How to handle: a debt i already paid still shows as owed / unpaid
Dispute the status as inaccurate and demand it be updated to paid / settled / zero balance, or deleted if unverifiable. File with both the bureau (§611) and the furnisher (§623(b)); attach the proof of payment so neither can 'verify' the stale status.
Deadline: 30-day bureau reinvestigation clock (45 days if you add documents mid-investigation) — 30 days. The bureau's clock starts when it RECEIVES your dispute (send certified mail and keep the receipt to prove the start date). It is 30 days, extended to 45 if you submit additional information during the first 30 (15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(1)).
The correct letter
FCRA Credit-Report Dispute to the Bureau (§611) — Sent to a credit reporting agency (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Disputes an inaccurate item. The bureau must conduct a reasonable reinvestigation and delete or correct unverifiable information, generally within 30 days (15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)).
FCRA Furnisher Direct Dispute (§623(b)) — Sent to the company that REPORTED the item (the original creditor, lender, or collector that furnishes data to the bureaus). Under 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(b) and 12 C.F.R. 1022.43 the furnisher must investigate, and report back to the bureaus, generally within 30 days. Pairing a §623 furnisher dispute with a §611 bureau dispute closes the loop the bureau alone often misses.
The statutes it stands on
15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(1) — On a consumer dispute, a credit reporting agency must conduct a free reasonable reinvestigation within 30 days (45 if the consumer adds relevant information during the period). [read]
15 U.S.C. 1681i(a)(5) — Information found inaccurate, incomplete, or that cannot be verified must be promptly deleted or modified, and may not be reinserted without certified confirmation. [read]
15 U.S.C. 1681s-2(b) — After being notified of a dispute by a bureau, the furnisher must investigate, review the information provided, and correct/delete inaccurate or unverifiable data with all bureaus. [read]
12 C.F.R. 1022.43 (Reg V) — A consumer may submit a DIRECT dispute to a furnisher; the furnisher must conduct a reasonable investigation and report results, generally within 30 days. [read]
Evidence to enclose
Proof of payment / payoff letter / settlement agreement / cancelled check
Credit report showing the stale balance
Certified-mail receipt(s)
Draft this exact letter from your own facts — cited to the law, with your deadline computed — for one flat fee of $29.00.
This is a clerical document-DRAFTING tool, not legal advice and not a credit-repair service. DisputeForge is not a law firm and does not represent you or guarantee any outcome (no deletion, no score change). You review, sign, and mail the letter yourself. Verify every date against your own dated notice before sending. We charge one flat fee for the drafted document — we never charge a recurring fee for a promise to improve your credit.