(Sample Identity Theft Dispute Letter)
Below is a sample dispute letter that a consumer can use to dispute accounts or debts that are being reported on the consumer’s credit report despite being the result of identity theft. This letter can be sent to Experian, Equifax, Trans Union, or any other credit reporting agency. As always, send this letter via certified mail so that you have proof of mailing.
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[Date]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[RE: Your Account Number (if known)]
Dear Sir or Madam:
I am a victim of identity theft. The information listed below, which appears on my credit report, does not relate to any transaction(s) that I have made. It is the result of identity theft.
[Identify item(s) resulting from the identity theft that should be blocked, by name of the source, such as the credit card issuer or bank, and type of item, such as credit account, checking account, etc.]
Please block this information from my credit report, pursuant to section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and send the required notifications to all furnishers of this information.
Enclosed are the following:
- A copy of my credit report I received from your company. The fraudulent items are circled.
- A copy of my Identity Theft Report and proof of my identity.
- A copy of section 605B of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which requires you to block the fraudulent information on my credit report resulting from identity theft within four business days and to promptly notify the furnisher(s) of that information.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and await your reply.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Enclosures: [List what you are enclosing]
- Identity Theft Report
- Proof of identity: [a copy of your driver’s license/other government-issued identification card/other]
- Copy of Credit Report
(Write to each relevant credit reporting agency, one at a time:)
Equifax Information Services, LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
-or-
Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013
-or-
TransUnion
Fraud Victim Assistance Department
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA 19022-2000
As an alternative, you may dispute items with the credit bureaus online. Look for “dispute” on their websites: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Please note, this is not legal advice, but merely to give an example of what a letter could look like. We highly recommend that you consult with an attorney if you believe that your rights have been violated.
If credit bureau disputes are not successful, feel free to contact us for your FREE consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Identity Theft Disputes
How long do credit bureaus have to investigate an identity theft dispute?
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), if you provide a valid Identity Theft Report (like an FTC report or police report), the credit bureaus are legally required to block the fraudulent information from your credit file within four business days of receiving your letter.
Should I dispute identity theft online or by certified mail?
While you can dispute errors online, consumer protection attorneys strongly recommend sending dispute letters via certified mail with a return receipt requested. Online dispute portals often force you to agree to arbitration clauses and make it difficult to maintain a solid paper trail. Certified mail gives you physical, legal proof of exactly when the credit bureau received your dispute.
What happens if the credit bureau refuses to remove the fraudulent account?
If Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion “verify” the fraudulent account and refuse to remove it after receiving your dispute letter and Identity Theft Report, they are likely in violation of the FCRA. At this point, your next step is to contact a consumer protection attorney to file a lawsuit against the credit bureau and the furnisher (the bank or creditor) for damages.
