Separate the report from your working notes
Save the complete report with its bureau and report date. Do not edit or mark up the only copy. The CFPB says a dispute should identify what is wrong, explain why, and include supporting documents. A clean source copy lets you show exactly what appeared when you began.
The DueSmart FACT evidence log
FACT means Field, Assertion, Corroboration, Timeline. Create one row per possible error so a document supporting one issue is not accidentally used to imply a different claim.
| FACT field | What to record | Fictional example |
|---|---|---|
| Field | Bureau, report date, company, and exact reported field | Experian · Aug. 20 · ABC Card · May status |
| Assertion | The precise fact you believe is correct | May payment was received by the due date |
| Corroboration | Filename or record supporting that fact | May statement + dated payment confirmation |
| Timeline | Report saved, dispute sent, response due, and result dates | Report saved Aug. 22; not yet disputed |
Use a reference name, not a full account number. Redact unrelated sensitive information from copies when appropriate while preserving enough information to connect the record to the claim.
Run the four-question evidence check
- Is the field specific? Name the date, status, balance, ownership, limit, or other fact.
- Is the correction factual? State what should appear, not the outcome you want.
- Does the record support this exact correction? A receipt may support payment, but not necessarily account ownership or a different month.
- Is the dispute truthful? Never alter a record or claim identity theft that did not occur.
Use the official channels and keep the receipt trail
The CFPB explains that you may need to dispute with both the credit reporting company and the business that furnished the information. Use each organization’s current official instructions, save everything submitted, and record confirmation and receipt dates. The Fair Credit Reporting Act at 15 U.S.C. § 1681i sets federal reinvestigation duties, but the applicable timing and exceptions depend on the facts.
Use the separate credit-dispute timeline and deadline guide to plan follow-up without assuming every case has the same clock.
What DueSmart does—and does not do
DueSmart Credit Command Center is $29/month recurring educational software for creating an error record, saving non-sensitive evidence references, preparing a fact-specific draft, and tracking dates and responses. It does not store raw reports, submit disputes, contact furnishers, provide legal advice, or guarantee deletions, score changes, approvals, or other outcomes. Cancel future renewals through the billing portal.
Frequently asked questions
What should I document before disputing?
Record the bureau and report date, exact field as reported, fact you believe is correct, why it differs, and the specific supporting record.
Should I dispute accurate negative information?
No. A dispute is for information you genuinely believe is inaccurate or incomplete, not a method for removing accurate negative history merely because it is damaging.
Primary sources
DueSmart provides general consumer education and organization tools—not legal, tax, financial, credit-repair, real-estate, or investment advice. Laws, provider criteria, bureau data, and scoring models can change. Confirm current requirements with the relevant provider and qualified professionals.