Credit bureaus respond to consumer credit disputes via mail. They will either delete or verify the information. If the item is verified, it means the bureau is keeping that information on your credit file.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) allows you to attach a 100-word essay to your credit report. This is the opportunity to explain the negative information and argue that you deserve new credit.
It is surely tempting to tell your side of the story by way of the “consumer statement.” It appears as your opportunity to explain why you have negative items on your credit report. There probably is a good reason why you were late on that payment. Perhaps you were sick or got laid off from your job.
Do not fall into the trap of adding a consumer statement to your credit. It is almost never a good thing.
This “concession” by the credit bureaus is not a concession at all. In fact, the 100-word statement will only make matters worse for you.
Let’s assume that you were to attach a statement like this: “I was only late on my credit cards because I was laid off from work. Once I found another job I caught up on all my bills and have never been late since.”
It may seem unreasonable to punish somebody for losing her job. Especially if she caught up on all her bills.
Credit bureaus really could care less that your inability to pay your bills was due to no fault of your own. They see things in black and white. You either paid your bills on time (according to the creditor) or you did not pay your bills on time.
Instead, the credit bureaus see somebody who isn’t smart enough to have an emergency fund to cover basic minimum payments should something go wrong financially.
The 100-word statement also has additional hidden dangers. For instance, adding such a statement confirms your guilt. It is direct proof that you were late on those payments. Moreover, you put yourself on perilous footing should you decide to hire a credit correction law firm in the future.
The credit bureaus will ignore any future disputes on your behalf because you have already admitted guilt. There is no reason for them to conduct an investigation. Finally, you have put yourself into a category of consumers that potential creditors avoid. Any potential creditor may avoid giving you credit out of fear that you will likewise default on payment should you run into a rough financial patch in the future.
Nowadays applications for new credit such as a credit card or car loan are based upon your score – not your statement. Therefore, the statement is only a weapon that the bureaus can use to ignore your credit report disputes.
Briefly, the 100-word statement is dangerous to your credit file. It serves no good purpose for the consumer whatsoever.
