It's that time of year -- that once a year opportunity -- to get more adverse things off your personal credit reports than any other time of the year. (I'll explain in a second why this happens each year at this time.)
Now, you're probably thinking... "But Monica, I'd rather just enjoy this week, take a little time off, eat some turkey...you know, do all that holiday stuff we all do each and every year at this time?"
Yeah, well...that's all fine and dandy but...if you don't have a mid-FICO score of at least 720 (and I'd like to see it more like at 750) then you must do what I ask of you today (to get your dispute letters in the mail by tomorrow morning).
And if you're not sure why you need a good credit FICO score, things are going to start getting a little "dicey" with our upcoming economic conditions between now and the first quarter of 2022. So, if you don't have good credit...good f****** luck trying to financially navigate yourself and your family through the rough months ahead.
So, yes, if you want to take advantage of this once-per-year opportunity, you have a little homework tonight if you want to start boosting your FICO score up ASAP.
This is what I call the "holiday blitz" and today (no later than tomorrow), you'll want to follow my instructions below if you want to increase your FICO score by at least 100 points by Christmas.
So, are you ready for this?
Here's what you do:
Step 1: Go to www.experian.com and shell out the $39.95 to get all 3 of your credit reports (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) all in one fell swoop. (Do not dispute anything through the online system. This is how most people screw it up. You're just using this as a tool to get your credit reports and FICO scores and that's it. Yes, you can use other systems like Credit Karma to access your credit reports. Bottom line: you need all 3. No exceptions.)
Step 2: Go to my website by clicking here to get my letter templates and use the file called "Credit Bureau Letters." You'll send a letter to each of the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) disputing everything that is considered "adverse" or "negative" on your credit reports. You'll also correct any information such as your address, phone numbers, name(s), etc. Anything that isn't correct needs to be mentioned in your letters.
Here are the current 2021 addresses to each of the credit bureaus where you will be sending your letters to:
Experian
Attn: Dispute Department
PO Box 4500
Allen, TX 75013-1311
Equifax
PO Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374-0256
TransUnion Consumer Solutions
PO Box 2000
Chester, PA 19016-2000
How will you dispute anything negative, especially if it's really your account in the first place? Simply say this: "The information you have about this account is incorrect and needs to be investigated immediately." Even if it is your account, chances are they have the wrong dollar amount, have tacked on illegal or excessive late fees and/or penalties, and therefore the amount they have listed is incorrect and needs to be investigated. Do not admit that the debt is yours; do not tell them that the debt is not yours. Simply state that it's incorrect and needs to be investigated. That's all you say; nothing more, nothing less.
Print out a letter for each of the credit bureaus with today's date at the top.
Step 3: Make a copy of your valid (current) driver's license or state ID card (or passport) and a copy of one or two utility bills that show your current address, especially if you have moved in the past 2 years. This way they won't send you the boilerplate "we need to verify your identity" letter which they tend to do around this time of year to buy time. Don't let them do this to you otherwise it'll screw up your 30-day clock.
Step 4: Mail out each of your letters (including a copy of your ID and utility bills, if available) via trackable mail (ideally USPS Priority) and make sure you get these out tomorrow morning! Even better, require a signature upon the receipt of the letters. This tells them that you're not messing around and that you're keeping close tabs on what happens in this entire process.
The holidays always present a ton of delay within the bureaus. They are understaffed around this time of year. And by law, they have 30 days to complete your investigation based on what you're telling them to investigate in your letter. So, when you get the letter to them (ideally by Wednesday or Friday of this week), the clock will start ticking at that time.
So, start working on your letters right now. Get them out first thing tomorrow morning...tonight (if you live in the Pacific Time Zone) if possible!
By the way, if you're interested in getting my Credit Millionaire book and bonus audio seminar, CLICK HERE. I still have a few left on hand.
See you at the top!
Your mentor,
Monica Main
