5 Steps To Remove Inaccurate Judgments From Your Credit Report
When you are on the losing end of a money lawsuit, the judgment, as it is a financial one, appears on your credit report. It can result in wage garnishment and it also puts a dent on your credit score. But sometimes, due to mistakes made by the credit bureaus, a wrong judgment appears on your report tarnishing it. Given below are the 5 steps that you have to follow to fight to get the judgment removed.
- Place a request for your free copy of credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. If you have already accessed your free reports, then buy them from the agencies.
- The “Public Judgment” section of the report will contain the docket number of the judgment. Visit the courthouse with this number and request for a copy of the original judgment. From this you will be able to view the name and contact address of the defendant.
- Write to the credit agency to the report the inaccurate judgment and enclose a copy of your identification. Your letter of dispute must contain why the judgment should not appear in your report and if possible, enclose documents in support of your claim. Request the agency to investigate the error. Enclosing supporting documents helps the agency to speed up the process of investigation.
- When you enclose the credit report, highlight the judgment so that the agency can locate the disputed item immediately and work on it faster.
- According to the FCRA, the bureau has to investigate the dispute within 30 days and either remove it from the report or write back to you, if it is found to be correct. Do not forget to enclose identity proof, documents in support of your claim and the credit report in which the inaccurate judgment is highlighted.
As per FCRA regulations, a judgment will remain on your report for a period of 7 years. Therefore, it is imperative to get it removed. However, the removal can be effected only if the judgment is not legitimate and erroneous.
