Credit Dispute Letter Template (Free Sample for the Credit Bureaus)
Free credit dispute letter template for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Bureaus have 30 days to investigate under FCRA 1681i. Fill it in and mail it.
The short answer
A credit dispute letter tells Equifax, Experian or TransUnion that a specific item on your report is inaccurate and asks the bureau to correct or delete it. Under FCRA section 611 (15 U.S.C. 1681i), the bureau generally has 30 days from receiving your letter to investigate, and it must correct or delete information it finds inaccurate or cannot verify. Disputing is free and you can do it yourself by mail.
- Disputing an error with a credit bureau is free, and you do not need a company or a lawyer to do it.
- The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate, or up to 45 days if you send more information during the investigation (15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(1)).
- Send one letter to each bureau that shows the error, because Equifax, Experian and TransUnion keep separate files.
- A dispute corrects inaccurate, incomplete or unverifiable information. Accurate negative items can legally stay for up to 7 years (15 U.S.C. 1681c).
- Mail it by certified mail with return receipt so you can prove the date the bureau received it.
If your credit report shows an account, balance, date or payment status that is wrong, federal law gives you the right to dispute it directly with the credit bureau, for free. This page gives you a fill-in-the-blank dispute letter, the exact steps to mail it, and what the bureau is required to do once it arrives.
When to use a credit dispute letter
Use this letter when an item on your Equifax, Experian or TransUnion report is inaccurate, incomplete or cannot be verified. Common examples:
- An account you never opened or a name, address or employer you do not recognize
- A late payment reported for a month you paid on time
- A wrong balance, credit limit or high balance
- A paid or settled account still showing a balance due
- The same debt listed twice, for example by two collection agencies
- An account marked open that you closed, or the wrong date of first delinquency
- A negative item older than the reporting limit in 15 U.S.C. 1681c. Most negative items can stay 7 years. Collections and charge-offs run 7 years plus 180 days from the original delinquency.
When a different letter fits better
- The item is accurate. A dispute does not remove accurate information, and repeat disputes of accurate items can be dismissed as frivolous. For a real late payment, try a goodwill letter. For a collection you owe, start with a debt validation letter.
- The account is the result of identity theft. Use the identity theft dispute letter instead. A section 605B block must be applied within 4 business days, not 30 days.
- The bureau already verified the item. Send a method of verification letter to ask how it was checked.
- The error is an inquiry you did not authorize. Use the hard inquiry removal letter.
Credit dispute letter template
Copy the letter below, replace every [BRACKET] with your details, and delete any lines that do not apply.
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How to send your credit dispute letter
- Get your current reports. Download all three at AnnualCreditReport.com, where free weekly reports are available. An error can appear at one bureau and not the others, so check each one.
- Write one letter per bureau. Only list the items that appear on that bureau's report, using the company name and partial account number exactly as that report shows them.
- Be specific. Say what is wrong and what the correct information is. "This is not mine" or "the balance should be $0 because I paid it in full on June 2, 2025" is stronger than "this is inaccurate."
- Gather copies, not originals. Enclose a copy of your ID, a proof of address dated within the last few months, your report with the items circled, and any proof you have (statements, payoff letters, cancelled checks, court records).
- Sign and date the letter, then make a full copy of the packet for your records.
- Mail it by USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. The receipt shows the date the bureau got your letter, which starts the 30-day clock.
- Keep a file. Store your copy, the certified mail receipt, the return receipt and every response. Set reminders for day 30 and day 45 after delivery.
You can also dispute an error directly with the company that reported it. Under 12 CFR 1022.43, furnishers must investigate many direct disputes within the same 30-day window.
Credit bureau dispute mailing addresses
| Bureau | Dispute mailing address | Online dispute |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256 | equifax.com |
| Experian | Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013 | experian.com |
| TransUnion | TransUnion LLC, Consumer Dispute Center, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016 | transunion.com |
Bureaus occasionally change these addresses. Confirm the current one on the bureau's dispute page before you mail.
What happens after the bureau gets your letter
The FCRA sets the clock. Here is the timeline under 15 U.S.C. 1681i:
| When | What the law requires |
|---|---|
| Within 5 business days of receipt | The bureau notifies the company that furnished the item and sends it your relevant information |
| Within 5 business days, if dismissed | If the bureau decides the dispute is frivolous or irrelevant, it must tell you why and what information it needs |
| 30 days from receipt | Investigation complete, unless you sent more information during the 30 days |
| Up to 45 days from receipt | Extended deadline if you added relevant information during the first 30 days |
| Within 5 business days of finishing | Written results, plus a free updated report if anything changed |
There are three possible outcomes. The item is corrected, deleted, or verified as accurate. If an item is deleted, the bureau cannot put it back unless the furnisher certifies it is complete and accurate, and the bureau must tell you within 5 business days if it reinserts anything.
If the item comes back verified and you still believe it is wrong, you have options:
- Ask how it was verified with a method of verification letter
- Dispute again with new evidence the bureau has not seen
- Dispute directly with the furnisher
- Add a statement of up to 100 words to your file under 15 U.S.C. 1681i(b)
- File a complaint with the CFPB
Customize your letter before you mail it
- Your name, address and date of birth match what appears on the report
- Each disputed item uses the company name and account number exactly as the report shows them
- Each item has one clear reason and one clear request (correct or delete)
- Every claim you make is true and backed by a document where possible
- Each enclosure is listed at the bottom of the letter
- The bureau address is current and matches the bureau named at the top
- You signed it and kept a full copy
Guides that go with this letter
For the full dispute strategy, read how to dispute negative items on your credit report and how to write an effective credit dispute letter. If you want to request the source of each item before disputing, see the 609 credit repair letter. Item-specific guides cover late payments and collections. The FTC also explains the dispute process in disputing errors on your credit reports.
If you would rather have someone prepare and track disputes for you, Credit Saint challenges items you believe are inaccurate with all three bureaus and follows up on every response. Plans start at $79.99 a month and include a 90-day money-back guarantee. See how it works. You can always dispute errors yourself for free using the letter above.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to dispute by mail or online?
Both trigger the same 30-day investigation under the FCRA. Mail takes longer but gives you a signed return receipt and a full copy of exactly what you sent, which helps if you later need to file a complaint. Online disputes are faster but may limit how much explanation and documentation you can attach.
How many items can I dispute in one letter?
There is no legal limit, but a few specific, documented items per letter work better than a long list. Bureaus can treat vague or mass disputes as frivolous under 15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(3). If you have many errors, group them clearly and give a reason and proof for each one.
Do I have to send my Social Security number?
The bureaus use your full name, date of birth, Social Security number and address to find your file, so most ask for them. Only mail the letter to the dispute address published on the bureau's own website, and keep a copy of everything you send.
What if the bureau says the item was verified?
You can request a description of how it was verified under 15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(7), dispute directly with the company that reported it, add a short statement to your file, or file a complaint with the CFPB. Sending new evidence gives a second dispute its best footing.
Will disputing an item hurt my credit score?
No. Filing a dispute does not lower your score. While an account is under dispute it may be marked as disputed, and some mortgage lenders ask that disputes be resolved before closing, so plan the timing if you are about to apply for a home loan.
This article is for educational purposes and isn't legal advice. Credit Saint is a credit repair organization. Results vary, and no credit repair company can promise a specific outcome or score change.
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