// 02 — how to dispute anything on your credit report

THE DISPUTE PROCESS

// how credit reporting works

Furnishers → Bureaus → You.

Credit reporting is a pipeline. Furnishers (lenders, creditors, collection agencies) supply account data to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). The bureaus store it in your file. You have the right under the FCRA to see this data, dispute inaccuracies, and demand investigation.

StepWho actsWhat happensFCRA section
1Creditor / FurnisherLender, creditor, or collection agency reports account data to bureausFCRA §623
2Credit BureauExperian, Equifax, or TransUnion stores the data in your credit fileFCRA §609
3Furnisher (again)Furnisher must provide accurate and complete information, correct errorsFCRA §623(a)(2)
4Consumer (You)You review your report and dispute any inaccuraciesFCRA §611
5Bureau + FurnisherBureau investigates within 30 days; furnisher reviews and confirms/correctsFCRA §611(a)
6BureauBureau sends results, updates file, and provides updated report if requestedFCRA §611(a)(6)

Key concept: Furnishers have duties

Under FCRA §623, furnishers must provide accurate information, correct errors, and notify bureaus when they determine information is inaccurate. They must also conduct reasonable investigations when a consumer disputes directly with them. If a furnisher fails to investigate or correct, that is a violation.

// step-by-step dispute walkthrough

The 7-step dispute process.

01

Get your credit report

Download free reports from annualcreditreport.com. You are entitled to one free report per bureau per year, plus additional free reports under FCRA §612 if denied credit, unemployed, on public assistance, or a victim of fraud.

02

Identify errors

Review every account for accuracy: account names, balances, payment history, dates opened/closed, account status, and whether each account is actually yours. Look for duplicates, mixed files, and items older than 7 years (10 for bankruptcy).

03

Write your dispute letter

Choose the template that matches your scenario below. Fill in all bracketed fields. Be specific about what is inaccurate and why. Cite FCRA §611 when asserting your right to dispute.

04

Send to all three bureaus

Mail separate letters to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt — this creates a legal paper trail. Keep the tracking number and receipt. Online disputes are faster but may waive some rights.

05

Wait for investigation

Bureaus have 30 days to investigate from receipt of your dispute (45 days if you submit additional information during the 30-day window). The bureau must forward your dispute to the furnisher within 5 business days.

06

Review results

The bureau must send you written results within 5 business days of completing the investigation. If the item is unverifiable, it must be deleted. If corrected, you get a free updated report. If the furnisher confirms, the item stays.

07

Send MOV request if verified

If the bureau verifies the item but does not remove it, request the Method of Verification under FCRA §611(a)(7) within 15 days of receiving results. The bureau must describe how it verified the item within 15 days of your MOV request.

// bureau contact information

Where to send your disputes.

Send separate letters to each bureau. Certified Mail with Return Receipt — no exceptions.

// credit bureau

Experian

P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013

1-888-397-3742

experian.com/dispute →

// credit bureau

Equifax

P.O. Box 105069, Atlanta, GA 30348

1-800-685-1111

equifax.com/dispute →

// credit bureau

TransUnion

P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

1-800-916-8800

transunion.com/dispute →

// template 01 — inaccurate information

Dispute Letter: Inaccurate Information

Use when the reported balance, account status, payment history, or dates are wrong. This is the most common dispute scenario.

Back to hub
[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [YOUR DATE OF BIRTH] [YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Dispute of Inaccurate Information Account: [ACCOUNT NUMBER] Creditor: [CREDITOR NAME] Amount Reported: [AMOUNT] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute the above-referenced account appearing on my credit report. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1681i (Section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act), I am exercising my right to dispute this item. The information being reported is inaccurate because: [Explain specifically what is wrong — e.g., "The reported balance of $X is incorrect. The actual balance is $Y as of [DATE]." or "The account is reported as open/late but was closed/current as of [DATE]."] I have enclosed documentation supporting my position: [List enclosures — e.g., account statement, payment records, settlement letter] I request that you investigate this dispute within 30 days as required by FCRA Section 1681i(a)(1). If you cannot verify this account with complete and accurate documentation, I request that you permanently delete it from my credit file. Please send me an updated copy of my credit report once the investigation is complete, as required by FCRA Section 1681j. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - Copy of credit report with disputed item highlighted - Supporting documentation
// template 02 — unverifiable information

Dispute Letter: Unverifiable Information

Use when you have no record of the account, the creditor cannot produce documentation, or the account was never validated. If the bureau cannot verify, it must delete.

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Dispute of Unverifiable Account Account: [ACCOUNT NUMBER] Creditor: [CREDITOR NAME] Amount: [AMOUNT] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute the above-referenced account on my credit report. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1681i (FCRA Section 611), I am requesting a reinvestigation of this item. I have no record of this account. I do not recall opening this account, and I have never received documentation establishing its validity. I previously requested validation from the furnisher under FDCPA Section 1692g and did not receive adequate verification. If this account cannot be verified with complete and accurate documentation — including the original creditor agreement, account statements, and chain of assignment — I request that you permanently delete this item from my credit file. Please investigate within 30 days as required by FCRA Section 1681i(a)(1) and send me written results within 5 business days of completion per Section 1681i(a)(6). Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - Copy of credit report with disputed item highlighted - Copy of prior validation request (if applicable)
// template 03 — identity theft

Dispute Letter: Identity Theft (FCRA §605B Block)

Use when an account was opened fraudulently in your name. Under FCRA §605B, you can block information resulting from identity theft by providing an identity theft report and a sworn statement.

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Block of Information Resulting from Identity Theft FCRA Section 605B (15 U.S.C. Section 1681c-2) Account: [FRAUDULENT ACCOUNT NUMBER] Creditor: [CREDITOR NAME] To Whom It May Concern, I am a victim of identity theft. The above-referenced account was opened in my name without my authorization by someone other than me. I did not open this account, I did not authorize anyone to open this account on my behalf, and I have never used or benefited from this account. Pursuant to FCRA Section 605B (15 U.S.C. Section 1681c-2), I am requesting that you block the reporting of any information in my credit file that resulted from identity theft. I am enclosing the following required documentation: 1. A copy of my FTC Identity Theft Report filed at IdentityTheft.gov (or a police report) 2. A sworn statement that the information is not the result of any transaction conducted by me 3. Proof of identity (copy of driver's license and a utility bill) Upon receipt of this information, you must block the reporting of this information within 4 business days and notify the furnisher that the information has been blocked. You may not sell or transfer the blocked information to another entity. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - FTC Identity Theft Report / Police Report - Sworn statement (notarized) - Copy of government-issued ID - Utility bill for address verification
// template 04 — obsolete debt

Dispute Letter: Obsolete Debt (Past Reporting Period)

Use when a negative item is being reported beyond the legal time limit. Most items must be removed after 7 years; bankruptcies after 10 years; paid tax liens after 7 years.

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Obsolete Information — Request for Deletion FCRA Section 605 (15 U.S.C. Section 1681c) Account: [ACCOUNT NUMBER] Creditor: [CREDITOR NAME] Date of First Delinquency: [APPROXIMATE DATE] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute the continued reporting of the above-referenced account on my credit report. Pursuant to FCRA Section 605 (15 U.S.C. Section 1681c), this item is being reported beyond the permissible reporting period. The Date of First Delinquency for this account was on or about [MONTH/YEAR]. Under FCRA Section 605(a), adverse items may not be reported after 7 years from the date of first delinquency, or in the case of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, after 10 years. This item has exceeded the maximum reporting period and must be deleted from my credit file immediately. I request that you: 1. Remove this item from my credit report 2. Notify me in writing within 30 days of the deletion 3. Provide an updated copy of my credit report Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - Copy of credit report showing the item and its dates - Any documentation showing the date of first delinquency
// template 05 — mixed file

Dispute Letter: Mixed Credit File

Use when someone else's accounts or personal information appear on your credit report due to a file merge error — often caused by similar names, shared addresses, or close Social Security numbers.

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [YOUR DATE OF BIRTH] [YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Mixed File — Accounts Belonging to Another Consumer To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to dispute accounts appearing on my credit report that do not belong to me. It appears that my credit file has been mixed with another consumer's information. This is a serious inaccuracy under FCRA Section 611. The following accounts are NOT mine: 1. [CREDITOR NAME] — Account [NUMBER] 2. [CREDITOR NAME] — Account [NUMBER] 3. [CREDITOR NAME] — Account [NUMBER] I believe these accounts may belong to another person who shares a similar name, address, or Social Security number. I am providing my identifying information above so that you can properly segregate my file. I request that you: 1. Remove all accounts that do not belong to me 2. Verify that my file contains only my information 3. Assign or reassign a unique identifier to my file 4. Provide me with an updated credit report Please investigate within 30 days per FCRA Section 1681i(a)(1) and send written results within 5 business days of completion. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] Enclosures: - Copy of credit report with disputed items highlighted - Copy of driver's license or state ID - Copy of Social Security card - Recent utility bill for address verification
// method of verification (MOV) request

MOV Request Letter

When a bureau verifies a disputed item without removing it, you have the right under FCRA §611(a)(7) to request a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information. This is called a Method of Verification (MOV) request. Send it within 15 days of receiving the bureau's verification notice.

The bureau must respond within 15 days with the business name, address, and phone number of the furnisher they contacted, and a description of how they verified. If they cannot provide this, the item must be deleted.

[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR CITY, STATE ZIP] [YOUR PHONE] [YOUR EMAIL] [DATE] [EXPERIAN / EQUIFAX / TRANSUNION] [BUREAU ADDRESS] RE: Request for Method of Verification FCRA Section 611(a)(7) — 15 U.S.C. Section 1681i(a)(7) Account: [ACCOUNT NUMBER] Creditor: [CREDITOR NAME] Date of Bureau's Verification Notice: [DATE] To Whom It May Concern, On [DATE], I received notice from your agency that the above-referenced dispute was verified and the item would remain on my credit report. Pursuant to FCRA Section 611(a)(7), I am requesting a description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information. Specifically, I request that you provide: 1. The business name, address, and telephone number of the furnisher you contacted 2. A description of the method used to verify the information (e.g., e-OSCAR, direct contact, etc.) 3. The specific documentation reviewed during verification 4. The name and contact information of the person who conducted the verification If you cannot provide this information within 15 days, the item must be deleted from my credit file as unverifiable. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME]