How to Get a Judgement Off Your Credit Report

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By tocuriousgeorge
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Debt Judgment

A debt judgment from a credit account can have a serious negative impact on your credit history and credit score. A credit account judgment can lower your FICO Score and stay on your credit report for up to seven years. There are several things that you can do to try and get the judgment removed from your credit report.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer
Internet Access
Credit Report
Judgment Documents

Step 1

Get Credit History

Credit Reports
Get a current copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request your free annual credit report from each credit bureau. Once you get your credit report, read over it very carefully to make sure that all of the information about the debt judgment is correct. That date of the judgment, the amount, the amount you have paid toward the debt prior the to judgment, and the credit account information are all things that you should pay particular attention to. You should also look for any typos on your credit report too. If it is not 100% correct, consumer debt laws make it questionable. You have the right to an accurate credit report history and you should make every effort to see that you have one.
Step 2

Debt Dispute

If any of the debt judgment information is inaccurate, you should file a credit dispute report. A dispute is very simple to file. You do not need to hire a special debt attorney or credit counselor to dispute credit inaccuracies that you find on your personal credit report. You simply fill out a debt dispute form with each of the credit bureaus that you find to have an inaccurate debt report. You can send a credit dispute letter to the credit bureau, call 1-877-322-8228 or you can even file a debt dispute online. If you need more information about how to file a dispute online, please use reference links in the resource box below.
Step 3

Negotiate a Settlement with Creditor

Another way you can get a debt judgment removed from your credit report is to contact the creditor and try to negotiate a settlement for the credit account involved in the judgment. You may be able to negotiate a settlement amount for a fraction of the total amount and even work out payment arrangements with the creditor. Make sure you get any and all arrangements made with the creditor in writing, so that you can provide the credit bureaus with a copy of the credit account settlement. Once you are able to do this, the credit bureaus will report the judgment as settled.