Can You Delete Bankruptcy Off a Credit Report?

If a bankruptcy appears on your credit report, it has a strong negative impact on your credit score, especially if the bankruptcy was recent. Although many companies advertise that they can repair your credit and delete the bankruptcy, there are only a couple of situations in which you can legally delete a bankruptcy from your credit report.

Incorrect Report

If your credit report states that you filed bankruptcy but you never actually did, you can dispute this item and have it removed from your credit report. Write a letter that states that you have not filed bankruptcy and asks the credit bureau to remove the inaccurate information from your report. The credit bureau will investigate the dispute and either correct the error or let you know what information you need to provide to back your claim.

Old Bankruptcy

If your bankruptcy was discharged over 10 years ago, you have the legal right to remove the bankruptcy from the public records section of your credit report. Write a letter that states the discharge date of your bankruptcy and asks the credit bureau to remove the bankruptcy from your credit report because it has been more than 10 years since that date. Include a photocopy of your discharge notification with the letter. Mail letters to Experian, Equifax and TransUnion so each credit bureau removes the bankruptcy from its version of your credit report.

Improve Your Credit

Although bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 years, you can start improving your credit score right after you declare bankruptcy. Re-establish credit accounts and make consistent monthly payments on these accounts. If you cannot qualify for a credit card because your credit score is too low, apply for a secured credit card with a bank or credit union. Another technique is to get somebody with a good credit score to co-sign on your application for a loan or credit card. You should also obtain a copy of your credit report and ensure that all of the accounts that were included in your bankruptcy are reported accurately. If the accounts still show that they are past due, contact the credit bureaus and ask that the status be changed to "included in bankruptcy."

Warning

If you have actually filed bankruptcy in the last 10 years and the information on your credit report is accurate, any technique to try to delete the bankruptcy from your credit report is illegal. Do not pay any company that claims to be able to delete the bankruptcy for you. You can be prosecuted if you commit fraud in an effort to repair your credit.