30 Jan How to Write an Effective Credit Dispute Letter
Like anything else on the earth, even your credit report can come with mistakes, inaccurate, or incomplete information. That’s why it is crucial that you meticulously check your credit report from all the credit bureaus, once a year. What happens if you find faulty information listed in your report? Then you should write a credit dispute letter and address the issue.
What is a credit dispute letter?
A credit dispute letter is a document that you can write and send to any of the three credit bureaus, regarding mistakes in your credit report. With this letter you make them aware of the listed errors, and ask them to correct or remove them. Of course, you will have to accommodate your request and provide them any supporting documents.
What makes a good credit dispute letter?
Exactly as you were writing a cover letter for a job application, it’s important to choose every word carefully. Remember to keep calm and avoid to create a letter that will be considered as hostile, or incomplete without the supporting paperwork.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to write an effective credit dispute letter.
1. Write a proper header
If you ever wrote a formal letter before, you know that you must include a proper header with all the needed information. Start from the top left corner of the page, and write your personal contact details. This must include your full, legal name, your current address, and your phone number. It’s optional, but you can also include your email address. The second part of the header must show your social security number. On the third strand, write the bureau’s name and address. Finally, add today’s date.
2. Pay attention to the body
This is the main part of your credit dispute letter, where you get to explain what needs to be corrected or deleted. You might want to open your letter with the phrase “To Whom It May Concern” or “To The [Name of the Credit Bureau Dispute Center].” After the greetings, you can now start to explain your concerns, and request the corrective process of your credit report to begin. Note that if you have more than one issues to address, you should use a separate paragraph for each. Remember to keep it simple, formal, and to the point. At the end of the paragraph, inform them which documents you enclose with your letter.
3. Come to a conclusion
Now that you pointed out the problem, close your letter with a good-natured ending. “Sincerely,” “Respectfully,” are always safe, and cordial enough, choices, followed by your name underneath. If you wish to type the letter on a computer, then consider the option to add your handwritten signature. This will add more authenticity and credibility to your credit dispute letter.
These steps will help you to assemble a professional credit dispute letter and increase your chances to resolve any errors to your credit report as soon as possible. Baby Boomers Financial can help you solve your credit issues, and live your dream life. Don’t hesitate to contact us.