How to Write to Credit Bureaus
You can contact credit bureaus in several ways, including e-mail, traditional mail and telephone. When you send your letter to a credit bureau there are a few important details that you must include and precautions that you should take to assure that your personal information is reasonably safe.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Credit bureau addresses
- Account information, case or file number related to your inquiry
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1
Find the full address of all of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). See "Resources" for the bureau websites where you can find the most recent addresses.
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2
Clearly and briefly describe your reason for writing in the message area. Common reasons why you might need to write to a credit bureau are to dispute an entry from a creditor, ask for a copy of a credit report, opt-out of distribution lists, or to update the information on your file.
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3
Identify what you want to happen in order to resolve your request, even if this seems repetitious. For instance, "Please remove me from all of your third-party opt-in lists immediately." Identify the name of the creditor you are having a problem with along with the account number if applicable.
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4
Sign the letter with your full name. Including your current address, phone number, and social security number at the bottom of the letter. Write in the case or file number that is related to the issue if one is available.
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5
Include additional proof of your case with the letter if needed (such as a copy of a check that proves that you paid an account in full) and type in "Enclosure" at the very bottom of the letter, which notifies the recipient that she should look for additional pages.
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6
Mail your letter to the credit bureau via first-class certified mail. Ask for a return receipt to verify that the item was received and signed for by credit bureau staff.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Innovis is a lesser known credit bureau that may have a file for you as well. Go to Innovis.com for more information.
