Will writing to the bureaus help an error on my report?

Question

Hi, about 3 yrs ago I paid off a credit card that was a few months late. They are still saying I owe them for the full balance and have it as a "charge off" on my reports. I have the bank statement showing where I paid it and even a fax they had sent me with the account #. If I write the credit bureaus with a copy of the bank statement and the fax, will they most likely remove it-"the charge off and saying i owed still"? Or will I have to get a lawyer for this one?

Also- do I need to have a credit report # or can I just give my name, address, and the name of the account # of the error?

And does it need to be a certified letter?

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Request your free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com or call them toll free @ 1-877-322-8228 for all 3 free reports. Any derogatory info that's on the report that you're not aware of, dispute it immediately

Answer 2

They will update your credit report to "Paid/Settled," which is a slight improvement....Charge-offs can stay on your credit report for up to seven years....paid or unpaid.....sorry.