609 Letter

S

Samantha

Member
I’m currently trying to clear up some inaccurate information on my credit report, and I’ve run into a bit of a wall. There are two late payments listed on a credit card account that, as far as I can tell, shouldn’t even be there. The account is scheduled to fall off in about 3 years, but I’d really like to take care of it sooner especially because I don’t believe the account is valid at all.

The weirdest part is that the bank has no record of me ever opening or using this credit card, yet somehow it’s showing up on my report with two late payments. I tried disputing it directly through the credit bureau websites, but those disputes came back as “verified” even though I still haven’t received any actual proof that this account exists.

So here’s my plan:
I’m thinking of sending a 609 letter to the bureaus to formally request the documentation that supposedly verifies this account. If they can't provide it, then I’d move on to a 611 dispute citing their inability to verify. My hope is that the 609 request forces the issue either they show valid proof or remove it.

Has anyone here used this strategy before? Can I expect the bureaus to actually provide the documentation under 609? Or am I just going in circles here?
 
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I sent a 609 letter back in 2022 for something eerily similar..a phantom credit card I’d never opened. CRA came back with the usual verified nonsense until I followed up with a 611. Took 3 rounds but it finally got deleted. Be persistent. Paper trail is your best friend.
 
Just a heads-up, 609 doesn’t technically require the bureaus to send original signed contracts. That’s a common myth. But the good news is they do have to show some reasonable form of verification under FCRA. You’re not completely out of luck.
 
I went full nuclear 609 + complaint with CFPB + mailed letters to the creditor and all 3 bureaus. Within 45 days, poof. Gone. They couldn’t verify and didn’t want the heat. It’s all about how loud you’re willing to be.
 
Ugh credit reports are like haunted houses...ghost accounts popping up with no backstory. I used a 609 template from a reputable site (not the scammy ones) and it actually worked. Just make sure you don’t admit to the debt in the letter.
 
The credit bureaus love saying verified when they literally just ping the furnisher and call it a day. No documentation no nothing. 609 can shake things loose but you have to be relentless. It's more of a pressure move than a legal demand.
 
You’re not crazy this happens more than people realize. My late payments were tied to a closed account from 2007… that never existed. I used 609 and included a demand for procedural documentation. That forced their hand.
 
Make sure you're citing the right sections. FCRA 609 = info request, 611 = dispute, and 623 = furnisher liability. Hit all angles if you're serious. Also consider sending a letter to the original creditor directly.......sometimes they fold faster.
 
Send the 609 certified and don’t just wait. Follow up at 30 days then escalate. You’re building a paper trail in case you need to bring in a lawyer or file with CFPB. I fought 3 phantom accounts and got them all removed this way.
 
You’re doing the right thing. Most people just give up when they see verified. But 609 isn’t the endgame it’s a tool. Use it to expose their lack of evidence then hit ‘em with 611 and even a 623 dispute directly to the creditor.
 
If the bank has no record of the account, that’s a BIG red flag. Include that in your dispute. Ask the CRA to contact the creditor directly and provide all documentation. If they can't you’ve got a strong deletion case.
 
Had an old Capital One zombie account like that. They verified it but couldn’t show any proof. 609 request plus complaint to my state attorney general finally got it removed. Make some noise quiet requests go ignored.
 
I used the 609 tactic just last year. Didn't get the account removed, BUT they removed the late payments after I showed there was no documentation. So partial win. Still helped my score jump.
 
It’s ridiculous that we have to go full lawyer mode just to fix their mistake. I say send the 609 and hit ‘em from every angle. Credit Karma can also track changes after each round.
 
609 is a great start, but back it up with a 611 and maybe even a 623 if the furnisher refuses to acknowledge the dispute. I also had luck sending a letter directly to the CEO of the bank. Got a callback in 4 days
 
I’m gonna be the cynic here. 609 letters rarely get results unless the data furnisher is already sloppy. If they’ve verified it twice they probably have some record. But still worth pursuing if you're sure it’s fake.
 
I handwrote my 609 letter and included photocopies of my ID and utility bill. Took 3 weeks, and the CRA folded. I think the personal touch helped. Also: always send via certified mail!
 
Weirdly enough, I had more luck emailing the CFPB than mailing letters. You could attach all the failed dispute evidence and explain how the bureau hasn’t provided proper verification. Worth a shot.
 
This sounds like it could be identity theft. Have you pulled your LexisNexis and ChexSystems reports too? They can show account data that the credit bureaus don’t. Might help your case.
 
Honestly the bureaus only care when someone yells loud enough. 609 is like knocking on the door politely. If they don’t answer break out the megaphone: CFPB, AG, even Better Business Bureau sometimes works.
 
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