How to Dispute with the Credit Bureau
When a credit bureau receives a dispute, it often reduces the dispute to a numerical code and sends this code to the company that provided the disputed information. The simple code may not be enough to fully explain the dispute and it may come back verified, even when supporting evidence for the dispute has been submitted.
What to Include in the Dispute
When disputing an error on your credit report in writing, the dispute letter should clearly specify what you are disputing and state the reason for the dispute. If you have any evidence supporting your dispute, you should also include copies of it, not originals, with your dispute. Make sure to get the mailing address that the business uses for correspondence – it is not always the same as your payment address. Send your letter via certified mail with a return receipt requested to prove sending and receiving.
Investigating the Dispute
Once the company receives your dispute, it must investigate what you are disputing. They have the same time to investigate and respond to your dispute as the credit bureau – 30 days from the date they receive your dispute. They may take up to 45 days to conduct the investigation if you send additional information after the initial dispute letter.
If their investigations conclude that your dispute is valid and there is an error in your credit report, the company must notify all credit bureaus of your error. (They do not have to notify the credit bureau if the account does not appear in your credit report with that bureau). The credit bureau then must update that account, or delete the account if necessary. Credit bureaus can also permanently block certain items from listing on your credit report, for example, items that are a result of fraud.
Frivolous Disputes
The company may determine that your dispute is frivolous or irrelevant if you do not provide them with enough information to investigate the dispute, for example, if you do not specify the due date of the late payment you are referring to. Be cautious when disputing the same item multiple times. Companies may also conclude that your dispute is frivolous if it is the same as a dispute you previously submitted to the company or to the credit bureau and if the company has already investigated that dispute.
If your dispute is deemed frivolous, the company must send you a notice within 5 business days. The notice must include the reason your dispute was deemed frivolous, but companies are allowed to send generic template letters in response to you.
These rules do not apply to credit repair companies or the forms they may provide you with.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/dispute-credit-report-errors-with-your-credit-card-issuer-960478
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