Section 609 gives you the right to know every source of information in your credit file. If a bureau can't identify the source, the item cannot legally remain on your report.
15 U.S.C. Section 1681g — commonly called "Section 609" — is the part of the Fair Credit Reporting Act that gives every consumer the right to request disclosure of all information in their credit file, including the source of every item reported.
FCRA Section 609(a)(1): Every consumer reporting agency must, upon request, clearly and accurately disclose all information in the consumer's file at the time of the request — including the sources of that information.
When you invoke Section 609 in a dispute letter, you are demanding the bureau identify the exact furnisher that reported each negative item and provide all documentation used to verify it. This is especially powerful for:
Section 609 is most effective when combined with Section 611. Your dispute letter invokes Section 609 to demand source identification and verification documents, then cites Section 611 to require the bureau to investigate within 30 days and delete any item that cannot be verified with those documents.
FCRA Section 611(a)(7): If the bureau verifies a disputed item, you have the right to demand a complete description of the method used to verify it — including the name and contact information of any furnisher contacted. This is your Round 2 right.
ScrubMyReport automatically includes Section 609 source disclosure demands in every dispute letter — personalized to your specific accounts.
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