| Credit Repair Help: What You Need To Dispute A Negative Entry |
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| Written by Tiffani G Peterson |
| Wednesday, 11 November 2009 19:11 |
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Here are the steps you need to clean up your credit. Print out a copy of this to track your progress and keep a copy for your records.
Here are the steps you need to clean up your credit. Print out a copy of this to track your progress and keep a copy for your records. 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. Look through your reports to check for errors. Each report will probably have differences since not every creditor reports to every agency. If one agency removes something from your report, they are required to tell the other two to do the same. 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. When you list negative items, include all the names, addresses, account numbers, dates, amounts, etc so there's no question which items you're disputing. Have a good reason for disputing each item as well. Saying you never had that account works if it's true. Saying you don't want it on your report doesn't. If you're not sure, you can validly claim that you don't recall having that account. Don't dispute something and just hope it will fall off because most major creditors have a staff dedicated to verifying accounts. Your letter MUST include: your full name with middle name and generation (Jr, Sr, etc), your current mailing address, addresses from the last two years, date of birth and social security number. 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. You can track the certified letter delivery online. The agencies are required to investigate and verify each item within 30 days or delete it off your record. That's all there is to it. Next, you can start building better credit. DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice. Fix bad credit! Do your own credit repair without an agency. Visit www.creditrepairsecrets.org for free help. |