How to Erase a Judgment

Credit judgments are "public records" of defaulted accounts and can be a hard blow on your credit report. Having a judgment on your credit file can prevent you from buying a house or car and even getting employment. They remain on your credit report for seven years and can lower your credit score by up to 250 points. Fortunately, if you have a judgment on your credit report, there is a way to erase it and improve your credit score.

Instructions

1

Order a free copy of your credit report online (see Resources) or by calling 877-322-8228. All credit bureaus are required to provide consumers with one free report each year. Be prepared to give your name, Social Security number, date of birth, address and other information, such as a former employer, to verify your identity.

2

Analyze and review your credit reports and check that the judgment is being reported accurately. Verify that the credit entry statute of limitations hasn't expired. If there are any errors, such as amount owed, default date or it's simply the wrong account, you may dispute it with the credit bureaus.

3

Dispute the judgment on your credit reports by sending certified letters to each of the credit bureaus. Include the reason why you are disputing the entry. The credit bureaus have 30 days to resolve disputes. You will receive written notice of the investigation results within five days of completion, including an updated credit report, when the judgment has been removed.