The 609 Loophole: Myth Or Reality? (2024)

FAQs

The 609 Loophole: Myth Or Reality? ›

It is helpful to think of the 609 credit score loophole in a similar light, namely that it is an urban legend. There is such a thing as a 609 letter, but it does not magically raise your credit score.

In general, a 609 letter is not a legal loophole that consumers can use to remove accurate information from their credit reports. This means they can't relieve you of any verifiable debt.

The 609 dispute letter is often referred to as the “legal loophole”, or the “credit repair secret' and can be useful in different situations. Apart from correcting your credit report, the 609 letter could be what you need to respond to a debt collection lawsuit.

Fortunately, the Fair Credit Reporting Act protects consumers. Specifically, section 609 of the FCRA gives you the authority to request detailed information about items on your credit report. If the credit reporting agencies can't substantiate a claim on your credit report, they must remove it or correct it.

What is the 609 loophole? A 609 dispute letter is a written request to credit bureaus to remove inaccurate items from your credit report under section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Are debt collectors persistently trying to get you to pay what you owe them? Use this 11-word phrase to stop debt collectors: “Please cease and desist all calls and contact with me immediately.” You can use this phrase over the phone, in an email or letter, or both.

A business uses a 623 credit dispute letter when all other attempts to remove dispute information have failed.

You cannot remove collections from your credit report without paying if the information is accurate, but a collection account will fall off your credit report after 7 years whether you pay the balance or not.

Don't provide personal or sensitive financial information

Never give out or confirm personal or sensitive financial information – such as your bank account, credit card, or full Social Security number – unless you know the company or person you are talking with is a real debt collector.

Can I buy a house with a 609 credit score? ›

You'll typically need a credit score of 620 to finance a home purchase. However, some lenders may offer mortgage loans to borrowers with scores as low as 500. Whether you qualify for a specific loan type also depends on personal factors like your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), loan-to-value ratio (LTV) and income.

If you have a score of 660 or lower, you will likely need to look at bad-credit auto loans. While these loans can help you finance a car, note that you may get a higher interest rate.

Debt collectors lose the right in many states to sue consumers after three or more years. But there's a loophole: If the consumer makes a payment, even against his or her own will, that can be used to try to revive the life of the debt.

It is helpful to think of the 609 credit score loophole in a similar light, namely that it is an urban legend. There is such a thing as a 609 letter, but it does not magically raise your credit score.

CFPB Bans Excessive Credit Card Late Fees, Lowers Typical Fee from $32 to $8. WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized a rule today to cut excessive credit card late fees by closing a loophole exploited by large card issuers.

Fair Credit Reporting Act File Disclosure: The maximum charge to a consumer under the FCRA for file disclosure increases effective January 1, 2024, to $15.50 from $14.50. See 88 Fed.

For a conventional loan, often backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a minimum score of 620 is typically required. It's important to remember that while lenders have minimum credit score requirements, having a higher score can improve your chances of getting a better mortgage deal.

A 609 Dispute Letter is often billed as a credit repair secret or legal loophole that forces the credit reporting agencies to remove certain negative information from your credit reports. And if you're willing, you can spend big bucks on templates for these magical dispute letters.