Method of Verification (MOV)
A round-2 dispute letter under FCRA §611(a)(7) demanding the bureau disclose how they verified a previously-disputed item.
A Method of Verification (MOV) letter is a round-2 dispute escalation sent to a credit bureau under FCRA §611(a)(7). After a bureau verifies a previously-disputed item as accurate, the consumer can demand a description of the verification procedure used — including the furnisher's contact information and the documentation reviewed.
The bureau has 15 days to respond. If they cannot produce a real verification procedure (most "verifications" are automated e-OSCAR pings), the consumer has grounds to demand deletion under §611(a)(1)'s "reasonable reinvestigation" standard. Cushman v. Trans Union (3rd Cir. 1997) established that a bureau's obligation goes beyond merely confirming what the furnisher reports.
MOV letters are most effective when paired with a parallel direct §623(a)(8) furnisher dispute. The bureau-side MOV exposes weak verification procedures; the furnisher-side direct dispute forces the creditor to audit their own records.
Also called
Related terms
FCRA §611(a)(1) requires bureaus to investigate disputed items within 30 days. The bedrock dispute provision.
FCRA §611(a)(7) requires bureaus to disclose how they verified a disputed item within 15 days of consumer request.
A follow-up dispute filed after a round-1 dispute returns 'verified as accurate' — usually MOV + direct furnisher.
The automated system bureaus and furnishers use to exchange dispute information. Often the basis for weak 'verifications.'
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