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The In-effective Credit Dispute Method

by: MattDouglas
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Credit bureaus respond to consumer credit disputes via mail. They will either delete or verify the information. If the item is verified, it means the bureau is keeping that information on your credit file.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows you to attach a 100-word essay to your credit report. This is the opportunity to explain the negative information and argue that you deserve new credit.

It may be difficult to resist the urge to proclaim your innocence by way of a consumer statement. You may feel the need to explain that the bad credit simply was not your fault or beyond your control.

Do not fall into the trap of adding a consumer statement to your credit. It is almost never a good thing.

This "concession" by the credit bureaus is not a concession at all. In fact, the 100-word statement will only make matters worse for you.

Here is a common consumer statement: "The late payments you see on my credit file were not my fault. My employer fired me due to no fault of my own. I quickly found a new job and now pay my bills on time every single month."

The unexpected loss of employment may sound like a reasonable explanation to be late once or twice on a credit card bill. Plus, I would give that person credit for catching up on her bills and staying current since the bad financial spell.

Credit bureaus really could care less that your inability to pay your bills was due to no fault of your own. They see things in black and white. You either paid your bills on time (according to the creditor) or you did not pay your bills on time.

Her inability to make payments is seen as a sign of weakness and/or irresponsibility. They believe that she should have emergency money to pay bills during times of emergency.

Attaching a 100-word statement is really bad for three additional reasons: (1) Such a statement confirms that Yes - you really were late on those payments. (2) The credit bureaus will ignore any future disputes you mail because you already admitted fault. (3) Should you apply for new credit in the future; every creditor will see your candid admission that you are not able to pay your bills during times of emergency - and therefore a bad credit risk. As you can see, attaching a 100-word written statement to your credit report could possibly be the worst step you can take. In fact, it is only an option because it was part of the original Fair Credit Reporting Act enacted in the 1970's. Thirty years ago bankers actually manually reviewed credit applications and read those statements personally.

In today's digital world most applications are reviewed electronically. Thus, such a statement only serves as another way for the credit bureaus to ignore your credit report dispute.

Briefly, the 100-word statement is dangerous to your credit file. It serves no good purpose for the consumer whatsoever.

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