If a credit report shows a late payment you never made, an address that isn't yours, or an account you don't recognize, you can challenge it. A dispute letter is just a written request. You ask the credit bureau to check the item and correct it. U.S. consumers have that right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. What the law doesn't do is force a bureau to delete accurate negative information. Keep that line clear before you draft anything.

Use the template below as your starting point. Fill in every bracket. Attach copies of proof, not originals. Send it certified mail or through the bureau's online dispute portal. Keep a copy of the letter, the attachments, and the mailing receipt.

Free Credit Report Dispute Letter Template

This letter works for Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Change the recipient and the disputed item. If you have more than one error, use one letter per issue when you can.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Phone]
[Email]
[Date]

[Credit Bureau Name]
[Dispute Address]

Re: Dispute of inaccurate information on my credit report
Account or item: [Account name and number, or last 4 of SSN]
Report or file number: [If available]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am disputing information on my credit report that I believe is inaccurate. Please investigate under Section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. 1681i.

The item I dispute is:
[Describe one item clearly. Include the creditor name, account number, date, amount, and what is wrong.]

What I believe is correct:
[State the correct information.]

Why this is inaccurate:
[Explain briefly. Example: I paid this account on time. The attached statement shows the payment posted on March 3.]

Supporting documents:
[ ] Copy of government-issued ID
[ ] Copy of utility bill or bank statement showing my address
[ ] Copy of the credit report page with the disputed item circled
[ ] [List other evidence, such as payment receipts or a police report]

Please send me written results of your investigation and an updated credit report. If you need more information, contact me at the phone number or email above.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Enclosures: [List]

Where to Send the Letter

Check the bureau's dispute page before you mail. PO boxes change, and the official page is the final word. The addresses below are common starting points.

Certified Mail with Return Receipt gives you delivery proof. It costs extra, and the letter itself doesn't have to be certified. The proof matters if the bureau later says it never received your dispute.

What Makes a Dispute Letter Work

The CFPB says to explain in writing what you think is wrong, why, and include copies of documents that support your dispute. The FTC gives similar advice. A calm, specific letter is easier to process than a long argument.

A strong packet usually includes your full name, address, phone, and email at the top. Name the account, its number, and the date. Explain the error in a few lines. Attach copies, not originals. Ask for an investigation and an updated report. Then sign and date it.

Ten unrelated complaints in one paragraph won't help. Neither will a rant. Don't send original documents. If you write to both a bureau and a creditor, change the recipient and the request each time.

Sample Wording for Common Errors

Wrong Personal Information

I dispute the address listed as [wrong address]. My correct address is [correct address]. I have lived there since [date]. A copy of my utility bill is enclosed. Please delete the wrong address and update my file.

Inaccurate Late Payment

I dispute the late payment reported by [creditor] for [month/year]. The account was paid on time. A copy of my statement and payment confirmation is enclosed. Please correct the late payment to current.

Accurate Late Payment and a Goodwill Request

This isn't a dispute. It's a request to the creditor or lender. I have been a customer since [year]. I made a late payment in [month/year] because of [brief reason]. I'm asking you to remove the late payment as a goodwill adjustment. I understand you aren't required to do so.

Unauthorized Inquiry

I didn't authorize [company] to review my credit on [date]. I didn't apply for credit or open an account with them. Please remove the inquiry or tell me what proof you used to verify it.

Identity Theft

I'm a victim of identity theft. The account with [creditor] is fraudulent. I've enclosed my FTC Identity Theft Report, police report, and affidavit. Please block the fraudulent information and stop reporting it. I'm also sending this dispute to [creditor].

Medical Debt

I dispute the medical collection from [collector] for [amount]. This bill was paid by insurance or isn't mine. Enclosed is the explanation of benefits or payment record. Please verify the debt and correct or delete it.

Some medical collections aren't reported under current bureau policies. If the account is accurate and reportable, a dispute may not remove it. Check the bureau's current guidance before you assume it will disappear.

Dispute with the Bureau, the Creditor, or Both?

Start with the credit bureau that shows the error. The bureau investigates and updates your report if the item is wrong. A creditor or collector can also fix the source record. That matters when the bureau says the item was verified.

The CFPB recommends starting with the credit reporting company. If identity theft is involved, contact the creditor too. Send copies, not originals, to everyone.

Step-by-Step: How to Dispute a Credit Report Error

1. Get your reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. You can request reports from all three nationwide bureaus.
2. Mark each error. Write down the account name, number, and what is wrong.
3. Gather proof. Use ID, address proof, payment records, statements, insurance forms, or a police report.
4. Send the dispute. Use the bureau's online portal or mail it certified. Save the confirmation or receipt.
5. Track the calendar. The bureau generally has 30 days to investigate. It can take up to 45 days if you send more information during the investigation.
6. Check the results. If the item is fixed, get an updated report. If not, dispute with the creditor or escalate.
7. Follow up in writing. If the deadline passes, send a short letter with your original dispute and receipt.

Timeline and Follow-Up

The bureau must forward your dispute to the furnisher within five business days. It must complete its investigation and send results within 30 days. The deadline can stretch to 45 days if you provide additional information during the first 30 days. Those are federal deadlines under the FCRA.

Online disputes may move faster in practice, but speed isn't the only goal. You want a clear record. To be honest, most delays come from missing documents or a wrong mailing address.

Put the mailing date on your calendar. If the 30-day or 45-day deadline passes with no response, send a written follow-up. Keep the certified mail receipt and a copy of the dispute. You can also file a complaint with the CFPB and the FTC. The FTC collects complaints but doesn't resolve individual disputes. A complaint doesn't automatically delete the item. It creates a record and can prompt a response.

Identity Theft Disputes Work Differently

If someone opened accounts in your name, don't start with a simple dispute letter. Go to IdentityTheft.gov and create an FTC Identity Theft Report. Then contact the bureaus to place a fraud alert or freeze. An initial fraud alert lasts one year and can be renewed. The CFPB identity theft guide explains the steps.

Send the identity theft report to the bureaus and to the creditor. Ask them to block the fraudulent information. Keep a copy of everything you send. If a bureau refuses, you can file a complaint or seek advice from a consumer law attorney.

When a Dispute Won't Remove the Item

Accurate negative information can stay. Late payments, collections, and bankruptcies remain for the allowed reporting periods. A dispute isn't a credit repair trick. Turns out, a correct item usually stays for years. If the item is correct, focus on paying on time, lowering balances, and letting time pass. That's slower, but it's the part you can control.

FAQ

Do I have to use certified mail? No. You can dispute online. Certified mail gives you proof of delivery, which helps if the bureau says it never got your letter.

Can I dispute by phone? Some bureaus accept phone disputes for simple issues. For complex errors, a written dispute with documents is easier to track.

How long does a dispute take? Generally 30 days. It can extend to 45 days if you provide more information during the investigation.

Can I dispute the same item twice? You can send a new dispute if you have new information. Bureaus can treat repeated disputes without new evidence as frivolous.

Should I hire a credit repair company? You can do this yourself for free. No company can remove accurate negative information. If you hire help, read the contract and avoid upfront fees for results that are not guaranteed.

Pull your free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Pick one error, gather one proof document, and send one clear dispute. Start there. You can repeat the process for the next item.