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The Federal Trade Commission
This is a Sample of the Dispute Letter
you will use to correct your credit report.
Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Complaint Department
Name of Credit Company (there are three)
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am writing to dispute the
following information in my file. The items I dispute also are encircled
on the attached copy of the report I received.
This item (identify item(s)
disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify
type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc.) is (inaccurate or
incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I
am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific
change) to correct the information.
Enclosed are copies of
(use
this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such
as payment records, court documents) supporting my position. Please
investigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed
item(s) as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Your name
Enclosures: (List what you
are enclosing)
Send your letter certified mail,
return receipt requested, so you can document when the CRA
received it.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act FCRA)
mandates that all agencies investigate items in question unless
they consider your dispute frivolous. The investigation is
generally done within 30 days after they receive the complaint.
They must also forward all relevant data you provide about the
dispute to the credit card company or entity that generated the
report. After the credit card company receives notice of a
dispute from the CRA, it must investigate, review all relevant
information and report the results to the CRA.
If the disputed information
is found to be inaccurate, the credit card company must notify
all national CRAs so the information can be corrected in your
file. Disputed information that cannot be verified must be
deleted from your file.
When completed, the CRA must give
you written results and a free copy of your report if the
disputed results have been change. The CRA cannot put the
disputed information back into your file unless the credit card
company verifies its accuracy and completeness, and the CRA
gives you a written notice that includes the name, address, and
phone number of that credit card company.
At your request, the CRA must send
a notice of correction to anyone who received your report in the
past six months.
The FTC works for the
consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in
the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop,
and avoid them. To file a
complaint or to get
free information on consumer issues, visit
www.ftc.gov
or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY:
1-866-653-4261.
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