Worksheets & Templates
Write a Cease-and-desist Letter (page 25)
One way to get creditors to stop contacting you is to send them a letter. This may sound like an obvious course of action, but many people are so intimidated by their situation that they never think of simply sending a written deman to cease contact.
Write a Hardship Request Letter (page 51)
In order for your lender to work with you (ie. Temporary Forebearance, Reinstatement, Repayment, Loan Modification, etc), you must demonstrate an authentic financial hardship; you must convince the lender that you want to pay, but can't. To find out what your lender is willing to do to help you in your current situation, get in touch with them and tell them the specific reasons for your difficulties.
Write a Billing Dispute Letter (page 105)
Many consumers don't really look closely at their credit card statements, other than to check the payment due date and amount. However, you should get in the habit of reviewing your monthly statements to verify that the charges making up your balance are, in fact, charges you've incurred or authorized. The Fair Credit Billing Act is very clear about what you must do to assert your rights under the Act if any of the charges apply to you (unauthorized charges, charges listing the wrong date or amount, charges for goods or services you didnt' accept ro that weren't delivered as agreed, mathematical billing errors, ...).
Write a Credit Report Dispute Letter (page 99)
If you do believe that your credit report contains erroneous entries, you must circle the entries, attach documentation that supports your claims, and send everything, along with a letter that explains your reques, to the credit reporting agency. They must investigate your claims within thirty days, unless they believe your claims are frivolous.