The best way to dispute an inaccurate item on your credit report with one or all of the big three credit reporting agencies – Experian, TranUnion and Equifax – is to draft and mail a dispute letter. The dispute letter should be mailed to each of the credit reporting agencies that are reporting the inaccurate information, so if you know one is doing so but aren’t sure about the others, make sure to check on your free report available at annualcreditreport.com.

What should be in a credit dispute letter? We recommend that you include your personal identifying information, such as your name, current address, date of birth, phone number and Social Security Number. Giving this level of detail will ensure that the credit reporting agency will not be able to argue that it couldn’t identify your file. The letter should identify the error and concisely explain why you believe that it is an error, and you are encouraged to attach documentation supporting your position if possible (although note that the letter should be short and to the point, and you should only attach critical documents that support your position). There are letter templates available from the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

How should I send it? Send one letter each to each of the credit reporting agencies that are reporting the incorrect information, ideally by certified mail so that you can prove that they received it. Sign each letter and scan it or make a copy of it and save it to potentially show an attorney if the dispute letter does not resolve the issue.

Where should I send it? Use the following addresses (which you should check are still the current addresses at the time you mail them):

Experian
P.O. Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013

Equifax Information Services, LLC
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374