How long should I wait to write a goodwill letter?

[Anonymous]

My apologies if this is already a topic, I couldn't find it ...

I have 4 accounts with a recently reported 30 day late payment and 2 60 day late payments ... reported just last month. How long after should I send a goodwill letter to attempt getting these removed? Also, do I need to wait until these accounts are at a zero balance?

Thank you for any suggestions/answers.

[Anonymous]

Are the accounts up-to-date now? Meaning did you pay those lates yet? If not, pay them first. Also, do you have good history with creditor? Many times if you have been a long time customer or always paid on time, they will honor the removal. Not always though. Do not send a goodwill out unless it's been paid. If it has been, you can send out right away. However, if someone were writing a goodwill to update a now PAID collection or charge off etc, to remove tradeline etc... people normal waits few weeks to try to allow it to update on their credit report first to show the changes. Then they ask for it to be removed or paid in full...whatever they are requesting. Lates do not get updated like that once it's paid. So, if you paid it, start writing to creditor.

[Sneakytiki]

I usually start after one year of on time payments. But if its a one time mistake they'll sometimes do it right away like discover.

I have 3 30 day (BoA, Home Depot, Amazon) and 2 60 day (Cap One, Barclays) lates from 2016 because I didn't set up auto pay and slacked on savings when my wife and son were in the hospital. It's still hurting my scores.

From when I cleaned up my credit report a few years ago, I had the most success after 12 consecutive on time payments and responsible utilization. I'm still writing monthly letters but working my way up with my most recent lates.