SELF-HELP CREDIT REPORT
CORRECTION FORM LETTERS

1. Request credit reports from the appropriate agencies.

2. Enclose a fee for the report if there is no denial of credit.

3. Request separate credit reports for husband and wife.

4. Analyze all negative, inaccurate, and incomplete information.

5. If the credit reporting agency has dispute forms, use them. If not, write a letter using the sample in your book.

6. Personalize your letter: Use your own words.

7. Make sure all letters have the date on them.

8. Review all updated reports.

9. Repeat the process if necessary.

10. Be patient and persistent.

Credit Report Request Form 1

Dear Credit Bureau,

Please send me a copy of my credit report. I am enclosing the necessary fee.

Name
Current Address
City, State Zip

Previous Address
City, State Zip
Social Security
Date of Birth

Sincerely,
Sign Name

(Mail this type of letter if you have not been turned down for credit. Send to Experian (formerly TRW) Trans Union and Equifax [CBI].)

Credit Report Request Form 2

Dear Credit Bureau,

Please send me a copy of my credit report. I was turned down for credit by (insert name of company).

Name
Current Address
City, State Zip

Previous Address
City, State Zip

Social Security
Date of Birth

Sincerely,
Sign Name

(Mail this type of letter if you have not been turned down for credit. Send to Experian (formerly TRW) Trans Union and Equifax [CBI]).

Responses

Credit reporting agencies must respond to a dispute sent to them within a reasonable time unless they feel it is frivolous or irrelevant. The credit bureaus allow the creditors twenty working days to respond to their investigation. (Allow a full thirty days including weekends.) If the creditors do not respond within that time frame, the disputed item will be removed from the credit report. MAKING UP A STORY IS NOT RECOMMENDED. Use the sample responses, or write one that will be appropriate for your situation. The more of your personality projected, the better the letter.

1. I do not recall having this account. This is not mine.

2. I do not believe that I was ever 30 t60 or 90) days late on this account.

3. I paid this account in full as agreed. It was not a charge off.

4. This is not my bankruptcy (insert date and amount).

5. I do not owe this judgment for $amount.

6. I do not owe this tax lien for $amount.

7. This account was the responsibility of separated (or divorced) spouse.

Disputed Letter 1

Dear Credit Bureau,

After receiving a copy of my credit report, I have found incorrect information reported.

My account at XYZ, account #111111, was paid in full as agreed and not a charge-off. Please remove this.

I never paid Kelly Co. 60 days late. Account #12344. Please correct this.

This Tax Lien Docket #555555 was paid in full. I do not owe this.

My name is John Doe, and I reside at 2233 Park Avenue, Any Town, California 22222. My social security number is 111-22-3333. My previous address was 6143 Summer Lane, Any Town, California 22222. My birthdate is 11-17-50.

Sincerely,
John Doe

Disputed Letter 2

Dear Credit Bureau,

After receiving a copy of my credit report and checking my records, I have found incorrect information. My name is John Doe, and I reside at 2233 Park Avenue, Any Town, California 22222. My social security number is 111-22-3333. My previous address was 6143 Summer Lane, Any Town, California 22222. My birthdate is 11-17-50.

I do not have an account with Brewer's Collection, account #12456.

My account at Nelson's Department Store, #4441, was paid in full as agreed and should have a positive rating.

This bankruptcy, docket #45667, for $100,000, 10-12-88, is wrong and should not be on my report. This is not mine.

Sincerely,
John Doe

One-Hundred-Word Statement

To Whom It May Concern:

Please add this statement to my credit profile. Make it a part of my credit report.

In May 1988, I was laid off my job due to an injury. I fell behind on my payments. It took me four months to get back on the job, but my debts had become seriously delinquent. I made arrangements with my creditors to repay these debts. I have since paid them all off and am in good standing. My job is secure, and I am now trying to rebuild my credit.

My name is John Smith. I reside at 2398 Main Street, Any Town, Minnesota 33333. My social security number is 333-88-9999. My previous address is 1245 Maple Street, Any Town, Minnesota 33444. My birthdate is 5-9-44.

Sincerely,
John Smith

If you wish our firm to assist you in assuring the Credit Bureaus comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act which covers credit reports, call us at (312)939-2221 or 1-800-992-3275. We will send you a Lawyers-Client Agreement which will describe our billing arrangement.