Why Unverified Information Must Be Removed — and How Consumers Force That Under §611

When you dispute an error on your credit report, the credit bureau almost always responds with one word: “Verified.” To the average person, that sounds final — like the debt has been proven real, carved in stone. But here’s the truth: “verified” doesn’t mean they actually confirmed it with proof. In many cases, the bureau didn’t even look at a single piece of documentation. They just pinged the furnisher electronically, got a quick yes or no, and sent you back the dreaded V-word.

Under the law, that’s not good enough. And this is where the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), specifically Section 611, steps in to protect you.

The Law in Plain English

The FCRA says very clearly: if an account or item on your report cannot be verified, it must be deleted. No gray area. No excuses. Unverified information doesn’t get to live on your credit report.

Section 611(a)(5) spells this out. It requires credit bureaus to either:

1. Correct inaccurate or incomplete information, or

2. Delete it altogether, if it can’t be verified.

That’s huge. It means the burden is not on you to prove the debt is false — it’s on them to prove the debt is true. If they can’t, the law says it goes.

The Problem Consumers Face

Here’s the catch: credit bureaus often treat disputes like a checkbox. They use automated systems, rely on quick data matches, and skip the deeper dive. The result? A lot of “verified” results that are actually unverified in any meaningful way.

That’s why so many people feel stuck. They dispute, they get “verified,” and they think the fight is over. But in reality, the bureau may not have followed the law’s requirement to conduct a reasonable investigation or to delete unverifiable data.

Enter the Method of Verification (MOV)

This is where the Method of Verification letter comes in. It’s not just another dispute. It’s a legal demand under FCRA §611(a)(7). It requires the bureau to describe the procedure they used to verify the account and identify who they contacted.

In plain English, you’re asking:

• Who did you ask?

• What records did they provide?

• What documents prove this debt is mine?

And if they can’t answer — or their answer is vague — that opens the door to push for deletion.

A Realistic Example

Take Tom, for example. He disputed a credit card debt from years ago. The bureau said it was “verified.” But Tom knew it wasn’t his account. So he sent a Method of Verification letter. The bureau responded with a generic line: “We verified this account with the furnisher.”

That wasn’t good enough. Under §611, they are required to give him more detail. Because they couldn’t, the account was ultimately removed. Tom’s credit score jumped, and he was finally able to get the car loan he’d been denied before.

Why This Matters to You

Unverified information on your credit report is like a stain that shouldn’t be there. It can cost you loans, housing, even job opportunities. The law gives you the right to demand removal — but you have to know how to ask, and when to push back.

The Next Step

This is exactly why I created the Method of Verification Masterclass & Letters Pack. Inside, you’ll find:

• A clear breakdown of how MOV works under the law.

• The exact sequence of steps to follow after a “verified” response.

• Professionally drafted letters you can use to demand compliance.

If you’ve ever been frustrated by a “verified” result, you don’t have to stop there. The law is on your side — and this system gives you the tools to use it.

👉 Get the Method of Verification Masterclass & Letters Pack today and start taking control of your credit report.