December 26, 2008
Credit Repair After Bankruptcy
If you have a bankruptcy on your credit report you probably feel like there is no way to escape a low score. However you can remove this listing and you can create a positive score for yourself.
The truth is that this mark does not have to remain on your credit for 10 years. To remove it we suggest:
1. Dispute the listing with the bureaus directly.
This is done by sending a dispute letter to the bureau; you can do this yourself or hire a service to do it on your behalf. The bureau will then conduct an investigation into the listing. However bureaus do not check public records when they investigate a dispute, thus the listing will not be verified.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act says that any mark that can not be verified by the bureau must be removed from your report. Additionally this mark says that you the consumer can dispute any item on your report that you do not feel is accurate. Often people are concerned with the legality of credit repair, and you should know you will never be fined, prosecuted, arrested, or face any legal action for disputing an item.
It is rumored that after 2 years it is easier to remove this mark, however it is not required. Additionally we suggest you make sure that any negative item on your report reads “included in bankruptcy.” The reason for this is you will later dispute the validity of these items because your report does not show a bankruptcy.
2. Dispute each negative item.
You will be able to challenge the mark on the basis that your report does not show a bankruptcy. Therefore each item should be deleted by the bureaus upon investigation.
3. Build positive credit. This will help the most if you have a new revolving line of credit such as a credit card.
With on time payments you will build a positive payment history, this is heavily weighted when your score is calculated. It will also help if you keep your balance under 30% of your limit because this will help your utilization ratio. This means you will have better ratio of available credit to debt.
It might not be the most ethical to dispute items you know are accurate on your report. However is it ethical for lender to charge you 30% interest rate for missing a payment, no matter how long you have been a model customer?
In sum a positive payment history, report clear of derogatory items, and a good ratio of available credit to debt is the recipe for a 700 plus score. This will improve your quality of life by; saving you money on large deposits, high interest rates, and the embarrassment of a denial.
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