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.
Access a free copy of your credit report from each of the three reporting agencies at www.annualcreditreport.com. You’ll need to supply 2 years of pr
On your copy, mark any negative entries that should be removed. Every creditor is different and may not report to all three agencies. Look at each report for differences. If you do have items removed, the agency is required to notify the others so they can remove it too.
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. If you don’t, you run the risk of them “losing” your letter and you having no way to verify you sent it.
You can track the letter on the USPS website to find out when it was delivered. They are required to investigate and verify within 30 days or they have to take the items off your report and let you know.
That’s all there is to it. Next, you can start building better credit.
Find out how to do your own credit repair without an agency. Visit www.creditrepairsecrets.org for free credit help.
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