How to Dispute Credit Report Errors by Mail

What to Include in Your Credit Dispute Letter

Your credit dispute letter should explain what you believe is in error in your credit report and ask the credit reporting agency to investigate. Here's what to include:

• Your full name including middle initial (and generation such as Jr., Sr., II, III)
• Your date of birth
• Your Social Security number (if you have never been issued a social security number, please note that in your letter)
• All addresses where you have lived during the past two years
• Your email address, if you want to be notified by email of the outcome of your dispute
• A description of the dispute, including the name of the creditor, your account number and the specific information you are disputing and why (if you are disputing several items, include a separate description for each)

Include copies of the following documents:

• A copy of a government-issued identification card, such as your driver's license or state ID
• A copy of a bill or statement with your current address, such as a bank statement, homeowners insurance statement or utility bill
• Copies of documents to support your dispute, such as bank statements showing timely payments or a police report or Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Identity Theft Report showing you are a victim of identity theft

Be sure to send copies, not originals.

Tip: You can make writing your dispute letter easier by using our sample dispute letter template or downloading and completing Experian's downloadable Dispute Form.

Where to Mail Your Credit Dispute Letter

Once you've completed your credit dispute letter, mail it to the appropriate credit bureau at the addresses below.

Experian

Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion

TransUnion Consumer Solutions
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016

Equifax

Equifax Information Services, LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

Tip: Consider sending your dispute letter via certified mail with a return receipt. This provides a record that your request was received.

What to Expect After Mailing Your Credit Dispute Letter

When the credit bureau receives your request, they investigate to resolve the issue. This typically involves contacting the company that reported the information (the data furnisher) to verify that their information is accurate.

In most cases, disputes are resolved within 30 days; however, if the credit bureau asks you for additional information after the investigation begins, it may take up to 45 days.

You can check the status of your Experian dispute by signing in to your Experian account and visiting the Alerts section. We can also alert you of status updates by email.

Note: If you want to dispute items that appear on two or more of your credit reports, you will need to open a dispute with each credit bureau individually.

Learn more: How Long Do Credit Report Disputes Take?

The Bottom Line

If you find something you feel is an error in your credit report, disputing the information by mail, phone or online could help get it corrected. Regularly reviewing your credit report is an important habit for maintaining your credit health, allowing you to spot any issues and take action.

One easy way to keep tabs on your credit is by signing up for free credit monitoring from Experian. You'll get alerts when important changes to your credit file occur so you'll always know where you stand.