The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the legal right to dispute any inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable information on your credit report — for free. Here's exactly how to do it.
FCRA-compliant letters for $10 each — vs $149/month at credit repair agencies.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law enacted in 1970 that regulates how consumer credit information is collected, used, and shared. It gives you specific legal rights:
Credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and the companies that report to them — called "furnishers" — must follow FCRA rules. When they don't, you can dispute and potentially sue for actual and punitive damages.
§ 605 — Obsolescence rules (how long negatives stay) · § 609 — Your right to request your file · § 611 — Dispute procedures and investigation deadlines · § 623 — Furnisher (creditor) responsibilities
A step-by-step checklist covering everything you need before sending your first dispute letter. Free, no strings attached.
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Before writing a letter, identify exactly what you're disputing. Common errors include:
Request reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only government-authorized free source). You're entitled to one free report per bureau per year — and weekly free reports through late 2026 under pandemic-era rules.
Go line by line. Note the account name, account number, the specific inaccuracy, and which bureau is reporting it. You may need to dispute at multiple bureaus if the error appears on more than one report.
Different errors require different legal arguments. An inaccurate balance uses §623 (furnisher accuracy). An account opened by identity theft uses §605B. An expired debt uses §605(a). Matching the right law to your situation makes your letter far more effective.
Send a certified letter (return receipt requested) to the credit bureau reporting the error and to the original creditor or collection agency. Certified mail creates a legal paper trail. Include copies (not originals) of any supporting documents.
Under FCRA §611, bureaus must investigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute (45 days if you provide additional information). They must notify the furnisher, review the evidence, and send you results within 5 business days of completing the investigation.
If the error is corrected: done. If the bureau claims it's "verified": escalate. File a complaint with the CFPB (consumerfinance.gov), contact the furnisher directly, or consult a consumer rights attorney. FCRA violations can result in damages of $100–$1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Every effective FCRA dispute letter should include:
Vague letters ("please fix my credit") get rejected. Specific legal arguments backed by FCRA citations get results.
| Deadline | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | Credit bureau | Complete investigation after receiving your dispute |
| 45 days | Credit bureau | Extended deadline if you submit additional information during the investigation |
| 5 business days | Credit bureau | Notify you of investigation results after completing it |
| Prompt | Furnisher (creditor) | Report corrected information to bureaus after notifying you of update |
| 7 years | Credit bureau | Maximum time most negative items can remain on your report (§605) |
| 10 years | Credit bureau | Maximum time for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (Chapter 13 is 7 years) |
Each bureau offers an online dispute portal. They're fast but have two downsides:
For significant errors — anything affecting your credit score by more than a few points — dispute by certified mail. For minor address errors, online is fine. When in doubt, use mail.
You can dispute with the credit bureau and with the original creditor or collection agency (the "furnisher") simultaneously. Furnishers have their own FCRA obligations under §623 — they must investigate disputes you send directly to them and report corrections to the bureaus. Disputing both at once speeds up resolution.
Send one letter to the bureau and a separate letter to the creditor/collection agency. Our templates handle both — you'll generate the right version for each recipient.
If a bureau or furnisher refuses to remove a verified error, or the same error reappears after deletion, that may be a willful FCRA violation. A consumer rights attorney can:
Many FCRA attorneys consult for free. The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) has a directory at naca.net.
FCRA-compliant letters with exact legal citations. $10 per letter, or $600 for lifetime access.