Few things are more frustrating than seeing your credit score drop because of an error or outdated information. Whether it’s a paid-off account that still shows as unpaid or a collection that doesn’t belong to you, these mistakes can cost you real opportunities—like getting approved for a mortgage, car loan, or even a new job.
You don’t have to live with those mistakes. There are clear, proven steps you can take to remove inaccurate or unfair items from your credit report and start rebuilding your credit health. Here’s how to take control of your credit report and protect your financial future.
Why Fixing Credit Report Errors Matters
Even small mistakes on your credit report can have a big impact. A single reporting error—like a late payment that wasn’t actually late or an account listed as open when it’s closed—can lower your credit score and make borrowing more expensive.
Lenders, landlords, and even some employers rely on your credit report to make decisions. If it shows inaccurate or outdated information, you could be denied a loan, charged a higher interest rate, or miss out on opportunities you deserve.
Taking time to clean up your credit report helps ensure that your credit score reflects your true financial habits. It can also open the door to better rates, higher approval odds, and greater financial peace of mind.
Steps to Remove Items From Your Credit Report
Removing items from your credit report is possible, but only under certain circumstances. The Federal Trade Commission makes it clear: accurate and timely negative information can’t be legally removed. However, if you spot something that seems off, like a mistake or a fraudulent charge, you’re allowed to dispute it.
1. Request Your Credit Report
Start by getting a copy of your free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you can request one free report from each bureau every 12 months. Keep in mind that while your report will show your financial history, it won’t include your credit score.
2. Review Your Credit Report
After you’ve gotten a copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency, you need to review them to see which items are hurting your credit scores.
In this step, you’ll locate errors and negative information on your credit reports that need to be corrected or removed. Pay close attention to the account information and payment history included on your credit reports and highlight any issues.
Look closely at:
- Personal information, such as the name, address and Social Security number listed on your accounts.
- Account information, including balances, credit limits, payment history and current status.
- Bankruptcy and collection data, including whether any of your accounts were marked past due for over 30 days and sent to a collection agency.
It’s also essential to make sure the item you are disputing is actually negative. You want to avoid disputing credit accounts that positively impact your credit scores.
3. Submit a Dispute
If you find an error on your credit report, file a dispute with the credit bureau reporting it. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), credit bureaus must remove any item they can’t verify with proper documentation.
You can submit a dispute online, by phone, or by mail—but mailing a physical dispute letter is often the most effective approach for several reasons. A written record gives you proof of what was sent and when.
Once your dispute is received, the credit bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond. In some cases, the creditor may contact you for additional information. That request isn’t mandatory to answer, but keeping clear documentation helps if further issues arise.
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What to Do If Credit Bureau Disputes Don’t Work
If your dispute doesn’t fix the problem, you still have options. Credit bureaus and creditors don’t always cooperate right away, but there are other ways to address inaccurate or unfair information and push for removal.
Send a Goodwill Letter
If your dispute didn’t work, try sending a goodwill letter. This can be useful if you had missed payments but have since caught up. In the letter, you politely ask your creditor to remove the negative mark from your credit report as a gesture of goodwill.
While there’s no guarantee the creditor will agree, it’s worth a try. Be upfront about why you missed the payments. Whether it was due to unemployment, medical issues, or an autopay failure, explain your situation. The goal is to show that the missed payment doesn’t reflect your true financial behavior and that you’ve worked to get back on track.
Negotiate a “Pay for Delete” Agreement
For unpaid charge-offs or collections, you can try negotiating a “pay for delete” deal. This involves offering to pay off the debt—possibly for less than what you owe—in exchange for the creditor removing the negative item from your report.
Before making the offer, ensure you’re dealing with the right collection agency, especially if the debt has been transferred. Send your offer in writing, and wait for their approval before making any payments. Be sure to keep everything in writing as proof, in case they fail to remove the item after payment.
Consider Hiring a Professional
If you’ve tried everything and still aren’t making progress, it might be time to hire a professional credit repair service. These companies can handle the back-and-forth with creditors and credit bureaus for you. Just make sure to choose a reputable service with a strong track record.
Wait for the Negative Item to Fall Off
If all else fails, your last option is to wait for the negative item to naturally drop off your credit report. Most negative information stays on your credit report for up to seven years, though bankruptcy can remain for up to 10 years. Over time, the impact of these negative items lessens, especially if you’ve been building positive credit behavior.
Keep in mind that even after the seven-year mark, certain information may still be accessible for specific purposes, like applying for a high-paying job or large loan.
See also: How Long Does Credit Repair Take?
Common Credit Report Errors That Hurt Your Credit Score
Even small errors on your credit report can drag down your credit score and make it harder to qualify for loans or credit cards. Knowing what to look for helps you catch problems early and fix them before they cause more damage.
Mistaken Identity
Unfamiliar accounts or addresses can appear on your credit report because of a mix-up—like sharing a similar name or Social Security number with someone else. If you notice this, contact the creditor right away to correct the mistake and request that the credit bureau update your report.
Incorrect Account Status
Accounts can sometimes be reported under the wrong status, such as showing you as the primary account holder when you’re only an authorized user. Other common mistakes include incorrect dates, missed payments that weren’t actually late, or duplicate listings. Start by contacting the creditor, and if that doesn’t resolve it, file a dispute with the credit bureau.
Incorrect Balances
Wrong balances or credit limits can skew your credit utilization ratio, which directly affects your credit score. Double-check that your current balance, limit, and account status are accurate. If something looks off, contact the creditor or file a dispute to get it corrected.
Outdated Information
Old accounts or paid-off debts sometimes remain on your credit report longer than they should. For example, an account you closed years ago might still show as open or past due. Ask the credit bureau to remove outdated items so your report reflects your current financial situation.
Inaccurate Public Records
Mistakes involving public records—like bankruptcies, liens, or judgments—can do serious damage to your credit. Sometimes these records are listed incorrectly or fail to show updates such as a released lien or discharged bankruptcy. Make sure the details match your official court documents.
Duplicate Accounts
The same debt may appear twice on your credit report, which can make it look like you owe more than you do. This usually happens when a debt is sold to another collection agency or reported incorrectly. Ask the credit bureau to merge or remove duplicates so your balance is reported accurately.
Credit Report Mistakes That Can Lower Your Credit Score
When you’re working to fix errors or clean up your credit report, some actions can slow down your progress—or even make things worse. Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing what steps to take.
Filing for Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy doesn’t erase negative items right away. While it can discharge certain debts and reset your balances, the record itself stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. That long-term mark can make it harder to qualify for loans, credit cards, or housing.
Closing Accounts
Closing a delinquent account doesn’t remove it from your credit history. Even if you close the account, the late payments will continue to appear until the balance is paid in full. It’s better to pay off or settle the debt before closing the account.
Paying an Overdue Balance
Paying an overdue balance doesn’t automatically erase the negative entry. Once paid, the account status may change to “OK,” but the late payment record remains. To remove it completely, try sending a goodwill letter or negotiating with the creditor.
Disputing Accurate Information
Only inaccurate or outdated information can be removed. Trying to dispute correct negative information wastes time and could slow legitimate disputes. Focus your efforts on errors that can actually be corrected or negotiate with creditors for a possible removal.
Applying for Too Much Credit
Submitting several credit applications in a short period can lower your credit score. Each application triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries suggest financial strain. Apply strategically and space out applications to protect your score.
Ignoring Smaller Debts
Unpaid small debts can still lead to collections and hurt your credit score just as much as larger ones. Stay on top of every balance, even minor ones, to avoid additional damage to your credit report.
Bottom Line
Improving your credit report takes patience and consistency. Focus on correcting real errors, keeping accounts current, and building positive payment history. You can also contact creditors directly or work with a reputable credit repair company for extra support.
With time and persistence, your efforts will pay off—leading to a stronger credit score and more financial opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my credit report?
It’s smart to review your credit report at least once a year—or more often if you’re rebuilding credit or planning to apply for a major loan. Each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—offers one free report every 12 months through AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your reports regularly helps you catch new errors early and monitor your progress as your credit improves.
Can I remove late payments from my credit report?
Late payments can stay on your credit report for up to seven years. If the late payment is incorrect, file a dispute with the credit bureau that’s reporting it. If it’s accurate, you can ask the creditor to remove it as a courtesy by sending a goodwill letter, especially if your payment history has been strong since the late payment occurred.
Will paying off collections improve my credit score?
Paying off a collection account doesn’t remove it from your credit report, but it can still help your credit score over time. Once the balance is paid, the account will show as “paid” or “closed,” which looks better to lenders than an unpaid collection. Some newer credit scoring models also ignore paid collections entirely, which can lead to a boost in your score.
What’s the fastest way to clean up my credit report?
Start by disputing any clear errors, then focus on paying down high balances and making every payment on time. Reducing your credit utilization ratio and keeping old accounts open can help improve your credit score faster. Consistency is key—positive habits build momentum and can offset older negative marks.
Can closing a credit card hurt my credit score?
Yes, closing a credit card can lower your credit score, especially if it reduces your total available credit or shortens your credit history. If the card has no annual fee, consider keeping it open and using it occasionally to keep the account active. Only close an account if it simplifies your finances or prevents overspending.
