Can Credit Repair Companies Really Remove Late Payments?

No, a credit repair company cannot remove accurate late payments from your credit report. You paid late, so bureaus verify the information as correct under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Credit repair companies dispute items, but accurate late payments stay. Focus your efforts on rebuilding credit instead.

Credit repair companies remove your incorrect late payments by disputing them under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They challenge bureaus to verify the info. Unverifiable entries get deleted, boosting your score.

Follow these steps they take for you:

1. Pull your reports. They access Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion reports to spot errors.
2. Verify inaccuracies. They confirm late payments are wrong (e.g., paid on time but misreported).
3. Draft disputes. They send detailed letters with proof, like bank statements, demanding validation.
4. Bureau investigation. Bureaus have 30 days (sometimes 45) to check with the creditor.
5. Removal if unverified. Creditors can't prove it? Bureau deletes the late payment from your file.

Success varies by evidence strength. You see updates in 30-60 days.

• You accept accurate late payments stay on your credit report up to seven years.
• Credit repair companies cannot legally delete accurate late payments.
• You request goodwill removal from the creditor (success varies by their policy).
• You prioritize on-time payments to build positive history.
• You monitor reports monthly via AnnualCreditReport.com for changes.
• You consider secured cards or credit-builder loans to improve scores faster.

Data snapshot you can trust: typical success rates and why they vary

Success rates for credit repair companies removing late payments vary widely, with no reliable, industry-wide data to pinpoint typical figures. You face highly case-specific outcomes that experts find difficult to quantify accurately. (Think of it this way: one person's win becomes another's stalled dispute.)

Results hinge on whether late payments stem from incorrect information you prove with solid documentation, or accurate ones that bureaus rarely budge on. Your dispute process success also depends on the credit bureau's verification practices and the repair firm's expertise. Individual factors like your overall credit file and timing further skew possibilities.

• You get some incorrect late payments removed if bureaus verify them as inaccurate.
• Credit score rises variably; a few points to several dozen depending on your profile.
• Accurate late payments remain on your report untouched.
• Disputes take 30-45 days per cycle, often needing 1-3 rounds.
• You learn your credit file better and spot future issues yourself.

Credit repair fees suit you if multiple incorrect late payments clutter your report, identity theft strikes, or you lack time for disputes. You gain expertise navigating bureaus, higher removal rates on errors (up to 60% in complex cases), and faster FICO boosts (30-100 points possible). Professionals handle voluminous disputes you skip, saving your effort for bigger wins.

Fees waste your money if one accurate late payment lingers (they stay 7 years), simple errors exist you fix yourself via AnnualCreditReport.com, or scams lurk. You dispute free yourself in 30-45 days; pay $50-150/month for little gain on verified info. DIY tools match pros for basics (FTC templates work fine).

You send these exact dispute scripts to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion today to challenge incorrect late payments.

Use certified mail for proof. Tailor each with your details. Focus disputes on inaccuracies like reporting errors or identity theft, not accurate late payments (bureaus verify and keep accurate info). Download bureau dispute forms from their sites for easiest filing online or mail.

• **Subject Line (online/mail):** Dispute of Inaccurate Late Payment on [Account Name/Number], [Date of Late Payment]
• **Dear Sir or Madam,**
  I dispute the late payment reported on [date] for [creditor name], account [last 4 digits or full number]. This information is inaccurate because [specific reason: e.g., "I paid on time per my records," "billing error," "identity theft - police report attached"].
  Provide verification under FCRA Section 611. Remove or correct if unverifiable within 30 days.
  Enclosures: [list docs like statements, ID].
  Sincerely: [Your Name, Address, SSN last 4, Phone]
• **For Mixed-File Error:** Add: "This entry belongs to another person; my full identity docs attached."
• **Follow-Up Script (if no response in 30 days):** "You failed to investigate my [date] dispute. Cease reporting under FCRA."

Credit bureaus must investigate promptly; success depends on proof. Track via annualcreditreport.com. Consult a credit repair company for complex cases.

You dispute late payments caused by identity theft or billing errors as incorrect information, prompting bureaus to investigate and remove them if unverifiable.

Follow these steps:

1. Gather proof: Collect bank statements, police reports (for theft), or creditor correspondence showing the error or fraud.
2. File a police report if identity theft: Contact local police for an official report, essential for fraud claims.
3. Place a fraud alert: Call Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion (1-888-397-3742) to add a free 1-year alert; extendable to 7 years with FTC identitytheft.gov report.
4. Dispute online or by mail: Use bureau websites (AnnualCreditReport.com for reports) or mail disputes with proof. Sample letter: "This 30-day late payment on [date] resulted from [identity theft/billing error], per attached [police report/statements]. Remove as inaccurate."
5. Contact the creditor: Send a separate dispute letter to the furnisher demanding they correct the account.
6. Monitor progress: Bureaus respond in 30 days. Follow up if needed; repeat if denied with more evidence.

Success depends on proof strength; credit repair companies can assist but you handle disputes effectively yourself.