How to Remove Negative Statements From Credit Report

Negative accounts on your credit report, often known as derogatory accounts, refer to collection accounts, accounts with late payments in the payment history, charge-offs, foreclosures, repossessions, judgments, bankruptcies and liens. Negative accounts generally can be reported on your credit report for seven years, although some account types extend to the 10-year mark. If a negative account is past the reporting date, you can dispute it for removal. If an account is not yours or the information is not reported accurately, you may also dispute it and potentially get a removal.

Instructions

TransUnion

1

From the TransUnion website, click the returning user link if you have ordered a credit report or other credit product from TransUnion before. Click "First Time? Click Here" to make a TransUnion account. Once the account is created, return to this page and use the returning user link.

2

Click "Credit Report" in the list of options on the main page. Click "Report Inaccuracy" when the link appears once you switch to the credit report tab. Press the "Submit Dispute" button underneath.

3

Scroll down the list and click "Request Investigation" on any negative accounts you want to dispute. A list of dispute reasons appear. Choose the ones that fit the problems with the account and click "Submit."

Equifax

4

Fill out the form on Equifax online dispute webpage, skipping the credit report number section if you have not recently requested an Equifax report. Click "Submit."

5

Answer all of the multiple choice identity questions on this page. These questions are used to verify your identity so that an unauthorized person cannot access your credit report. Click "Submit."

6

Choose "Start a new dispute." Enter the negative information section of your credit report and click each individual account you need to dispute. Click "Dispute this item" and specify the reason you're disputing the account. Choose "Add Dispute" to complete the process.

Experian

7

Request an Experian credit report. Experian does not process disputes without a credit report requested in the 90-day period prior to your dispute. Experian provides a number of ways to obtain a credit report on its website, from going to Annual Credit Report and getting your free report to paying for it from Experian.

8

Choose "Yes, I have a credit report number" on the dispute page. Find the report number on the main page of the report and enter this in the first field. Provide the requested information in all of the required fields on this form. Click "Submit."

9

Click "Dispute this item" next to any negative account that you feel is inaccurate or needs to be removed. Explain why you are disputing this item. Click "Submit your dispute."