Goodwill letter for a late payment: a free sample
The quick answer
A goodwill letter asks a lender to remove a late payment that really happened, as a favor. They do not have to say yes. It works best when the late payment was a one time slip, your account is current now and the rest of your history is good. It costs nothing to ask.
When it makes sense
- One or two late payments on an account that is otherwise on time
- The account is paid up now
- There was a real reason, like a job loss, a hospital stay, a move or an autopay change
It is less likely to work for an account that is still behind, a long run of missed payments, or a debt that was sold to a collector.
Goodwill letter or dispute?
A dispute says the item is wrong. A goodwill letter says the item is right and asks for a favor. If the late payment did not really happen, send a dispute letter instead. Never claim something is wrong when it is not.
Sample goodwill letter
[Your full name] [Street address] [City, State ZIP] [Today's date] [Lender name] [Customer service or credit reporting address] Re: Goodwill request for account ending in [last four digits] I have been a customer since [year]. In [month and year] I missed a payment because [one honest sentence, for example: I lost my job for two months]. I caught up as soon as I could, and my account has been paid on time since then. That one late payment is now holding me back as I try to [buy a car, rent an apartment, get a better rate]. I am asking you, as a goodwill gesture, to remove the late payment from my credit reports. Thank you for considering this. Sincerely, [Your signature] [Your printed name]
Who to send it to
Send it to the lender, not the credit bureaus. Look for a credit reporting or customer service address on your statement or the lender's website. You can also call and ask for a goodwill adjustment. If the answer is no, you can try again later, after more months of on time payments.
Common questions
Does a goodwill letter hurt my credit?
No. Asking does not change your report. The worst answer is no.
Can I send a goodwill letter to a collection agency?
You can, but with collections a pay for delete offer usually gets further. See how to get a collection off your report.
Do it from your phone
Open your report in ZungiDill, tap what is wrong, and it writes the letter and reminds you when the answer is due.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: Fixing your credit FAQs
- Federal Trade Commission: Disputing errors on your credit reports
General information, not legal advice.