I filed bankruptcy and returned my leased car. Now a delinquent lease account shows up on my credit report. Can I contest this with the credit bureaus?
I’ve been there, and I know it can feel super frustrating. In my case, I ended up contacting the creditor directly, just to see if they’d be up for confirming that the lease should’ve been wrapped up in the bankruptcy discharge. It’s a bit hit-or-miss because sometimes the details in bankruptcy cases aren’t all black and white. You might be able to make a case if there was a reporting error or if what was reported doesn’t fully match what should have been discharged. Just be prepared for a process that might take a little back-and-forth – it’s not always a quick fix, you know?
Even if you returned the car and filed bankruptcy, if the lease account was delinquent the creditor could report it as such. You can start by disputing the account with the credit bureaus if you believe there’s an error. However, unless you can prove they misreported the debt or there was an administrative error, it might be technically accurate. It’s worth getting a letter from the creditor confirming your account status or showing that the debt was included in your discharge. Having such documentation could support your dispute, and sometimes the bureau will remove or adjust the account if they find inconsistencies.