Can you remove debts you have settled from your credit report?

Answer 1

Yes, you can removed settled debts -- if they are outdated as defined by law.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If an item is outdated, you can dispute it on your credit report for free.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 In addition, if you are correct � that is, if the information is indeed outdated � the information provider may not use it again.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.