609 Credit Dispute Letter: Free Template + How to Use It

A 609 letter helps you request information about items on your credit report. Named after Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, it gives you access to documentation credit bureaus use.

You can’t remove accurate debts with a 609 letter. But you can uncover documentation issues that support a formal dispute. Credit bureaus must respond within 30-45 days.

Persistence matters here. Bureaus don’t always provide adequate information on the first try. Our partner Kikoff can help you rebuild your credit while you work on disputes.

What Is a 609 Letter?

A 609 letter requests information about items on your credit report. You can use it to challenge incorrect entries.

Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act protects you from unfair credit reporting practices. The letter isn’t technically a dispute letter. It requests documentation or evidence credit bureaus used to list an account.

If bureaus can’t verify accuracy by providing required documentation, they must remove it. This makes 609 letters a starting point for uncovering inaccuracies. You can dispute those later under Sections 611 and 623 of the FCRA.

These letters aren’t magic solutions. They won’t guarantee item removal. But they help you gather evidence to address errors.

Understanding Section 609 of the FCRA

The FCRA outlines credit bureaus’ responsibilities and consumers’ rights regarding credit reporting. Section 609 gives you the right to request all information in your credit files.

You can access the source of that information. You also have the right to know any prospective employer who accessed your report within two years.

Section 609 lets you access information used to create your credit report. You can make sure bureaus aren’t using incorrect information to calculate your credit score. If they are, you can dispute the debt and clean up your report.

What 609 Letters Can’t Do

A 609 letter is not a legal loophole. It won’t remove accurate or verified information from your credit report. Even if that information hurts your score.

If a credit bureau verifies a debt as legitimate, it stays on your report. The letter won’t erase valid negative marks like late payments or collections if information is verified and correct.

609 letters won’t relieve you of debt obligations. They can’t make debts disappear or stop collection agencies from contacting you. If a debt is verified as accurate and valid, bureaus aren’t obligated to remove it.

These letters won’t impact debts that don’t appear on your credit report. Even if a debt is too old to be reported, creditors may still try to collect. A 609 letter doesn’t address the collection process itself.

Why Are There Errors on My Credit Report?

Credit bureaus make mistakes. Credit report errors happen frequently.

Common mistakes include reporting closed accounts as open. They falsely report delinquent accounts that aren’t actually delinquent. Your report may show late credit card payments that weren’t late. Or unpaid utility bills that were paid.

These errors incorrectly lower many Americans’ credit scores. If they lower yours, you might be denied a loan or credit card. You may be approved but pay a higher interest rate.

Removing negative or unverifiable entries is an effective credit repair method. It helps you improve your credit score.

How Are Credit Reports Created?

Three credit bureaus create credit reports in the U.S. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are responsible for this. They’re also called credit reporting agencies.

They package, analyze, and compile consumer credit reports and credit scores. Lenders use those scores when deciding whether to lend money to applicants.

Credit bureaus have a very important job. They’re required to create reports responsibly and accurately. Under the law, bureaus must include only verifiable and accurate information.

You can request a free credit report every week from each bureau. Check your report often for errors and dispute them when you find them.

What Are the Consequences of Credit Report Errors?

Inaccurate information on your credit report negatively affects your personal finances. Possible consequences include a lower credit score and difficulty getting loans.

You can run into problems getting hired. Prospective employers may make job offers contingent on credit checks. This contingency allows them to run a credit check to verify financial responsibility.

How to Write a 609 Letter

Nothing about the format or wording of a 609 letter is proprietary. These are legal documents, not creative materials. They’re not protected by copyright.

No evidence suggests any particular dispute letter format works better than another. Some companies advertise their letter template works better because of formatting. Don’t fall for this.

You can write a 609 letter yourself as long as you include the right information. Below is our guide for drafting your letter, what to include, and how to send it.

Step 1: Get Your Free Credit Report

Before writing a 609 letter, request a free copy of your credit report online. Check it for any erroneous negative items.

When reviewing your report, make sure all reported debts are accurate. If you’re not sure what to look for, verify each account carefully.

Step 2: Write Your 609 Letter

Once you have your report and know what you’d like to dispute, create a letter with this information:

• Personal information: Include your full name, date of birth, address, and phone number.
• Attorney information: If you have an attorney, include their name and contact information.
• Account number with the credit bureau: Include your account number with the bureau that gave you the report. Your account number should be listed directly on the credit report.
• A statement asserting FCRA rights under section 609: Include a statement indicating you’re exercising your right under the FCRA, section 609. State you’re requesting all information related to debts listed on your report. State you’re entitled to all documents related to each item, including each original credit application and contract containing your signature.
• What items or entries you’re requesting information about: Make a list of items on your credit report you’d like information about. Include all dates associated with each item. These should be the items you plan to dispute. If your report has many disputed items, circle them in your report and refer to the report in your letter.
• Your credit report: Always include your most recent credit report. Circle and highlight every item you want information about.
• Proof of identity: Provide appropriate proof of identity. Include a copy of your government-issued ID, like your driver’s license or passport, and your Social Security number.
• Request for removal: In addition to requesting information about items, include a statement reminding the bureau that if they cannot verify an item by locating the original contract or other necessary documents, they must remove that item within 30 days.
• Reference to enclosures: Enclosures are all other documents you’re sending to the bureau along with the letter. At the bottom under the header “Enclosures,” add a list of all other documents you’re sending.

Step 3: Mail Your 609 Letter Via Certified Mail

Once you’ve drafted your letter, sign it. Make copies of the letter and all other documents you plan to send. Send everything to the appropriate credit bureau via certified mail and request a return receipt.

When you send certified mail and request a return receipt from USPS, they’ll give you the certified mail receipt when you send the letter. You’ll get a return receipt once the mail is delivered. Don’t lose this receipt or your certified mail receipt.

Addresses for all three credit bureaus:

• Equifax Information Services LLC: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion LLC Consumer Dispute Center: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Although you can draft and send a 609 letter yourself, seek professional advice. Our partner Cambridge Credit Counseling can assist with dispute letters and other aspects of credit repair.

Free 609 Letter Template

When writing a 609 letter, include the right details to help the bureau process your request quickly. Below is a template you can use as a starting point. Personalize it with your own information and the specific items you’re asking about.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

[Date]

[Credit Bureau Name]
[Credit Bureau Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Subject: Request for Information Under Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Dear [Credit Bureau Name],

I’m writing to request specific information regarding items on my credit report. Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act entitles me to receive all information in my credit file, including the sources of that information.

Here are the details for the items I need documentation for:

• [Item 1 – Include the account number, creditor’s name, and relevant dates or details]
• [Item 2 – Include the same details for any additional items; repeat as necessary]

For each item listed above, I’m requesting the following:

1. Copies of any contracts, applications, or agreements with my signature that confirm the account’s legitimacy.
2. Documentation or records used to verify the accuracy of the information reported.

If any item cannot be verified within 30 days, I ask that it be removed from my credit report, as outlined in the FCRA.

To assist with processing my request, I’ve included the following documents:

• A copy of my government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
• Proof of my Social Security number (e.g., Social Security card or W-2)
• A copy of my most recent credit report with the disputed items clearly marked

Please confirm that you’ve received this letter and the enclosures. I look forward to your response within the timeframe required by law, which is 30 to 45 days.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

Enclosures:

• Copy of government-issued ID
• Proof of Social Security number
• Recent credit report with disputed items marked

What Credit Bureaus Must Do

Credit bureaus are required to review all inquiries, including inquiries made via 609 letters. They must notify consumers of results in 30-45 days.

If you send a credit bureau a 609 letter requesting documents related to items in your report, they need to give you those documents within 30-45 days.

There is no guarantee the credit reporting agency will remove a record, especially without clear evidence. Stay persistent and send multiple dispute letters if needed to get results.

Their failure to provide information can actually work in your favor. If the bureau can’t verify the debt with proper documentation, they’re required to remove it from your report. If they aren’t responding, send a follow-up letter and note they haven’t provided the documents needed to verify the debt.

Do 609 Credit Dispute Letters Actually Work?

There are no guarantees that a 609 credit dispute letter will help you remove negative information. Whether the bureau removes an item depends on several factors.

It depends on whether there were erroneous items in your report. Whether the bureau can locate documents required to verify the debt. And how clearly the items are disputed.

Still, 609 letters help you get the dispute process started. By requesting information from credit bureaus, they must provide all information in your credit file related to the items you’ve inquired about.

If the credit bureau is not responding to your 609 letter or follow-up letters, report their behavior to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is the federal agency charged with enforcing the FCRA. Filing a complaint with the FTC puts additional pressure on the bureau to respond and fix errors.

Key Takeaways

Although 609 letters may not help with your credit report dispute right away, they’re a great way to get information you need. You can dispute debts in future letters to the credit bureau.

If they’re drafted clearly, the bureau may remove items they discover are incorrect. Or items they aren’t able to verify.

Make sure your 609 letter has the right information. Include your account number, what you’re asking for, proof of your identity, and any other helpful documents.

Even if they don’t answer, keeping a record of your requests helps you down the road. No matter how you decide to pursue your credit report dispute.

If you’re concerned about making a mistake on the 609 letter, get help from a credit repair professional. Remember that 609 letters are not loopholes in the law. They’re simply a way to assert your rights under the FCRA.

While you work on disputing errors, our partner Kikoff can help you actively build positive credit history.