Credit Repair Help: What You Need To Dispute A Negative Entry

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.

Review and print out a free copy of your credit reports from www.annualcreditreport.com. They’ll ask you about your prior addresses and items that may appear on your credit record to verify your identity. Also, you’ll be directed to each of the 3 reporting agencies independently from that site. Once you access your reports, you’ll have 30 days to log back in to see the same report. If you want a refreshed copy, you’ll need to pay for it.

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.

Next you’ll write a letter to each of the reporting agencies explaining why each negative item should be removed. If you have good credit that’s not been reported, you can mention that too as long as you have documentation to back it up. Otherwise, contact the appropriate creditors and ask them to report the accounts.

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.

Include your full name (incl. middle name and generation), current mailing address, date of birth, social security number, complete mailing addresses for the last two years.

You must also include a copy of a government issued ID AND a copy of a utility bill, insurance or bank statement. Verification that’s NOT valid: credit card statements, voided checks, lease agreements, magazine subscriptions, or post office forwarding orders. These documents only will work. Otherwise the agencies will send you a letter saying you didn’t include enough information to identify yourself.

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 all there is to it. Next, you can start building better credit.

Find out how to do your own credit history repair without an agency. Visit www.creditrepairsecrets.org for free credit repair secrets.