Obtain copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus
Review each report for inaccurate, outdated, or unverifiable negative items
Dispute errors directly with the credit bureaus
Include supporting documents with your dispute
Dispute the same inaccurate item with the creditor or furnisher
Request debt validation for collection accounts
Ask for goodwill removal of late payments if the account is otherwise in good standing
Negotiate a pay-for-delete agreement with the collection agency if possible
Settle or pay charged-off accounts when appropriate
Wait for negative items to age off your report
Rebuild positive credit with on-time payments and low credit utilization
Monitor your credit reports for updates and corrections
Avoid credit repair companies that promise guaranteed removals
Keep records of all disputes, letters, and responses