Charge-Offs Explained

Charge-Offs Explained



Your Guide to Reviewing, Disputing & Resolving Them

A charge-off on your credit report can feel overwhelming. Before sending a dispute or making a payment, you need to understand what the account is reporting—and which options fit your situation.

Created by Dawn Sullivan, Realtor and Certified Credit Specialist, this practical 27-page guide helps you review the facts, organize your evidence, and choose an informed next step.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• What a charge-off means and how it differs from a collection
• When correction or removal may be appropriate
• How to review balances, ownership, dates, and account status
• How reporting disputes differ from collector verification requests
• What to consider before paying or settling
• How reporting timelines differ from deadlines to sue
• How to track responses and follow up on unresolved issues

Your download includes:

• Four editable sample letters with usage instructions
• Three fillable worksheets, including a correspondence tracker
• Worked examples to help you match actions to facts
• A 30-day organization plan
• Linked consumer resources and references

No magic phrases or guaranteed deletions—just clear explanations and practical tools to help you approach the account with confidence.

Digital PDF download | $17

Read digitally or print for personal use. No physical book will be shipped.

Educational information only; not individualized legal, tax, or lending advice. Deletion, score increases, settlements, and approvals are not guaranteed.