The direct dispute to the furnisher, section by section

Regulation V, Section 1022.43, gives you a second door most people never open: a dispute sent directly to the company that put the item on your file. The bureau never sees it. The furnisher has to investigate anyway.

The regulation lists what the letter must contain for the duty to attach. Four things. Miss one and they can treat it as a complaint instead of a dispute.

1. Enough to identify the account

Account number, or the last four with your full name and address as they appear on the account. Which means: the furnisher can't say it couldn't find you.

2. The specific information you're disputing

Not "this account." The balance, the date, the status, the late mark — one item, named. Which means: they have to investigate that item, not wave at the account.

3. Why it's inaccurate

One sentence. "This balance was paid in full on 14 March 2025." Which means: the investigation has to answer your sentence.

4. The documents

The paid letter, the statement, the police report. The regulation says the furnisher must consider what you send. Attach it every time.

Where it goes

The regulation is strict here: to the address the furnisher has specified for direct disputes — on your statement, on its website, or on the report. Any other address and the duty may not attach. Look it up. Write it on the envelope. Certified, with the green card, per last month.

The furnisher then has the same reinvestigation window as a bureau and must report the result to you and correct the bureaus it reports to.

Step one: find the furnisher's dispute address before Friday. It's usually the hardest part.