What Is a 609 Dispute Letter and How Does It Work?

A 609 dispute letter serves as a formal communication consumers send to credit reporting agencies to challenge information appearing on their credit reports. The primary purpose of this letter is to address entries that are either inaccurate or cannot be verified by the original source. By initiating this process, individuals aim to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their credit files, which directly impacts their financial standing.

Understanding the 609 Dispute Letter

A 609 dispute letter draws its name from Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that governs the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer credit information. This section of the FCRA grants consumers the right to obtain all information in their credit files, including the sources of that information. It emphasizes transparency, allowing individuals to see what data the credit bureaus use to compile their reports.

While Section 609 itself primarily addresses the right to access information, sending a “609 letter” leverages this right to prompt credit bureaus to investigate the underlying data. If a credit bureau cannot verify the information with the original source, or “furnisher,” it must remove the unverified entry from the consumer’s credit report. This mechanism helps ensure that only accurate and verifiable information remains on a consumer’s credit file.

Preparing and Drafting Your 609 Dispute Letter

Initiating a 609 dispute requires careful preparation, beginning with a thorough review of your current credit reports. Obtain a copy from each of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can generally access these reports for free once every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Once you have your reports, meticulously identify any accounts or entries you believe are inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable. For each disputed item, note the specific account number, the name of the creditor, and any relevant dates associated with the entry. Be sure to check all three reports, as an error on one may not appear on the others, and each bureau must be disputed separately.

Gathering personal identifying information is also a necessary step for your letter. This includes your full legal name, current mailing address, any previous addresses from the past two years, your date of birth, and your Social Security Number. These details help the credit bureaus accurately locate your file and process your request efficiently.

Collecting supporting documentation is important. This can include payment receipts, court documents, police reports for identity theft, or other records proving inaccuracy or unverifiability. Copies of utility bills and government-issued identification are also useful for verification.

When constructing the letter itself, adhere to a standard business letter format. Include your full name and address at the top, followed by the date, and then the credit bureau’s dispute department address. A clear subject line, such as “Dispute of Credit Report Information – FCRA Section 609 Request,” should be used to state the letter’s purpose.

For each item you are disputing, precisely identify it by account number and creditor name. Explain why you are disputing it, clearly stating that you believe the information is unverifiable or inaccurate, and explicitly request the credit bureau to verify the original source of the information. If verification cannot be provided, request the item’s removal from your report.

Clearly list all supporting documents you are enclosing with the letter, such as copies of identification, utility bills, or other evidence. Before sending, make a copy of the complete letter and all supporting documents for your personal records. This ensures you have a reference for future communication or follow-up regarding your dispute.

Submitting Your Letter and Awaiting a Response

Once your 609 dispute letter is meticulously prepared, the next step involves its submission to the appropriate credit bureau. You will send your letter directly to the dispute department of each credit bureau where the inaccurate information appears:

Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000

It is important to send your dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. This provides official proof of mailing and delivery, which can be important if there are any questions about whether your letter was received. When preparing your mailing envelope, include the completed 609 dispute letter and copies of all supporting documents and identification; never send original documents, as they will not be returned.

Upon receiving your dispute, credit bureaus are required to investigate the disputed information. This investigation must be completed within 30 days. This timeframe can extend to 45 days if you submit additional relevant information during the initial 30-day period or if your dispute is based on a free credit report obtained through AnnualCreditReport.com.

You will receive a notification from the credit bureau regarding the outcome of their investigation. Possible responses include a notification that the item has been removed from your report, an update to the item to correct inaccuracies, or a verification that the item is accurate and will remain on your report. The bureau must notify you of its findings within five business days of completing the investigation. Upon receiving an updated credit report after the investigation, carefully review it to confirm that the disputed item has been corrected or removed as expected.