How to Get Items Off Your Credit Report

Negative items on your credit report can damage your credit report. If the items on your credit report are accurate, there is not much you can do to remove the item from the report but wait for the item to drop off. You can work to fix negative reports by paying off the loan. However, you can remove incorrect items from your credit report. It takes two different strategies to remove the item completely from your credit report. You need to contact the bank, which reported the item, as well as the credit agencies.

Instructions

Contact the Bank

1

Pull your credit report and make a list of all incorrect items and the bank which incorrectly reported an item. This could be late payments, delinquent accounts or accounts you do not recognize.

2

Call the bank regarding the information listed on your credit report. Talk to a person about the incorrect information. If it is a late payment, you should have a copy of the payment you sent and the date. If it was online, have the reference number you received when you made the payment. Get the address so you can send the bank a letter explaining your situation.

3

File a police report for identify theft if the account has been opened under your name without your permission. You will need the report for both the bank and credit bureau to dispute incorrect items.

4

Write a letter to the bank explaining when the payment was made or why the information was inaccurate. If you did not open the account, then you need to say that in the letter and include a copy of your police report. Request that the bank write you back regarding how they resolved the matter. Give a time frame for the item to be corrected. Include contact information in case they need to call you.

5

Send the letter certified mail to the bank so you have proof of receipt in case you need it if the matter does not resolve itself quickly.

Notify the Credit Bureau

6

Compose a letter to the credit bureau about one month after you send the letter to the bank. Explain why the item is incorrect and that you have contacted the bank about the matter. Ask them to research the specific item and then to contact you once they have.

7

Send the letter certified mail for proof of receipt.

8

Check your credit report after a month or two to make sure the item has been taken care of. If it has not, you will need to contact both the bank and the credit bureau again. The bank needs to correct the error in order for the item to be removed from your report.