Number of late payments

[Torry]

On my report, there are several accounts that have multiple late payments reported when in reality I only didn't pay once. For instance, on one account, experian reports 1, 1, 6 and equifax reports 1, 1, 14 (30, 60, 90 days late). In reality, though, I was only late one time...the time I decided not to pay the account!

I presume that each reported instance of a late payment reduces score. My questions are:

-- What can/should I do to reduce these late payments?

-- Should I skip this and just dispute the whole account?

Thanks.

[Seanie]

You should first write a "good will" letter to the Credit company to request that they remove that one late payment.

That is very likely to work and when they update your report it should reflect the proper activity.

If that does not work I would dispute the item as "never late".

Before you go ahead and do this.I would wait to hear a few more suggestions from the experts!! also, search around, there are tons of threads about this.

[cjtx]

The problem is with Experian's system. They are well aware of the problem but they refuse to fix it.

Your account was late and eventually charged off. There can't be any late payments after charge-off, but they can report all the late payments until about 180 days or charge-off, whichever happens first.

A simple letter to experian will do the trick.

Just say something like: "Creditor's Name, Account # ____ Please remove all late payments after charge off".

Good luck!