What is a Section 611 dispute letter?
The law behind it
Section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, codified at 15 U.S.C. § 1681i, covers what happens when you dispute information in your credit file. In general, once a bureau receives your dispute, it must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and let you know the results.
What a dispute letter usually includes
Your name and address, the date, and the bureau’s dispute mailing address. A clear list of the items you dispute and why. A request that the bureau investigate and correct or delete anything that is inaccurate, incomplete, or cannot be verified. Copies of any identification or documents the bureau asks for.
Timing
Bureaus generally must finish a reinvestigation within 30 days of receiving your dispute, or 45 days in certain cases, such as when you send additional information during the investigation.
What a letter cannot do
A dispute letter does not guarantee that anything will be removed. If an item is accurate and verifiable, it may remain on your report. You can also dispute directly with the bureaus for free, so a letter generator is a convenience for drafting, not a requirement.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. SnapAudit is a self-help document tool and is not a law firm or credit repair organization. Want help drafting the letters? Try SnapAudit.