Requesting Corrections

It used to be important that each questionable item, except for erroneous personal data, be dealt with individually, but these days you should be able to dispute several items at once. Keep in mind, if you attempt to have the credit reporting agency correct everything at once, it may be easier for the agency to claim that your request is frivolous or irrelevant.

They may attempt to bully you into believing that your request is frivolous, or even unlawful. But the credit reporting agencies are required to assume that all disputes are bona fide, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that it is not. A blanket dispute (i.e. all information is challenged) may be considered evidence that the dispute is frivolous, if you fail to provide any allegations concerning specific items in your file. At this point, you may want to review the Rampant Myths About Credit Reporting report.

You should challenge every erroneous item (but typically not everything in one letter), and not give in to them if they send ominous letters warning of dire consequences if your claims are frivolous. If the information they are reporting is inaccurate, incorrect, erroneous, misleading or outdated, they will have to remove it upon investigation. The specific law on disputes is found in United States Code, Title 15, Chapter 41, Subchapter III, § 1681i, entitled Procedure in case of disputed accuracy.

You will now write a letter to each credit reporting agency, requesting an investigation to verify the accuracy of the most damaging items reported by any of the agencies, and asking that they correct the information. In general, it is important that the letter not look like a form letter, so consider handwriting it.

Also, keep in mind that absent a clear statement that the accuracy or completeness of specific information is "disputed" or "challenged", your letter might not be construed as an exercise of rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Specific words to use include: "erroneous", "outdated", "misleading", or "unverifiable". Mere explanation of the reason a debt was not paid might not constitute a dispute and does not require the credit reporting agency to re-investigate or accept your written dispute statements. Explanations are not useful, but disputes get results.

Once the credit reporting agency has received your dispute letter, they are obligated to investigate. This obligation is not contingent upon you having been denied credit.

Note the addresses to which the credit reports direct you for disputes. They will not be the same as the addresses you used to obtain the credit report. Again, write to each of these three:

1. Equifax Credit Information Services
   • +1.800.448.2321
   • +1.800.882.0648
   • +1.800.290.8749 (Fraud Department)
   • +1.770.612.2603 (Fax)
2. Trans Union Corporation
   • +1.800.888.4213
   • +1.800.916.8800 option 2
   • +1.800.680.7289 (Fraud Department)
3. Experian (formerly TRW) Consumer Relations
   • +1.888.397.3742 (+1.888.EXPERIAN)
   • +1.800.583.4080 (Fraud Department)

Note: The credit bureaus change their addresses and phone numbers from time to time. Check their web sites or their 800 numbers for the most current information.

Follow the format in Sample Letter 2, and send it in. If you are dealing with excessive, unauthorized credit inquiries, follow the format in Sample Letter 2.5. Follow the important mailing and record keeping instructions.

Within 10 to 30 days you will receive a letter from each credit reporting agency telling you that they are investigating your dispute. Within another 10 to 30 days, you should receive an updated credit report, indicating that the disputed item has been removed.

As soon as a credit reporting agency provides you with an updated credit report showing that the item has been deleted, you should send another dispute letter, in regards to the set of next most damaging items.

Repeat this process, until each and every questionable item has been deleted.

In some cases, the credit reporting agencies are slow to respond to your dispute. If this should occur, you may choose to write another letter, strongly reminding the credit bureau of their obligations under the law. You may follow the format in Sample Letter 3. Again, carefully follow the important mailing and record keeping instructions.

Should the credit reporting agencies just flat out ignore even that letter, you may follow the format in Sample Letter 4, but tailor it specifically to the circumstances in which you now find yourself. Be prepared to contact the FTC to file your formal complaint, should even this letter not elicit a response. At this point, you should seriously consider filing suit or contacting a regulatory agency, as willful failure to comply may subject the credit reporting agencies to liability.