I have a couple 30 day lates that were truly late. I disputed them with the CRA's and they came back verified. I sent goodwill letters to the credit card companies and they said they don't change accurate information. Does anyone have any ideas on what else I can do to try and get them removed?
Try, try and try again. If ya can't find someone to do it the first time, do it again. That seems silly to some people to keep writin, but if ya keep on, that letter might get into the hands of somebody that can helps ya.
Were they just "late", received past the due date on the statement, or were they truly received "30 days late" after the due date? Some creditors have been known to report payments received even one day late as "30 days late", sometimes even based on when they processed the payment instead of when they received it in the mail. That would appear to run afoul of the FCRA requirement to report "accurately".
They were all received more than 30 days after the due date. Some were even 60 days however I only have a 30 day late in April on my reports. The reporting is accurate however I really need to try and get them off. Any other ideas?
Might try the gonna switch method: "I have really enjoyed the services provided by your company and have strived to be an excellent customer as my payment record reflects, however you have posted a few late payments on my credit report, and as a result the account is now listed in a negative standing. While I dont dispute I had unforseen circumstances force me to be late, I would like to point out I have had a excellent payment history, other than the difficulties I encountered. I would like to take this oppurtunity to ask you to please remove the late payments from my credit reports, and return the account to a positive standing. As I am aware these can remain for 7 years, I do not feel it reflects the history I have had with your company. I receive numerous offers from your competitors for my business, and would be inclined to start over with a account in good standing, as opposed to having a negative mark on my report for an account I have paid faithfully. Please remove these negative marks so we can continue to do business in a positive manner." Maybe something like that. Spelling errors and run on sentences optional.
Just received a letter from Rewards 660 / Dakota State Bank today saying that the two 30-day lates are properly reported and they don't delete accurate information. So I used the letter you suggested as a basis for my response. Let's see how it works.
Not to worry - I definitely will. I sent my original letter out (actually faxed it to them) on July 26 and received their response in the mail dated July 26 and received August 3. I then sent a response to their denial via fax on August 3 and hope to get another letter in about a week. I will post the results.
Just called Credit One Bank (formerly First National Bank of Marin) to follow up on the letter that I faxed them about 2 weeks ago. When I finally got a customer service rep, they immediately transferred me to the "Office of the President" and I was then transferred to another person in that department, Mrs. Foster. She was VERY nice, said she got my letter on Friday and that they are examining my account to see what they can do for me. I have only one 30 day late in the past year, April 2006, but with them I have 3 other 30 day lates, a 60, 90, and 120, and those are the ones they are addressing. She said she would personally call me back and let me know what they can do for me. I guess it pays to send well written letters without threatening anything, and sometimes people will be nice back. I will let you know what happens.
Got BBB responses with big packages of information from all 3 credit cards that I disputed the lates and they basically said that they do not remove accurate information and they provided copies of all my statements that showed the proper late payment and they refuse to give any type of goodwill removal. Bottom line is that I am stuck with the late payments and just a word of advice to everyone: ALWAYS make a payment on time, even if it's just the bare minimum!!! I learned the hard way what it means to be irresponsible.
