Credit report dispute letter template (FCRA): copy, fill in the brackets, send by certified mail
A ready-to-send dispute letter for Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion that cites the Fair Credit Reporting Act, lists each disputed item with the reason, demands correction or deletion within 30 days, and preserves your right to sue if they don't investigate. Includes the medical-debt and 7-year-rule wording and the bureau mailing addresses.
- One letter per bureau, listing only the items on that bureau's report. Attach copies (never originals) of your ID, a utility bill, and proof for each item.
- Send by certified mail, return receipt, to the dispute address of each bureau (below). Keep a copy and the receipts: they're your evidence if it goes to court.
- The bureau has 30 days (45 if you send more documents during the investigation) to correct, delete, or verify. Silence or a "verified" wrong item → CFPB complaint → FCRA attorney.
- Keep the reasons factual. Don't dispute accurate items as "not mine".
Template
The full text, with every [bracketed] field to fill in, is on the next page. Copy it there and paste it into the company's form or email.
Open the full templateHow to fill it in
- Addresses: the ones above are the standard dispute mailing addresses; confirm them on each bureau's website before mailing, since P.O. boxes change.
- One item per block, exact names and numbers as they appear on that bureau's report.
- Proof: a statement or payment confirmation beats a paragraph of explanation. For identity theft, attach the FTC report from IdentityTheft.gov; that triggers a block within 4 business days under § 1681c-2.
- Medical debt: cite the specific ground (under $500, paid, under a year, or state ban). See medical debt rules.
- Expired items: give the date of first delinquency and cite § 1681c. See the 7-year rule.
- Also dispute with the furnisher (the bank or collector) by sending a similar letter to its dispute address; furnishers have their own duty under § 1681s-2(b).
- After 30 days: no answer, or a wrong item "verified"? File at consumerfinance.gov/complaint and consider an FCRA attorney (they work on contingency; statutory damages up to $1,000 per willful violation plus fees). Full guide: disputing credit report errors.
FAQ
Should I dispute online instead?
Online is fast but you often agree to arbitration terms and can't attach a detailed letter. Mail creates the paper trail you need if you have to sue. Use online for simple errors, mail for anything important.
Can I send the same letter to all three bureaus?
Same format, but tailor the items: only what appears on that bureau's report.
They asked me for more documents
Send them by certified mail; the deadline extends to 45 days from your original dispute.