How to Write to a Credit Reporting Agency

Credit reporting agencies require many requests to be made in writing -- to dispute information, to request a security alert be placed or removed in your file. You need to be thorough and include all necessary data for your correspondence to be recognized.

Instructions

1

Visit each of the three major credit bureau websites, Experian, Equifax and Transunion online. Each of them will have a unique credit file for you, and you will need to correspond with each one. Their websites should have their current mailing address for consumer correspondence.

2

Begin by requesting your credit report, to know what information they have. By federal law, you are entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit reporting agencies. You can get these reports from a central site sponsored by the three agencies, Annual Credit Report.com.

3

Draft a letter to each bureau explaining your situation. If you are disputing information, include your entire account number and name of the company or organization that reported it and other important information such as dates or amounts.
If you feel you have been the victim of credit fraud, ask them to put a credit "freeze" or security alert on your account. Include your name, address, telephone and Social Security number on the letter.

4

Include a photocopy of your driver's license or current identification card. Without this, they may not consider your correspondence secure and could ignore or return the letter to you.

5

Visit your post office personally and mail each letter, one to each bureau, certified mail. Keep your receipts. When your letter reaches the credit bureau, they will have to sign for it and you will receive a returned signature card. This is your proof they have received your letter. By law, they have 45 days to respond to you and your request from that date.

6

Mark the date on the calendar that will be their deadline dates. If you don't hear from the bureaus by then, you should call them directly. You have the right to take legal action and may want to consult an attorney depending on the seriousness of your request. For example, a fraud or security alert is something that should be addressed immediately, while misinformation may not be as threatening.