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You have the legal right to dispute your own credit report and challenge unverifiable debt, free, any time. Here's how to get your reports, who to contact, and the same letters we use as a starting point — take them, use them yourself, or let us handle it for you.
Need a walkthrough of getting your credit report first? See our full guide →
Before you use these: these templates are provided for educational purposes only and are not legal advice. Every situation is different — customize each letter with your own information before sending. Send by certified mail with return receipt requested, and keep a copy of everything for your records.
Get your free credit reports
By federal law, you can pull your credit report from all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once every week, at no charge, from the one official source:
Have your Social Security number and birthdate ready to verify your identity. You'll be able to view and print each report right away. Note that this free weekly access shows what's in your file — it does not include your credit score or automatic alerts when something changes.
Contact the credit bureaus directly
Verify current addresses and phone menus on each bureau's website before mailing or calling — they occasionally change.
Letter templates
Credit Bureau Dispute Letter
Use this if something on your report is inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable. Send one copy per bureau involved.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]
[Bureau Name]
[Bureau Dispute Address]
Re: Request for Investigation of Inaccurate Information
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to dispute the following information in my credit file. The item(s) listed below is/are inaccurate or incomplete, and I am requesting that it be investigated and corrected or removed pursuant to my rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681i.
Item(s) in dispute: [Creditor name, account number, and reason the item is inaccurate — e.g. "not mine," "incorrect balance," "account paid but shows open," etc.]
Enclosed are copies of documents supporting my position: [list any attachments, e.g. payment records, identity documents].
Please investigate this matter and provide me with the results of your investigation, along with a corrected copy of my credit report if changes are made, within the 30-day window required by law.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
[Date of Birth]
[Last 4 of SSN, if required by bureau]
Debt Validation Letter
Send this to a collection agency within 30 days of first being contacted, per your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Date]
[Collection Agency Name]
[Collection Agency Address]
Re: Account Number [xxxxxxxx] — Request for Debt Validation
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in response to your notice regarding the above-referenced account. I am requesting validation of this debt pursuant to my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692g.
Please provide the following:
1. Verification that this debt is valid and that I am legally responsible for it
2. The name and address of the original creditor
3. A copy of any judgment, if applicable
4. Verification that your agency is licensed to collect debts in my state
Until you provide this validation, please be advised that I am exercising my right to dispute this debt, and I request that you cease collection activity and refrain from reporting this account to any credit bureau until validation is provided.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Name]
Not sure where to start?
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