How to Erase Unpaid Accounts From My Credit

A good credit score means getting the best interest rates on home loans and auto loans. Negative collection and charge off accounts that appear in a credit report can damage scores for years. Those with credit scores under 600 end up paying higher interest and being denied low-interest credit cards. However, unpaid accounts may not be yours or could be from an ex-spouse. Knowing exactly what is in your credit report is key to removing inaccurate and old accounts.

Instructions

1

Order your free annual credit report online from all three credit reporting bureaus. You are entitled to a free credit report from all three bureaus each year, so taking advantage of this is the first step in cleaning up your credit report. You will normally have your reports in seven to 14 days.

2

Examine the reports thoroughly when they arrive. You are looking for inaccurate information such as old accounts that are not yours. Additionally, find all old accounts that are most likely at collection agencies. Collection accounts drag your credit score down, so these will need to be addressed (see Reference 2).

3

Collect all the accounts that are not yours, and dispute this with the credit bureaus directly---all three have online options for disputes. When you file a dispute, the company who reported you has 30 days to respond, if they do not, they must delete the account from your credit file.

4

Write the validation letters based on the samples provided online to the collection accounts in your credit file that are yours. Collection accounts are normally sold many times. When they become older than five years, many of the collection accounts are unable to validate the debt. They have 30 days to respond to you.

5

Mark the date you sent the validation letter, and if you hear nothing from the collection account in 30 days, send another letter demanding the debt be removed from your credit file completely. Based on the credit laws in place, they must remove the account. If they fail to do so, contact the reporting credit bureaus.