THE STACK - TOOLKIT 3 - THE FIX
Credit letter templates + how to send them
phimindflow.com/ebook

These are templates for doing it YOURSELF, which you have every
right to do for free. Results vary and take months. Not legal advice.

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STEP 0 - GET YOUR REPORTS (free)
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annualcreditreport.com - the official free site for all three
bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Write down every item
that is wrong: wrong balance, wrong date, not your account,
paid but showing unpaid.

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TEMPLATE A - DISPUTE LETTER (an item is WRONG)
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[Your full name]
[Address]
[Date of birth]   [Last 4 of SSN]

[Bureau name and dispute address]

[Date]

Re: Request to investigate inaccurate information

I am writing to dispute the following information in my credit
file. The item(s) are inaccurate for the reason(s) below:

  Creditor: [name]   Account: [last 4 digits]
  What's wrong: [e.g. balance shown is $X, actual is $Y /
                 this account is not mine / paid on (date)]

I am asking that this information be investigated and corrected
or removed. Copies of supporting documents are enclosed.

Sincerely,
[Signature]

Enclose: a copy of your ID, proof of address, and any proof
(statement, payment receipt). Never send originals.

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TEMPLATE B - GOODWILL LETTER (it's accurate, you're asking a favour)
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[Your name / address / account number]
[Creditor name and address]
[Date]

Re: Goodwill adjustment request - account ending [last 4]

I've been a customer since [year]. In [month/year] I paid late
because [short honest reason]. Since then I've paid on time
[for X months / in full]. I'm asking, as a goodwill gesture,
that you remove the late payment reported for [month/year].

Thank you for considering it.
[Signature]

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HOW TO SEND
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- Certified mail with return receipt = proof they got it.
  Online option: LetterStream (letterstream.com) prints and
  mails certified letters for you.
- Bureaus generally have about 30 days to investigate.
- Keep a copy of every letter and every reply.
- No change? Send round 2 with a reference to round 1.

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IF IT'S IGNORED - CFPB COMPLAINT (free)
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consumerfinance.gov/complaint
Say what you disputed, when, how you sent it, and what happened.
Attach your letters and receipts.

TRACKER
Item | Bureau | Round | Sent on | Reply by | Result
_____|________|_______|_________|__________|_______