Repair Your Own Credit With These Easy Steps

Repair your own credit by getting your free annual credit report. Hop on over to annualcreditreport.com or calling 877-322-8228. Once you have each of your reports, grab your yellow highlighter and one credit report at a time. Although each credit report has its own rating system, they are similar enough that we can figure out the positive listings from the negative listings from each of the credit reporting agencies, Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Anything which is listed as Paid As Agreed, we will leave alone. Paid As Agreed is a positive listing. Look for items which say charge offs, foreclosure, repossessions, collections and paid collections, settled accounts, bankruptcy and included in bankruptcy, as well as 30, 60, 90, or 120 day late payments. Also look for an item that says Too New To Rate. It shows up on my report as a negative listing (ouch). Ok, now that you've highlighted the negative information on your credit report, its time to get down to the facts. Do you see any information that is at all questionable? I'm talking about incorrect balances, payments that have been incorrectly marked as late, any accounts that are not yours, chargeoffs or collection accounts which are not correct, an account that you have been paying on which is market too new to report, etc.. Remember, it is your right to dispute ANY information in your credit report that is not correct. It is time for you to repair your own credit with a credit dispute letter. Sample Do It Yourself Credit Repair Letter Date Your Name Your Social Security Number Your Address, City, State, Zip Code Complaint Department Name of Company Address City, State, Zip Code To Whom it May Concern: I am writing to dispute the following information in my file. The item(s) that are in dispute is (are) circled on my credit report. This item (identify item(s) disputed by name and account number) is (inaccurate or incomplete) because (describe the reason why). I am requesting that the item be deleted (or request another specific change) to correct the information on my account. (for example Bank of America VISA Acct: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxx-xxx: This account is listed as being 30 days late. I have never been late on this account.) Enclosed is a copy of my credit report (if you have any backup information supporting your dispute also include and describe the backup information). Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only accurate credit information. Please remove this inaccurate information as soon as possible. Sincerely, Your name Well there you have it. The above dispute letter is very basic but gives you a general idea of the basics in repairing credit.