Removing Bad Mark on credit

[Anonymous]

Hello all!

I have a Fingerhut account.  Basically, I had changed my phone number and email address due to a hacking thing.  I was getting emails and texts reminding me of my payment.  I didn't get them, obviously, since I changed everything.  I ended up being past due on one payment, over 30 days, so it dinged my credit.  I called to pay my payment and they had said they had my backup email on there, but they didn't enter it right, so I never got the backup email.  They refunded me the late fee and admitted they made that mistake.

The account is paid now, however, my credit is still dinged.  I was thinking of writing a letter to Fingerhut to explain the situation and see if they can remove the "ding" off my credit report.  Has anyone ever had any luck with this?  I know it's my responbility to pay on time, but my thinking is, if Fingerhut took blame for the email thing and refunded my late fee, shouldn't it be cleared off my credit report as well?  Also, if I close the account, the "ding" wouldn't remove off the report, right?

Thanks for your repsonses!

[Anonymous]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to write them a detailed goodwill letter asking them if they would be kind enough to remove it. 

Also, if I close the account, the "ding" wouldn't remove off the report, right?

Correct. It would remain. Unless, of course, your letter is successful.

[RobertEG]

I presume that the formal billing, however, was sent by them to your correct address of record?

[RonM21]

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@Anonymous wrote:

It certainly wouldn't hurt to write them a detailed goodwill letter asking them if they would be kind enough to remove it. 

Also, if I close the account, the "ding" wouldn't remove off the report, right?

Correct. It would remain. Unless, of course, your letter is successful.

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+1

Worth trying

[Anonymous]

No, actually.  It's all electronic.  I wasn't even getting the statements through email.  

[takeshi74]

Don't overlook the Rebuilding subforum and its stickies.

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have a Fingerhut account.  Basically, I had changed my phone number and email address due to a hacking thing.  I was getting emails and texts reminding me of my payment.  I didn't get them, obviously, since I changed everything.  I ended up being past due on one payment, over 30 days, so it dinged my credit.

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Make sure you're actively monitoring all open accounts.  Monitoring isn't just a matter of relying on email and texts.  You should be regularly checking in on all accounts.  If youend up 30+ days late then you need to adjust your monitoring.  Know when your payments are due.  Regularly check in on all of your accounts.

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@Anonymous wrote:

I know it's my responbility to pay on time, but my thinking is, if Fingerhut took blame for the email thing and refunded my late fee, shouldn't it be cleared off my credit report as well?  Also, if I close the account, the "ding" wouldn't remove off the report, right?

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Not necesarily.  As you said, it's your responsbility to ensure that your payments are on time for all of your accounts.  Closing does not remove a derog.

There are certainly those who request goodwill removal of derogs.  Some have luck with it and some do not.  A creditor is under on obligation to remove valid data.