Credit Builder Plan

Your plan is active until November 24, 2026. Work through one phase at a time and use the letters when you need them.

Your 90-day repair plan

Days 1 to 7: Get the facts

Request your free official credit reports from both national credit bureaus.
Highlight every late payment, collection, unknown account and hard enquiry.
List each debt with its balance, limit, rate and minimum payment in the Debt payoff planner.

Days 8 to 30: Fix what is wrong

Send a dispute letter for each item that is wrong, with proof. Keep copies and the date sent.
Ask collectors to validate any debt you do not recognise.
Turn on automatic minimum payments for every account.

Days 31 to 60: Lower utilization

Pay every card below 30% of its limit, then aim for under 10%.
Make a second payment a few days before each statement date.
Ask for a limit increase on your oldest card only if it will not trigger a hard enquiry.

Days 61 to 90: Build positive history

Add one credit builder product if your file is thin, and keep it at a low balance.
Send goodwill requests for one-time late payments on accounts now in good standing.
Re-check your estimate here and compare it with your 90-day goal.

Letter templates

Fill in the [brackets], print, sign and send by a trackable method. These are general templates, not legal advice.

Dispute an error on your credit report
Send to the credit bureau that shows the wrong item. Include copies of proof, never originals.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Date of birth]
[Date]

[Credit bureau name]
[Bureau dispute address]

Re: Request to correct my credit report, file number [number if known]

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to dispute the following information on my credit report, which I believe is inaccurate:

Account or item: [creditor name and account number]
What is wrong: [for example, payment marked 60 days late in March; I paid on time]

I have enclosed copies of [bank statements / payment confirmation / letter from the creditor] that support my request. Please investigate this item and correct or remove it, and send me an updated copy of my report when your investigation is complete.

Thank you,
[Signature]
[Printed name]

Enclosures: [list]

Goodwill request for a late payment
Send to the lender when a late payment is accurate but was a one-time slip and the account is now in good standing.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Date]

[Lender name]
[Customer care address]

Re: Account [last 4 digits]

Dear [Lender] team,

I have been a customer since [year] and have paid on time every month except [month and year], when [brief reason, for example a change of bank account]. I have set up automatic payments so it cannot happen again.

Would you consider a goodwill adjustment to remove the late payment from my credit file? It would make a real difference to [goal, for example my mortgage renewal].

Thank you for considering this request.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]

Ask a collection agency to validate a debt
Send within 30 days of first contact if you do not recognise a collection account.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Date]

[Collection agency]
[Address]

Re: Reference number [number]

To whom it may concern,

I am responding to your contact about the account above. I do not recognise this debt and ask that you provide written proof that I owe it, including the name of the original creditor, the original account number, the amount owed and how it was calculated, and your authority to collect it.

Until you provide this information, please do not report the account to any credit bureau as verified.

This letter is not an acknowledgement that I owe this debt.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]

Report an account opened by identity theft
Send to the bureau and the lender, with a copy of your police or identity theft report.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Date]

[Credit bureau or lender]
[Address]

Re: Fraudulent account [creditor and account number]

To whom it may concern,

I am a victim of identity theft. The account listed above was opened without my knowledge or permission. I have enclosed a copy of my report to [police service or agency], reference [number].

Please remove this account and any related enquiries from my credit file, and add a fraud alert to my file. Please confirm in writing when this is done.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]

Enclosures: [police report, proof of identity, proof of address]

Settle a collection in exchange for removal
Some collectors agree to update or remove an account once it is paid. Get the agreement in writing before you pay.

[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Date]

[Collection agency]
[Address]

Re: Reference number [number]

To whom it may concern,

I would like to resolve the account above. I can pay [amount] as [a lump sum / payments of amount each month] if you agree in writing to report the account as paid in full and ask the credit bureaus to remove it from my file.

If you agree, please send a signed letter confirming these terms. I will make the payment within [number] days of receiving it.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]