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Credit Report Dispute Letter Template — UK

Under section 159 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, you can formally object to an incorrect entry on your credit file — the credit reference agency has 28 days to respond, and if it won’t remove the entry, you can require it to add a Notice of Correction. Below is a ready-to-edit dispute letter with the statutory deadline built in — customize it, then post it to the agency.

United Kingdom at a glance

  • Response deadline: 28 days for the credit reference agency to remove, amend, or explain the entry, under s.159 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
  • If unresolved, you have a further 28 days to require the agency to add a Notice of Correction (up to 200 words) to your file.
  • You can escalate to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if the agency doesn’t comply with its obligations.
  • How to send it: sending your letter by a tracked, signed-for post service gives you dated proof the agency received it.

Credit Report Dispute Letter Template

Copy the letter below into the editor, replace the text in [brackets] with your details, and PostPal will print and mail it for you.

Subject: Notice of Incorrect Information on My Credit File
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postcode]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email]
[Your Date of Birth]

[Date]

[Credit Reference Agency Name]
[Credit Reference Agency Address]
[City, Postcode]

RE: OBJECTION TO ENTRY ON MY CREDIT FILE — SECTION 159, CONSUMER CREDIT ACT 1974

To Whom It May Concern,

Under section 159 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I am writing to object to the following entry on my credit file, which I believe is incorrect and likely to prejudice me:

• Item disputed: [Creditor/Account Name and Account Number]
• Reason for dispute: [e.g., this account is not mine / the balance is incorrect / this was settled on (date) / this is a duplicate entry]

I have enclosed copies of [describe supporting documents] supporting this objection.

Please either remove or amend this entry, or explain why you believe it is correct, within 28 days as required under section 159. If you do not amend or remove the entry and I remain dissatisfied with your explanation, I will require you to add a Notice of Correction to my file.

Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]

What your credit report dispute letter must include

  • Your full name, current address, and date of birth (so the bureau can locate your file)
  • The specific item(s) you’re disputing and exactly why (not yours, inaccurate, outdated, duplicated)
  • Copies — never originals — of any supporting documents
  • A clear request that the bureau investigate and correct or remove the item
  • Your signature and the date

Frequently asked questions

What is section 159 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974?

It’s the statutory right that lets you formally object to incorrect information on your credit file. Once you object, the credit reference agency has 28 days to remove or amend the entry, or explain to you why it believes the entry is correct.

What is a Notice of Correction?

If the agency won’t remove an entry you dispute and you’re not satisfied with its explanation, you can require it to add a Notice of Correction — a short statement (up to 200 words) in your own words — to the entry, so anyone who checks your file sees your side too. You have 28 days from the agency’s response to request this.

What if the credit reference agency ignores my letter?

You can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which oversees how credit reference agencies handle personal data, or to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Keeping a copy of your original letter and proof of postage supports a complaint.

Should I post my dispute letter by a tracked service?

It’s a good idea. A tracked, signed-for postal service gives you dated proof the agency received your letter — useful if the 28-day deadline becomes relevant. PostPal prints and posts your letter for you; keep your own proof of postage if tracked delivery matters for your situation.

Facts verified against official sources on September 2, 2026: legislation.gov.uk.

This template is provided for convenience only. It is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Court limits and rules change — confirm anything time-sensitive on the official page, and consult a qualified legal professional for advice specific to your situation.