What Is a Goodwill Letter?
A goodwill letter is a request you send to a creditor asking them — as an act of kindness — to remove an accurately reported but one-time negative mark from your credit report. Ashley Boswell describes it as a second chance for an honest mistake. Unlike a dispute, you are not claiming the mark is incorrect; you are asking the creditor to remove it because of the circumstances.
Damon Boswell is quick to set expectations: creditors are not obligated to grant goodwill requests, and some lenders have policies against it. But Damon & Ashley Boswell have seen enough successful removals to know it is absolutely worth trying, especially when you have a clean history except for that single slip.
When a Goodwill Letter Works Best
The Boswells recommend goodwill letters when you have a justifiable explanation — a natural disaster, a medical emergency, a job loss, or a one-time administrative mix-up like an auto-pay that failed. Ashley Boswell says the key is that the circumstance was out of your control and you have since brought the account current and maintained a clean payment record.
Damon Boswell adds that goodwill letters are not the tool for a pattern of late payments. If the same account shows repeated lateness, a creditor is far less likely to show mercy. Save the goodwill strategy for a single, isolated blemish on an otherwise solid history.
What to Include
Ashley Boswell suggests a simple structure: identify yourself and the account, briefly explain the circumstance, take responsibility, highlight your otherwise clean history, and make a clear, polite request for removal. Damon Boswell emphasizes one rule — no legal threats. Do not cite laws or threaten complaints; that approach makes creditors defensive and far less likely to help.
A Realistic Approach
Damon & Ashley Boswell want you to manage expectations honestly. Some creditors honor goodwill requests regularly; others almost never do. If the first letter does not work, the Boswell team suggests waiting a few months and trying again, sometimes reaching a different department or a higher-tier customer service representative who may be more receptive.
When to Call Mortgage Help ASAP
If a goodwill letter does not resolve the issue, or if your report has multiple negative items that need a more strategic approach, Damon & Ashley Boswell can step in. The Mortgage Help ASAP team combines goodwill requests with formal disputes, bureau challenges, and ongoing monitoring to give you the best chance at a cleaner report and a stronger score.
Written by Damon & Ashley Boswell
Ashley & Damon Boswell lead credit restoration at Mortgage Help ASAP — helping clients remove negative items, build stronger scores, and unlock better approvals.
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