete data. The burden of proof is whether an item can be verified. The Fair Credit Reporting Act exists to protect your rights, not give you loopholes. Remember that credit reporting agencies are only under an obligation to remove information that cannot be verified. If they believe the information is verifiable, they won’t agree to remove it. Sections 609, 611, and 623 in the FCRA
Tips for writing successful credit report dispute letters
Sources Article last modified on May 5, 2022. Published by Debt.com, LLC How do I update my personal information with credit bureau?You don't need to contact the credit bureaus to update the personal information on your credit reports. Instead, get in touch with your creditors and ask them to update your records with your new address, name or employer.
How do you write a formal letter to the credit bureau?Your letter should clearly identify each item in your report you dispute, state the facts, explain why you dispute the information, and request that it be removed or corrected. You may want to enclose a copy of your credit report with the items in question circled.
What is a 609 letter template?A 609 Dispute Letter is often billed as a credit repair secret or legal loophole that forces the credit reporting agencies to remove certain negative information from your credit reports. And if you're willing, you can spend big bucks on templates for these magical dispute letters.
What is a 623 dispute letter?The name 623 dispute method refers to section 623 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The method allows you to dispute a debt directly with the creditor in question as long as you have already filed your complaint with the credit bureau and completed their process.
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Personal information update letter credit bureau template
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