SmartDispute.ai disputes go by mail. Once you create your letters, you can print and mail them yourself, or email [email protected] and our team will mail them for you for free. Disputes aren’t filed online or by email: the bureaus’ online systems limit what you can say, and none of the three bureaus accepts disputes by email.
This guide covers both ways to mail, what goes in each envelope, and what to do after your letters are in the mail.
Key Takeaways
- Mail the letters yourself, or request free mailing by emailing [email protected].
- Letters to the credit bureaus need a copy of your ID and a copy of a document showing your current address. Letters to the company that reported an item don’t.
- Certified mail is optional.
- After you mail, mark your letters as sent in Smart Track. Your next round is due 35 days after the mailing date.
Two Ways to Mail Your Letters
| Mail them yourself | Free mailing from our team | |
|---|---|---|
| How | Download, print, and mail each letter | Email [email protected] after you create your letters |
| What you provide | Copies of your ID and proof of address in each bureau envelope | Two forms of ID: a photo ID and a document showing your current address |
| Cost | Postage | Free |
| Marking as sent | You mark the letters as sent in Smart Track | Our team confirms when your letters are mailed |
How Do I Request Free Mailing?
- Create your dispute letters in SmartDispute.ai.
- Email [email protected] and say you’d like your letters mailed.
- Send two forms of ID if we don’t already have them: a photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, and a document showing your current address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
- We’ll confirm when your letters are in the mail.
The bureaus require ID with every dispute, which is why we need yours before we can mail on your behalf.
How Do I Mail the Letters Myself?
- In SmartDispute.ai, go to Smart Track and download each letter from the New tab.
- Print each letter and check that your name and address are correct. If they aren’t, here’s how to fix your information and recreate the letters.
- Put each letter in its own envelope with the documents listed below.
- Mail it to the address on the letter, and keep a copy of everything you send.
What Goes in Each Envelope?
| Letter to | Include |
|---|---|
| A credit bureau | The letter, a copy of a government-issued ID, a copy of a document showing your current address, and any supporting documents |
| The company that reported the item (for inquiries, the company that requested your report) | The letter and any supporting documents. No ID. |
If you’re mailing to a bureau yourself, these are the dispute addresses:
- Equifax Information Services LLC, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
- Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
- TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000
Here are all the bureau dispute addresses and phone numbers.
Do I Need Certified Mail?
No. Certified mail isn’t required, but it’s optional if you want proof of delivery. Here’s when certified mail is worth it.
Why Mail Instead of Disputing Online?
Mail lets you explain each error in your own words and keep a record of exactly what you sent. Online dispute forms ask you to choose from preset reasons, and each bureau’s site comes with its own account and terms of use. A mailed letter, with your documents attached, builds a clear paper trail across rounds. Here’s more on disputing online versus by mail.
Can I Dispute by Email?
No. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion accept disputes online, by phone, or by mail, and none of them lists email as an option (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). SmartDispute.ai doesn’t send disputes by email.
What Do I Do After I Mail My Letters?
- In Smart Track, click Mark as Sent and enter the date and how you mailed them. If you don’t, the letters move to Active automatically three days after you created them. If that happens and you’d like the actual mailing date recorded, tell us and we’ll update it.
- Watch your mail for the bureaus’ results. Bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate, or up to 45 if you send more information. Here’s how credit bureaus investigate disputes.
- Your next round is due 35 days after the mailing date. SmartDispute.ai won’t let you dispute the same account again before then, which is what “disputed X days ago” means.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the mailing service really free?
Yes. Email [email protected] after you create your letters, and we’ll mail them at no charge.
Can I send black-and-white copies of my ID?
Yes, as long as your name, address, and photo are clear and readable.
Can I use a photo of my ID from my phone?
Yes, if you print it clearly. Make sure every detail is readable.
Do letters to the company that reported an item need ID?
No. ID goes only with letters to the credit bureaus.
Why do I have to mail the letters at all?
Mail lets you explain each error in your own words and keep a paper trail, and the bureaus don’t accept disputes by email.
Need Help?
Contact us by chat, by email at [email protected], by phone at (910) 597-2636 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time, or on Facebook Messenger.
