Writing a Letter to Dispute My Credit Report - Sample Letter

Reader Question: I recently ordered my credit reports and found an error on one of them. I know that I can dispute the error online through the company's website ... but should I also write a letter to dispute the credit report with the mistake on it?

Yes, I recommend that you send a letter in addition to completing the online dispute form. It always helps to have a paper trail. I would start with the online dispute process covered below, and then I would follow up mailing a cover letter with any supporting documentation, evidence, etc. The credit reporting agency will probably advise you the same. See the sample dispute letter at the bottom of this response.

Disputing Credit Report Errors - How and Why

The information contained within your credit reports (you have three of them) is very important when trying to obtain financing for a car, a house, etc. This information is used to compute your credit score, which is what lenders use to qualify or disqualify you for a loan. So an error in your credit report could have a significant impact on you -- depending on what type of error it is.

This is why you must dispute credit report errors when you find them. As you've already learned from this person's question, it can be done online or by mail. We recommend both.

It's also important to note that the information in a particular report is the responsibility of the company that produced it -- either Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. So as an example, if you find an error in the credit report you get from Experian, you would send your dispute letter to that company only.

As mentioned, you can also dispute credit report mistakes through the company's website. While writing this response, I visited the websites of all three companies mentioned above and verified that there is an online dispute link available from each of their home pages.

One note about Equifax though. When I visited their website and tried to use the online dispute form, I was asked to start the process by entering my zip code. I then received the following message: "We are unable to process your dispute request. You live in an area with a zip code that is managed by CSC CREDIT SERVICES. To complete your dispute you may click on the CSC Credit Services link below." Depending on where you live, you may get the same message. Just another layer of bogus red tape, if you ask me ... but it is what it is.

Sample Dispute Letter

As I mentioned at the start of this response, you can begin the dispute process online through the credit reporting company's website -- and I recommend that you do. This will get the ball rolling. If you have additional paperwork to send them in support of your dispute, then you can send it by mail with a cover letter like the one below:

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Sample letter for credit report dispute...

Today's Date
Credit Bureau Name (Experian, Trans Union or Equifax)
Address (you can get it from their website)

Dear Sir or Madam:

I recently received a copy of my credit report from your company, and I found inaccurate information within the report. I am writing to request that this information be corrected. I have completed the online dispute form through your website, and I am following up with this letter to provide additional documentation.

I request that you research the items listed below and respond to me within 30 days of your receipt of this letter, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I have enclosed a copy of the erroneous credit report I received from your company, along with other documentation that supports my dispute.

*** After this introduction, explain what error you found and why you feel it is erroneous. Refer to your supporting documents as needed for support / evidence. ***

Common disputes include the following:

• An account that does not belong to you shows up on your credit report
• Unauthorized credit inquiries that somebody made without your consent (this is illegal)
• Some kind of error with your personal info (name, SSN, date of birth, etc.)
• An account you closed that still appears to be open on your credit report

When the item(s) listed above have been corrected, please send an updated report to me and to anyone who might have requested my credit report within the last six months. If I do not respond to my dispute within 30 days, I will assume you are unable to verify the disputed information, which means you must correct or remove the items listed.

Sincerely,

Your full name
Your address
Home phone number
Your social security number*

* Be careful with your handling of this letter, since it will have your SSN on it. Treat it as you would any other sensitive document with private information.