Help Yourself after Bankruptcy

For my first post, I want to share with you some of my credit knowledge.

If you have filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and have never cleaned up your credit file, you are only hurting yourself. The first thing you should do after a bankruptcy is to make sure all 3 major credit bureaus know that bad debt is now bankruptcy debt. In some cases, bankruptcy can make your bad debt look better, because you are no longer being reported as delinquent.


The easiest way is to send a letter to each of the 3 bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian) a letter that states you need your information updated. Here is an example:

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Credit Bureau Research Request

I have recently had a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharged and I need my information updated and judgments removed.

My Information:
Jane Claudia Doe
SSN: 000-00-0000 DOB: 01/01/2001

Current Address:
123 N Main St
Anytown, NY 10056
Phone: (212) 555-1212

Previous Names: Jane C Dame-Doe, Jane Claudia Dame

Public Records to be removed:

Public Record Item	Case Number	Nature of Dispute
111 Collections, Inc	CIV020035	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
111 Collections, Inc	CIV0500555	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Big Bank Mortgage Company	CIV060011	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234

Credit Items to be updated:

Creditor's Name	Account #	Nature of Dispute
Company Im Dodging	12345	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Capital One	5307999912345678	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Citibank	514812345	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Providian	4031012345678901	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Next Card	425995489746458	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234

Thank you,

/s/Jane Doe 12/31/2009

Jane Doe

Enclosures:
Bankruptcy Discharge Page - Schedule D - Schedule F - Driver’s License - Social Security Card
Order Directing Clerk of Court to Discharge Judgments Discharged in Bankruptcy

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Be sure to send everything I listed in the Enclosures. Also include a copy of a court order and/or marriage license if your name has changed since your bankruptcy.

Send a copy to each of the 3 bureaus, check their respective websites for the most recent contact address. Also, send each letter via Priority Mail, not certified mail. You have tracking information and they don't have to sign, so your letter will not be refused. They have 30 days to update your file after the letter is received (45 days for Free Annual Credit Report disputes).

I have found that it is best to make sure you only ask them to update information that is contained in their particular file. Example: If only Equifax reports Joe Schmoe Bank, then only include update information for Joe Schmoe Bank in Equifax's letter.