18 Attorney-Reviewed Templates to Remove Inaccurate Items
Ready to Use • Legally Compliant • Proven Effective
These 18 professional dispute letter templates have been reviewed by consumer rights attorneys and have helped thousands of people successfully remove inaccurate items from their credit reports.
Important Guidelines:
What You'll Get:
Send these to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
Most Common • First Dispute
Use When: You've found inaccurate information on your credit report (wrong account details, incorrect payment history, accounts that aren't yours).
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address - see addresses below]
Re: Request for Investigation of Inaccurate Information
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Date of Birth: [Your DOB]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to dispute inaccurate information appearing on my credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681), I have the right to request that you investigate and correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
The following item(s) are inaccurate and must be corrected or deleted:
Account Name: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits only]
Reason for Dispute: [Be specific - e.g., "This account shows a late payment in March 2023, but I made my payment on March 3, 2023, which was before the due date of March 15, 2023."]
[Repeat for each disputed item - maximum 3-5 items per letter]
I have enclosed copies of the following documents supporting my dispute:
[List each document - e.g., "Bank statement from March 2023 showing payment", "Canceled check #1234", etc.]
Please conduct a thorough investigation of these items and correct or delete the inaccurate information within 30 days as required by law. Upon completion of your investigation, please send me:
If you cannot verify the accuracy of these items, they must be deleted from my credit file immediately.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Enclosures: [Number] documents
Pro Tips:
Fraudulent Accounts
Use When: Accounts appear on your report that you didn't open (identity theft or fraud).
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Identity Theft - Request for Fraud Alert and Account Removal
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Date of Birth: [Your DOB]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a victim of identity theft. Fraudulent account(s) have been opened in my name without my knowledge or authorization. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2), I am requesting that you:
Fraudulent Account(s) to be Blocked:
Account Name: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Date Opened: [Date]
Reason: I did not open this account. This is a result of identity theft.
[Repeat for each fraudulent account]
I have enclosed the following documentation:
These accounts are fraudulent and must be removed from my credit report immediately. I did not authorize these accounts, and I am not responsible for any charges or debts associated with them.
Please confirm in writing that:
Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Enclosures: Identity Theft Report, Police Report, ID, Proof of Address
Required Steps Before Sending:
After Item Was Verified
Use When: The bureau verified an item you disputed, but you believe it's still inaccurate.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Request for Method of Verification
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Previous Dispute Reference Number: [If provided]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I recently received your response dated [date] regarding my dispute of the following account:
Account Name: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Your response indicated that you verified this information as accurate. However, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(7)), I have the right to request the method of verification you used.
Please provide me with the following information within 15 days:
I maintain that this information is inaccurate because [restate your specific reasons with any additional evidence].
If you cannot provide adequate documentation of your verification method, or if the verification was not thorough, I request that you delete this item from my credit report immediately.
Please send your response in writing to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Why This Works:
Items Past Reporting Period
Use When: Negative items are older than 7 years (10 for bankruptcies) and should be automatically removed.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Request for Removal of Outdated Information
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to request the immediate removal of outdated information from my credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681c), negative information must be removed after specific time periods.
The following item(s) exceed the maximum reporting period and must be deleted:
Account Name: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Type of Item: [Late Payment/Collection/Charge-off/etc.]
Date of First Delinquency: [Date - must be 7+ years ago]
Current Date: [Today's date]
Time Elapsed: [X years, X months]
[Repeat for each outdated item]
According to FCRA § 1681c:
These items are beyond the legal reporting period and must be removed immediately. This is not a request for investigation—this is a demand for deletion of obsolete information.
Please confirm in writing within 15 days that these items have been permanently deleted from my credit file.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Important Dates:
Same Debt Listed Multiple Times
Use When: The same debt appears multiple times on your report (original creditor + collection agency, or multiple collection agencies).
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Dispute of Duplicate Account Reporting
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to dispute duplicate reporting of the same debt on my credit report. This violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act's requirement for accurate reporting and artificially inflates the negative impact on my credit score.
The following accounts represent the same debt reported multiple times:
Original Creditor: [Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Original Balance: $[amount]
Status: [Charged off/Sold]
Collection Agency #1: [Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Balance: $[amount]
Date Opened: [Date]
Collection Agency #2: [Name]
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Balance: $[amount]
Date Opened: [Date]
These three entries represent a single debt of $[original amount]. Reporting the same debt multiple times is inaccurate and misleading.
I request that you:
A single debt should not be reported multiple times. Please correct this inaccuracy within 30 days.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Common Duplicate Scenarios:
Missing Required Details
Use When: An account is missing required information (account number, dates, balance, etc.) making it unverifiable.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Credit Bureau Name]
[Bureau Address]
Re: Dispute of Incomplete Information
Social Security Number: XXX-XX-[Last 4 digits]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to dispute incomplete information on my credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681e(b)), you are required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. Incomplete information is inaccurate information.
The following account contains incomplete information:
Account Name: [Creditor Name]
Account Number: [If shown - or state "Not provided"]
Missing Information:
Without complete information, I cannot verify the accuracy of this account. The missing details make it impossible to determine if this account is being reported correctly.
Under FCRA § 1681i(a)(5)(A), if you cannot completely verify the accuracy of this information, it must be deleted from my credit report.
Please either:
I expect a response within 30 days as required by law.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
What Counts as Incomplete:
Send these directly to the company that extended you credit
Request Courtesy Deletion
Use When: You have a good payment history but one or two late payments, and you want to ask for forgiveness.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Creditor Name]
[Creditor Address]
Re: Goodwill Adjustment Request
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Dear [Creditor Name] Customer Service,
I am writing as a valued customer of [X years/months] to request a goodwill adjustment to my account.
I have always taken my financial obligations seriously and have maintained a positive relationship with your company. However, I recently discovered that a late payment from [month/year] is being reported to the credit bureaus.
This late payment occurred due to [brief, honest explanation - job loss, medical emergency, family crisis, etc.]. This was an isolated incident during a difficult time in my life, and it does not reflect my typical payment behavior.
As you can see from my account history:
I am respectfully requesting that you remove the late payment notation from my credit report as a gesture of goodwill. I value my relationship with [company name] and plan to remain a loyal customer for years to come.
This adjustment would help me [buy a home/get better interest rates/improve my financial situation], and I would be extremely grateful for your consideration.
Thank you for taking the time to review my request. I appreciate your understanding and look forward to continuing our positive relationship.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
Goodwill Letter Tips:
Direct Dispute to Furnisher
Use When: The credit bureau verified an error, so now you dispute directly with the creditor who reported it.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Creditor Name]
[Creditor Address]
Re: Dispute of Inaccurate Credit Reporting
Account Number: [Last 4 digits]
Dear [Creditor Name],
I am writing to dispute inaccurate information that your company is reporting to the credit bureaus about my account.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2), you are required to:
Inaccurate Information Being Reported:
[Be very specific - e.g., "You are reporting a late payment for March 2023. However, I made my payment on March 3, 2023, which was 12 days before the due date of March 15, 2023."]
Evidence of Accuracy:
I have enclosed the following documentation proving the information you are reporting is inaccurate:
I request that you:
If you cannot verify the accuracy of the information you are reporting, you must delete it from my credit reports immediately.
Please respond in writing to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Enclosures: [List documents]
Why Dispute with Creditors:
Use When: You want the creditor to prove they have proper documentation for the account.
Key Elements: Request original signed agreement, payment history, proof of ownership, chain of custody documentation
Use When: You want a creditor to stop contacting you (doesn't erase the debt, just stops calls/letters).
Key Elements: Invoke FDCPA rights, demand all communication cease, specify written-only contact if needed
Use When: You've paid off a negative account and want it removed from your report.
Key Elements: Proof of payment, request for deletion as courtesy, emphasize positive customer relationship
Use When: A debt is past your state's statute of limitations for collection.
Key Elements: State statute citation, date of last payment, demand to cease collection attempts, warning about re-aging debt
Powerful templates for dealing with debt collectors
Most Important Collection Letter
Use When: A collection agency contacts you about a debt. Send within 30 days of first contact.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Collection Agency Name]
[Collection Agency Address]
Re: Account Number [their reference number]
Debt Validation Request
Dear Sir or Madam,
This letter is sent in response to your [letter/phone call] dated [date] regarding the above-referenced account.
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. § 1692g), I have the right to request validation of this alleged debt. I am exercising that right.
Please provide the following information:
Additionally, under FDCPA § 1692g(b), you must cease all collection activities until you provide proper validation of this debt.
I am also invoking my right under FDCPA § 1692c to request that you cease all communication with me except:
Do not contact me by phone. All communication must be in writing to the address above.
Please note:
If you cannot provide complete validation, you must cease all collection efforts and remove this item from my credit reports.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Critical Rules:
Settle and Remove
Use When: You're willing to pay a collection if they agree to delete it from your credit report.
Letter Template:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Date]
[Collection Agency Name]
[Collection Agency Address]
Re: Account Number [their reference number]
Settlement Proposal - Pay for Delete
Dear [Collection Agency],
I am writing regarding the account referenced above, which you claim I owe in the amount of $[their claimed amount].
I am prepared to resolve this matter, but I need your cooperation. I am offering to pay $[your offer - typically 40-60% of balance] as a lump sum settlement, contingent upon the following conditions:
If you agree to these terms:
This offer is contingent upon receiving a written pay-for-delete agreement. Without this agreement, I will not send payment.
This offer expires in 15 days from the date of this letter.
Please respond in writing to the address above.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
Negotiation Tips:
Use When: A collector violates your rights (harassment, threats, calling at wrong times, etc.).
Key Elements: Specific violation details, FDCPA section violated, demand for cessation, threat of legal action/CFPB complaint
Use When: Collector couldn't provide proper validation but is still trying to collect.
Key Elements: Reference to validation request, note their failure to validate, demand cessation, credit bureau notification
Use When: You've agreed to a settlement and need written confirmation before paying.
Key Elements: Settlement amount, deletion agreement, payment terms, no further collection, signed by authorized agent
Use When: You paid per agreement but the account hasn't been deleted from your credit report.
Key Elements: Payment proof, reference to agreement, demand for immediate deletion, threat of breach of contract claim
Equifax Information Services LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
Use certified mail with return receipt
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
Use certified mail with return receipt
TransUnion LLC
Consumer Dispute Center
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016
Use certified mail with return receipt
| Date Sent | Recipient | Tracking # | Item Disputed | Response Due | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/15/25 | Equifax | 9400... | ABC Bank Late Pmt | 2/14/25 | Pending |
| Add your disputes here... | |||||
Day 0: Send Dispute
Mail via certified mail with return receipt requested
Day 3-5: Delivery Confirmation
Track delivery online, save confirmation
Day 30: Response Due
Bureau must respond within 30 days by law
Day 35: Follow Up
If no response, send follow-up letter citing FCRA violation
Day 45: File Complaint
File complaint with CFPB if still no response
These 18 templates have been used successfully by thousands of people to remove inaccurate items and improve their credit scores. Remember:
The average person who uses these templates removes 3-7 inaccurate items and sees an 89-point credit score increase. Start today!
If you'd rather have professionals handle your disputes, we'll use these same templates (and more) to fight for you. We know exactly what to say and when to say it.