Dispute Credit Report Errors
Fix mistakes that are hurting your score - boost 20-100 points
📑 What's Covered
According to the Federal Trade Commission, one in five consumers have errors on their credit reports. Removing just one error can boost your score 20-100 points. Here's exactly how to dispute and win.
🔍 Common Errors Worth Disputing
🔴 High Impact (20-100+ points)
- Accounts that aren't yours
- Incorrect late payments
- Wrong account status (closed/open)
- Duplicate accounts
- Identity theft accounts
- Incorrect charge-offs
- Wrong bankruptcy records
🟡 Medium Impact (10-30 points)
- Wrong credit limits
- Incorrect balances
- Wrong account open dates
- Incorrect account types
- Authorized user errors
- Payment history mistakes
- Wrong original creditor
🟢 Low Impact (5-15 points)
- Address errors
- Name variations
- Employer information
- Phone numbers
- Closed accounts showing open
- Old addresses
- Account number errors
💻 Online vs Mail Disputes
Online Disputes
✅ Pros:
- Faster submission (minutes)
- Instant confirmation
- Easy status tracking
- No postage costs
- 24/7 availability
❌ Cons:
- Limited dispute reasons
- Can't attach evidence
- May waive some rights
- Character limits
- Generic responses
Best for: Simple, straightforward errors
Mail Disputes
✅ Pros:
- Full legal protection
- Include all evidence
- Detailed explanations
- Paper trail for court
- Personal touch
❌ Cons:
- Takes 30-45 days
- Certified mail costs
- More effort required
- Manual tracking
- Printing/scanning
Best for: Complex disputes, multiple errors
📄 The 609 Letter Strategy
Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to request verification of any item on your credit report. If the bureau can't verify it, they must remove it.
Effective Dispute Letter Template
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Request for Investigation of Credit Report Errors
Dear [Bureau Name],
I am writing to dispute the following inaccurate information on my credit report:
Account: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [Full or Partial Number]
Error: [Specific description of what's wrong]
Correct Information: [What it should show]
[Repeat for each error]
I am requesting that you investigate these items pursuant to Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
These errors are damaging my credit score and must be corrected or removed.
Enclosed please find:
□ Copy of my credit report with errors highlighted
□ Copy of my driver's license
□ Copy of utility bill (proof of address)
□ [Any supporting documentation]
Please investigate these disputes and provide me with written results of your investigation within 30 days,
as required by law.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Last 4 digits of SSN]💡 Letter Writing Tips
- Be specific about each error - vague disputes get rejected
- Include one dispute letter per bureau
- Send via certified mail with return receipt
- Keep copies of everything
- Don't dispute more than 5 items at once
📋 Step-by-Step Dispute Process
Get Your Reports
Pull all three credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com (free weekly)
Time: 15 minutesIdentify Errors
Highlight all inaccuracies and gather supporting documents
Time: 30-60 minutesWrite Dispute Letters
Create specific letters for each bureau with errors
Time: 45 minutesSend via Certified Mail
Mail to bureaus with return receipt requested ($8-10 each)
Time: 20 minutesTrack & Follow Up
Monitor delivery and mark calendar for 30-day deadline
Time: Ongoing📮 Bureau Contact Information
Equifax
Dispute Address:
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
Phone: 1-866-349-5191
Online: equifax.com/dispute
Experian
TransUnion
Dispute Address:
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Phone: 1-800-916-8800
Online: transunion.com/disputes
💡 Note: Yes, the credit bureaus still prefer snail mail for disputes. It's like they're stuck in 1995! 🐌
🏆 Evidence That Wins Disputes
For Payment Disputes
- Bank statements showing payment
- Cancelled checks
- Payment confirmations
- Account statements
- Letters from creditor
For Identity Errors
- Police reports
- FTC identity theft affidavit
- Proof you weren't at location
- Account application dates
- Different signatures
For Account Errors
- Account closing letters
- Settlement agreements
- Court documents
- Original contracts
- Correspondence history
Documentation Tips
- Always send copies, never originals
- Highlight relevant sections
- Include a cover sheet listing all documents
- Number your pages
⏰ Dispute Timeline & Follow-Up
Submit Disputes
Send certified mail to all bureaus with errors
Delivery Confirmation
Check tracking for delivery confirmation
Mid-Point Check
If no response, prepare follow-up letter
Response Due
Bureau must respond or delete item
Verify Changes
Pull new reports to confirm corrections
Escalate if Needed
File CFPB complaint or consider legal action
⚖️ Your Legal Rights
Under FCRA, bureaus must:
- Investigate within 30 days
- Forward all evidence to furnisher
- Delete unverifiable information
- Notify you of results in writing
- Provide free report if changes made
You can sue for:
- $1,000 per violation
- Actual damages
- Punitive damages
- Attorney fees
- Court costs
Helpful Resources
Ready to Clean Up Your Credit?
Use our dispute wizard to generate custom letters and track your progress.