You have probably heard it a hundred times, but it is important you hear it again.
Everything needs to be in writing!
A credit dispute is no exception. You can make repeated calls to an agency and get nowhere. You will have no proof other than your word that you called and asked for inaccurate information to be removed. You need it in writing in the form of a letter that will earn you a little more traction in the world of disputing. When you have it in writing, you are more likely to see results.
The following tips will help you write an effective credit dispute letter that will get you results. When it comes down to it, results are what matter, not all the empty promises and assurances the information on your credit report isn’t really hurting you.
• Use a computer to write-up your letter or you can use a typewriter. It needs to look professional and it needs to be easily read. Not everybody has perfect penmanship and a handwritten letter could cause you more problems.
• Include vital information about who you are at the top of your letter. You don’t need to include your full social-just the last 4 digits for now. If you have a reference number for your credit report, you can include it. If you don’t have one, it isn’t entirely necessary.
• Identify what item you are disputing. Include every detail i.e. company name, amount in question, account number, date the account was opened and the information you are disputing.
• Don’t waste your time going into your life story in your credit dispute letter. Keep it brief and to the point. Using bullet points will make it easy to read and the reader will be able to scan the letter quickly. The entire dispute letter should not take more than a page. If it is longer than a single page, it is less likely to actually be read.
• Don’t get too caught up in citing laws and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. They already know the information and being threatened isn’t going to make them want to help you any faster.
• If you have any pertinent documentation that will help back up your claim that the information is inaccurate, make copies and include it with your letter. It is helpful to highlight account numbers and line items that will make it easy to reference.
• Lastly, if you have sent letters in the past, it helps to include a cc at the bottom of others you will be forwarding the information to. This may include the original creditor and the Better Business Bureau.
Before you send your dispute letter out, make sure you have proofread it. A single number wrong could ruin your chance of having the mark removed. You want it to look professional. Check for typos or misspelled words.
If you are sending the dispute letter via email, make sure you get a return receipt showing that you sent it. Some programs will allow you to see when the email was opened and read. If you are sending it via the post office, send the letter certified mail. This is really your best option and guarantees the letter is getting into somebody’s hands and not being sent to a spam folder.