Credit Dispute Letters That Work: 5 Templates for Every Situation

Best for: New accounts, unknown debts, or when creditors can’t prove ownership.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Credit Bureau Name
Dispute Department
Address

Subject: Formal Request Under FCRA §609(a)(1)

“Per FCRA §609(a)(1), provide the contractual basis authorizing the reporting of [creditor name] account #XXXX. Absent proof of a permissible purpose under §604, delete this account immediately.”

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

Best for: Incorrect balances, late payments, or accounts showing wrong status.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Credit Bureau Name
Dispute Department
Address

Subject: Formal Dispute Under FCRA §611 – [Creditor Name] Account #XXXX

“Per FCRA §611(a)(2)(A), I dispute the following items and demand reinvestigation:

• [Creditor] Account #XXXX: Balance of $[X] is incorrect (see enclosed bank statements pp. 3-5)
• [Creditor] Account #XXXX: 30-day late on [date] never occurred

Per §611(a)(7), I’ve enclosed documentation supporting these disputes. Failure to correct within 30 days violates §616.”

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

Best for: When creditors verify inaccurate info or bureaus won’t correct errors.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Creditor Name
Compliance Department
Address

Subject: Formal Demand Under FCRA §623(a)(8) – Account #XXXX

“Per FCRA §623(a)(8) and Regulation V (12 CFR §1022.42), provide within 30 days:

1. Original signed contract authorizing the $[X] balance
2. Complete payment history with audit trail
3. Documentation showing compliance with Metro 2® Rule 3.1.4

Failure to provide this information requires deletion per §623(c).”

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

Best for: Collection accounts, zombie debts, or when collectors can’t prove ownership.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Collection Agency Name
Address

Subject: Debt Validation Request Under FDCPA §809(b)

“Per FDCPA §809(b), I dispute this alleged debt and demand validation including:

1. Complete chain of ownership from original creditor
2. Itemized accounting of principal, interest, and fees
3. Proof of your license to collect in [Your State]

Cease all collection activity until providing this validation. Sending unvalidated debts to credit bureaus violates §807(8).”

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]

Best for: 30-90 day lates on otherwise perfect accounts with original creditors.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

Creditor Name
Executive Office
Address

Subject: Goodwill Adjustment Request for Account #XXXX

Dear [Creditor Name],

“I’ve been a loyal customer since [year] and take full responsibility for the [date] late payment. Due to [brief, non-excuse reason like “a billing misunderstanding”], I missed that payment but have maintained perfect payments since.

As I prepare to [apply for mortgage/auto loan/etc.], I’d deeply appreciate your goodwill adjustment of this single late payment. It would mean the world as I work to maintain excellent credit.”

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]