It is a terrible experience to discover incorrect information on your credit report; this tarnishes your credit history. In some cases, this may have been present for years without you knowing about it. However, you will want to get this information removed from your credit record as soon as possible, and you will need to write a dispute letter to do that.
Here are the parts that the dispute letter needs to include:
Include Your Full Name and Address
This should be the first information you give so the credit reporting bureaus can accurately investigate your request and respond to you. Be sure to include your first, middle, and last name, so there is no confusion. List both your current address and former addresses from the last few years as well. You don’t want your dispute to be refused because this information was incomplete, missing, or couldn’t be verified.
List Your Date of Birth and Social Security Number
Next, you will need to include your birth date and Social Security Number. It is important to ensure these pieces of information are correct because credit bureaus use them to verify your identity. Ensure to double-check them for accuracy before sending in your letter, or it could delay or even nullify your dispute.
Make Sure the Letter Shows the Date It Is Submitted
You should date every letter you send to credit reporting bureaus, so when they were sent is clear. Keep records of when they were sent for yourself as proof. Credit bureaus have 30 days to investigate your letter, but you need to take into account mailing time, so allow five days for the mail to go out and another five for it to come back.
Note the Creditor’s Name
Another important detail you must include when writing a dispute letter is the creditor’s name; this is so the credit bureau will know who to get in contact with over the dispute. You should also list your account number with the creditor here to be easier for them to access your information when the credit bureau contacts them. State the Reason for the Dispute and Your Request to the Bureau
In what might be the most important part of the letter, you will need to clearly state what exactly it is that you’re disputing. Specify the item, date, amount, and other relevant information, though keep it brief. Aside from outlining the item you are disputing, you will also need to provide a reason for why you are disputing it. For example, your reason could be that a payment showing as being made late was made on time or that an account that showed up doesn’t belong to you.
Also, do not forget to state what you want the bureau to do. You have to mention this in your letter. For example, you want to request them to investigate specific inaccurate information; this is why you must always provide all necessary details, including documentation needed.
Here’s how to write a dispute letter to get you the results you want:
If you learn how to write a dispute letter, you can effectively help restore not just your credit but also of other individuals. You can even start a whole new career or have a side hustle.
Conclusion
The information on your credit report is sometimes wrong, and it can negatively impact your credit score or your ability to get a loan on good terms. The right way to handle this is to immediately write a dispute letter that outlines the issue as well as includes identifying information and documents for both you and your creditor. Getting this letter right makes it far more likely your dispute will be investigated and upheld in your favor.
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