Sample Dispute Letter

As a precautionary measure to ensure that you don't find yourself in a tough spot financially all of a sudden, some financial advisors and consumer advocates suggest you review your credit report periodically even if you do not have a poor credit history. This is important owing to the following reasons:

o The information the credit report contains affects whether or not you can get a loan or insurance - and how much you would be required to pay for it.

o You need to make sure that the information in the credit report is accurate, complete, and up-to-date before you apply for a loan for a major purchase like a house or car, buy insurance, or even apply for a job.

o In order to help guard against identity theft, which is when someone uses your personal information like your name, your Social Security number, or your credit card number to commit fraud. Identity thieves may use your information to open a new credit card account in your name and then, when they default on payment of bills, the delinquent account is reported on your credit report. Inaccurate information of this sort could affect your ability to get credit, insurance, or even a job, for no fault of yours.

Here is a Sample Dispute Letter that you could use as a template:

Date

From,

Your Name
Your Address
Your City,
State,
Zip Code

To,

Complaint Department
Name of Company
Address
City,
State,
Zip Code

Dear Sir / Madam,

I am writing to dispute the following information in my file and would like to draw your attention to the same. The items I dispute also are encircled on the attached copy of the report I received.

This item (mention details of the item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as credit account, judgment, etc. here) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe the reason why you opine that the item in question is inaccurate or incomplete). I am requesting that the item be deleted (or else request another specific change) to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence as applicable and enlist any enclosed documentation, such as payment records, court documents) supporting my stance. Please arrange to investigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Your name


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