How to Remove Your Name From Bad Credit

No matter what your credit situation is, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a law designed to promote accuracy and fairness when a business reports information to the nation's consumer credit reporting companies. Enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the FCRA includes safeguards and avenues you can take to correct or improve your credit rating.

Instructions

1

Review your information from all three credit reporting agencies to make sure they all have the same information. It is important to ensure creditors are reporting the same information to one or all of these agencies.

2

Identify entries on your reports that include negative information and determine whether the information is accurate and how old the information is. If the negative information is correct, the consumer agencies may report it for up to seven years from the date the event took place. Bankruptcies may be reported for up to 10 years.

3

Notify the reporting agency of any items you are disputing in writing and include copies of any documentation supporting your dispute. The agencies are obligated to investigate any items in question and will make a determination based on your information as well as any documentation on the claim from the company you are disputing.

4

Dispute, in writing, any information you feel is inaccurate or fraudulent to the complaint department of the creditor listed on your reports if the reporting agencies fail to resolve a claim to your satisfaction. Have the reporting agencies include a statement of dispute on the unresolved item and make your statement available for future credit inquiries to aid companies in their decision.

5

Follow up with the reporting agencies to ensure the corrected information is reflected in your credit report when an issue is resolved. You can also request that the agency(s) provide an updated report to anyone that you applied for credit within the six months beforethe dispute.