Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Removing a Repossession


By Amy Garcia

Having a vehicle or other item repossessed can be financially, and even emotionally, devastating! Many times, a repossessed item can represent loss of freedom or income (in the case of a vehicle) or maybe loss of security or family memories (in the case of a home). These alone are bad enough; however, then comes the realization that a repossession reported on your credit report will cause your credit score to plummet!

Though you may feel like this is the end of the world, rest assured that it isn't! Things will get better. I can't help you get your vehicle or any other item back once it's been repossessed; however, I can help you understand how to begin rebuilding your credit. To start, you will need copies of your credit reports. You can obtain these from the three major credit reporting agencies - TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Upon your request, these three major credit reporting agencies are legally required to provide you with a copy of your credit report every twelve months.

When you have received all three of your credit reports, you should schedule some time to sit down with all three to review them. Repossession entries will include an itemized list of all fees related to the repossession, such as storage and towing. Gather all of the receipts you have which relate to the repossession and compare them to the amounts listed on your credit report. If any of these amounts are incorrectly reported on your credit report, you should dispute the items with the credit reporting agencies.

If your credit reports contain inaccurate information, dispute letters can be written and mailed to the credit reporting agencies to try to have the negative entry removed. When writing your dispute letter, you should include the reason you are writing as well as a request that the repossession entry be deleted from your credit report in its entirety. When you mail your dispute letter, make sure that you include a copy of the appropriate credit report and that you highlight the inaccurate information. You should include copies of any substantiating documentation, such as receipts, with your dispute letter. Further, you should always keep copies of all correspondence you send to the credit reporting agencies, as well as copies of any enclosures.

Once the credit reporting agency has received your dispute letter, it has 30 days to contact and verify the repossession with your creditor. If the creditor cannot or does not verify the repossession amounts within the alloted time frame, the credit reporting agency is legally required to remove the entry from your credit report. You should receive a letter from the credit reporting agencies which indicates what action was or was not taken with regard to your account and why. If you are unsuccessful in removing the repossession entry, it will continue to be listed on your credit report for seven years.

In the event you are unable to remove your repossession entry using a dispute letter, you might be able to have the entry deleted or its status improved by negotiating directly with your creditor. A promise of partial payment or payment in full might persuade your creditor to delete the repossession entry. You should insist on a written agreement if you and your creditor are able to come to terms. Additionally, make sure that you obtain your creditor's signature on the document and that you sign as well.

Although you may feel disheartened, better days are ahead! The sooner you begin to repair your credit, the sooner things will brighten up!

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