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.
Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and access your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies. They’ll want personal details like your date of birth, social security number and two years of prior addresses. You’ll be directed to each of the reporting agency’s websites individually. You’ll have 30 days to access your reports though what you see won’t be updated during that time. Print out copies for your records.
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.
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.
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. If you don’t include these items exactly, the reporting agencies will kick your letter back 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.
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 it. You can now take steps to start building better credit.
Find out how to do your own credit history repair without an agency. Visit www.creditrepairsecrets.org for free help.