These are the steps to follow to clear negative entries off your credit report. Print out a copy and check off each item as you complete it.
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and access your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. They'll want personal details like your date of birth, social security number and two years of prior addresses. You'll be directed to each of the reporting agency's websites individually. You'll have 30 days to access your reports though what you see won't be updated during that time. Print out copies for your records.
Highlight any negative entries. Creditors don't always report everything to every agency so look for differences on each report. If they remove a negative item the are required to notify the other agencies so they can remove it as well if they have it recorded.
Write a letter explaining why each of those negative items should not be on your report. Additionally, if you have an account that's in good standing that's not listed, you can have them add that. You'll need verification and it might be easier to ask your creditor to report it directly.
In listing negative items to dispute, include account names, numbers, dates, etc. Write why you're disputing it as well. Valid reasons are that it's an account you never had, the dates or amounts are wrong, etc. If you don't have a better reason, you can always say you don't recall having that account. I'm not saying to dispute items you know are true because most creditors have staff dedicated to verifying accounts and that won't get it off just because you listed it. Plus, lying can get you in trouble.
The items you must include are your full name with middle name and suffix, current and past mailing addresses for the past two years, social security number, and date of birth.
You must include a copy of a government issued ID AND a copy of a utility bill, insurance or bank statement. NOT valid: credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions, or post office forwarding orders. You have to include these items exactly or the reporting agencies will reply they don't have enough information to identify you and tell you to do it again.
Send your letter USPS certified mail. You run the risk of them "losing" your letter if you don't. You having no way to verify you sent it without certifying it.
Check the tracking you got on the certified letter. They are required to investigate within 30 days. You should hear back from them shortly after that.
That's it. You can now take steps to start building better credit. - 31379
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and access your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. They'll want personal details like your date of birth, social security number and two years of prior addresses. You'll be directed to each of the reporting agency's websites individually. You'll have 30 days to access your reports though what you see won't be updated during that time. Print out copies for your records.
Highlight any negative entries. Creditors don't always report everything to every agency so look for differences on each report. If they remove a negative item the are required to notify the other agencies so they can remove it as well if they have it recorded.
Write a letter explaining why each of those negative items should not be on your report. Additionally, if you have an account that's in good standing that's not listed, you can have them add that. You'll need verification and it might be easier to ask your creditor to report it directly.
In listing negative items to dispute, include account names, numbers, dates, etc. Write why you're disputing it as well. Valid reasons are that it's an account you never had, the dates or amounts are wrong, etc. If you don't have a better reason, you can always say you don't recall having that account. I'm not saying to dispute items you know are true because most creditors have staff dedicated to verifying accounts and that won't get it off just because you listed it. Plus, lying can get you in trouble.
The items you must include are your full name with middle name and suffix, current and past mailing addresses for the past two years, social security number, and date of birth.
You must include a copy of a government issued ID AND a copy of a utility bill, insurance or bank statement. NOT valid: credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions, or post office forwarding orders. You have to include these items exactly or the reporting agencies will reply they don't have enough information to identify you and tell you to do it again.
Send your letter USPS certified mail. You run the risk of them "losing" your letter if you don't. You having no way to verify you sent it without certifying it.
Check the tracking you got on the certified letter. They are required to investigate within 30 days. You should hear back from them shortly after that.
That's it. You can now take steps to start building better credit. - 31379
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