The method of verification is an important step in trying to fix your credit, so I think you’ll agree that it’s important to get the wording of the letter right.
We’ll give you an example of the method of verification letter that you can change to your own purposes. Before that however, we will go over some of the points around writing the letter.
We’ll also talk about sending the letter, and what to do if this isn’t successful in getting items removed from your credit report.
Writing the 611 Dispute Letter
Before you begin writing the MOV letter you will be required to have already sent in your credit repair dispute letter. The credit reporting agency (bureau) will then reply saying whether or not they’ve removed the item from your credit. If they didn’t, you can then send in the Method of Verification letter asking them how they came to their decision.
So let’s go over the list that you should have done already.
- You sent in (via certified mail, return receipt requested) your credit dispute letter(s) to each agency asking them to remove negative items.
- You gave them the appropriate 30 day response time to reply back.
- They let you know they (each or one of the agencies) did not remove one or more of the items you disputed.
Once you’re here and you feel that the agency (Experian, Equifax or TransUnion) failed to remove erroneous item(s), then it’s time to start writing your Method of Verification letter. This will simply ask them to notify you of how they verified the items belonged to you.
An Example of a Method of Verification Letter
The following letter is an example that you can simply copy and paste, and then edit to meet your needs. Please note that there are brackets where you need to make edits. However, I would highly recommend that you change up some of the text and even the format, to make sure that it gets through without issue.
[Full Name]
[Home Address]
[City, State, Zip Code][Credit Bureau]
[Credit Bureau Address]Date:
Dear Sir or Madam/To Whom It May Concern,
On [Enter Date] I requested an investigation regarding inaccurate/erroneous items on my credit file that were being reported erroneously. On [Enter Date] your agency sent a letter stating that you had completed your investigation and the items were not deleted, as requested. This concerns me as I do not understand how you arrived at this conclusion since this information is indeed incorrect.
This is a request under FCRA 611 (a) (7) for a description of the procedure used by your agency in providing all information to the creditor associated with my earlier dispute under FCRA 611 (a) filed with on (date/identification of the dispute).
To be more specific, based on FCRA 611 (a) (2) (B), you were required to forward all of the relevant information I provided by you to the creditor for their investigation of my dispute.
Please provide me with all of the information you used for your investigation, as required by FCRA 611 (a) (7).
Please reply within 15 days or delete the negative items, as originally requested.
Below are the items that do not belong to me that you continue to report erroneously.
1. Cell Phone, Account # 123456
2. Cable Bill, Account #654321
3. Credit Card, Chargeoff, Account # 00120034Please note that I am taking this matter very seriously and demand that you follow the law, in its entirety, and send me detailed information of how you arrived at your conclusion, or else remove these items immediately.
Thank you,
[Full Name]
[Date of Birth]
[Social Security Number]
[Home Address]
You can download this letter below:
[wpdm_package id=”1928″ template=”link-template-default-ext”]
[wpdm_package id=”1929″ template=”link-template-default-ext”]
Send in Your 611 Letter
So now you’ve edited the sample letter to better fit your needs. The next thing you will need to do is send it to the proper CRA (credit reporting agency). You will need to send a copy to each CRA if multiple bureaus are disputing your claims.
They now have 15 days to respond.
What if They Still Don’t Remove The Item(s)?
If the CRA still doesn’t remove the items, you have a few choices.
1. You can follow up with another letter notifying them that you intend to file a complaint with the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) http://www.consumerfinance.gov/
2. Go ahead and file the complaint here: http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/