Goodwill Letter: Asking a Creditor to Remove Negative Reporting
A goodwill letter asks a creditor to remove accurate negative reporting as a courtesy. You're not claiming an error — you're explaining what happened, showing things are back on track, and asking. The creditor doesn't have to agree, and on a full charge-off many won't. It costs a stamp.
On this page
A goodwill letter is a letter to a creditor asking it, as a courtesy, to remove accurate negative reporting — a late payment, or sometimes a charge-off. You're not saying it made a mistake. You're explaining what happened, showing that things are back on track, and asking.
When it makes sense
- Best fit: one or two late payments on an account that's now current, with a clean history since.
- Possible: a paid charge-off or paid account where the hardship is clearly behind you.
- Long shot: an unpaid charge-off. Many creditors won't remove a full charge-off. It still costs only a stamp.
- Not a fit: information that's wrong. If something is inaccurate, dispute it instead — that triggers legal duties a goodwill request doesn't.
Accurate negative information is allowed to stay on your report for its full reporting period — generally seven years for late payments and charge-offs (15 U.S.C. § 1681c). Nothing requires a creditor to agree. But some do, especially when you're a long-time customer with an otherwise solid record.
Free toolRemoval Date CalculatorWhen must a collection come off your credit report?What to say
- Who you are and which account. Name, address, account number (last four digits are often enough in the body).
- What happened, in two or three sentences. A job loss, a medical issue, a family emergency, a missed autopay change. Be honest and brief.
- What's different now. Paid in full, current for X months, autopay set up.
- The ask. A goodwill adjustment to remove the late payment(s) or the charge-off notation from your credit reports.
- Why it matters (optional). A mortgage or apartment application coming up.
- Thanks. Courteous and short.
Leave out: claims that the information is wrong (that's a dispute), threats, and long stories.
Sample goodwill letter
This template is educational. Consult a consumer rights attorney for advice specific to your situation.
[Your Name] [Your Mailing Address] [City, State ZIP] [Date] [Creditor Name] [Customer service or credit bureau reporting address] Re: Goodwill request — Account ending in [last 4 digits] Dear [Creditor Name] team: I've been a customer since [year]. In [month/year], I fell behind on this account after [brief reason — e.g., "I lost my job for four months"]. That led to [late payments in (months) / the account being charged off]. Since then, [what changed — e.g., "I paid the balance in full on (date)" or "I've made every payment on time for (number) months and set up autopay"]. I'm asking, as a courtesy, whether you would consider a goodwill adjustment to remove the [late payment notations / charge-off notation] from my credit reports. [Optional: I'm preparing to apply for a mortgage, and this would make a real difference.] I understand you're not required to do this, and I appreciate you considering it. Sincerely, [Signature] [Printed Name]
Before you send
- Confirm the information is accurate. If it isn't, dispute instead.
- Pay or bring the account current first if you can. It strengthens your case.
- Send it to the company reporting the item, not to the credit bureau.
- Mail it (certified mail is optional here, since no legal deadline is involved) and keep a copy.
- Follow up once after 30 days if you hear nothing. Then let it go.
If they say yes — or no
If they agree, ask for the confirmation in writing and check all three of your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com after a month or two. If they say no, nothing is lost. Older negative items weigh less over time, especially with new positive history on top. How to rebuild credit.
Key takeaways
- It's a request, not a dispute. Only use it for information that's accurate.
- It works best for isolated late payments on an account now in good standing.
- On a charge-off it's a long shot, but it costs very little to ask.
- Be brief, honest, and specific about what changed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a goodwill letter the same as a dispute?
No. A dispute says the information is wrong and triggers a legal investigation. A goodwill letter admits it's accurate and asks for a courtesy. Don't mix the two in one letter.
Who do I send it to?
The company reporting the item — usually the original creditor. A goodwill request to a credit bureau doesn't make sense, because the bureau reports what the creditor sends.
Should I send one for an account still past due?
Your case is much stronger once the balance is paid or current and your recent history is clean.
More in Letters · New here? Start with the complete roadmap