Does my credit score matter?
How do I protect my credit score?
Why do I need to remove negative items from my credit report?
This is an important question because you are entitled to have negative information removed from your credit report if it is inaccurate. A few states have passed legislation that requires lenders, credit card companies, and landlords to check a person’s credit report for accuracy before doing business with them. Each state’s law is different, so there is no definitive way of knowing what your rights are. If you live in one of these states however and believe an item on your credit report is wrong or outdated, follow these steps:
(1) Send a letter by certified mail stating that you dispute some of the items on your credit report,
(2) Keep a copy of your letter and certified mail receipt as proof you sent it and did not receive a response after 30 days; contact every company listed on your credit report separately and ask them to investigate.
(3) Each company will reinvestigate individually after receiving your dispute and remove any items they find to be fraudulent.
Again, make sure to write down all correspondence between yourself and creditors in case there is any further legal action needed. It’s always best to maintain good credit when possible; always make sure you pay your bills on time!
When will negative items be removed from my credit report?
That said, even if a creditor reports a delinquent account on your credit report, it can still collect on that debt until it’s paid off or charged off by your lender. If you’re receiving collection calls about an old debt (before 2022), find out what options you have for resolving these accounts. If you have any questions about whether an item qualifies as time-barred/time-delinquent, contact our legal team through Ask an Attorney. This is general information only, not legal advice.
If you need additional information about removing specific items from your credit report with one of our attorneys for specific advice about your situation.
