department of credit research

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.

People often mistakenly use the 100-word statement to explain some situation that led to their bad credit. For example, they may want to justify late payments with the loss of a job or a medical condition.

However, do not be misled by the “opportunity” to add a consumer statement to your credit report.

It may look like the credit bureaus are doing you a favor by adding your consumer statement. However, it is really just another technique the credit bureaus use against 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.

However, the credit bureaus and creditors read such a consumer statement entirely different. They don’t see a good person who went through some brief and unexpected hard times.

Credit bureaus interpret the situation as somebody who is irresponsible. They see her as a bad credit risk because she does not have enough savings to cover bills then things get tough.

The 100-word statement also has additional hidden dangers. For instance, adding such a statement confirms your guilt. It is direct proof that you were late on those payments. Moreover, you put yourself on perilous footing should you decide to hire a credit correction law firm in the future. The credit bureaus will ignore any future disputes on your behalf because you have already admitted guilt.

There is no reason for them to conduct an investigation. Finally, you have put yourself into a category of consumers that potential creditors avoid. Any potential creditor may avoid giving you credit out of fear that you will likewise default on payment should you run into a rough financial patch in the future.

Nowadays applications for new credit such as a credit card or car loan are based upon your score - not your statement. Therefore, the statement is only a weapon that the bureaus can use to ignore your credit report disputes.

In sum, ignore the temptation to tell your side of the story. Resist the urge to “justify” your being late on that credit card bill or car payment. Steer clear of adding the deadly 100-word consumer statement.

Tags: bad credit
Filed under: bad credit