How to a Get Negative Account Off a Credit Report

A negative credit record can adversely affect your credit score. A lower credit score can cost you more money due to higher interest rates, and can even cause a denial for loans or financing. Also a low credit rating can cause you to pay a higher insurance premium or be denied for a job.

Instructions

1

Gather all three credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is best to have all three credit reports determine if the negative account is on one credit report or all three. You can get your credit report online on each credit bureau website, or AnnualCreditReport.com, or you can send a letter to the credit bureaus requesting your credit report. Depending on your state, by law you are entitled to a free credit report each year or if you are denied credit for any reason.

2

Look for any negative account information on the credit reports. Look for any discrepancies or inaccuracies on the credit report. By law, based on the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the credit bureaus must investigate and resolve any negative account information that you did not cause.

3

Dispute the negative account with the credit bureau adding any additional paperwork proving the discrepancy. You can dispute by calling the credit bureaus directly and doing so over the phone, or you can do so online, or you can mail the disputes directly to credit bureaus, preferably by certified mail.

4

Mark your calendar for 30 to 45 days after you submit correspondence to the credit bureaus. By law, the credit bureaus have 30 to 45 days to investigate and respond to your dispute. If the original creditor does not respond within 30 to 45 days, the negative account must the completely removed.

5

Contact the original creditor to have a negative account removed. If the negative account is indeed an error, speak with the creditors directly, informing them of the error. Send any documentation or proof of this error. Obtain all correspondence in writing. If the negative account is indeed your fault, you can also speak with the creditor to negotiate a way to have the negative account removed. Sometimes they will remove the account if you promise to pay a certain amount. Be persistent, as they can have negative account information despite what some representatives may tell you.