Yes, it is possible to remove a charge-off from your credit report even after receiving a 1099-C cancellation of debt notice. Here are some tips on disputing a charge-off after a lender issues a 1099-C:
– Review the 1099-C carefully and verify the amount of debt canceled matches the charge-off amount. If they don’t match, you can dispute the inaccurate amount.
– Send a direct dispute to the creditor explaining that you received a 1099-C for the debt, but it is still incorrectly reporting as a charge-off on your credit report. Request proof of the charge-off status.
– Submit disputes to all three credit bureaus referencing the 1099-C you received and that the creditor can no longer treat it as a charge-off per IRS reporting rules.
– Specifically cite section 605(a)(1) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which states inaccurate information must be corrected or removed.
– Request the credit bureaus conduct an investigation and provide you documentation of their findings within 30 days as required by the FCRA.
– Submit the 1099-C as proof when sending your dispute letters. Blackout any private information like SSN.
– If the investigations don’t resolve the inaccurate charge-off status, submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
– Consult a credit attorney about additional options, which may include suing the creditor or credit bureaus for violation of the FCRA by reporting inaccurate information.
Be persistent and keep good records. The credit bureaus have 30 days to respond to disputes and getting a charge-off updated or removed after a lender writes off the debt is possible.