Hello.. Newbie looking to improve my credit

Hello my name is Lu. I've been reading the FAQs and advice posted in this site and already feel its a God send. I am about to start putting my initial letters together. In looking at my credit reports, I have loads of very old negative entries from some very dumb mistakes I made. I made some very bad choices when I first purchased my home nine years ago. I've paid off most of my debt since then and am now looking to clear out some of the old negative entries that have been paid in full 2+ years now. Everything since then has been pretty current. I am upside down on my house and am hoping to refinance into better terms. Any advice would be great.


As of 11/08
Exp: 570
Trans: 614
Equi: 561

 

What letter?

Please excuse my ignorance but what letter should I use to start out with when I simply want the CRA to verify an entry on my credit report with the creditor? My goal is to have the CRA 'prove it or remove it' without sounding so threatening initially... The 'prove it or remove it' sample letter sounds like what I should reply with if my initial requests are ignored. Any advice would be great..

 

Thanks for the reply...

OK.. will do... I just realized that most of my credit report is comprised of hits that are over two years old. Many from companies that no longer exist. I'm not expecting much in the way of score improvements but I will keep posted....

 

I am now looking to clear out some of the old negative entries that have been paid in full 2+ years now. Again, some of those companies are no longer in business. Also, I'm hoping that those that are still in business are not willing to invest the time to keep these negatives in place on bills that I've paid in full years ago. None of them are reporting correct total amounts due by the way...

 

Thanks for the replies Hedwig. I will do just that for most of my requests. Still, I get the impression that any statement of dispute is taken as just that, a dispute.