How to Make a 609 Letter That Really Works (2024)

George Simons | September 14, 2023

Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: A 609 letter can help you get inaccurate, negative, or erroneous information removed from your credit report. Keep reading to learn more.

If you are working on improving your credit report, a 609 dispute letter may help you get the report cleaned up. A 609 dispute letter points out some inaccurate, negative, or erroneous information on your credit report, forcing the credit company to change them.

You'll find countless 609 letter templates online; however, they do not always promise that your dispute will be successful. Here's how to prepare an effective 609 letter that really works.

Use SoloSuit to respond to debt collectors fast.

The framework of the 609 letter

Two sections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act build up the framework on which the 609 dispute letter works. Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to request your credit card reports and any other information recorded in them. In section 611, the FCRA summarizes your rights to dispute inaccurate information found in the report.

The element of disputing information is found in section 611 of the FCRA Act. Section 609 only helps you acquire the information you need to prepare your dispute. Also, credit reporting agencies are not obligated to investigate any disputes that you may have on the credit report, but they will have them changed if found to be accurate.

How the 609 letter works

If you have identified the item you would like to dispute, you will ask the credit agency to validate that particular information. The reasoning is that if the agency cannot provide proof of the information, they will have to remove it from your report.

Therefore, the 609 dispute letter may be the answer to fixing items you do not like on your credit report, but it may not necessarily change your credit score. However, a clean credit report can improve your chances of getting approvals for any credits you may wish to borrow in the future.

Make the right defense the right way with SoloSuit.

How to write an effective 609 letter

The bottom line is that this letter is a request for the validation of the debt. You will only need to write a simple letter to the credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to request them to validate the disputable information. According to section 609 of the FCRA, you will be entitled to the following information:

All information in your files (although there are some exceptions, such as credit scores)
All sources of information recorded in your files

These details are all you need to create your letter. Then, you simply point out the incorrect item and write a letter requesting the credit agency to validate it by providing you with information that supports their records.

Here is a sample 609 dispute letter:

Your Name:
Your Address:
Date:

Complaint Department
Credit Reporting Agency
Address
City, State
Zip Code

To Whom it may Concern,

RE: REQUEST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

With reference to Section 609 of the FCRD Act, I would like to request further information on the following item as recorded on my credit report.

The report records that (state your dispute). I request that you provide the original documents for this information containing my appended signature and any other related information.

If this information is unavailable, I request that you have the item deleted from my credit report as soon as possible. Kindly find attached a copy of my report clearly highlighting the mentioned item. Enclosed is also a copy of (state your supporting evidence) proof that the item indicated in my credit report is inaccurate.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(signature)

Respond to a debt collection lawsuit in 15 minutes with SoloSuit.

Does the 609 letter really work?

If your argument is valid, the credit agency will delete the item from your credit report. However, if the credit agency can provide you with information that proves the item recorded is accurate, it will not be removed from your credit report.

Additionally, the 609 letter does not guarantee that your credit score will change. It will also not mark the end of negative information being recorded in your credit report if it can be validated. All the same, the law protects your rights to have correct and validated information to be recorded on your credit report.

The 609 dispute letter is often referred to as the “legal loophole”, or the “credit repair secret' and can be useful in different situations. Apart from correcting your credit report, the 609 letter could be what you need to respond to a debt collection lawsuit. The letter is equally a debt validation letter that the SoloSuit team can review for you, among other documents that you intend to present with your Answer.

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

How to answer a summons for debt collection in your state

Here's a list of guides for other states.

All 50 states.

Guides on how to beat every debt collector

Being sued by a different debt collector? Were making guides on how to beat each one.

We have answers

Join our community of over 40,000 people.

You can ask your questions on the SoloSuit forum and the community will help you out. Whether you need help now are are just look for support, we're here for you.

Get Started

Win against credit card companies

Is your credit card company suing you? Learn how you can beat each one.

Going to Court for Credit Card Debt — Key Tips

How to Negotiate Credit Card Debts

How to Settle a Credit Card Debt Lawsuit — Ultimate Guide

Get answers to these FAQs

Need more info on statutes of limitations? Read our 50-state guide.

Why do debt collectors block their phone numbers?

How long do debt collectors take to respond to debt validation letters?

What are the biggest debt collector companies in the US?

Is Zombie Debt Still a Problem in 2019?

SoloSuit FAQ

If a car is repossessed, do I still owe the debt?

Is Portfolio Recovery Associates Legit?

Is There a Judgment Against Me Without my Knowledge?

Should I File Bankruptcy Before or After a Judgment?

What is a default judgment?— What do I do?

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?

What Happens If Someone Sues You and You Have No Money?

What Happens If You Never Answer Debt Collectors?

What Happens When a Debt Is Sold to a Collection Agency

What is a Stipulated Judgment?

What is the Deadline for a Defendants Answer to Avoid a Default Judgment?

Can a Judgement Creditor Take my Car?

Can I Settle a Debt After Being Served?

Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?

Can You Appeal a Default Judgement?

Do I Need a Debt Collection Defense Attorney?

Do I Need a Payday Loans Lawyer?

Learn More With These Additional Resources:

Need help managing your finances? Check out these resources.

How to Make a Debt Validation Letter - The Ultimate Guide

How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney

How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know

How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)

Defending Yourself in Court Against a Debt Collector

Tips on you can to file an FDCPA lawsuit against a debt collection agency

Advice on how to answer a summons for debt collection.

Effective strategies for how to get back on track after a debt lawsuit

New Hampshire Statute of Limitations on Debt

Sample Cease and Desist Letter Against Debt Collectors

The Ultimate Guide to Responding to a Debt Collection Lawsuit in Utah

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Debt

What debt collectors cannot do — FDCPA explained

Defending Yourself in Court Against Debt Collector

How to Liquidate Debt

Arkansas Statute of Limitations on Debt

Youre Drowning in Debt — Heres How to Swim

Help! Im Being Sued by My Debt Collector

How to Make a Motion to Vacate Judgment

How to Answer Summons for Debt Collection in Vermont

North Dakota Statute of Limitations on Debt

ClearPoint Debt Management Review

Indiana Statute of Limitations on Debt

Oregon Eviction Laws - What They Say

CuraDebt Debt Settlement Review

How to Write a Re-Aging Debt Letter

How to Appear in Court by Phone

How to Use the Doctrine of Unclean Hands

Debt Consolidation in Eugene, Oregon

Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next

How to Make a Debt Settlement Agreement

Received a 3-Day Eviction Notice? Heres What to Do

How to Answer a Lawsuit for Debt Collection

Tips for Leaving the Country With Unpaid Credit Card Debt

Kansas Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection

How to File in Small Claims Court in Iowa

How to File a Civil Answer in Kings County Supreme Court

Roseland Associates Debt Consolidation Review

How to Stop a Garnishment

Debt Eraser Review

Do Debt Collectors Ever Give Up?

Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?

How Often Do Credit Card Companies Sue for Non-Payment?

How Long Does a Judgement Last?

How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?

How to Beat a Bill Collector in Court

Not sued yet?

Use our Debt Validation Letter.

Out Debt Validation Letter is the best way to respond to a collection letter. Many debt collectors will simply give up after receiving it.

Let's Do It

It only takes 15 minutes.

And 50% of our customers' cases have been dismissed in the past.

"Finding yourself on the wrong side of the law unexpectedly is kinda scary. I started researching on YouTube and found SoloSuit's channel. The videos were so helpful, easy to understand and encouraging. When I reached out to SoloSuit they were on it. Very professional, impeccably prompt. Thanks for the service!" - Heather

Get Started

FAQs

How to Make a 609 Letter That Really Works? ›

An effective 609 dispute letter must contain certain key elements to ensure you achieve the desired results. You need to include details about which credit report items you want more information on, as well as personal information, so the credit bureaus know it's a valid request.

View Details ›

How to write an effective 609 letter? ›

Do 609 letters really work? ›

In general, a 609 letter is not a legal loophole that consumers can use to remove accurate information from their credit reports. This means they can't relieve you of any verifiable debt. If a credit bureau is able to verify your debt, it will stay on your report. They also can't relieve you of your existing debt.

Discover More ›

What is the 609 credit repair loophole? ›

Contrary to what some might think, section 609 does not require credit bureaus to provide proof of your accounts. The FCRA gives you the right to dispute information you believe to be unfair, inaccurate or unsubstantiated.

Discover More ›

Does 609 letter have to be notarized? ›

Note that your 609 letter doesn't need to be notarized. It is recommend sending the letter via certified mail through the U.S. Post Office. This way, you can receive a mail receipt confirming delivery.

Know More ›

How does the 11 word credit loophole actually work? ›

Under the FDCPA, you have the right to request that a debt collector stop contacting you. This is sort of where the 11 word phrase to stop debt collectors came from. To exercise this right, you must send a written request to the debt collector stating that you wish to cease all communications.

Find Out More ›

What is the loophole for the FCRA? ›

"The 609 loophole is a section of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that says that if something is incorrect on your credit report, you have the right to write a letter disputing it," said Robin Saks Frankel, a personal finance expert with Forbes Advisor.

How can I raise my credit score 100 points overnight? ›

10 Ways to Boost Your Credit Score

Review Your Credit Report. ...
Pay Your Bills on Time. ...
Ask for Late Payment Forgiveness. ...
Keep Credit Card Balances Low. ...
Keep Old Credit Cards Active. ...
Become an Authorized User. ...
Consider a Credit Builder Loan. ...
Take Out a Secured Credit Card.

More items...