Is it possible to repair my credit report thus repairing my credit score? After all, negative marks on my credit report are somewhat out of my control right? Where do I even start? Do I even have a chance against the huge credit reporting companies that record and report my credit? The creditors that extended me credit are reporting negative things to the credit bureaus, so what do I do?
These are questions you may be asking yourself right after being turned down for a car loan, home mortgage, credit card, or even a job. The fact is that you don't have to live with these negative blemishes on your credit report. Taking matters into your own hands can save you a lot of sleep and a lot of money.
So what do you do?
It can be summed up in 4 easy steps:
1. Get A Copy Of Your Credit Report - You can do this online, by writing a letter to the the three major Credit Bureaus, or by calling the Credit Bureaus on the phone.
You can get free copies of your credit reports annually from the three major Credit Bureaus online by going to annualcreditreport.com or you can visit any one of the three Credit Bureau's web sites at Equifax.com, TransUnion.com, or Experian.com, but you will have to pay for them.
2. Find The Negative Accounts - Once you receive your credit file you will then need to examine it carefully for negative items that you wish to remove.
3. Call The Creditors - If you have any disputes regarding any accounts on your credit report, call the creditor directly using the supplied numbers on your report. If you feel the item is not your fault or is not your account ask them to remove it from your report. If the first person you talk to tells you there's nothing they can do, ask to talk to their superior. There is a small chance that they will in fact remove the item from your credit report. If they will not remove the item in dispute do not dispare, simply say "Thank You" and hang up the phone.
4. Dispute The Negative Accounts With The Credit Bureaus - This is the best method for removing negative items from your credit report. You can dispute items on your credit file by visiting each Credit Bureas web site and filing a dispute claim with them or by writing them a detailed letter making sure to list the accounts in dispute and asking them to take action in correcting the negative accounts or removing them altogether.
