How to Delete Accounts Off Credit Reports

A negative account on your credit report can lower your credit score and make it harder to obtain credit. While it is not possible to call a credit bureau and tell them what accounts you'd like deleted from your credit report, there are ways accounts do get deleted from a credit report. You do not have control over which accounts are deleted but you are responsible for initiating the process. The entire process begins with a credit dispute filed with the credit bureau in question.

Instructions

1

Review your credit report carefully and look for any errors associated with the accounts you wish to have deleted. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to dispute any information on your credit report that is not reporting correctly. The error can be anything from a wrong name, incorrect type of account, incorrect balance or any other mistake.

2

Write a dispute letter to the credit agency. The address will be located on the credit report. List your name, the credit report file number -- this is located on your credit report, the last four digits of your Social Security number and your date of birth. This will help the credit bureau verify your identity. Include a short sentence explaining that you are writing to dispute certain items and list each incorrect account.

3

Let the credit agency initiate the credit dispute. The credit agency will send a request to the creditor and ask him to verify or update the account with correct information. If the creditor fails to respond within 30 days from your dispute, the credit agency will delete the account. The account will remain on your credit report if the creditor responds and verifies the information and updates the information. The credit agency will mail you a letter once the investigation is complete. You should hear within 45 days of submitting your dispute.