The Summary
This is the quick summary of the strategy.
Click here for the full guide.
- Request your free credit reports from the Big Three credit agencies.
- In writing, ask for them to investigate all of your negative history, and give individual reasons.
Never lie. "I don't have record of this account", or "I do not believe this to be my account", anything, really, that
gets the investigation rolling. Be friendly.
- Reference your credit report, but don't give them the reference number/ID number/report number of the report. You
want this to go slowly. If the credit agency ever takes longer than 30 days to respond, they should pull the negative
items, whether they're yours or not.
- Some of the negative items will probably clear. Some won't. For things that didn't clear, contact the original
creditor and ask for written proof of the debt. It's probably easiest to call, instead of mail, but do it on a phone
where you receive the bill. Be very friendly, this is a normal request, they'll be glad to try and find proof.
- The only thing that counts as written proof is the original document you signed to open the account. If they can't
provide a photocopy of that, it isn't legally your debt, and you may request it be removed from your credit record.
- If the creditor can't or won't give you written proof of a debt within a week or two, mail the credit agency and let
them know. They'll pull the negative item off your record. You can use your phone bill as proof you called the
creditor.
- If at first you don't succeed... start from the beginning. Some folks have apparently had items finally drop after
the second, third, or fourth set of requests. You must wait 30 days between repeat requests, and probably should wait
at least 90 days between repeat requests, to avoid your requests being labelled "frivolous".
The Most Important Notes
- Do not lie. It's enough to say "I don't have documentation of this, and would like you to investigate it."
- Do not ever admit that any negative information on your report is correct.
Saying "this is my account, but I want you to investigate whether the dates are correct" confirms that the account
is actually yours. Don't make their job eaiser. Submitting a 100-word explanation of a debt doesn't help your
credit score, but *does* confirm that it's certainly your debt. Don't make their job easier.
- Do not do something the credit agency will dislike you for.
Do not look like you're working with a credit repair agency, following a credit repair website,
or reading a credit repair book.
If they stamp "makes frivolous
requests" on your file, you may be screwed. In that case, it's probably
time to get a laywer to look at your file.
- Be friendly at all times. The person you're talking to via mail, or the person you're talking to over the phone?
They've never personally done anything against you, have nothing against you, and thirty seconds of their goodwill
can make a large positive impact in your life. Be nice.
The Full Strategy
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