What is a 609 dispute letter?
It challenges a credit bureau to prove that negative items are accurate
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The main goal of a 609 dispute letter is to challenge a credit reporting agency to provide proof that a delinquency exists. You can use a 609 dispute to challenge things you find on your credit report, like a late payment, the balance of a particular debt or a debt that’s categorized incorrectly.
A 609 dispute letter is a tool you can use to challenge inaccuracies or dispute a debt on your credit report. It’s especially handy if you receive a debt validation letter that you feel is in error.
A 609 dispute letter is a formal request to credit bureaus to verify the accuracy of information on your credit report.
Jump to insightA well-written 609 dispute letter is a powerful tool to ensure your credit report is as accurate as possible.
Jump to insightA successful 609 dispute letter can improve your credit score.
Jump to insightThere are simpler ways to send a query to a credit reporting agency.
Jump to insightUnderstanding the 609 dispute letter
The seemingly odd name of a 609 dispute letter is a nod to Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which gives anyone the right to request verification of any item on their credit report, says Riley Beam, a personal injury attorney based in Melbourne, Florida.
“That section basically says you have the right to know what’s in your credit file and where the information came from. It also requires credit bureaus to provide you with the sources of the information they’re reporting,” Beam said.
So, when you send a 609 letter, you’re asking the agency — Equifax, Experian or TransUnion — to show you the proof that this information is accurate and that they got it legally. If they can’t, they have to remove it. Sending a 609 dispute letter to a credit reporting agency is one potential way to increase your credit score by removing inaccurate information on your credit report.
Misconceptions about the 609 dispute letter
A 609 dispute letter isn’t a quick fix. Even if you identify an issue on your credit report, filing a 609 letter and having it approved by the credit reporting agency can take some time. What’s more, says Beam, there’s no guarantee it’ll work.
How to write a 609 dispute letter
A 609 dispute letter should always include your name, address and Social Security number. The opening paragraph should clearly state your purpose, and you should include any supporting evidence or documentation you can find, such as bank statements or account statements.
Send the letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested.
When writing your 609 dispute letter, be clear and specific. “For example, say, ‘I’m disputing this late payment from XYZ Bank reported in July 2024,’” Beam said. “You should also reference Section 609 of the FCRA and request that they provide verification of the disputed items.”
Sample 609 dispute letter wording
Writing a 609 dispute letter to Equifax, Experian or TransUnion doesn’t have to be daunting. But if you’re at a loss for words, you can use the following phrasing to help get your point across to the credit reporting agency.
Sample 1
I am writing in dispute of the following information I have identified on my credit report. I’ve provided a copy of my credit report and circled the incorrect information.
The collection reported for this account is inaccurate because [clearly state the reason here]. I am requesting that you please investigate this issue and delete the disputed amount as soon as possible.
Sample 2
There is a creditor that I do not recognize on my credit report. The creditor is [creditor name], and my report indicates that I am carrying a balance of [dollar amount], but I did not open this account.
Please investigate this account and verify that it should not, in fact, exist on my credit report. Please report back to me as soon as possible.
Impact of a 609 dispute letter on your credit score
If you successfully remove a blemish from your credit report through the use of a 609 dispute letter, you can potentially improve your credit score. But it’s not the quick fix that some debt management sites make it seem. “Your credit score might improve, but it depends on what’s removed and how much it was affecting your score in the first place,” Beam said.
Especially if it’s a minor issue on your credit report, a successful 609 dispute letter might only have a small impact on your credit. If the credit bureau removes the disputed item, you should see the change on your credit report within a month or so, Beam says. But it can take longer if the investigation gets complicated.
Alternatives to a 609 dispute letter
Some people think a 609 dispute letter is the only way to challenge credit report errors, but there are other methods, like filing a dispute directly with the credit bureau or the creditor. A 609 letter is just one option you can use to pursue having the reporting agency make a change to your credit report.
Beam said: “You can file a dispute directly with the credit bureau online, by phone or by mail. You can also contact the creditor who reported the information and ask them to fix it.”
The 609 dispute letter tends to be a more formal approach. It’s a good way to go if you’ve tried a simple, straightforward approach and no changes have been made. “A 609 letter is more about holding the credit bureau’s feet to the fire and making them prove the info is accurate,” Beam said.
FAQ
How much does it cost to send a 609 dispute letter?
The only cost associated with sending a 609 dispute letter to a credit reporting agency is the cost of the stamp, ink, paper and time spent writing. That is, unless you choose to pay a nominal fee for a template downloaded from the internet or pay someone to write it for you. But most people are capable of drafting and sending a 609 dispute letter without further expense.
Why might a 609 dispute letter be rejected?
If you don’t word the letter correctly or provide enough evidence, the credit bureau might just ignore it or reject your dispute outright, Beam says. The best course of action in this case is to try again and be sure you include enough supporting evidence and documentation the next time around.
What happens if a credit bureau ignores a 609 dispute letter?
Communicating with a credit reporting agency can be a challenge. The best thing to do if you feel your 609 dispute letter has been ignored is to resend it after a reasonable amount of time has elapsed. You can send the letter as certified mail if you want to be absolutely sure it’s been delivered to the right place.
How else can I improve my credit score?
Aside from sending a 609 dispute letter, there are other things you can do to boost your score:
- Open a credit card, keep only a small balance and pay it on time each month.
- Have a small loan or credit card co-signed by someone with good credit.
- Some reporting agencies offer a “boost” that allows you to link utility bills to your credit report (the thought is that people pay utilities with more regularity or they will be shut off).
- Ask for a small credit line increase to help your credit utilization score.
Bottom line
If you spot an error on your credit report, a 609 dispute letter is one method you can use in order to have the credit bureau fix the issue. There are other ways to dispute information on your credit report. You can reach out to the reporting agency without the use of a 609 dispute letter. But, Beam says, this particular letter tends to be more pointed. “It demands proof that the information is accurate and was obtained legally. It’s a bit more formal and technical, but it’s not necessarily more effective than other dispute methods,” he said.
» NEXT: What credit score is needed to buy a house?
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Experian, “How to Improve Your Credit Score.” Accessed Feb.15, 2025.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “Credit report dispute.” Accessed Feb. 27, 2025.
