In order to correct an error in your credit report, you need to inform the reporting agency in writing what information you believe is an error or is incomplete. Below is a sample credit dispute letter.

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip Code

Complaint Department

Name of Reporting Agency

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The items I dispute are also encircled on the attached copy of the report I received. (Identify item(s) disputed by name of source, such as creditors or tax court, and identify type of item, such as charge card account, judgment, etc.)

This item is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe what is inaccurate or incomplete and why). I am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific change) to correct the information.

Enclosed are copies of (use this sentence if applicable and describe any enclosed documentation, such as payment records, court documents) supporting my position. Please reinvestigate this (these) matter(s) and (delete or correct) the disputed item(s) as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Your name

Enclosures: (List what you are enclosing)

First get a copy of your credit report from all 3 CRA's(Credit Reporting Agencies). Go over each one line by line, first correcting and disputing any erroneous personal information such as incorrect spelled name, wrong phone numbers, old or incorrect addresses, d.o.b.'s etc. Then look at the TL's(Trade Lines) if you feel as though they are in error or reporting TL's that are not yours, disput this information with the Original Creditor under F.A.C.T.A., or the Collection Agency/Debt Collector under the FDCPA or FCRA directly asking them to validate the information they are currently reporting to your credit reports. Make sure you send all correspondence US Postal Service CMRRR, wait about 15 days, if no response, now dispute it with all 3 CRA's and wait for there response. id the investigations come back verified or updated you now have the Collection Agency for violation of you State and Federal rights as it Relates to the FCRA and FDCPA.

Generally speaking, the estate is responsible for the debts of the decedent. If a person owned any property at the time of their death that property comprises the estate and their estate must be probated. Depending on the size of the estate, many jurisdictions have less formal procedures for small estates. The decedent's debts must be paid before there can be any distribution to the heirs. If the assets of the estate are not sufficient to pay those debts the estate is declared to be insolvent. There is no liability for personal debts if the estate cannot pay. The lender can repossess property in the case of any secured debt such as one for the purchase of an automobile. Of course, in the case of a mortgage, the lender can foreclose and take possession of the property.

Creditors have a statutory period in which to file a claim against the estate. State laws vary. You need to check the laws of your state to determine if any special provisions may apply. In community property states, credit accounts opened in one name during a marriage may automatically become joint accounts. The situation changes in the case of JOINT account holders. If you are a joint account holder or co-signer with the decedent then you will be held responsible for full payment of the outstanding balance.

Note that many creditors will try to get payment from heirs. Check with an attorney before making any payments toward any debt of a decedent. If there is no estate, most creditors will close the account upon the receipt of a death certificate. Once a death certificate is received by the creditor along with a letter explaining that there is no estate, creditors usually forgive the debt, close the account and write it off. In the case of a persistent creditor, an estate may need to be filed even if there is no estate in order to satisfy the creditor that the debtor has died and there is no estate.

If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under oath that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.

• Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance.
• Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
• Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses.
• Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
• Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.
• Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.
• Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.
• Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller's area.
• Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
• Don't judge a person/company by their web site.
• Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).
• Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
• The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong.
• Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
• You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account information along with the card issuer's contact information. If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you should contact the card issuer immediately.

FBI - REPORT INTERNET FRAUD

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Don't throw anything in the bin that has your name or address on it, protect your card pins at all times if you use your credit cards online make sure that you have the right protection on your PC and make sure you use secure websites. Don't give out personal information over the telephone.

If you suspect credit card fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement under oath that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.

You will need to contact your credit card company - they will walk you through the procedure. They should immediately put a block on your file and report it to the exception files. They may ask you for an affidavit or a police statement. If you're concerned that they're giving you the run-around, you should read up on your rights as a consumer-

Actually, I wouldn't recommend closing your credit card account, closed accounts impact your score and do nothing to help improve it. If you zero balance the card just put it in your sock draw get gas or pay a bill with it once a month and then P.I.F. it when you get the bill, that way your not paying any interest, the credit card companies hate when you do that! LOL It makes you look good it fakes up your score and your utilization of your credit limit is well below the recommended 35%.

From what I understand, if you are closing an account in good standing, it is important to include in your letter a request, stated clearly and in no uncertain terms, that your credit record show YOU were the one to request that your account be closed and NOT your credit card company.

This way in the future anyone needing to check your credit will see this and know that the account was not closed for other reasons that could reflect poorly on your rating.

It might not hurt, as a follow up, to check your credit record. I know sometimes it's recommended to check your credit record yearly in order to check for errors and mistakes.

However, I've also read that you shouldn't check it TOO often because this can adversely affect your record or score.

1) Do you have a history of credit being extended to you? They want to see a long history, which is why you should NEVER close the account for the credit card you've had the longest, even if you never plan to use it again (unless, perhaps, you're paying a yearly fee, but--even then--call them to see if they'll waive the fee; tell them you're thinking of closing your account otherwise): keeping the account open keeps it on your credit history, showing that you've have credit for a while.

2) Do you have multiple types of credit (credit cards, mortgage, car loan, cell phone, student loan, etc.)? They like to see a mix.

3) How much of your credit do you use? They like to see that you use no more than around 30% of the credit available to you. For example, let's say you have two credit cards--one with a $10000 limit, one with a $20000 limit--and so, you have $30000 of available credit. You owe $5000 on the card with a $10000 limit and $0 on the $20000 card. That means you're using about 17% of your available credit ($5000 of $30000). That's fine. But let's say you close your $20000 card. Now, all of a sudden, you're using $5000 of $10000 in available credit--50%. That looks horrible--like you are living beyond your means, getting by on credit, even though you owe THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY as you did when you had $30000 of available credit. But, by closing the account, you jacked up your debt ratio past 30%, making you look like a poor manager of credit. People will be less likely to offer you credit now, and they'll offer you worse interest rates when they do.

So--if you want to close the account, make sure it's for the right reason, such as it's costing you an annual fee. Otherwise, if you can hang on to the card, do it. If you are worried you'll use it when you shouldn't, put it in a bag of water and put the bag in the freezer. That way you'll have to wait for it to thaw before you can use it, which will cut down your impulse purchases.

• It really depends on how long ago the debt was and what you are looking to do now. Paying the charged off debt will not increase your credit score, the damage is already done. However if you are looking to purchase a home or some other major purchase, it would be best to have the accounts show a zero balance. You can usually settle charged off accounts for 50% or less of the total debt. Otherwise you can just wait the seven years until they are removed.

• For any personal credit related concerns I recommend a website that I know has many very good answers to even the toughest questions. It is an 'ask' site directly on Experian's website which is hosted by Maxine Sweet, the V.P. of Public Affairs for Experian. You can get to the site from the following link: http://www.experian.com/ask_max/index.html

• From my own personal experience, if you can afford to pay your charge off in full, then do it. It not only helps your credit score but, when you go to apply for a loan, credit card, mortgage to buy a house or even a car although, it will still show up as a paid in FULL charge off. The lender will, more than likely, still give you what you are looking for because they'lll see it as "oh, this person just came on to some hard times but is cleaning up their credit by paying everything in full". When a debt is charged off, the creditor isn't expecting the borrower to pay anymore so, they may sell your account , or assign it on a contingency basis, to a collection agency.

You should always try to remove charge offs that are on your credit report. You can either negotiate the removal with the original creditor or you can try to dispute it to the credit bureaus. The credit bureaus have 30 days to verify the listing or it must be removed from your credit report. There is no reason not to try and remove your charge offs from your credit report.

You are probably referring to the "Public Records" part of the credit report. In that case you can't. Court cases are a public record, even if its dismissed, unfounded, you win, etc. All the CRAs do is searh for your name in courts across the country. If they find a case, it goes on your credit report along with the type (Judgement Lien, Foreclosure, etc). If you sue someone else, it can show up on your credit report.

Here are more opinions and answers from other FAQ Farmers:

• You cannot remove the lien that was in the bankruptcy, but you can contact each of the repositories, equifax, experie and transunion with a copy of the bankruptcy list of creditors and have them listed on the credit report. This way it will show the creditors being included in the bankruptcy which will show they are no longer open accounts and raise your score.
• Your bankruptcy attorney should have removed any judgment liens on exempt property during the bankruptcy. This is done by the filing of a Motion to Avoid Judgment Liens or a Motion to Avoid Liens on Exempt Property. If this was not done, most Bankruptcy Courts will allow you to reopen a case to avoid liens. It might be cheaper to pay the lien or negotiate a settlement. Call both the lien holder and your lawyer to determine the cost of either action.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act negative information can be included in your credit reports for seven years.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. Bankruptcy is one of those exceptions. Bankruptcy information may be reported for 10 years. Sorry.

Once the ten years are up, there's nothing you should need to do. If for some reason a credit reporting agency keeps reporting the outdated information, click here for more information about fixing errors in your credit report.

More information:

If you filed Chapter 13, it should have fallen off already since those come off your report in 7 years. Many people in that situation have the credit reporting agencies do an "investigation" of their report to remove it.

If you filed Chapter 7, then you have two years to wait since those come off your report in 10 years (see Section 605(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act).

Please note that nothing in this posting or in any other posting constitutes legal advice; this is simply my understanding of the facts, which I do not warrant, and I am not suggesting any course of action or inaction to any person.

According to Golden Financial Services, after two years a bankruptcy can be removed off a credit report.

Yes, you can removed settled debts -- if they are outdated as defined by law.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act negative information can be included in your credit reports for seven years. But there are exceptions to this rule:

• Information about criminal convictions may be reported without any time limitation.

• Bankruptcy information may be reported for 10 years.

• Information reported in response to an application for a job with a salary of more than $75,000 has no time limit.

• Information reported because of an application for more than $150,000 worth of credit or life insurance has no time limit.

• Information about a lawsuit or an unpaid judgment against you can be reported for seven years or until the statute of limitations runs out, whichever is longer.

If an item is outdated, you can dispute it on your credit report for free. Ask the reporting agency for a dispute form or submit your dispute in writing, along with any supporting documentation. Do not send them original documents.

Clearly identify each item in your report that you dispute, explain why you dispute the information, and request a reinvestigation. If the new investigation reveals an error, you may ask that a corrected version of the report be sent to anyone who received your report within the past six months. Job applicants can have corrected reports sent to anyone who received a report for employment purposes during the past two years.

When the reinvestigation is complete, the reporting agency must give you the written results and a free copy of your report if the dispute results in a change. If an item is changed or removed, the credit bureau cannot put the disputed information back in your file unless the information provider verifies its accuracy and completeness, and the credit bureau gives you a written notice that includes the name, address, and phone number of the provider.

You also should tell the creditor or other information provider in writing that you dispute an item. Many providers specify an address for disputes. If the provider then reports the item to any bureau or reporting agency, it must include a notice of your dispute. In addition, if you are correct � that is, if the information is indeed outdated � the information provider may not use it again.

If the reinvestigation does not resolve your dispute, have the credit bureau include your version of the dispute in your file and in future reports. Remember, there is no charge for a reinvestigation.

Here is more advice and input:

• Yes, they can be removed. I have found three services so far that guarantee the results for complete credit cleaning or removal of any items you want for one year for $400-800 total.

• The answer is not just to dispute the items. You want a book that explains WHY the credit bureau broke the law, and helps you draft the letter threatening legal action. Dispute letters are a waste of time in most cases and can't get a bankruptcy or foreclosure off your report. You have to apply the laws. For instance, I've learned that foreclosures and bankruptcies must be HAND DELIVERED to the credit bureaus, which NEVER happens, before they can be listed on the report.

• Yes. Contact the establishment you paid. Tell them to withdraw the claim from the reporting agency. If they do it should be removed within 30-60 days. However, they do not have to remove it if under the 7 years. Ask nicely explain you plight and I have found 3 of my creidtors withdrew the claims.

Recent amendments to the Act expand your rights and place additional requirements on credit reporting agencies (CRAs). Businesses that supply information about you to CRAs and those that use consumer reports also have new responsibilities under the law.

Here are some questions consumers commonly ask about consumer reports and CRAs, and their answers: Fair Credit Reporting. (Note that you may have additional rights under state laws. Contact your state Attorney General or local consumer protection agency for more information.)

Although the FTC can't act as your lawyer in private disputes, information about your experiences and concerns is vital to the enforcement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Send your questions or complaints to: Consumer Response Center � FCRA, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Here is more advice and input from FAQ Farmers:

• The Act is overseen by the FTC. Goal to protect consumer rights. Practical applications, for example: how to handle annoying debt collectors, etc.

Only the collection agency or the credit bureaus can remove collections off your credit report. You can either negotiate with the collectiona agency or dispute it to the credit bureaus.

The credit card company will first try to collect from the estate. Creditors are not allowed to put the extra debt baggage on survivors if the estate is insolvent. Creditors will most likely close the account and write it off when they receive the death certificate and has filed a claim in probate towards the estate. Only way the survivors are responsible for the debt is if they want to pay off the debt themselves or if they are the joint owner of the debt.

More Information:

I just went through Probate court with my Grandma's estate and she had no estate to resolve so Creditors had to close the account and write it off. They are not allowed to come after heirs because they are not responsible for the debt because they are not co-owner or a co-debtor on the debt.

If the person who died owns a car and owes money to the bank, then the bank will repossess the car and auction it off. The difference between the loan and how much they got in the auction will determine if they will file a claim on that person who died on their assets to make up the difference.

A satisfied judgment can be taken off your credit, if it is inaccurate. If the judgment is yours, it will remain for the full reporting period allowed by law.

Here is more advice:

• I have a satisfied judgment on my credit report. We satisfied this judgment 5 years ago. However, the plaintiff the judgment was awarded to, never bothered to give the court an order to mark the judgment satisfied. And I didn't know at the time that I could do it myself. I went down to the court Friday and gave them a 'request to vacate judgment' form. I have to wait a week to see if they will do it. If they don't, I'm taking the plaintiff in this judgment to court. I'm going to sue him for the amount of the satisfied judgment times the 5 years it's been reported to the credit bureaus. The credit bureaus are worthless and they are no help at all. They don't investigate anything. I found a lot of interesting websites with lots of info on how to fix errors on your credit report. If you want more info, email me and I'll send you a list of the URLs I found.

• The previous answer was a bit scary. Credit reporting is not the responsibility of the judgment plaintiff, nor the courts, nor the bureaus themselves. If a consumer is sued over financial matters that typically show on a credit report (judgments, tax liens, foreclosures and bankruptcies) those actions need their proper disposition. Obtaining that disposition is not anyone else's responsibility. It is up to the defendant to find out what steps to take to clear their credit. A lawsuit for failing to do so would most likely be unsuccessful.

• The lawsuit that he is speaking of is true and is valid, when and only after you have requested in writing, from the person who has put the Judgement on you, the filing of a satisfaction of Judgement, if they do not file within 14 day of receiving the written request then you can sue for the amount of the Judgement Plus 50 dollars according to California state law Code of Civil Procedure section 116.850. (116.850. (a) If full payment of the judgment is made to the judgment creditor or to the judgment creditor's assignee of record, then immediately upon receipt of payment, the judgment creditor or assignee shall file with the clerk of the court an acknowledgment of satisfaction of the judgment. (b) Any judgment creditor or assignee of record who, after receiving full payment of the judgment and written demand by the judgment debtor, fails without good cause to execute and file an acknowledgment of satisfaction of the judgment with the clerk of the court in which the judgment is entered within 14 days after receiving the request, is liable to the judgment debtor or the judgment debtor's grantees or heirs for all damages sustained by reason of the failure and, in addition, the sum of fifty dollars ($50).)

• Regarding the above note: Successfully petitioning for a Motion to Satisfy Judgement does nothing more than show that the judgment was satisfied within the negative entry in your credit report. It will remain in your Credit Report (showing satisfied) for 7 years as allowed by law. Now, if someone knows in DETAIL (please be specific with your answer along with Links if referenced) how to truly remove a satisfied/paid judgment within the 7 years then please let us all know.

It should be removed automatically after seven years, but even a judgment that's satisfied can't be removed before then. Your credit history - the good and bad - is reported for a period of seven years.

I went through the same situation with a satisfied judgment that wasnt updated by the plaintiff. However, I found the credit bureaus helpful b/c I was able to go online and dispute it through annualcreditreport.com along with other stuff I know I paid. They updated it within a week and I had about 5 accounts updated (even some I know I still owed) I pays to stay on top of your credit, some companies may change names, lenders, go out of business (you never know) So, my advice is to dispute it on your credit report. Anyway, Good Luck with your lawsuit.

I agree with the above. I recently disputed a judgment that was satisfied but it wasn't being reported that way and they just deleted it.

A satisfied judgment should stay on your credit report for 7 years from the last activity. It can only be removed by the court that placed in on your credit report or by the credit bureau reporting it. You can request to both to verify the account is yours and if they judgment is not verified it can be removed.

A satisfied judgment does not have to stay on for 7 years at all. This is a myth. You must understand the law. It states that derogatory entries can stay on your report for 7 years, not mandatory that it will. The key is can stay on!! That part of the FCRA is in place for people who do not check there credit regularly. So it gives a limit to the holder of the debt or plaintiff to pursue resolution to get debt paid!!! To get removed all you have to do is get notice from original plaintiff that through the courts the debt has been paid. They will acknowledge this and get you a statement letter of satisfaction. Take that letter to the court that rendered the Judgement and they will update. The next step is in writing contact the Credit Bureaus and show cause for a dispute! The cause will be that per the original plaintiff the derogatory entry should be moved. They will have to investigate this for you and when they call the original plaintiff they will not respond and the Bureau will remove within 31 days. I have helped people get over 20 judgments removed this way!

The first step that most U.S. banks require to begin the settlement negotiation process is that the customer must be delinquent in his or her monthly payments. So, initially, yes is the answer, as missing monthly payments will reduce your credit score. The longer the payments are missed, the more the score will drop.

However, once you reach a negotiated settlement, the bank will report to the credit bureaus that the account is "paid, settled for less than amount owed." While this doesn't rate your score as high as an "account paid in full" note, you will actually see a rebound in your credit score as accounts are settled because a settled account, even if for less than the total originally owed, is better than an outstanding or delinquent account.

Lastly, if you are considering debt settlement as an option, a better question to ask isn't simply, "Will is lower my credit score," but rather, "Is it worth lowering my credit score to settle the account." If you have a significant amount of debt and know you can save 'thousands' or 'tens of thousands' of dollars through a settlement, it may be worth the extra few points in interest you might pay on a new loan to settle your delinquent debt.

You want the item on the credit report to state, Paid. Do not accept anything less.

Actually, it would be better if you could get them to delete the item when you pay it off. Send them a 'pay for delete' letter via certified mail. If they agree, make sure you have it in writing. I also suggest you offer less than is owed, 35 - 50% of total debt.

Know that your credit scores are marked according to the age of the history. If you are wanting to fix your credit score for a possible loan, do not pay on anything over two years inactive. Doing this will bring the account current and negatively affect your credit score more. If you are looking for long term credit repair (not a loan soon) than pay the charged off account off. There are three main credit bureaus -- Transunion, Experian, and Equifax -- and that they give you a grade on your credit-worthiness according to what your creditors report to them. While each of these three bureaus may have some small variables that differentiate their scoring, the FICO scoring model is still the heart. FICO stands for Fair, Isaac and Company, the group that designed the model. Here is how they say the score breaks down:

• 35% - payment history
• 30% - amounts owed
• 15% - length of credit history
• 10% - types of credit
• 10% - new credit

Getting a credit report is quite simple, but getting your credit score can be much trickier. Make sure any company you pay to send you your credit report is also sending you the credit score, so you know the exact number that lenders are receiving. (Most companies will charge extra to show you the scores.) Credit.com is one place that will send you a credit report and your credit score for free -- but you have to remember to cancel your membership within their 30-day period, and you only receive one of the three bureau's reports. Credit Resource Corp. refers their clients to an Annual Credit Watch Program that will give you 24/7 access to your updated credit reports and credit scores from all three bureaus without causing a HARD INQUIRY. Most delinquencies aren't reported to the credit bureaus until after they are 30 days late. This allows for a small grace period - which is supremely helpful to folks who aren't adept at organization. What's valuable to know is that delinquencies which occurred within the past 2 years are of greater weight than older items. That means that if you see an item sent to collections, it might actually hurt you to pay it off during the loan process if it's more than two years old. Why? Because paying collections will decrease the credit score due to the date of last activity becoming recent. But if you do decide to pay off a collection, MAKE SURE that the creditor gives you a letter of deletion first. If, however, you have any recent accounts with past-due amounts, paying them off immediately will help your credit score. Again, if you do decide to pay off a collection, MAKE SURE that the creditor gives you a letter of deletion first.

Here are more opinions and answers:

• Yes, it could. Although credit card companies may encourage you to settle your debt with the help of a credit counseling service or a debt repayment plan, as an alternative to bankruptcy (where they may get nothing), this step would still become part of your credit history. According to the FTC, "the use of debt counseling may appear on your credit report. Some creditors consider this activity negatively; some may consider it as a positive step."

• In addition to the above, Creditors will sometimes offer you a straight settlement through their collections department (I know, I used to be a collector) and I strongly advise you to NOT TAKE IT. Although it may sound nice to give them a one time payment and be done with it, the debt will show on your credit report as SETTLED. Other lenders will look at that and not be as willing to lend you money down the line (or an apartment, job in finance, etc.) for fear that you will not be willing to repay the full amount you owe them. Credit Management however is only a temporary mark on your credit. As soon as you are done with the program, the mark falls off. Most Credit Management companies will have you sign an agreement that you will not open any more lines of credit or loans while on their program anyway though, so it isn't that big of a deal. No one will be looking at you.
• Relax. Two years from now (2009) greater than 40% of the population will have poor credit scores based on todays credit rating system. This means that the banks will be forced to lower their credit rating standards if they want to obtain new business (lending). Considering that it is the banks who first created the profitable cycle (for them) of organized periods of boom then bust at the expense of Joe citizen, it would be a moral hazard for you to pay them anything. The banks have avoided any recent possible losses by raping the U.S. treasury, your money, and now they want you to continue paying them. This is double dipping. Go ahead and forsake your credit score today because the system will change and in two years you will be allowed credit again.
• Yes, almost anything will for a short time. Your score moves up and down like a

  merry go round. But if you follow the advice above it will bounce back quickly.

  EX- I charged 10.000 in June on a card but paid it in full ex for 5.00 in July, my score went from 748 in June to 720 in July and the to 740 in august.

• Find financial consultation for free, there are many financial institutions that provides consultation for free. Try visiting totaldebtservices.com