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Experian Not Accepting Credit Disputes by Mail?
Posted on Jun 8, 2007 by Tom Fragala
I have heard from two separate well-placed sources that Experian is ramping up a campaign to drive credit disputes online and is no longer accepting mail to their previously published PO box address for disputes (or making it awfully difficult). One source I cannot name and the other is MyFairCredit.com which says:
Experian has been especially difficult in shutting down a post office box where it accepted disputes for years (PO Box 9595 at Allen Texas). It didn't forward it's mail to another address. Do your own research on addresses before mailing your letters. The addresses that have worked recently are as follows:
701 Experian Parkway, Allen, Texas 75013. You can check at www.experian.com to see if Experian lists a physical address. It is obvious it wants everything sent electronically or by phone. The Experian Parkway address is not the official Experian address, but it will be hard for them to stop deliveries on their doorstep!
I talked to Mark Enderle of Preferred Credit Solutions today about this. Mark has reviewed over 4,000 credit reports in his 8 years helping people manage their credit. He has not heard of it and agrees with me that it seems almost impossible for Experian to get away with. Would not this practice run afoul of the FCRA and FTC? How could a consumer provide the proof so often necessary if the disputes are done online? And what about those consumers who aren’t able to use the online channel?
If this is happening or begins to happen, the impact to consumer data accuracy, credit scores and identity theft could be huge. If you can’t provide written proof of many disputes, they won’t be accepted. And any credit dispute should always be mailed certified mail return receipt, otherwise it might not be worth the paper it was written on. If the dispute ever comes to litigation, you would nearly always need to have proof of mailing a dispute and the date. I am surprised that the many consumer advocacy groups have not raised a stink—but maybe they are not aware of this yet.
Anyone have any information on this? Have you had mail to Experian returned undelivered? Submit a comment or send me an email (tom //at// mytruston .d.o.t. com).
Update: Mark did some checking and responded to me:
I followed up what you mentioned yesterday regarding Experian not receiving disputes letters. I thought that highly unlikely, but had to check it out on the rare chance it was true.
It is not true. It is true that Experian does not tell people how to do it on their website, and only shows consumers how to do it online. However, when you call Experian, and get into their phone cue, and start hearing their recordings, they give out specific mailing instructions as to how to
dispute items by mail, including their mailing address.
I do not believe they could do this legally (refuse dispute letters via mail), because everyone in the country does not have internet access.
Anyway, that is the final answer to that question: Experian does accept dispute letters via the mail.
I have to agree with Mark. However, it is possible that Experian or another consumer credit reporting company might put a lot of effort into having consumes dispute online. Why? Mark told me he heard that a bureau receives 10,000 disputes per day. I suppose if they make it easy to dispute the simpler types of report problems online (phone numbers, addresses), consumers might benefit.
Update:A commenter below reports that he went to Experian's offices and someone there told him to use po box 9532. I've also commented below with my understanding that the PO Box to use is 2002 or the one on your credit report. So no guarantees here, just be aware you may have mailing problems and we suggest you use certified mail, return receipt despite the cost. And read the comments here, there are quite a few helpful ones.
Tags: credit+report
Comments
Dave on Jun 10, 2007
This is still a problem. Credit investigation issues most often require the mailing of documents. The CRA's do not encourage email attachments and a PO box cannot be used by courier services (USPS, FedEx, etc.)nor can a certified letter be signed if it is sent to a PO box. This means a consumer has no way of documenting these type of communications with the CRA's. This works to the advantage of the CRA's and to the consumers detriment.
Tina on Oct 4, 2007
All I know is I spent forever on their website trying to find an address. I was refused credit at my bank, but they did not give me a copy of my credit report. Therefore I have no file No. to dispute online so I have to mail. I hate these credit bureau's! When is the SEC/or someone going to investigate these people. They are indiscriminate and destructive to consumers.
==================================
Tina,
Here is an Experian dispute address:
Experian
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
Please be sure to send any dispute letter or package by CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT requested. Also, include the first page of your credit report, and any pages with disputed items on them, circled clearly. You also need proof of identity and potentially evidence to back up your claims.
--Tom, Truston
Jean Maccinile on Nov 21, 2007
I was told by credit alert to contact you regarding an error on my monthly review. I have a CITI Bank notation of an account 9-1-07 that I did not open. Please tell me how to advise you of this error.
==================================
Jean,
I'm not sure what a monthly review is. I checked and your email address is not even listed as being a mytruston.com member. I am guessing you received a credit monitoring alert from somewhere. I recommend you call Citi Bank abotu the fraudulent account and then contact the credit bureaus and report a fraudulent account.
You can also get help for this from our website. Go to www.mytruston.com and select "victim".
--Tom
CEO
Truston
Jose latimer on Jan 28, 2008
I am very upset by this! It seems they just want you to buy their report so that they can make money. If you recieved 10,000 disputes a day or week multiply times the cost of a report. That is some major bucks!
Elias on Mar 23, 2008
It is obvious that Experian is part of the problem they elect to place bogus claims and information from creditors for a fee at the top of your credit history section so that potential creditors will note that the bogus information is not consistent with the infromation you may have given to other potential creditors. Both Experian and Crooked Creditors work together using trickery and deceptive placement of bogus and false claims to make your credit history appear derogatory and weak and lackin creditworthyness.
Placing such bogus information is done intentionally and placed out of chronilogical order so that pontential creditors will determine that the order of events appear as derogatory and untruthful.
Thus not matching current adress, employment, and other information provided to the potential creditor by the consumer. (You and Me)
Perhaps the perpetrators (Experian and many Crooked Creditors)have a misconception of our dynamic perception of such simple phyco-graphical manipulation techniques to persaude potential creditors.
Experian is clearly aware of this practice and may have knowledge that such practices is illegaly and violates consumers rights by working in cahoots with creditors who knowing participates in unfair credit and leanding practices. Thus for the right (price), fee charged by Experian bogus claims be placed on consumers credit bureau and can go un-noticed for years. In many cases bogus and derogatory information is intentionally placed and retained on the credit report if the consumer is not willing to pay a(extorttion), fee payable to Experian.
Do not pay to have a clean credit report. Consumers should take a close look at you credit report and evaluate the report pattern, cross-reference and keep track of creditors you have applied to.
and make note of the spelling of your name and other duplicated information the exceeds the number of creditors you have applied. Make it a point to file a complaint on line to the Federal Trade Commission and visit nagc.gov you may also express your concerns to the following e-mail: alphahell.llc@sbcglobal.net
Best regards, Elias
Theresa Johnson on Apr 28, 2008
I have tried to work with Experian regarding errors in my credit report, and a year later those errors are still there along with additional mistakes. Thanks for the information about filing a complaint with the federal trade commission. But what can I do after that? Experian was supposed to be REQUIRED to remove those items from my report and did not. Is there any legal action I can take?
Nonaii on Jun 7, 2008
Thank you for this information. I don't know what Experian gets out of it, except that if they have a mailing address to send disputes to they should include that along with their online dispute button. The other two credit reporting agencies do.
What happens when you dispute online with Experian is that you're never allowed to dispute again if you use the online button. The next time I hear someone has successfully disputed something with Experian using that button will be the first time, for me; and THAT'S what's frightening for me personally.
I have read too many accounts online of people who have proof that accounts are not their, and Experian will not accept that proof by letter because the information was already 'verified' online. I have read too many accounts online of people who demanded by certified mail that Experian tell them exactly how such accounts were verified, and Experian ignored them. For myself, if I had known that using the Experian online dispute button -- the only option Experian gives online when receiving your free credit report online -- would be the equivalent of saying 'keep this item on my credit report forever even if it is false' I would have never done it.
This is why people put freezes on Experian. The only way to make Experian stop these practices is to band together and make it unprofitable for Experian to do this.
Robert on Jun 25, 2008
Can experian legally refuse to investigate an account I have previously investigated and was not removed? How can I make them re-investigate it?
Tom F on Jun 25, 2008
@Robert,
Experian can refuse if, according to the FCRA law, the dispute is considered "frivolous." If you provide documentation of an error or other issue, then you may have a case the dispute is NOT frivolous.
You may have a case to sue for statutory and punitive damages, but you would probably need to show damage in some way. Whatever you do, make sure you dispute in writing, sent USPS certified mail. Otherwise you'll never get a lawyer to help. And if you contact an attorney, make sure they specialize in FCRA and consumer credit laws. I recommend Bob Brennan if you are in SoCal, www.brennanlaw.com is the URL I think.
Autumn Johnson on Jul 22, 2008
Thank you for the address which was very hard to come by. I had a similar problem with Experian claiming that an account was "verified" as legitimate although, I know that it is not mine and has been duplicated. In one case I paid an old phone bill and Experian had this account listed twice. I tried to tell them if I had one outstanding phone bill why would they give me another phone at the same address... Anyway this was resolved...How you ask? by me paying this account twice. There is a racket going on with these credit bureaus!!!
Nissim Sasson on Aug 30, 2008
what can i do if i received a letter from experian indicating that the negative item "remains" ?
Karen McCarthy on Sep 22, 2008
On Privacy Matters123, which will alert you to any change in your credit reports, Experian, unlike the other two companies reporting, does NOT give anythng but an online address. They are trying to make it hard for you to defend yourself. Surely this is against the law and should be investigated. I tried to go through their online dispute and GUESS WHAT?? After filling out all the forms, they tell you YOU MUST HAVE ONE OF THEIR CREDIT REPORTS TO CONTINUE! How many bucks do they make off that little ploy do you think?
Davis on Oct 4, 2008
The credit bureaus get over 8,000 letters of dispute a day. If you are not sending certified mail and are sending letters threatening Experian with lawsuits or so, they will surely dismiss your dispute anyway they can. I have been doing credit repair for over 7 years and in the last 4 years Experian is the only credit bureau that will accept verbal confirmation from a creditor rather than physical evidence and proof from a consumer. Experian is starting to smell like a dinosaur. www.allhoustonsolutions.com
solis on Oct 13, 2008
I have an issue with experian not wanting to change my address... they listed my X's address where I have never lived... their response was that it comes from a "source doucment" or public records. They list my new address but the X's is current on the credit report! I am trying to send them a letter to see what happens. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Stacey Hayward on Oct 14, 2008
I want to sue Experian due them failing to properly investigate information on my credit report. I have proof and damages. I am in Texas. Can you reccommend any lawyers that specialize in this?
Tom F on Oct 14, 2008
If you think you have a valid legal case with a credit bureau like Experian, then you should always and only work with attorneys who specialize in this. You should look for one that is a member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA). Go here to find a local laywer: http://members.naca.net/findanattorney.php
Before you contact them, be aware you will need to have done any disputes in writing with proof of mailing receipt (USPS return receipt), otherwise you won't have a leg to stand on. Also, you'll have to prove they violated the law specifically and that you suffered some damages (although you can sue just for statutory damages).
Nelson Nigel on Nov 13, 2008
I recently sent Experian a letter certified and it was to the PO Box 9595 and it came back returned. I guess we need a new address. I will try the above address at PO Box 2002, let's find out if it will work.
Christy on Dec 8, 2008
The address I show for experian is:
Experian
P.O. Box 9556
Allen, Texas 75013
Tom on Jan 1, 2009
What is the correct address? I am trying to send it to Experian, P.O. Box 2104, Allen, TX 75013. Can this Experian practice be reported to any Federal agencies?
Bernard on Jan 8, 2009
Experian seems to be changing their PO Box pretty regularly to throw people off. I just got a report yesterday and as of Jan 8th the address is PO Box 9556 Allen TX 75013. Another thing they and all bureaus dont tell people is that by LAW you are entitled to 1 FREE report every year from each of the 3 major companies. Go to annualcreditreport.com. Just got all three of mine for Free.
Andriea McGee on Jan 27, 2009
I have two letter that returned today to Experian fromt the post office with no fowaring address. I have disputed the incorrect information on line they want take it off just says information verfied correct.
I have proof information is not correct but the mail has returnedto me, got any suggestions.
Dee on Jan 27, 2009
Experian under reported my good credit status. They over reported two accounts that were deliquent; the first one was for $75.00 to Visa an incorrect charge that was eventually zeroed out including the finance charges and the other $40.00 to Sams Club membership fee from 2001 that was charged off since I relocated from one state another. These two items were interpreted to American Express as gross deliquent in payments of high balances. As a result American Express cancelled my card immediately even my payment history with them was excellent. The AmEx balance: a paltry $600.00. I can get no where with this outrageous decision. Experian is unreachable and AmEx customer service says they only push the buttons based on Experian's findings. Having a good credit history does not help in this case. Not even if that history is with the very same organization that is axing you. Experian is a money making entity sucking the blood of the vendor and the customer. They sell their reports to both ends regardless of whose credit they kill.
Cat on Feb 4, 2009
I've been researching Experian address for disputes for the last hour and have came up with the following:
475 Anton Bl Costa Mesa Ca 92626
PO Box 9701 Allen Tx 75013
PO Box 2002 Allen Tx 75013
PO Box 2104 Allen Tx 75013
PO Box 9554 Allen Tx 75013
PO Box 9595 (returned mail)
PO Box 9556 Allen Tx 75013
Can some one give me a freakin break and tell me which one is the correct one. I also called 888/397-3742 went thru the messages and no dispute address. They make it confusing for a reason. I also called 714/830-7000 which is the North America headquarters and if you don't have an extension, no luck. Should just mail the dispute to all addresses? This is absolutely ridiculous!!!
Surf on Mar 1, 2009
Please don't be upset, but with such inconsistent public address management, I will have no choice but to mail it to every p.o. box I view here. I'll notify you that I have done so on the "sent to" lines.
Consumers: Why get upset, let them hassle with it. Just mail it to every address! What else can you do. If they want to be buried in paperwork, because of overwhelming bureaucracy, that they supported, so be it.
Tom F on Mar 1, 2009
Surf,
The reason mailing to every address is not a great solution is that one should ALWAYS sent correspondence to Experian (and other credit bureaus) using certified mail return receipt. This costs several dollars, so some people may balk at spending so much.
--Tom
Truston
Tom F on Mar 1, 2009
All,
It's likely that there is not just ONE mailing address for disputes to Experian. If you have a copy of your real Experian credit report (from them directly, not someone else), then you can use the address for disputes that should be on it.
Otherwise, I have no reason to believe at this time that the following address won't work:
Experian
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
Ralph E. on Apr 4, 2009
Hello guys, I sent out a dispute by mail on the 24th of March and I just received it today back RETURNED MAIL. It seems that the address provided by my credit report was not updated as it had PO Box 9595. I got my credit report from Equifax 3in1 Solution.
I guess I will try the address mentioned above. Thanks everyone
Rick M on Apr 12, 2009
I received a copy of my Experian credit report online yesterday. The address they have for "Contacting Us" is P.O. Box 9556, Allen, Texas 75013. I am not sure if this is going to be the correct address but it is the only one I have to try.
Elisabeth on Apr 20, 2009
I am fed up with these credit reporting agency's...Forget wasting your valuable time with Experian...They have been doing double entry, there are companies on my report that I have never even heard of and it has taken me two years of paperwork and then nothing gets changed...
Here is where we need to make our complaints known:
The Federal Trade Commission
The Attorney Generals office in every state where these agency's are located...and The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and then we need to contact the General Assembly and start working on getting new laws passed concerning these agency's... And this should happen in every state...This is what I am going to do...I have had enough of these agency's...
Mike on Apr 27, 2009
I also received returned mail from the 9595 PO box. One of the corporate offices is located 10 minutes from my house so I drove over there with the returned mail and the very nice and helpful girl at the front desk gave me the correct po box address (9532). I was talking with her about the fact that the address is not listed on the website and she was as frustrated about this as everyone on this post. Call the corporate numbers listed on the contact us page on their website and they will give you the correct address. Experian have some pair of cahunas to try this shady act. Anyway, after wasting 5 dollars so far in certified mail fees I am now going to mail to the correct po box.
Sonya on May 15, 2009
Consumers have all the power.
Jeannette on May 21, 2009
I found the physical location of Experian:
475 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Going to send my dispute there and see how it goes.
Good luck all.
sherrie on May 25, 2009
The address that I have used for disputing information successfully with Experian is:
Experian
P.O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75013
Please use this address and make sure to send everything to them Certified Mail.
Patrick on Aug 29, 2009
I recently had my identity stolen and accounts opened unlawfully in my name in another state. The subsequent investigation was confirmed fraudulent and removed from the original company as well as Transunion and Equifax and Experian. I subsequently tried to obtain a credit freeze to help protect myself from this happening again. No problem with Transunion and Equifax. Not so with Experian. It takes an act of Congress to actually talk to a live person who doesn't direct you to the website. The website directs you to pay a $10.00 fee which is waved per VA law due to ID Theft. To add to the aggrevation, upon actually speaking with a rep. I was told I would be unable to freeze anything because the information I originally sent didn't meet the FACTA standards. He went on to say the police report was considered "fake". Sounds to me someone doesn't want to do their job. How about calling the Police Department to verify that information before coming to that conclusion. And why was the fraud corrected in the first place. Couldn't get an answer. On top of that, I was told I'd have to send all the information again because it would take several months before they could find the original copy of the documents, from records, that I had sent two weeks prior. I feel I'm being held hostage by an entity I never hired or decided to do any business with. I never had a choice and yet I'm forced to jump through the hoops I'm told to. I don't like for government to control free business but this is getting out of hand. We need some laws to protect peoples rights. Who can I trust?
Oliver on Sep 22, 2009
Thanks guys I have worked with all 3 credit reports and experian is the worst on removing any false information. My credit score on experian in 100 points lower. I don't know what to do I was told you can dispute items every 30 days but once experian so calls confirms they will not re-investigate. Please Help
Janet on Oct 17, 2009
It would have been nice if Mark could have provided the address here rather than have us all call Experian to listen to the various voice mail instructions.
Thanks.
shari on Nov 9, 2009
i have a ? i am in pa experian has been putting another persons credit info on my credit history for a period of years can i sue for negligence and ruining my reputation if so any lawyer referrals pls help me
Efrain on Nov 25, 2009
I called the number 1-888-397-3742 and pressed option 6 to be given instructions given on how to speak to an agent, but in order to continue I had to have the Experian report number or otherwise order a copy first. Then I called again and pressed option 3 to obtain an address where I could write to file a fraud security alert and was given the P.O.Box 9554 Allen, TX 75013, but If a paid person is doing it for someone else, then the address is 9532, Allen, TX 75013. But there was no option given for disputes.
JENNIFER WILSON on Jan 7, 2010
I'VE TRIED DISPUTING A CREDITCARD STATMENT WITH EXPERIAN AND IT HAS PROVEN TO BE MOST DIFFICULT. THESE CREDITCARD COMPANIES ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE AND EXPERIAN IS DOING NOTHING TO HELP US OUT.I SAY IF THEY'RE SO SWAMPED."WHY DON'T THEY HIRE SOME OF THE MILLION UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE OUT THERE TO DO THE JOBS THEY CAN HANDLE DOING"
=============================
Not surprised Jennifer. Disputing a credit card statement with Experian? Almost certainly a waste of time--Experian has really nothing to do with your credit card statement. I assume you disputed it because of fraudulent or unapproved transaction on your statement. Again, that's something between you and your credit card company and governed by the Fair Credit Billing Act. You have rights under this federal law and you may have additional rights depending on the state you live in. Visit FTC.gov for details on FCBA or see elsewhere in the truston blog.
--Tom, Truston
Abdalla,Nasreldin on Feb 25, 2010
I am deployed the only way for me to dispute the the negative items on my credit report is through regular mail.I am very confuse about the whole thing.Who do we turn to if an agency such as Experian do what they wanna do?
Abdalla,Nasreldin on Feb 25, 2010
I am deployed the only way for me to dispute the the negative items on my credit report is through regular mail.I am very confuse about the whole thing.Who do we turn to if an agency such as Experian do what they wanna do?
Abdalla,Nasreldin on Feb 25, 2010
I am deployed the only way for me to dispute the the negative items on my credit report is through regular mail.I am very confuse about the whole thing.Who do we turn to if an agency such as Experian do what they wanna do?
germaine walker on Mar 9, 2010
I just experience that with experian. I mailed a dispute letter to them P.O. Box 2106
Allen, Tx. 75013-2106.
My letter was returned "Return to sender" attempted not known, unable to forward.
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