How Dispute Letters Work and Why They Matter
When working to repair your credit, one of the most effective tools at your disposal is the dispute letter. Dispute letters serve as a formal way to correct inaccuracies and outdated information on your credit report—issues that may be dragging your score down without you even realizing it.
At Solid Foundations, dispute letters are one of the core steps in our proven credit repair process. Understanding how they work helps you make informed choices and stay engaged in your financial recovery.
What Is a Dispute Letter?
A dispute letter is a written request sent to a credit bureau (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) asking them to review and correct inaccurate or unverifiable items on your credit report. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the legal right to dispute any information that is incorrect, incomplete, or outdated.
Common items that may be disputed include:
Accounts that don’t belong to you
Duplicate debts
Incorrect payment histories
Accounts listed as late or charged off in error
Items that should have been removed but are still appearing
Why Dispute Letters Are So Important
Your credit score is largely determined by the information in your credit report. If that data is incorrect, your score could be suffering unnecessarily. Dispute letters are the first line of defense in making sure your report accurately reflects your financial behavior.
Correcting even one negative item—if it's inaccurate—can result in a noticeable increase in your score.
The Dispute Process Step-by-Step
Here’s what happens when we send dispute letters on your behalf:
Step 1: Identify Errors
We thoroughly review your credit reports from all three major bureaus to identify inconsistencies or errors.
Step 2: Draft and Send Dispute Letters
Once inaccuracies are identified, we prepare professional dispute letters tailored to each item and each bureau.
Step 3: Bureau Review
The credit bureau has 30–45 days to investigate the dispute. During this time, they’ll contact the data furnisher (such as a creditor or lender) to verify the information.
Step 4: Response and Action
After the investigation, the bureau will respond with one of the following actions:
The item is corrected
The item is deleted
The item remains unchanged (with explanation)
Step 5: Follow-Up
If the dispute doesn’t result in the desired outcome, we may follow up with further documentation or escalate the case where appropriate.
Dispute Letters vs. Online Disputes
Many credit bureaus offer online dispute options, but mailing a formal letter can sometimes be more effective. Why? Because a written letter allows you to include supporting documents and ensures a more detailed, traceable process. It also avoids limitations sometimes imposed by online forms.
Do Dispute Letters Hurt Your Credit?
No. Filing a dispute does not hurt your credit score. In fact, if the outcome removes inaccurate negative items, your score could improve. It's a protected right—and one of the safest and most impactful credit repair actions available.
How Solid Foundations Helps
We take the complexity and stress out of the dispute process by doing the heavy lifting for you. From identifying errors to drafting and sending custom letters, we ensure each dispute is handled professionally, accurately, and legally.
What sets us apart:
Strategic planning based on your credit profile
Timely dispute follow-ups
Guidance on next steps to keep improving your score
Take Control of Your Credit Today
If your credit score has been held back by inaccurate or outdated information, dispute letters may be the key to unlocking real improvement. With Solid Foundations by your side, the process is clear, legal, and focused on your long-term success.
Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward better credit with confidence.
