FCRA Credit Report Dispute Letter

FCRA CREDIT REPORT DISPUTE LETTER

Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1681i

SENDER INFORMATION

Full Legal Name: ☐ _______________________________________________

Current Address: ☐ _______________________________________________

City, State, ZIP: ☐ _______________________________________________

Previous Address (if applicable): ☐ _______________________________________________

Social Security Number (last 4 digits): XXX-XX-☐ ________

Date of Birth: ☐ _______________________________________________

Phone: ☐ _______________________________________________

Email: ☐ _______________________________________________

Date: ☐ _______________________________________________

CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY (SELECT ONE)

☐ Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
Online: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-dispute

☐ Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Online: experian.com/disputes

☐ TransUnion LLC
Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Online: transunion.com/credit-disputes

☐ Other Agency: _______________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________

FORMAL DISPUTE OF INACCURATE CREDIT INFORMATION

Dear Consumer Dispute Department:

Pursuant to my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, I am formally disputing the following inaccurate information appearing on my credit report.

I obtained a copy of my credit report from your agency on ☐ _______________ [date], and have identified the following errors that require investigation and correction.

DISPUTED ITEMS

ITEM #1

Account Name/Creditor: ☐ _______________________________________________

Account Number: ☐ _______________________________________________

Type of Account: ☐ _______________________________________________

Reason for Dispute (select all applicable):

☐ This account does not belong to me

☐ This account was included in bankruptcy and should be reported as such

☐ The account balance is incorrect

• Reported Balance: $_______________
• Correct Balance: $_______________

☐ The payment status is incorrect

• Reported Status: _______________
• Correct Status: _______________

☐ The account is listed as open but has been closed

☐ Late payments are incorrectly reported

• Disputed Late Payment Date(s): _______________

☐ The credit limit is incorrect

• Reported Limit: $_______________
• Correct Limit: $_______________

☐ The date of last activity is incorrect

☐ This is a duplicate listing of another account

☐ This account was paid/settled but not reported correctly

☐ The account is beyond the 7-year reporting period (10 years for bankruptcy)

☐ This is the result of identity theft

☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Explanation: ☐ _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

ITEM #2

Account Name/Creditor: ☐ _______________________________________________

Account Number: ☐ _______________________________________________

Type of Account: ☐ _______________________________________________

Reason for Dispute (select all applicable):

☐ This account does not belong to me

☐ This account was included in bankruptcy and should be reported as such

☐ The account balance is incorrect

• Reported Balance: $_______________
• Correct Balance: $_______________

☐ The payment status is incorrect

• Reported Status: _______________
• Correct Status: _______________

☐ The account is listed as open but has been closed

☐ Late payments are incorrectly reported

• Disputed Late Payment Date(s): _______________

☐ The credit limit is incorrect

☐ The date of last activity is incorrect

☐ This is a duplicate listing

☐ This account was paid/settled but not reported correctly

☐ The account is beyond the reporting period

☐ This is the result of identity theft

☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Explanation: ☐ _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

ITEM #3

Account Name/Creditor: ☐ _______________________________________________

Account Number: ☐ _______________________________________________

Reason for Dispute: ☐ _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

PERSONAL INFORMATION DISPUTES

☐ The following personal information is incorrect:

☐ Name Variation: Listed as _______________, should be _______________

☐ Address: Listed address _______________ is incorrect/outdated

☐ Social Security Number: Listed SSN is incorrect

☐ Date of Birth: Listed as _______________, should be _______________

☐ Employer: Listed employer _______________ is incorrect/outdated

PUBLIC RECORDS DISPUTES

☐ The following public record information is incorrect:

☐ Bankruptcy: _______________________________________________

☐ Judgment: _______________________________________________

☐ Tax Lien: _______________________________________________

☐ Collection Account: _______________________________________________

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ENCLOSED

☐ Copy of government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID)

☐ Proof of current address (utility bill, bank statement dated within 60 days)

☐ Copy of Social Security card

☐ Copy of credit report with disputed items highlighted/circled

☐ Payment receipts or cancelled checks

☐ Account statements from creditor

☐ Bankruptcy discharge papers

☐ Identity theft report (FTC Identity Theft Report)

☐ Police report

☐ Court documents

☐ Letters from creditors

☐ Other: _______________________________________________

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Under 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, you are required to:

Within 5 Business Days:

☐ Notify the furnisher of information (creditor/data provider) of this dispute

☐ Provide the furnisher with all relevant information submitted by me

Within 30 Days (or 45 days if I provide additional information):

☐ Conduct a reasonable reinvestigation to determine whether the disputed information is inaccurate

☐ Record the current status of the disputed information

☐ Delete the item if it cannot be verified

☐ Modify the item if found to be inaccurate or incomplete

After Investigation:

☐ Provide me with written results of the reinvestigation within 5 business days of completion

☐ Include in the results:

• A notice that the reinvestigation is complete
• A consumer report based on my file as revised
• A notice of my right to add a statement of dispute
• A method for requesting that revised report be sent to recent recipients

DEMANDS

1. Investigation and Correction

I demand that you conduct a reasonable reinvestigation of each disputed item and:

☐ Delete any information that cannot be verified

☐ Correct any information found to be inaccurate

☐ Update any information found to be incomplete

2. Method of Verification

☐ I request that you provide me with the method of verification used for each disputed item, including:

• Name, address, and telephone number of each furnisher contacted
• The information provided by the furnisher
• The basis for the determination

3. Furnisher Contact Information

☐ I request that you provide me with the name, address, and telephone number of each person who furnished information that was disputed

4. Credit Report Recipients

☐ I request that you send corrected credit reports to:

• All parties who received my report in the past 2 years for employment purposes
• All parties who received my report in the past 6 months for any other purpose

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS

If the reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute, I may:

☐ Add a brief statement (100 words or less) to my file explaining the nature of the dispute

☐ Request that you include my statement (or a summary) in future reports

☐ File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

☐ File a lawsuit under 15 U.S.C. § 1681n (willful violations) or § 1681o (negligent violations)

WARNING REGARDING COMPLIANCE

Failure to comply with the requirements of 15 U.S.C. § 1681i may result in liability under:

Willful Noncompliance (15 U.S.C. § 1681n):

• Actual damages OR statutory damages of $100-$1,000 per violation
• Punitive damages
• Attorney's fees and costs

Negligent Noncompliance (15 U.S.C. § 1681o):

• Actual damages
• Attorney's fees and costs

DELIVERY INFORMATION

This letter is being sent via:

☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested

• Tracking Number: _______________

☐ USPS First Class Mail with Certificate of Mailing

Date Sent: _______________

IMPORTANT: Keep copies of everything sent and all proof of delivery.

Sincerely,

_________________________________________________
[Signature]

_________________________________________________
[Printed Full Legal Name]

_________________________________________________
[Date]

ENCLOSURES CHECKLIST

☐ Copy of government-issued ID

☐ Proof of address

☐ Copy of credit report with disputed items marked

☐ Supporting documentation (list each): _______________________________________________

Total number of pages enclosed: ☐ ___

SENDER'S CHECKLIST

Before Sending:

☐ All disputed items are clearly identified

☐ Reasons for dispute are clearly explained

☐ Supporting documentation is copied (NEVER send originals)

☐ Letter is signed and dated

☐ Copy made for my records

☐ Sending via certified mail, return receipt requested

After Sending:

☐ Save certified mail receipt

☐ Save return receipt (green card) when received

☐ Mark calendar for 30-day response deadline

☐ Mark calendar for 45-day extended deadline (if applicable)

Important Deadlines:

☐ Date letter sent: _______________

☐ 30-day response deadline: _______________

☐ 45-day extended deadline (if additional info provided): _______________

DISPUTE TRACKING LOG

LEGAL REFERENCES

15 U.S.C. § 1681i - Procedure in case of disputed accuracy

• 30-day reinvestigation period (45 days if additional information provided)
• 5-day notice to furnisher requirement
• Deletion of unverifiable information
• Consumer notification requirements

15 U.S.C. § 1681n - Civil liability for willful noncompliance

• Actual or statutory damages ($100-$1,000)
• Punitive damages
• Attorney's fees

15 U.S.C. § 1681o - Civil liability for negligent noncompliance

• Actual damages
• Attorney's fees

CFPB Circular 2022-07 - Reasonable investigation of consumer reporting disputes

Statute of Limitations:

• 2 years from discovery of violation, OR
• 5 years from date violation occurred (whichever is earlier)

This template is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.