What Is a 609 Letter to Remove Late Payments?

Credit reports compile a detailed history of an individual’s financial behavior, serving as a record for lenders and creditors. Maintaining accuracy within these reports is important, as discrepancies can influence an individual’s financial standing and access to credit. Consumers have a right to review the information held by credit reporting agencies, ensuring it reflects their financial obligations. Addressing inaccuracies is a proactive step toward preserving financial health. An accurate credit report supports opportunities for loans, housing, and employment.

Understanding the 609 Letter

A 609 letter is a consumer request to a credit reporting agency for the verification of account information listed on a credit report. It derives its name from Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law grants consumers the right to access all information in their credit file and its sources.

The primary purpose of a 609 letter is not to directly dispute an item’s accuracy, but to compel the credit bureau to produce underlying documentation, such as an original contract, that verifies the information. If the credit reporting agency cannot verify the reported item or its source within a specified timeframe, the item must be removed from the consumer’s credit report. This process differs from a standard dispute, which challenges an item’s factual correctness, or a goodwill request, which appeals for removal based on payment history. A 609 letter does not guarantee the removal of accurate late payments or other verified information.

Information Needed to Draft Your Letter

Before drafting a 609 letter, gather personal and account details. You will need your full legal name, current and previous addresses, date of birth, and Social Security number. These identifiers help credit bureaus locate your credit file.

You also need detailed information for each late payment entry you challenge. This includes the creditor’s name, the account number, and the exact date of the late payment as it appears on your credit report. Obtain a recent copy of your credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion to ensure you have current information. Your credit report provides the exact wording and dates for each entry, which helps prepare a clear request.

Steps for Sending Your Letter

Once your 609 letter is prepared, send it to each of the three major credit reporting agencies. Address your letter to the appropriate dispute department of each bureau.

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

Send your letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested. This provides verifiable proof of mailing and delivery. Include copies of supporting documents, such as a government-issued identification card and a recent utility bill. These documents serve as proof of your identity and current address. Remember to send copies, not original documents, as credit bureaus typically do not return submitted materials.

What to Expect After Submission

After submitting your 609 letter, credit bureaus are legally obligated to investigate the disputed information. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), they have 30 days to complete their investigation from the date they receive your dispute. This timeframe can extend to 45 days if you provide additional relevant information during the 30-day investigation period, or if the dispute arises from a free annual credit report. The bureau must also notify you of the investigation’s results within five business days of its completion.

If the credit bureau successfully verifies the information, the item will remain on your credit report. If they cannot verify the accuracy or source of the information, they must delete the item from your report. In rare instances, an item that was removed might be reinserted later if the data furnisher subsequently provides verification, though the bureau must inform you if this occurs. It is important to monitor your credit reports for any changes following your submission to ensure accuracy.