Inaccurate late payment notations - what to do?

[tinytot513]

Hello!  When I pulled my scores (for the first time in a LONG time), I noticed that my previous car loan is showing past due payments of 30, 60, 90, and 120 days.  I made my December loan payment and at the end of December 2012, I had a wreck and totaled the vehicle.  When I spoke with the loan company, they informed me to cease making the payments as they settled with my insurance company.  In April 2013, I received a check for $17 from the loan company.  My question is, since I don't believe they should be there, how should I go about getting these late payment notations removed?  Should I do a dispute, or try sending my old loan company a GW letter?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Shogun]

I'd start with the friendliest of the methods.  I'd contact them for a GW explaining the situation.  

[RobertEG]

I would first give them a call and attempt to get them to remove the lates informally.

It could very well have simply been reporting triggered by their automated system.  They advised to stop payment, so would not therafter have basis for reporting delinquency.

Thus, I dont view your issue as one of requesting good-will, but rather of inaccuracy in their reporting.

I would hold off on filing a formal dispute unless/until informal efforts dont work.  You might avoid a pending disptue flag in your credit report.

If informal efforst fail, then I would send them a direct dispute under FCRA 623(a)(8), with the inaccuracy being the reproting of delinquency after being instructed that payment was not needed.