How to clean up my credit?

[Anonymous]

I am new to the forum.  I recently am shopping for a house and thought my credit is great, but the score the broker got was only 688.  I am only using 10% of my credit, none of the accounts are past due but I did have one collection (hospital bill that was around $80 or so from 2005 which was paid later after it went into collection, just an oversight.)  What is the best way to clean this up?  Any advise would be appreciated.

[braznyc]

You could send a GW (good will) letter. Since you paid it a GW letter would be the best route, imo.

[Anonymous]

Who do I send the GW letter to?  The credit agencies?

[llecs]

You send a GW to whoever is reporting. So if XYZ CA is reporting, you send it to them if they are reporting a $0 balance. Now they don't have to reply or follow through with your request. You then ratchet it up and start sending multiple GWs until they get sick of you.

Another option which some have reported as being successful is to send a DV letter to a CA. Often, they don't want to take time to comply so they delete.

[momof2]

WHat is a DV letter to the CA?

[llecs]

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momof2 wrote:

WHat is a DV letter to the CA?

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DV or Debt Validation letter. There's some great examples around here somewhere. You are asking the CA to validate a debt.