How To Remove Negative Credit
The following techniques will help correct your credit and should be done with all Credit Bureaus.
In this section you will learn the ways of removing negative items from your credit file. These methods are sometimes referred to as "Credit Repair". These are the exact same methods credit repair clinics and attorneys charge up to $3,500 to perform. Since they do not always do it correctly, consumers have been taken for millions of dollars over the past years. We will also show you all the jealously guarded secrets on how to outsmart creditors who are damaging your credit!
What the Credit Bureaus Don't Tell You
1. Each item on your credit report must be proven or it cannot remain in the report. If the credit bureau cannot verify the item when investigated, it must be removed from your file whether or not it's true.
2. Every negative entry on your report can be denied or challenged at any time. The bureau must reinvestigate and if that item cannot be verified within a "reasonable amount of time", it must be removed from the file.
3. Items when challenged can be mistakenly erased. Consumers say they often experience computer operator mistakes.
4. Many times the creditor does not re-verify in time or the credit bureau is busy and does not handle your dispute properly. It must then be deleted.
5. The older an item, the more difficult re-verification is. It is possible it cannot be verified because records may no longer exist after 1 or 2 years.
Steps to Repair Your Credit
1. Obtain your three credit reports.
2. Review the reports and locate the negative items.
3. Dispute the negative items with the credit bureaus.
4. Disputed items are removed or corrected. Items that were not re-verified are removed.
5. Negotiate with creditors and collection companies.
6. After negotiating and making payment, creditors delete the negative accounts or change them to a positive rating.
7. State the item you are disputing, but do not use dispute forms or file numbers provided by the bureau. This will cause fewer delays by the credit bureau asking for clarification.
8. Do not confirm the account if any information about the item is wrong.
9. Do not use letterhead (you don't want to raise any Red Flags).
10. Do not photocopy a fill in the blanks form letter (another Red Flag).
11. Send disputes during busy times of the year. For Example: The first to middle of November can cause a delay in verification because of Thanksgiving. Christmas rush for the creditor and the bureau can catch them before they can thoroughly investigate within a reasonable time.
Removing Negative Credit: The Removal Process
Your Rights Are Important!
The Fair Credit Reporting Act
All Federal Laws are in the consumer's favor. This means you have the advantage. The specific law used here is the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
One part of this law states that when you dispute any information contained on your credit file, the Credit Bureau must verify the accuracy of the information with the creditor who reported the information within 30 days. If they are unable to verify the information within 30 days, it must be removed.
Congress passed The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) because they felt we all deserve a second chance. This act gives you the right to correct, update, amend and tell your side of what happened to the credit community. These laws do not work though unless you initiate and use them. A copy of the FCRA is included in the Appendix for your review.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act sets certain guidelines which credit bureaus and your creditors must follow when reporting your credit file, as well as giving the consumer certain rights.
All of this brings us to the fascinating task of working on your credit reports. Begin by getting defensive about your credit report. Remember that these credit reporting bureaus are just private companies selling information about you and are not your friends. You never authorized your creditors to sell this information and you are not sharing in the profits they and the credit bureaus are making.
Your Six Basic Rights under The Fair Credit Reporting Act
1. You, the consumer, have the right to challenge the accuracy of your credit report any time.
2. The credit bureaus must reinvestigate anything you challenge without a charge.
3. The credit bureaus must reinvestigate within a reasonable amount of time. 30 days constitutes a "reasonable amount of time" unless the bureau notifies you otherwise (so keep accurate records).
4. If the credit bureau finds an error in the challenged item, they must delete or correct that information in your files immediately.
5. If the credit bureaus cannot or do not confirm the challenged item within 30 days, they must delete that information from your files immediately.
6. You have the right to submit a Consumer Statement of your view of the problem. If you, as a credit consumer, dispute the accuracy of certain information in your credit report and it is verified by the creditor as correct, then the credit bureau is required to include your explanation of your dispute, if you request, in your credit report. Limit your explanation to no more than 100 words.
Remove Negative Credit: Important Information on Credit Repair
Important: You do not want us or any other company to file a dispute for you because if the dispute is sent from anyone other than you, the credit bureau will suspect that you have paid someone to repair your credit and this will not work as well as it could have if you sent it directly.
As the Credit Bureaus did not lend you money, they are not as concerned as you if the information they have is correct or not. They are only paid to store the information.
Consumers working on their credit reports say many times their letters are ignored by the credit bureaus. It is believed the credit bureaus try to discourage consumers from working on the reports by making it difficult. Consumers say even with proof an item is not theirs, its removal from their report can take three or four challenge letters. When the credit bureaus say they have verified or confirmed an item, it seems all they have done is verified it is in their computers. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH PROOF!!! They need to provide greater proof, so read on.
Sending your dispute letter by CERTIFIED RETURN RECEIPT MAIL greatly increases your chance of a response. This should not be done with the first attempt. Keep a record of when you sent the dispute letters and what date you should expect a response. If you have received no answer to your dispute after 30 to 37 days, attack the credit bureau with a certified return receipt letter, for an updated credit report demanding the disputed items be deleted. If the bureaus do not reply within the 30 days, it must be that the information was either inaccurate, or it could not be verified. In either case, according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the items must be immediately deleted.
Consumers have found it possible to eliminate negative marks on credit reports simply by going through this process of disputing items over and over again. Since many creditors won't take the time to defend the negative item, eventually you can "repair" your credit through default by your creditor not responding to the credit bureaus request to verify the item. This commonly occurs. The creditors do not always have time to deal with a bothersome piece of paperwork and that is your advantage. We'll go into this more later.
When you get the updated report carefully review it to see if you have lost the negative items and to see if anything else has changed. Consumers working on their credit report have found while disputing one negative item, for no apparent reason, another negative item or two disappeared. Usually some progress is made each time you challenge, but do not get discouraged if you don't get results each time. Remember, the credit bureau would like you to quit bothering them because if you aren't disputing the report, they can legally continue selling it as profitable information.
After you have received your response, repeat the process all over again. Consumers who have successfully cleaned their credit report say that they have denied a bankruptcy or judgment and have received verification from the credit bureau that it was in public record. They denied a second time and some even a third time, and finally the credit bureau deleted the bankruptcy from the report. So do not get discouraged! Patience and persistence are important keys to incredible success in repairing a damaged credit report.
The creditors who reported the items to the bureaus must be the ones to provide information to verify the dispute. These creditors do not always have the staff and proper records to verify all disputes within 30 days to keep the item from being removed. So you can see how possible it is to remove negative information from your credit file. How well is this going to work for you? The only way is to try. However, our research has shown that certain items are easier to remove than others.
Remove Negative Credit: How to Remove Negative Items
Easier Items To Dispute And Have Removed
* Items older than 2 years
* Discharged bankruptcies
* Charge-offs
* Inquiries
* Repossessions
* Late payments
* Accounts that were late but are now paid off
The reason these items are easier to remove is simple; when you dispute an older account or an item that is now charged off, the creditor is not too concerned with the account any more. They may not even be able to find the necessary information to verify the dispute. Even if the account was once seriously past due, but now is paid off, they usually will not take the time to verify the dispute since they have already been paid.
More Difficult Items To Dispute And Have Removed
* Accounts that are currently past due
* Recent Bankruptcies
* Judgments
* IRS or State Tax Liens
* Current collection accounts
These are more difficult because creditors keep these types of accounts in their current files and they are expecting you to pay them. That is why it will be much easier for them to verify the information and keep the item on your credit file. However, it is always worth a try.
Important: It is completely legal for you to dispute items on your credit file even if you know they are correct. You are simply testing to see if your creditors have maintained the proper records to verify the dispute. You have a very bad memory and forgot that the negative accounts on your credit file are really yours.
Federal Laws require that the Credit Bureaus verify all disputes. If they are unable to verify your dispute, the law says it must be removed from your file.
Remove Negative Credit: Steps to Remove Negative Credit Items
Step 1: To dispute a negative item on your credit file you need to first identify the negative items that you want removed.
Once you know which items to dispute, DO NOT complete the Dispute Forms that the Credit Bureaus included with copies of your credit file that they sent you. It's much more effective to easily follow the outlines of these sample letters.
Be sure to include a copy of your credit file and keep the original for your records. Highlight or underline the items you are disputing. Mail the dispute forms to the address listed on each credit file.
To dispute an inquiry, simply write that you never applied for credit with that company.
Make a photocopy of your dispute letter for your records and be sure to send it by Certified and Return Receipt Mail from your local Post Office. Mail your dispute form to the address provided with your credit file. Repeat the above process for each item that you want removed or changed.
Step 2: After reviewing your updated credit file and finding that most or all the negative items have been removed, you may now focus on building a positive credit profile. Positive information will always outweigh a few negative items that may remain on your file.
Step 3: This technique is extremely effective in removing any negative information that was supposedly verified as correct after your dispute.
Important: Always remember that if the dispute is sent in from anyone other than you, the Credit Bureau will suspect that you have paid someone to repair your credit. This raises all sorts of Red Flags. Since they make so many mistakes it is imperative that they believe you are working alone and trying to fix a real legitimate mistake.
If there is a negative item that you want removed from your credit, such as a bankruptcy, charge off or collection account, you may want to write that this is NOT your account and you want it removed immediately.
If the account is now paid off, but was seriously past due at one time, DO NOT write that it's not your account. Instead, write that it is your account but was NEVER past due and you need it updated to say that everything has always been current.
Remove Negative Credit: Additional Credit Repair Techniques
An Extremely Powerful Technique...
This auditing technique is usually only practiced by attorneys. It would be very expensive to hire attorneys to do this for you. However, by following the instructions you'll get similar results as any attorney (you just won't have to pay).
If the Credit Bureaus were able to verify any disputed information as correct, it would remain on your credit file. So you'll need to contact the creditor who is reporting the information. The creditor who reported the item is listed on the left or bottom of your credit file. If their phone number is not provided, call directory assistance in their city and ask for the creditor's telephone number. Call and ask them to mail you written proof and documentation that this is actually your account, since you do not believe the account belongs to you.
Almost all creditors and collection agencies use computers to store information about debtors and they throw out original, signed contracts along with other original documents. This makes it easy for creditors to store and organize information BUT makes it impossible to actually prove the account is really yours and not just another mistake.
Federal Law requires that upon your request, all creditors must show you written proof that the account in question is in fact yours. Written proof is a copy of the contract you signed with the original creditor. As we explained before, you are stored on the creditor's computer and chances are excellent that they have thrown out all the proof that this is your account.
The only creditors that may have proof are the courts (Recent Bankruptcies, Unpaid Tax Liens, Unpaid Judgments & Unpaid Child Support).
Again, all Federal Laws are in your favor. If you say an account is not yours and the creditor does not have written proof that the account belongs to you, they must remove the account from your credit file and cease all collection activity. If they don't have written proof that the account is yours, there are two ways to get the item removed (see items A & B in the next section).
Remove Negative Credit: Get the Edge
Important
Only allow a creditor 7 days to get the proof into your mailbox (3 days to find it and 4 days for the mail). If it takes any longer they probably do not have proof and you should start taking the action listed below. If the creditor does supply you with all the written proof that the account belongs to you, go to Step 4.
Get The Edge Above Your Creditors
A. Contact the Attorney Generals Office in the city of the creditor who is damaging your credit. Get the phone number through directory assistance. Tell them that you have a creditor who is damaging your credit by reporting an account that is not yours. You have requested proof that the account belongs to you and they do not have it. They will contact the creditor and have the account removed from your credit file. This is free legal service and almost guarantees they will get the item removed.
B. If you want to make some money off of the creditor then take them to Small Claims Court. To do this, you will need to call your county courthouse and ask about the proper procedure to follow to get a court date. It's very easy and you can do it all yourself. You'll be asked to fill out one or two simple forms stating your complaint. You may want to write that you wish to remove the item from your credit file since it is not yours and the creditor has no proof that it is your account. After you receive a court date, mark it in your calendar and make sure to attend at the proper time, place and date. Bring in the receipts from the registered mail you used for your disputes along with your phone bill and sue the creditor for your expenses and emotional stress. Remember, if they do not have proof that this is your account you will win and the account will be removed from your credit file! Also, if the creditor is out of state and does not show in court, you win by their default.
So far, we have not yet heard of any creditor showing up in court. They are simply far too busy to waste time on one person when they have thousands of other people to be concerned with. You may contact an attorney in your area for a free consultation about what your rights are concerning your particular situation.
Step 4: If the creditor is able to supply the written proof you request, offer to settle the debt for 10 cents on the dollar provided that you have the money. If you don't have the money go to Step 5. If you owe $1,000, offer the creditor $100. If they refuse, tell them that you will file Bankruptcy and they will get nothing. This will certainly open them up to negotiating with you. Whatever you agree to pay them, it should be a lot less than you originally owed them. Do not agree to pay interest charges or penalties on past due or collection accounts.
Step 5: If you don't have the money to make payment arrangements, start back at Step 1 of this section. Remember that the laws are in your favor and you are legally allowed by Federal Law to dispute the negative items on your credit file every 30 days. You are allowed to repeat this process as many times as you wish until the Credit Bureaus cannot verify the item and must remove it. As you already know, the creditors do not have the staff to handle all the disputes they receive, so if you persist, eventually the items may be removed.
Sometimes the Credit Bureaus may sometimes reply telling you that they already verified the information as correct. If this happens, write back telling them that it's a Federal Law that they must verify your disputes and that you'll sue them for $5,000 for each dispute that they do not handle properly. Once they know that you are aware of your rights, they'll become very cooperative.
Extremely Important
If you agree to make payment arrangements with any creditor, do so only under one condition. The condition is that before you pay any money, the creditor must mail you a written agreement that they will report the account to the Credit Bureaus as current, paid off and never late! Otherwise, it may still remain on your credit file and may not be worth paying.
Credit Repair Sample Letters
Credit Repair Letters
1. General Dispute To Collection Agency
2. Dispute of Collections
3. Dispute to Collection Agency
4. Negotiating a Settlement
5. Negotiating a Settlement with Utility Companies
6. Settlement to Creditors
7. Dispute Related To "Trans Alert" And Soc. Sec. Number
8. After No Response from a Credit Bureau
9. Disputing Specific Items and Inquiries
10. Request Reinvestigation of Items that are Still Showing
11. Answer Letter to Credit Bureau's Request for More Information
Telephone Tips and Techniques
How to speak with the Credit Bureau's Representatives
Letter #1
General Dispute To Collection Agency
Date
Collection Agent
Address
RE: Acct. # ...
To whom it may concern:
When living in New Jersey, I received service through ________________ Telephone Company. During that time, there were numerous billing errors. I kept being mixed up with another family. Though time consuming and aggravating for me, the phone company always found and corrected the errors.
Before moving to New York, I stopped service and paid the final bill. I never thought I would continue to be plagued with __________________ Telephone Company errors.
I am sure if you speak to a human being and not a computer at ________________ Telephone Company, there will be a record of the problems we were having with wrong billings. I am also certain you will discover this is not my debt.
Though I was assured by the phone company at the time that my name was not the cause of the errors, I'm not so sure.
I would truly appreciate your assistance.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
Letter #2
Dispute of Collections Account
Date
Credit Bureau
Address
RE: Acct. #...
Dear (Credit Bureau Name):
I have just received my credit report and have noted that it contains erroneous information regarding the following accounts. I would like them deleted from my record:
Collection Account ______________This is not correct, please remove.
1st Nationwide Mortgage - This is not mine.
Mobil Oil (acct. # ______________) When I questioned Mobil Oil about this account, they told me they requested this be removed from my credit report. How were you able to confirm it?
American Express ___________________ This is not mine
Sears _______________ This was not mine
Lamont Furniture ____________ This is not mine.
Please re investigate and delete these disputed items. 30 days constitutes a reasonable time to check these out. Please notify me if it takes longer. Please send names and business addresses of those persons you contacted for any verifications Also, as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, please send me notification that the items have been deleted. Please send an updated copy of my credit report to the following address:
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Social Security Number
Letter #3
Dispute to Collection Agency
Date
Name _______________
Collection Agent
Address
RE: Account number __________________
Dear _______________:
Your company is showing a collection account number __________, on my credit report that I have no knowledge of. You are listing the client as ___________________.
Please explain this account and who your client is. I do not agree that this belongs to me and this is the first I have heard about it.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Yours truly,
Name
Address
Letter #4
Negotiating a Settlement
Date
Creditor
Address
RE: Account # __________________
Dear Creditor:
I am writing to request assistance in correcting erroneous information pertaining to my accountant #__________________ shown on my credit report.
I was involved in a traumatic divorce which necessitated leaving my home. All outstanding accounts were to have been taken care of in the proceedings.
With changes to my address and marital status, perhaps any billings that were sent, concerning unpaid accounts, missed me.
While trying to rebuild my life, I discovered these accounts such as yours that were never settled. I am trying to correct my credit after going through this set back by trying to settle these accounts, and doing the best I can.
The outstanding account # ________________ has a balance of $2296.00 which is a large sum for me at this time.
I am writing to inquire if there is any hope for a reduced amount to satisfy the account in full. In this way I may realistically be able to settle this outstanding balance with you.
I am also concerned about the negative information now on my credit file. I am advised this negative information you have placed on my files could remain in my credit reports for 7 years after payment is made. However, I have the right to remove any information from this credit report through the suppliers of information.
I am requesting, because of my horrible situation, your company notify the Credit Bureaus to delete this account from my files when paid in full, as it does not reflect my personal willingness to pay my debts.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this unfortunate situation.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Letter #5
Negotiating a Settlement with Utility Companies
Date
Regional Utilities
Address
To whom it may concern:
Please be advised that this correspondence is an effort to once again satisfy the obligation listed with your company as account number _______________ and with (Credit Bureau Name) as account number ___________ in the amount of $_____________.
You state, "In order for us to maintain the integrity of all the accounts that we refer to Equifax, we will only cancel accounts if they have been referred due to an error on our part." I doubt that this is the first time a meter was not transferred from one owner to another correctly.
My request does nothing to breach your integrity concerning other accounts with(Credit Bureau Name).
It is the popularly held standard that the Fair Credit Reporting Act concludes that paid collection accounts may be reported for seven years from the date of last activity. Thus, if a consumer, such as myself, were to pay off a debt, one would be burdened with the negative trade reference for an additional seven years above and beyond that time which may have already passed.
It is my goal to be free from an additional seven years of negative credit data pertaining to this account. In my last correspondence dated ____________, ( see enclosed copy), I requested your assistance in putting this error to rest by making payment, even though I was not the recipient of the services being billed for. I thought I had made it clear chat this proposal is being made only for the purpose of compromise and is not in any way to be construed as an admission of any liability, wrongful or negligent conduct or bad faith on the part of either party.
Accordingly, I am again requesting your help in deletion of this account from my credit reports when payment in full is received as this is not accurately portraying what happened. In this instant matter, your company will collect the obligation in full and I will face no more of a credit reporting burden than that already sustained.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Letter #6
Negotiating Settlements with Creditors
Date
Creditor
Address
RE: Account # __________________
Dear Creditor:
I am writing in an attempt to settle the account you are listing under my name and social security number.
I agree ___________________ Company should have been paid for service rendered but I do not agree with this being on my credit report as a bad debt. I would like to put this account to rest as I hope you would. I did not use your services but am negligent in not making certain the person buying the residence had changed the billing from my name to his. I never received a statement or overdue notice. I no longer was living in the home so I had no reason to suspect a payment problem.
My concern is if I made payment to you in an attempt to stop negative reporting to the credit bureau, the balance in my credit file would show Zero PAID COLLECTION, and then those negative ratings would continue for another seven years.
This would be wrong as it is not a true indicator of my willingness or ability to pay debts. I believe I am caught in the computers and a credit reporting system that does not tell what truly has happened.
I am requesting your help in deletion of this account from my credit reports when payment in full is received as this does not accurately portray what has happened. I have been informed by reputable source that this can be done and is within the purview of the law.
I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and an expedient favorable resolution.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Letter #7
Dispute Related To "Trans Alert" And Soc. Sec. Number
Date
Creditor
Address
RE: Account # __________________
Dear Creditor:
I am writing in an attempt to settle the account you are listing under my name and social security number.
I agree ___________________ Company should have been paid for service rendered but I do not agree with this being on my credit report as a bad debt. I would like to put this account to rest as I hope you would. I did not use your services but am negligent in not making certain the person buying the residence had changed the billing from my name to his. I never received a statement or overdue notice. I no longer was living in the home so I had no reason to suspect a payment problem.
My concern is if I made payment to you in an attempt to stop negative reporting to the credit bureau, the balance in my credit file would show Zero PAID COLLECTION, and then those negative ratings would continue for another seven years.
This would be wrong as it is not a true indicator of my willingness or ability to pay debts. I believe I am caught in the computers and a credit reporting system that does not tell what truly has happened.
I am requesting your help in deletion of this account from my credit reports when payment in full is received as this does not accurately portray what has happened. I have been informed by reputable source that this can be done and is within the purview of the law.
I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter and an expedient favorable resolution.
Sincerely,
Name
Address
Letter #8
After NO RESPONSE from a Credit Bureau
Date
ATT: Consumer Assistance
Credit Bureau
Address
RE: __________________ Social Security Number
Dear (Credit Bureau Name):
On March ___________ and April ___________, I sent you letters requesting items be investigated on my credit report. (see enclosed copies).
As of yet I have not received a response from you. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act you are required to respond within a "reasonable period of time."
I am sending this letter certified so I will know you did receive it. In this way I will have no option but to pursue my legal rights if I do not receive a response.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
Address
Social Security Number
Letter #9
Disputing Specific Items and Inquiries
Date
Credit Bureau
Address
RE: Acct. #...
Dear (Credit Bureau Name):
Going over my credit report I have found it has many errors. I request your investigation of the following:
1. Sears I spoke with Sears again to verify my records. They confirmed this as my account and that there were no late payments to this account. They will draft a letter if needed to correct this error. Please contact this creditor.
2. Foreclosure 5/92 I did not have a foreclosure in 1992 or since then. Please remove this.
3. Collection Account _____________ I have tried to get to the bottom of this with the information your company supplied. How are you able to confirm when I cannot? (See enclosed copy). This is not mine. Please remove this.
The consumer has no protection against automobile salesman who are not concerned about a persons credit report or what problems multiple inquiries can cause. Your credit bureau has legal responsibility in this matter. There should be more supervision on access to credit files by salesman with these dealerships.
I did not authorize the following inquiries and demand they be remove from my file:
1. GMAC There are 4 different days in November of 19**. Why would this be? Please remove 3 of these entries. I only authorized one time.
2. Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. I only authorized one.
Please remove the other 4 entries.
These listed accounts are not my debts nor my authorized inquiries. Please correct this by the removal of these items from my credit report. Please send a copy of my corrected possible to my address listed below.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Name
Address
Social Security Number
Letter #10
Request a Reinvestigation of Items Still on Your Credit
Date
ATTN: CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Credit Bureau
Address
Dear (Credit Bureau Name):
I have been around and around with your company regarding the errors which I have. And they continue to remain in my consumer credit report.
I am again noting that problems have been discovered and they continue to remain unresolved. I don't know how to better state my problem nor do I know how to correct the errors.
The following accounts are not mine.
Account Name & Numbers
________________________
________________________
________________________
Since you have not given me names of persons with their business addresses that you contacted for re-verification of the information, so that I could follow up as I requested, I assume that you have not been able to verify the information I have disputed.
If this problem continues and I am forced to seek some form of professional assistance, you have been forewarned of the harm which this problem is causing me.
I shall assume that 30 days constitutes a "reasonable time" to complete these actions unless you immediately notify me otherwise.
Send me an updated copy of my credit report with these items deleted.
Thanks,
Signature
Name
Address
Social Security Number
Letter #11
When Credit Bureau's Request More Information
Date
ATTN.: CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Credit Bureau
Address
RE: Investigation of credit file.
Dear (Credit Bureau Name):
On ____________ (date), I wrote to (Credit Bureau Name) at this address and filed a dispute of information in my credit report. This dispute indicated that the information was in dispute and identified the data from the language used in the credit report.
I also gave my address and copy of my drivers license. And I've enclosed those documents again now.
Please expedite my original request dated ____________. It has now been 14 days and I am still burdened with inaccurate credit reporting.
Sincerely,
Signature
Name
Address
Social Security Number
Telephone Tips and Techniques
How to Speak with Representatives from the Credit Bureaus
When you contact a person by phone always ask them what their name is and write it down. This helps put you in control and keep accurate records.
"Hello, who am I speaking with? My name is and I would like to speak to someone about my account, please."
"My account number is _______________________
"My social security number is __________________
Be aware that your creditor is reviewing your credit report and knows you are in trouble. During your conversation always maintain your composure and be humble, (even if you want to yell).
Listen to what they have to say and don't offer any information.
You want to find out your balance, the interest owed, penalties and your past due amount.
Key points to emphasize and go back to during conversation:
"My intentions are to honor this debt"
"My economic situation has changed since our agreement"
"Please work with me so I can realistically make payments"
"I would rather do it this way instead of going bankrupt"
"This is an effort to pay my debt"
"This is only a temporary situation"
Your goals are:
To get the interest lowered or stopped.
To stop penalties.
To establish a payment plan you can realistically maintain.
Always use "please" and "thank you". Always keep you composure
If you get lost or feel you are losing control, just excuse yourself by saying:
"Excuse me (persons name), may I have your phone number and extension. I have a small emergency and will need to call you back. When would be a good time?"