Late Payments
How to Remove Late Payments From Your Credit Report
A single 30-day late payment can cost you serious points. Here's how late payments are reported and the legitimate ways to get them corrected or removed.
Payment history is the single biggest factor in your credit score, roughly 35% of a FICO score. That's why one late payment can drop a good score noticeably, and why removing an inaccurate late payment can make such a difference.
How late payments are reported
Creditors generally don't report a payment as late to the credit bureaus until it's at least 30 days past due. If you paid a few days after the due date, you may owe a late fee, but it usually won't show on your credit report. After that, late payments are reported in stages: 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150+ days late. Each stage is more damaging than the last.
How much a late payment hurts
The damage depends on your overall profile. A late payment tends to hurt more when your credit is otherwise excellent, when it's recent, and when it's more severe (90 days is worse than 30). The effect fades over time, and late payments must come off your report seven years after the date they occurred.
Step 1: Check whether the late payment is accurate
Late payments are often reported incorrectly. Look for:
- Payments marked late that you made on time (check your bank statements).
- Late payments during a period when you had an approved deferment, forbearance or hardship plan.
- Late payments that don't match between the three bureaus.
- Accounts that were included in a bankruptcy but still show new late marks.
- Autopay failures caused by the lender's error, such as a processing problem after a loan transfer.
If a late payment is inaccurate, dispute it with the bureaus and the creditor, with proof. See how to dispute errors on your credit report.
Step 2: Ask for a goodwill adjustment
If the late payment is accurate but was a one-time slip, you can write a goodwill letter to the creditor asking them to remove it. Creditors aren't required to agree, but some do, especially for long-time customers with an otherwise clean history. A good goodwill letter:
- Takes responsibility and briefly explains what happened (a medical emergency, job loss, a move).
- Shows that the account is current and has been paid on time since.
- Makes a specific, polite request to remove the late mark.
Step 3: Prevent the next one
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment on every account.
- Ask your lenders to move due dates so they line up with your paydays.
- If you know you'll miss a payment, call the lender before the due date. Many offer hardship options that prevent a late mark.
- If you're a few days late, pay before the 30-day mark to avoid it being reported.
Be wary of promises
No one can legally remove an accurate late payment just because it lowers your score. Be cautious of anyone who guarantees it. Inaccurate and unverifiable late payments, however, can and should be challenged.
How 90 Day Credit Experts helps
Late payments are one of the items we review most closely, comparing account histories across Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to find reporting errors. If you have late payments you believe are wrong, schedule a free credit assessment with our Orem team.
Not sure which items on your reports are worth disputing? Our team will go over all three reports with you for free.
Get a Free Credit AssessmentFrequently asked questions
Can a 30-day late payment be removed?
Yes, if it's inaccurate or can't be verified, it can be removed through a dispute. An accurate late payment may be removed if the creditor agrees to a goodwill adjustment, but they aren't required to.
How many points does a late payment drop your score?
It varies. A recent late payment usually hurts more for people with high scores and clean histories. The impact shrinks over time.
When is a payment reported late?
Most creditors report a payment as late only after it's at least 30 days past due.
How long do late payments stay on a credit report?
Up to seven years from the date of the late payment.