How to Erase a Credit Score

Managing your credit and improving your credit scores can seem like a daunting task. While you cannot erase bad credit scores overnight, you can take immediate steps to improve your credit scores over the long term and eliminate negative marks that hurt your chances to get approved for additional credit.

Instructions

Check Your Credit for Inaccuracies

1

Obtain a copy of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus--Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can do this once a year, for free, by mailing a request to each agency.

2

Check each report for inaccurate accounts, including payments incorrectly reported as late. Compare each report because the credit bureaus may have varying statuses for your accounts.

3

If you discover any errors, document them and file a dispute. Include proof such as copies of canceled checks or payment receipts with your dispute. By law, the credit bureaus must remove any incorrect information from your credit report.

Negotiate with Your Creditors

4

Negotiate new payment terms. For derogatory credit that is correctly reported, work with your creditor to find a compromise that enables you to pay and make current your account if it is still open.

5

Request that your account be "re-aged." If the account is open, your creditor can change the date on the account to reflect a re-aging agreement that makes your payment history more positive.

6

Consider "pay for deletion" options. If the derogatory account is charged off, your creditor may agree to delete the account from your credit report if you pay it in full. Get any agreement in writing before you pay.