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Credit Report Dispute Letter Template

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. §1681i), a credit bureau must investigate a disputed item within 30 days of receiving your letter (45 days if you submit more information during the investigation), and correct or delete anything it can’t verify. Below is a ready-to-edit dispute letter with the FCRA’s deadline already built in — customize it, then mail it to the bureau reporting the error.

United States at a glance

  • Investigation deadline: 30 days under FCRA §611 (15 U.S.C. §1681i), extendable to 45 days if you submit more information during the window.
  • The bureau must forward your dispute to whoever furnished the information (the creditor or collector), and that furnisher must investigate too.
  • Unverifiable or inaccurate information must be corrected or deleted — you’re also entitled to a written summary of the results.
  • If the item still isn’t corrected to your satisfaction, you have the right to add a 100-word statement of dispute to your file.
  • How to send it: many people mail a dispute letter by USPS Certified Mail with return receipt so they have dated proof the bureau received it.

Credit Report Dispute Letter Template

Copy the letter below into the editor, replace the text in [brackets] with your details, and PostPal will print and mail it for you.

Subject: Dispute of Inaccurate Information on My Credit Report
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Your Date of Birth]
[Last 4 Digits of SSN]

[Date]

[Credit Bureau Name]
[Credit Bureau Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]

RE: DISPUTE OF INACCURATE INFORMATION — FILE/REPORT NUMBER [Report Number]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to dispute the following item(s) on my credit report under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. §1681i:

• Item disputed: [Creditor/Account Name and Account Number]
• Reason for dispute: [e.g., this account is not mine / the balance is incorrect / this was paid off on (date) / this is a duplicate entry]

I have enclosed copies of [describe supporting documents, e.g. payment records, identity theft report] supporting my dispute.

Under the FCRA, you are required to investigate this dispute, forward the relevant information to the furnisher, and correct or delete any information that cannot be verified, within 30 days of receiving this letter (45 days if I submit additional information during the investigation). Please send me written results of your investigation and an updated copy of my credit report if any changes are made.

If the disputed item is not corrected to my satisfaction, please add a statement of dispute to my file as provided under the FCRA.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

What your credit report dispute letter must include

  • Your full name, current address, and date of birth (so the bureau can locate your file)
  • The specific item(s) you’re disputing and exactly why (not yours, inaccurate, outdated, duplicated)
  • Copies — never originals — of any supporting documents
  • A clear request that the bureau investigate and correct or remove the item
  • Your signature and the date

Frequently asked questions

How long does a credit bureau have to investigate my dispute?

Under FCRA §611 (15 U.S.C. §1681i), a credit reporting agency must complete its investigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute. That window extends to 45 days if you provide the bureau with additional relevant information during the investigation.

What happens if the bureau can’t verify the disputed item?

The FCRA requires the bureau to delete or correct any information it can’t verify as accurate. It must also forward your dispute to the company that originally reported the information (the furnisher), which has its own obligation to investigate.

What if I disagree with the result of the investigation?

You have the right to add a brief statement of dispute (up to 100 words) to your credit file, explaining your side. This statement typically gets included whenever the disputed item is reported to others going forward.

Should I send my dispute letter by certified mail?

It’s a good idea. USPS Certified Mail with return receipt gives you a dated record that the bureau received your dispute — useful evidence if the 30/45-day deadline becomes an issue. PostPal prints and mails your letter for you; keep your own proof of mailing if certified delivery matters for your situation.

Facts verified against official sources on September 2, 2026: ftc.gov, ftc.gov.

This template is provided for convenience only. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Court limits and rules change — confirm anything time-sensitive on the official page, and consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.