How to Write a Letter to Remove Items From a Credit Report

You may request that items be removed from your credit report if they were reported in error. You also may be able to have information removed if the reporting creditor or collection agency cannot prove that the information is factual and belongs to you. Negative information on your credit reports decrease your credit score, which can have a negative impact on your ability to get a credit card, home financing or even a job.

Instructions

1

Request copies of your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You may request one copy of each report once per year free of charge through the Annual Credit Report website.

2

Locate any information that is incorrect on each credit report. You may even find accounts that do not belong to you. Circle each account that is incorrect.

3

Check your credit reports for negative information. This may include late payments, accounts that have been charged off and collection accounts. Although the information may be correct in parts, there are often smaller bits of information within the listing with inaccurate information. For example, your date of last payment, type of account, account balance and every other bit of information within the listing must be correct. If the information is not accurate, it must be corrected or the listing has to be removed entirely under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

4

Begin a letter to each credit bureau regarding the inaccurate information. In your letter, inform the credit bureau that you are disputing the information and inform them why the information is incorrect.

5

Highlight the entry on a copy of your credit report and include it along with account statements, letters or other documentation proving that the information is incorrect.

6

Ask the credit bureau to provide proof that the information is correct, or request that the information be deleted in its entirety as allowed under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

7

Mail the letters to each credit bureau. Wait 30 days for a response. You will receive notification in writing of the results of their investigation and a new copy of your credit report if changes are made.