FCRA Section 611 dispute letters, explained

What is Section 611?

Section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681i) gives you the right to dispute information in your credit file that you believe is incomplete or inaccurate. When a credit bureau receives your dispute, it generally must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation, free of charge, and tell you the results.

What the bureau generally must do

• Reinvestigate within 30 days of receiving your dispute (up to 45 days in certain cases, such as when you send more information during the investigation).
• Forward the relevant information you provided to the company that reported the item.
• Correct or delete information that is found to be inaccurate, incomplete, or that cannot be verified.
• Send you written results, and on request, a description of the procedure used.

Section 611 does not require the removal of accurate information. Accurate negative information can remain on your report for the periods federal law allows. Results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.

What to include in your letter

• Your full name, current address, and phone number.
• The creditor or company name and the last four digits of the account.
• What is reported, what is actually correct, and why you believe it is wrong — in plain facts.
• A request that the bureau reinvestigate and correct or delete the item if it cannot be verified.
• Copies (never originals) of your photo ID, proof of address, and any supporting documents.

Never include your full Social Security number or full account numbers in anything you upload to us.

How ThirteenEight helps you build it

1. Choose your dispute type — late payment, wrong balance, account not yours, collection, inquiry, and more.
2. Describe it in your own words — our optional AI helper turns your description into a clear, fact-based statement using only what you wrote. You review and edit it.
3. Compare two letter styles — "Short & direct," or "Formal & detailed," which cites Section 611 (§ 1681i) and the accuracy requirement in § 1681e(b).
4. Download, print, sign, and mail it yourself — each letter is addressed to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. Certified Mail with Return Receipt is recommended.
5. Track each bureau's response — mark the letter as sent, record the reply, and, if needed, create a second or third follow-up letter for the same dispute (one per 30 days).

Generate a letter right now

Use our Section 611 letter template — fill in a few details and it builds a ready-to-print letter addressed to the bureau you choose. No account needed.

Doing it yourself is free

You can dispute directly with each credit bureau online, by phone, or by mail at no cost. ThirteenEight does not mail letters or submit disputes for you; you stay in control of every step.