By
eHow Personal Finance Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Request a copy of your credit report from one of the major credit bureau companies or another provider. These are all typically accessible through the Internet.
Step2
Read the report carefully. Highlight any items you don't recognize or that appear to be incorrect.
Step3
Call the credit bureau company reporting the information in question. It will provide you with the appropriate credit card company phone numbers.
Step4
Call the credit card companies and ask them to research the situation. If they made an error, request that they send a written correction to the major credit bureau companies and a copy to you as well.
Step5
You can write your side of the story and ask that it be posted on your credit report, if the credit card company is unwilling to correct the reporting on your credit bureau.
Step6
Request a copy of your credit report annually to keep on top of the situation.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you can not get an old debt removed from your credit report, you can negotiate to pay a smaller percent of the debt in full. If it is written off they will work with you to get that off your report. The company had already file your debt as a business loss. They may work to get a pay off, it doesn't hurt to ask. Tip: Do not let them know you are trying to get other credit (house, car etc.). they won't work with you as well.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Dispute any credit info, no matter how small, with the creditor or collection agency. Most of the time, they don't want to be bothered with the time it takes to do this and will have to remove the negative info after 30 days (if it isn't validated by the original creditor to whom the debt is owed). There are many websites that have sample letters that you can send to the creditor asking for validation of the debt. It will bring your credit score up tremendously if they have to remove it from your report.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Beware of credit counselor services. Although they may help you with your payments, they don't help repair your credit-worthiness. Never go on a 5-year program that is preset. Structure your own program to pay off your debts one by one, not as a whole.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When trying to get financing at various times, several people told me they would correct mistakes on my behalf. They never did. Always do it yourself.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Get your report from the credit bureaus themselves. Contact them to investigate the disputed item(s) - They MUST investigate. It is very inexpensive and worth the time and effort if you stay on top of it and follow through! You can clean up your credit!