No. You still have options. For example, you can try to convince the credit bureau that you are correct. However, the credit bureau is not there to referee whether you or your creditor is correct on a disputed credit entry. The creditor need only provide the credit bureau reasonable evidence or information to verify or defend their negative credit entry against you. Once they do, the credit bureau can keep the negative mark on your record.

Though the credit bureau need not arbitrate disputes between you and your creditor, a credit bureau must act fairly and take reasonable care to make certain that it reports only truthful and accurate information. Therefore, the credit bureau must correct or delete information on your report to the extent that you can convince the credit bureau that a negative entry against you is erroneous, misleading – or even possibly so.

Build your case! Advise the credit bureau why the information is erroneous. Submit documents (cancelled checks, letters, etc.) which help prove your case.

Perhaps you have provided this detailed information when you first disputed your credit report. If the creditor defended the negative entry, your second letter may challenge specific points made by the creditor. However, a first protest letter should still only summarily challenge the negative mark with a brief explanation. Of course, if the creditor does not verify the reasons for the negative entry, the entry must be removed. Only when the creditor verifies your negative entry should you reply with a stronger case to convince the credit bureau that you – not your creditor – is correct.

If the credit bureau still refuses to change your credit report, another option is to talk directly to your creditor. Most creditors are reasonable and will listen and possibly agree that they made an error or in some other way unfairly penalized you with poor credit and will assent to the removal of the negative credit entry.