Bureau Dispute Tips

Here are some sample letters you may use to correct inaccurate or outdated information on your credit reports:

Sample Credit Report Dispute Letter
Use this letter to initiate your dispute.

Sample Credit Report Dispute Follow Up Letter
Use this letter if you don't hear anything from the bureau within 30 days of receipt of your original letter.

Tips for Credit Bureau Disputes:

• Use your full, legal name, including middle initial and any generational suffixes (Jr, Sr, III).
• Include as much information as you have to support your dispute. Simply stating "this balance is wrong" won't get you as far as providing copies of statements or recent correspondence with a particular creditor.
• Type your letters and check them for readability. If the credit bureau can't understand your dispute, you won't make much progress.
• Keep copies of everything you send to anyone.
• Send your letters certified mail, return receipt requested. It costs a little more, but you'll know exactly when your letter was received.
• It will take at least 30-60 days before you see changes in your credit reports and scores. Learn more about how the process works.