Goodwill letter
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You write to the company you were late with, you own it, you explain, and you ask them to remove it as a courtesy. It’s a favour, not a right.
You can’t dispute your way out of a true late payment: “You generally cannot have negative information removed from your credit report if it is accurate.”
Best chance: it was one mistake, the account is in good standing now, and you’ve paid on time ever since. Experian: “Creditors don’t have to agree.”
From FILE 005: wrong or right?, or write yours with the free Credit Score Simulator.
Sources
Official and government data first. Every quote is word for word; follow the link to check it yourself.
Experian · “What Is a Goodwill Letter and How Do You Write One?”
“It's most effective when you've made a single mistake in the past, such as a late payment, but you've since demonstrated more responsible payment activity.”
experian.com (opens in a new tab)Experian · “What Is a Goodwill Letter and How Do You Write One?”
“Creditors don't have to agree to make credit adjustments as a courtesy to you, and some say that it's against their policy to do so.”
experian.com (opens in a new tab)Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · “Is it possible to remove accurate but negative information from my credit report?”
“You generally cannot have negative information removed from your credit report if it is accurate.”
consumerfinance.gov (opens in a new tab)Experian · “What Is a Goodwill Letter and How Do You Write One?”
“It's most effective when you've made a single mistake in the past, such as a late payment, but you've since demonstrated more responsible payment activity.”
experian.com (opens in a new tab)Experian · “What Is a Goodwill Letter and How Do You Write One?”
“Creditors don't have to agree to make credit adjustments as a courtesy to you, and some say that it's against their policy to do so.”
experian.com (opens in a new tab)Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · “Is it possible to remove accurate but negative information from my credit report?”
“You generally cannot have negative information removed from your credit report if it is accurate.”
consumerfinance.gov (opens in a new tab)