Correcting a Delinquent Credit Card

Correcting a delinquent credit card likely means you're trying to change information on your credit report about the account. The credit card delinquency could be hurting your credit score or even keeping you from being approved for a mortgage. Fortunately, you can easily have the information changed on your credit report--if it is inaccurate. Otherwise, you'll have to live with it. Negative information that is true can remain on your credit report for at least seven years, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Instructions

1

Get a copy of your credit report for free from the website Annual Credit Report (see Resources). The three nationwide credit bureaus created the site to offer free reports as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can view and print your report immediately online or follow instructions on the homepage to order by telephone or mail.

2

Find the delinquent credit card account on your credit report. Determine why the information is incorrect. Perhaps you paid the bill on time or never paid it late.

3

Write a letter to the credit bureau insisting that the incorrect information be removed from your credit report, and state the reason why it is wrong. By law the credit bureau must fix the erroneous information within about 30 days after being notified by you. Mail the letter to the credit bureau at its address on the credit report and wait for a response.

4

Contact the credit bureau again if you have not received a response within 45 days. Send your original letter, attached to a new letter stating that you are still waiting for a response to your original inquiry. Also point out that the Fair Credit Reporting Act obligates the credit bureau to respond to your request in a timely way.

5

Check your credit report again after hearing from the credit bureau to confirm that the information has been removed or corrected. If the situation was not corrected to your satisfaction write the credit bureau again to complain. Consult an attorney if you cannot resolve the situation.