How to Dispute a Collection Account (Step by Step)

What is a collection account?

When you miss payments on a debt, the original creditor may sell or assign the debt to a collection agency. The collection agency then reports this account to the credit bureaus, where it can remain for up to 7 years from the original delinquency date — even if you pay it off.

When can you dispute it?

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute any information on your credit report that is:

• Inaccurate — wrong amount, wrong date, wrong creditor
• Incomplete — missing information that changes how it's interpreted
• Outdated — past the 7-year reporting limit
• Unverifiable — the collector can't prove the debt is yours

Step 1: Get your free credit report

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Look for any collection accounts and write down the creditor name, account number, balance, and date of first delinquency.

Step 2: Send a debt verification letter

A debt verification letter — also called a validation letter — asks the collection agency to prove the debt is legitimate. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), they must provide validation if you request it within 30 days of first contact.

Step 3: File a dispute with the bureau

You can also dispute directly with the credit bureau. Send a dispute letter to the bureau reporting the collection, including copies of any supporting documents. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond.

Bureau addresses:

• Equifax: P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374
• Experian: P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
• TransUnion: P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016

Step 4: Follow up within 30–45 days

The bureau and collector each have 30 days to respond to your dispute. If they can't verify the debt, they must remove it. If they verify it but it's still inaccurate, you can escalate to the CFPB or consult an FCRA attorney.