IT'S YOUR CREDIT REPORT!

Do you need a sample credit report dispute letter?

Consumers often contact us for help with credit report errors.  Incorrect information on your credit report can keep you from getting a loan, employment or housing.  If you need help disputing the credit report errors, then that means you have already taken the first, and most important step, you have received your free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  If you have not already done so, then click HERE and download and print the credit report request form for all 3 nationwide consumer reporting agencies.

Step 2 – Dispute errors on your credit reports.  Incorrect information on your credit reports, such as name variations, date of birth, public records, collection items, accounts, etc…, may indicate that the credit bureaus have mixed your file with another consumer.  The credit report errors may also indicate that you are a victim of identity theft.  The FCRA gives consumers the right to dispute credit report errors for free.  You shouldn’t have to pay anyone to send a dispute letter to the credit bureaus.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has prepared a model dispute letter for consumers to use.  The dispute letter is simple and straight forward.  Simply tell the credit bureaus what is wrong with your report and why.  For example, here you go:

Date
Your Name
Your Address, City, State,
Zip Code

Complaint Department
Name of Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to dispute the following information in my file.. I have circled the items I dispute on the attached copy of the report I received.

This item (identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be removed (or request another specific change) to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records and court documents) supporting my position. Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Social Security number:

Date of Birth:

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing)

———————————————————–

Have you already disputed credit report information to Equifax, Experian or Trans Union?  Did the credit bureau verify the incorrect information?  If yes, then you are ready for step 3.

Step 3 - Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the credit reporting agencies have a duty to reinvestigate information disputed by consumers, unless it is a frivolous dispute.  The credit bureaus are supposed to forward your dispute to the data furnisher.  Next, the company who supplied the information to the credit reporting agencies (the data furnisher) must investigate the disputed information .  Data furnishers do not have any liability under the FCRA for a private cause of action until you send your dispute to the credit bureaus and the credit bureaus notify the data furnisher of your dispute.  In other words, you cannot sue the data furnisher (such as a credit card company) until after you send your dispute to the credit bureaus!

If you send a dispute to the credit bureaus, send it by certified mail, return receipt requested.  DO NOT MAKE AN ONLINE DISPUTE OR A DISPUTE OVER THE PHONE.  Online disputes limit your ability to explain your dispute.  Also, online, you cannot upload supporting documents.  Telephone disputes become “he said - she said” arguments and do not help consumers.  The credit bureaus seldom produce phone records, let alone a detailed accounting of phone disputes.  Written disputes allow you to state what is inaccurate and why it is inaccurate in your own words.  You can enclose documents which support your dispute, such as court records, police reports or proof of payment.

Upon receipt of your dispute letter, the credit bureaus must reinvestigate the dispute information.  the credit agencies must also notify the data furnisher of your dispute and provide them with all relevant information about your dispute.  In the event the credit bureaus send you a letter telling you that the disputed information was “verified” you may be entitled to money damages under the FCRA.

For more information about how to write a dispute letter to the credit bureaus or dispute credit report errors, contact FCRA attorney Micah Adkins for a free case review at 1-800-263-9091.