When working with any of the three primary credit bureaus in filing a formal dispute, you need to know the appropriate way in which to handle the case. By law under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have rights when it comes to cleaning up inaccurate or negative credit. Once you have gone over each credit report and identified information that is wrong, you can then file your dispute.
The important thing when sending in your dispute is that credit bureaus receive around 10,000 disputes every day! Therefore, they do not have the time or manpower to read long letters. For this reason, you need state your case in a specific letters that are brief and to the point. In addition to the dispute letter to remove inaccurate information, you always want to provide copies of proof, which would be things like a cancelled check, letter from a creditor showing an account was paid in full, and so on. If you like, you can also include any consequences resulting from erroneous information on your report. To show you how easy it is to file dispute, we have provided a few sample letters for credit repair.
Sample Letter for Credit Repair – One
This sample letter for credit repair is to have inaccurate information removed
Date
Your Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
To whom it may concern:
This letter is a formal complaint to notify you that inaccurate credit information is being reported. As a result, I am distressed in that the below information in my credit profile is having damaging effects on my good credit standing. As you are no doubt aware, credit reporting laws ensure that credit bureaus report only accurate credit information. Surely, the inclusion of this inaccurate information is a mistake on your or the reporting creditor's part but because of these mistakes, I have been wrongfully denied credit recently for (description), which was embarrassing and has negatively impacted my lifestyle.
Attached is proof of this denial and the good credit being reported inaccurately. I am sure you will agree this needs to be removed immediately. Please verify the deletion of this inaccurate information as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Name
Social Security Number
Attachment:
Sample Letter for Credit Repair – Two
This sample letter for credit repair would be used for unauthorized inquiries but addressed to the company conducting the inquiry.
Date
Creditor
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Re: Unauthorized Credit Inquiry
Dear (company):
Recently, I received a copy of my (name of credit bureau) credit report. The report showed a credit inquiry performed by your company but I do not recall authorizing this inquiry. I understand that by law, you are not allowed to list an inquiry on my credit report that was not authorized. Therefore, please have this inquiry removed from my credit file immediately, as it has made it difficult for me to acquire credit.
This letter has been sent via certified mail to ensure prompt attention to this matter. Once the inquiry has been removed, please provide me with confirmation. If I am remiss, and you did have my authorization to make this inquiry, please send me proof.
Thanking you in advance,
Name
Account Number
Sample Letter for Credit Repair – Three
This sample letter for credit repair would be used for disputing information reported on the credit report but not responded within the 30 days provided by law.
Credit Bureau
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Re: Dispute Letter – No response to first dispute letter
To whom it may concern:
This letter is formal notice that you have failed to respond to my dispute letter of (date). The original letter was sent via registered mail. I have enclosed a copy of the return receipt showing that you signed on which you signed on (date).
As you are aware, federal law requires that you respond within 30 days. However, it has now been over that period since your receipt of my letter. Undoubtedly, your failure to comply with federal regulations by credit reporting agencies puts you in serious violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. As a result, this issue may be investigated by the FTC. Obviously, I am maintaining detailed records of all my correspondence with you should a formal complaint with the FTC need to be filed.
Although you may have misplaced my letters or have failed to respond to my letter because of an oversight due to the high volume of the requests you receive daily, I expect this dispute to be handled in an expedient manner. Therefore, I have included a copy of my original request, the dated receipt of your receipt of the original letter, as well as a copy of the proof verifying the incorrectness of the credit item you mistakenly placed on my records.
The following information therefore needs to be verified and deleted from the report as soon as possible:
Creditor Agency
Account Number
Please delete this erroneous item from my credit report as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Name
Social Security Number
