How to Remove Credit History

Removing Credit Histories

Errors on credit histories happen. Equifax reports that it maintains the histories of over 200 million consumers with over two billion updates per month, with data being reported from over 15,000 sources such as lenders and credit card companies. Occasionally, consumers will find inaccurate data reported on their credit reports and often, history that should have been removed remains on the credit report after the allotted time period. Following the guideline below will enable the consumer to remove credit history from their credit report if the allotted time has passed.

Instructions

Steps to Remove Credit History

1. Contact the credit bureaus directly to request removal of inaccurate information. Send all copies supporting your dispute and ask for an investigation. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and verify it as inaccurate, which will remove the information, or accurate, which will keep the information on your credit report.

2. Write the information provider directly, asking them to verify the inaccuracy. After 30 days, send a demand letter, ordering them to remove the unverified information immediately. If the information provider cannot verify its accuracy, they are legally obliged to remove inaccurate data.

3. Write the credit bureaus directly when the reporting period for the history has passed. Many negative credit items do have a time period. Credit checks can be reported for two years, credit defaults can be reported for seven years, and bankruptcies can be reported for 10 years. However, for certain insurance plans, high-paying jobs background checks, or government positions, there is no time limit on how long data can be reported.

Tips & Warnings

• Make copies of all records when sending to the credit bureaus asking for deletion of credit history; never send originals. Check credit reports from all three reporting agencies (e.g., Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and write all three agencies separately when asking for removal.

• Ensure that all correspondence with bureaus are handled in writing. Avoid speaking directly with the agencies or information provider, but if you do, make sure they document everything discussed and/or promised immediately after the call in writing to you via mail.

• Generally, unverified information can be removed from your credit history; accurate information will remain on your credit history for the reporting time period and is virtually impossible to delete.

References

• Credit Report Information
• FTC: Facts for Consumers
• Experian: FAQs

Resources

• Equifax Dispute Process