Be honest but avoid making excuses. For example, ``I'm writing to apologize for the late payment on invoice #12345.'' Express genuine remorse and take responsibility. Say something like, ``I take full responsibility for this late payment and I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.''
If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.
Dear [Name], Further to my previous correspondence, I am contacting you regarding late payment for invoice [invoice number]. The invoice was due on [due date], and payment is now overdue by [number of days overdue]. Be advised that late payment interest may be applied if we do not receive payment within 30 days.
I truly believe that it doesn't reflect my creditworthiness and commitment to repaying my debts. It would help me immensely if you could give me a second chance and make a goodwill adjustment to remove the late [payment/payments] on [date/dates]. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope you'll approve my request.
If a creditor accepts your goodwill letter, it can help you improve your credit score. But the majority of goodwill letters are unsuccessful. This is especially true if you have a payment history with late or missed payments.
While 609 letters are often called "dispute letters," they don't directly dispute information on your credit report. Instead, they request the documentation or evidence the credit bureaus used to list an account or debt.
Don't be accusatory, but emphasize the agreement. State the original due date and terms of payment. If your agreement includes a late fee, include a reminder and an updated total as necessary.
We are in receipt of invoice number ————– and are aware that it should be paid by ———however, we wish to inform you that we are going to delay payment due to the following reasons. We kindly request that you understand this current predicament and give us until (Date) to clear the bill in full.
The above/attached invoice for [outstanding amount] has recently become overdue for payment. As such, we would appreciate you making this payment as soon as possible. If there is an error on our part and full payment has been made, please get in touch so that the matter can be rectified as a matter of urgency.
When explaining a delay in payment, honesty and transparency are key. Begin by acknowledging the missed deadline and express your commitment to resolving the situation. Clearly state the reason for the delay, whether it's a financial discrepancy, processing error, or unforeseen circumstances.
Ask the lender to remove it with a goodwill letter
In some cases, creditors are willing to make a goodwill adjustment if your payment history has been good or if you have a good relationship with them. The process is easy: simply write a letter to your creditor explaining why you paid late.
A goodwill letter might remove a charge-off, but it's not guaranteed and success depends on the creditor and your circumstances.
Dear [Contact Name], I would like to apologize regarding the delayed payment for invoice [Insert Invoice Number].
Explain the circumstances that led to the late payment or issue. Express remorse and your intention to pay on time going forward. Describe how you plan to prevent the issue (for example, by using automatic payments). Request that the creditor consider removing or adjusting the negative item.
Clearly state the purpose of the email as a reminder of the outstanding invoice, providing the invoice number, date, and amount due. Express gratitude for their business and respect for their time. Politely inquire about when payment can be expected and offer to discuss any concerns or questions they may have.
Email subject: Invoice #123 is one week overdue
Our records show that we haven't received payment for Invoice #123. This is overdue by one week. If you have already sent the payment, please disregard this notice. For any clarity or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
It has come to our attention that your account is overdue for payment. We are not aware of any disputes or reason for non-payment, therefore we would respectfully remind you that you have exceeded the trading terms for these outstanding amounts and we would be grateful to receive your remittance as soon as possible.
A 609 dispute letter is a formal request sent to credit bureaus to verify the accuracy of the information on your credit report. The name “609” comes from Section 609 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which grants you the right to request this information.
If disputes are successful, the credit bureaus may remove the negative item. Any accurate or verifiable information will stay on your credit report—a 609 letter doesn't guarantee its removal. However, you may increase your chances of removal if you follow a 609 letter template and provide enough information.