Create your dispute letter
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Your letter
Printing shows only the letter. To keep the page address and date off the printout, turn off “Headers and footers” in your browser’s print settings. Sign the letter by hand before you send it.
For identity theft, the FTC’s IdentityTheft.gov process lets you create an identity theft report; enclosing that report is recommended.
Prefer a blank, printable template?
Download the one-page template and fill it in by hand.
Download the template (PDF)View the blank template text
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We’ll review your goal and follow up by email or phone. Your dispute letter was not sent with this form.
1. When to dispute — and when not to
Dispute these
- An account that isn’t yours, including identity-theft accounts
- A paid or closed account shown as open or with a balance
- An incorrect balance, credit limit or late-payment status
- The same debt listed more than once
- A debt discharged in bankruptcy still shown as owing
- Wrong personal information, or items older than the reporting period
Don’t dispute these
- Late payments that really happened
- Collections or charge-offs you actually owe and that are reported correctly
- “Remove everything negative” requests
Accurate negative information can generally remain for up to seven years (some bankruptcies up to ten). Disputing accurate items rarely changes them and can slow down a mortgage file.
2. How to fill in the letter
Get your current reports
Pull your reports from all three nationwide bureaus; AnnualCreditReport.com is the federally authorized source for free reports. Note the exact account, balance, date or status that is wrong.
One item per entry
Enter the creditor or account name, the last four digits of the account number, what the report shows, and why it is wrong. Keep the explanation short and factual.
Ask for a specific fix
Choose whether the item should be corrected, deleted or updated. Avoid general requests to remove accurate history.
Sign and date it
Print and sign the letter by hand, and keep a full copy of the letter and everything you enclose.
3. What to enclose
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID and proof of your current address, if the bureau’s instructions ask for identity verification
- A copy of the credit report page(s) with each disputed item highlighted
- Copies — never originals — of statements, payment records, payoff or settlement letters, court or bankruptcy records, or correspondence that support your position
- For identity theft, a copy of your identity theft report
Don’t send more than the bureau asks for. Write your date of birth and Social Security number by hand on the printed letter where the blank lines are; the bureaus use them to locate your file.
4. Where to send it
| Recipient | When to use it | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Credit bureau (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) | The error appears on that bureau’s report. Send a separate letter to each bureau showing the error. | Use the dispute address on your current report or the bureau’s official dispute instructions. The generator prefills each bureau’s long-standing consumer dispute mailing address; confirm it before mailing. |
| Furnisher (the creditor, lender or collector that reported it) | You want the source to correct what it reports to every bureau. | Use the dispute address on your statement or the company’s website, if it lists one. |
CFPB guidance generally recommends disputing with both the bureau and the furnisher. See the CFPB’s dispute guidance and its official sample letters. If you mail the letter, a trackable method gives you proof of delivery.
5. Dispute timelines
| Step | General timeframe under the FCRA |
|---|---|
| Bureau investigates your dispute | Generally within 30 days of receiving it |
| Extended investigation | Up to 45 days in some cases, such as when you send additional relevant information during the investigation |
| Bureau sends you the results | Generally within 5 business days after the investigation is completed |
| Direct dispute to a furnisher | Generally the same 30-day investigation period applies under Regulation V |
These are general federal timelines; specifics depend on your situation. If the item is not corrected, you can send new evidence, dispute with the furnisher, add a brief statement of dispute to your file, or submit a complaint to the CFPB.
6. How disputes interact with a mortgage application
A legitimate error is worth fixing — but timing matters if you’re applying for a mortgage. Accounts reported as “disputed” can be treated differently by automated underwriting: Fannie Mae’s DU, for example, reviews disputed tradelines and may require the lender to confirm the information. FHA has its own rules for disputed derogatory accounts in HUD Handbook 4000.1.
- A pending dispute can delay or complicate automated underwriting and may lead to a manual review.
- Lenders commonly want disputes resolved and the dispute notation removed before closing.
- Lender overlays vary, so ask your lender before you open a new dispute in the middle of an application.
- Dispute real errors early — ideally a few months before you apply.
7. Credit dispute letter FAQ
Is this credit dispute letter generator really free?
Yes. There is no account, no fee and no sign-up. The letter is built in your browser; what you type into the generator is not sent to LoanFight or anyone else, and the letter itself carries no LoanFight branding.
Should I send my dispute letter to the credit bureau or to the creditor?
You can send it to either or both. CFPB guidance generally recommends disputing with the credit reporting company that shows the error and with the company that furnished the information. Send a separate letter to each bureau whose report contains the error.
How long does a credit bureau have to investigate a dispute?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a nationwide credit bureau generally must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute. The period can be up to 45 days in some cases, for example when you send additional relevant information during the investigation. The bureau then must send you the results, generally within 5 business days after it finishes.
Can I dispute accurate negative information to get it removed?
No. A dispute is for information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. Accurate negative information can generally stay on a credit report for up to seven years, and some bankruptcies for up to ten. Disputing accurate items does not make them disappear, and an open dispute can complicate a mortgage application.
Is it better to dispute online or by mail?
Both are legitimate. Online disputes can be faster to submit; a mailed letter lets you enclose copies of documents and keep a complete record. If you mail it, many people use a trackable method such as certified mail and keep a copy of everything they send.
Will a credit dispute affect my mortgage application?
It can. Automated underwriting systems may flag accounts that are reported as disputed, and lenders commonly want disputes resolved and the dispute notation removed before closing. Ask your lender before you open a dispute in the middle of a mortgage application.
Do I need a credit repair company to dispute errors?
No. You can dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus and the companies that reported the information, for free. No one can legally remove accurate, timely negative information from your report.
What if the credit bureau does not correct the error?
Review the written results. You can send new or additional evidence, dispute directly with the company that furnished the information, ask the bureau to include a brief statement of dispute in your file, or submit a complaint to the CFPB.
Sources
Disputing errors: CFPB — How do I dispute an error on my credit report? · Sample letters: CFPB sample dispute letters · Direct disputes to furnishers: 12 CFR 1022.43 (Regulation V) · Complaints: CFPB complaint portal · Disputed tradelines in DU: Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-5.3-09 · FHA policy: HUD Handbook 4000.1.
Educational information only. LoanFight is not a credit-repair organization, law firm or direct lender. Rules and addresses can change; confirm current instructions with the bureau or furnisher.
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