How to Clear Your Name on Serasa
Having a bad credit rating on Serasa can cause a lot of headaches. Have you ever tried to take out a loan or buy something in installments and been denied? Or maybe you are worried about your debts and don’t know where to start to resolve the situation?
Don't worry! In this complete article, I'll show you exactly how to clear your name on Serasa and regain your financial peace of mind.
Having a negative credit rating is nothing to be ashamed of. According to data from Serasa itself, more than 72 million Brazilians were in default at the beginning of 2025. You are not alone in this journey!
Best of all? There are several ways to clear your name, some of which you probably didn’t even know about before.
If you are determined to resolve your situation and clear your name on Serasa, keep reading. I will show you all the options available, from the official ones to legally supported alternative methods.
Ready to take the first step towards financial freedom? Let's go! 🚀
What Does It Mean to Have Your Name Negative on Serasa?
Do you really know what happens when your name ends up on Serasa? Many people get confused and think that Serasa itself is the one that “dirties” people’s names.
In fact, Serasa is a credit bureau, a company that collects information about consumers' financial behavior. When you fail to pay a bill, the creditor company is the one that informs Serasa about this outstanding debt.
Imagine Serasa as a large database that records whether you are a good or bad payer. Cool, right?
When your name is “dirty” or negative, it means that you have one or more unpaid debts and this has been reported to Serasa. As a consequence:
- It is difficult to get credit from banks
- Stores may refuse installment sales
- Your Serasa Score (credit score) drops drastically
- You may even have difficulty renting a property
According to the Serasa Default Map, in January 2025, the average value of debts per person was R$1,399. These numbers show how this problem affects millions of Brazilians.
But don't be discouraged! The first step to solving any problem is to understand it well. And now that you know what it means to be in debt, let's see how to reverse this situation. 😉
Learn about the types of debts that can negatively affect your credit rating
Not all late payments lead to immediate negative listing. Companies have different rules for when they decide to include your name in defaulters' lists.
The main types of debts that usually lead to negative listing are:
🏦 Bank debts
Loans, financing, overdrafts and credit cards are the most common types of negative credit. Banks generally wait between 30 and 90 days of delay before negative credit.
💡 Basic utility bills
Electricity, water, gas and telephone bills can become negative after a few months of consecutive delay.
🏪 Stores and retailers
Unpaid installment purchases, payment slips and credit plans can lead to a negative credit rating after 60 to 90 days.
🎓 School fees
Schools and colleges can also blacklist students or guardians after a few months of non-payment.
💰 Taxes and duties
Debts with the government can also lead to a negative rating, although the process usually takes longer.
Did you know that each type of debt can have a different period of time to remain registered with Serasa? For example, while most are registered for up to 5 years, some tax debts may have longer periods.
An interesting fact: according to Serasa, debts with banks and credit cards represent more than 28% of all outstanding debts of Brazilians. In second place come basic bills such as water and electricity, with around 22%.
Now that you better understand the types of debts that can lead to your credit rating being blacklisted, let's find out how to officially clear your name!
Distribution of types of debt of Brazilians in 2025
How to Clear Your Name on Serasa Using the Official Method
The most direct and guaranteed way to clear your name is by negotiating and paying your debts. Serasa has created a specific platform for this, called Serasa Limpa Nome.
Did you know that it is possible to get up to 90% discount on some debts? Yes, that's right! Companies would rather receive at least a portion of the amount than receive nothing.
Step by Step to Clear Your Name on Serasa
1. Access Serasa Limpa Nome
You can access the platform in three ways:
- Through the website
- Through the Serasa app
- By WhatsApp
2. Register or log in
If this is your first time, register with your personal details. If you already have an account, log in with your CPF and password.
3. Check your debts
After logging in, all your pending tasks will appear on the screen, with information about:
- Creditor company
- Original debt value
- Trading options available
4. Choose the best offer
Click on “See offers” for each debt and analyze the possibilities:
- Cash payment with discount (usually the best option)
- Payment in up to 24 installments (depending on the company)
5. Close the deal
After choosing the best option for your budget, confirm the agreement and choose the payment method: bank slip or Pix.
6. Pay off your debt
Make the payment within the chosen period. Keep the receipt!
7. Wait for your name to be cleared
After payment, the deadline for removing your name from the defaulters' register is up to 5 business days.
A valuable tip is to take advantage of the Serasa Limpa Nome fairs, which take place a few times a year. During these events, discounts can reach 99% on some debts!
What if you can't pay it all at once? No problem! It's better to negotiate and pay in installments than to let the debt grow even more with interest. Remember: the important thing is to show that you are willing to resolve the situation.
Many people don't know, but even old debts can be negotiated on Serasa Limpa Nome. Even if your debt is more than 5 years old, you can still find good deals on the platform!
💡 Important tip
To keep track of your negotiations, write down the service protocols and keep all payment receipts. If something goes wrong, these documents will be essential to prove that you fulfilled your part of the agreement.
Alternative Methods to Clear Your Name in Serasa
In addition to the traditional negotiation and payment route, there are other legitimate ways to clear your name with Serasa. Let's get to know each one of them!
Did you know that debts over 5 years old can no longer be collected through legal means? That's right! According to the Civil Code, most debts become time-barred after 5 years from the due date of the last installment.
If you identify debts in Serasa that have already passed this deadline, you can request their removal:
Step by step guide to contesting statute-barred debts:
- Access the Serasa help site
- Fill out the contact form by selecting “I have been blacklisted but I do not recognize the debt”
- In the message field, explain that the debt is already statute-barred (more than 5 years ago)
- Attach your identity document and screenshots of the Serasa screen showing the date of the debt
- Submit and wait for a response (usually within 10 business days)
If Serasa does not respond to your request, you can contact consumer.gov.br, a public service that mediates conflicts between consumers and companies.
How to use consumer.gov.br:
- Register on the platform
- File a complaint against Serasa
- Explain the situation in detail, mentioning that the debt is time-barred
- The company has up to 10 days to respond
- After the response, you can evaluate whether the problem has been resolved.
This platform has a problem resolution rate of around 80%, making it a great alternative!
Sometimes you may be listed as negative by mistake. Common cases include:
- Debts that have already been paid
- Frauds in your name
- Incorrect values
- Debts of homonyms (people with the same name)
In these cases, gather evidence (such as proof of payment) and contact the creditor company directly. If the issue is not resolved, follow the same steps as for filing a dispute via Serasa or consumidor.gov.br.
If all previous attempts fail, you can appeal to the Small Claims Court, known as “small claims”. For claims of up to 20 minimum wages, you can file a lawsuit without the need for a lawyer.
Required documents:
- Identity document
- Proof of residence
- All receipts and protocols from previous attempts
- Serasa extract showing the negative rating
The judge may order not only the removal of the negative listing but also compensation for moral damages, depending on the case.
Remember: using these alternative methods does not mean you are avoiding your responsibilities. These are rights guaranteed by law to protect consumers from undue or abusive charges!
The Impact of Negative Listings on Your Serasa Score
Have you heard of the Serasa Score? It is a score that ranges from 0 to 1000 and indicates your financial health. The higher the number, the better your credit reputation!
Being in debt drastically affects your Score, but did you know that there are other factors that also influence this score?
What most harms your Serasa Score:
Late payments
Even those that do not lead to negative results leave marks on your history.
Excessive use of credit
Always using the card's maximum limit is seen as a risk
Frequent queries to your CPF
When you apply for too many credits in a short period of time
Lack of relationship with the market
Having no credit history can also be bad
The cool thing is that, when you clear your name with Serasa, you start to recover your score. But the process is not instantaneous! Depending on the situation, it can take 6 months to 1 year for your Score to increase significantly again.
Typical Score Recovery After Clearing Your Name
A golden tip to recover your score faster: after clearing your name, start building a positive payment history. Use credit cards (without delays), pay bills on time and avoid using all of your available credit limit.
Serasa currently offers a free tool called “Serasa Score” where you can track your score and receive personalized tips to improve it. It’s worth it!
Did you know that people with a Score above 700 have a much higher chance of getting approved for loans and getting lower interest rates? The difference can be up to 30% in the rates offered!
Negotiating Different Types of Debt
Each type of debt has its own particularities when it comes to negotiation. Let’s look at the best strategies for each of them!
🏦 Bank Debts
Banks generally offer the most trading options, but they are also often the most stringent.
Tips for negotiating with banks:
- Preparation is key! Before you call, have an idea of how much you can afford to pay.
- Ask about specific debt settlement programs
- If the first offer is not good, do not hesitate to refuse and ask for better conditions.
- Consider transferring the debt to a bank where you are already a customer
💳 Credit Cards
Credit card debts are famous for their extremely high interest rates, which can exceed 400% per year!
How to negotiate credit card debt:
- Try to negotiate directly with the issuing bank, not with the financial institutions that buy debts.
- Ask about the possibility of “freezing” interest rates
- Consider requesting debt portability to another institution with lower interest rates
💡 Essential Utility Bills
Water, electricity and telephone companies have specific rules for negative listing and renegotiation.
What to do:
- Prioritize these accounts as they affect your day to day life.
- Many dealerships offer installments with no down payment
- Check for social programs that may reduce your future rates
🏠 Financing and Loans
For vehicle, property or personal loan financing:
Effective strategies:
- Check the possibility of renegotiating interest rates
- In some cases, returning the financed asset may be a way out.
- Consider portability of the contract to another institution
💰 Taxes and Duties
Debts with the government have their own rules:
How to proceed:
- Be aware of tax regularization programs (Refis)
- Often, installment payments are more advantageous than paying in full in this case.
- Check the possibility of reducing interest and fines
💡 Valuable tip
Always prioritize debts with higher interest rates. For example, credit cards generally have much higher interest rates than mortgages.
And remember: when negotiating, being polite and showing a willingness to resolve the situation can make all the difference in the final result!
How to Avoid New Negatives
Clearing your name on Serasa is important, but avoiding the same situation again is essential!
Have you ever thought about how to create healthier financial habits? Here are some practical strategies:
🛠️ Financial Organization Tools
- Use financial control apps like Organizze, Mobills or Guiabolso
- Create a simple spreadsheet to track monthly expenses
- Activate bill due notifications on your cell phone
📊 Set a Realistic Budget
- List all your fixed monthly expenses
- Compare it with your income and see how much is left over (or missing)
- Cut non-essential expenses when necessary
- Set aside a reserve for unforeseen events
💳 Use Credit Wisely
- Don't use your credit card as an extension of your income
- Avoid paying for multiple purchases at the same time
- Keep your income commitment to a maximum of 30%
🚨 Warning Signs
Watch out for these signs of financial trouble:
- Use the overdraft frequently
- Pay only the minimum amount on your credit card
- Delaying bills regularly
- Borrow money to cover basic expenses
A good practice is to create the “50-30-20 rule” for your budget: 50% for basic needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for saving and investing.
Be sure to check your CPF regularly. Serasa itself offers a monitoring system that alerts you to any changes in your registration, helping to prevent fraud.
Remember that saying “prevention is better than cure”? In the case of personal finances, this has never been more true!
Know Your Rights as a Consumer
Many people end up paying undue debts or accepting abusive conditions because they are unaware of their rights. Let's change that!
What the Consumer Protection Code Guarantees:
🔹 Right to Clear Information
- The company must clearly inform about interest and charges before hiring
- You must be notified before being blacklisted
🔹 Billing Limits
- Charges cannot expose you to ridicule or embarrassment
- Calls at inconvenient times are prohibited
- Threats are illegal during collections
🔹 Deadline for Negative Reporting
- After paying the debt, your name should be cleared within 5 business days.
🔹 Debt Prescription
- Most debts expire in 5 years
- After this period, they cannot be charged judicially.
Did you know that consumers have the right to free access to information about themselves in databases such as Serasa and SPC? This is just one of many rights that few people know about.
If you feel that your rights have been violated, you can appeal to:
- Procon in your city
- Consumer.gov.br platform
- Public Defenders
- Small Claims Courts
An important tip: always keep service protocols, payment receipts and all communications with companies. These documents are essential if you need to prove something later.
Knowing your rights is the first step to avoiding being exploited. And remember: companies rely on consumers’ lack of knowledge to apply less favorable conditions!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clear Your Name on Serasa
Still have questions? I've listed the most common questions about clearing your name on Serasa:
In some specific situations, yes. For example:
- If the debt has already expired (more than 5 years)
- If there is an error or fraud in the negative listing
- If the charge is abusive or illegal
However, in most cases, you will need to pay at least part of the debt to clear your name.
According to the Consumer Protection Code, the creditor has up to 5 business days after payment to request the exclusion of his/her name from the defaulters' registry.
Serasa cannot refuse to clear your name if you have paid off the debt. The creditor is the one who requests the removal of the negative listing. If your name is still on the negative list after payment, contact the creditor first.
Yes! Serasa's trade fairs are special times when participating companies offer even more advantageous conditions for negotiation. Discounts can reach 99% in some cases.
- Try to request payment in installments with smaller amounts
- Look for family members who can help
- See if you can get an advance on your work
- As a last resort, explain your situation to the creditor and ask for an extension.
Legally, debts older than 5 years (expired) cannot be collected through the courts. However, they continue to exist from a moral point of view. The decision to pay or not is up to you.
Not necessarily. Clearing your name is the first step, but granting credit depends on other factors such as income, banking history and current credit score.
Yes! Even debts in the judicial phase can (and should) be negotiated. Often, the agreement is even more advantageous at this stage, as the creditor also wants to avoid the costs of the process.
Staying informed about your rights and possibilities is essential to making the best decisions about your financial life!
Conclusion: Your Path to a Clean Name and Healthy Finances
Phew! We’ve reached the end of this complete guide on how to clear your name on Serasa. Now you have all the information you need to make the best decisions for your situation.
Let's summarize the main points we saw:
- Know your situation: Before anything else, access Serasa and see exactly what your outstanding debts are.
- Choose the best path: Whether through direct negotiation, contesting prescribed debts or other legal methods
- Trade wisely: Don't accept the first offer and always ask for conditions that fit your budget.
- Follow the process: After paying, monitor the cleanliness of your name and keep all receipts
- Prevent new negative entries: Organize your finances so you don't end up in the same situation again
Remember: clearing your name with Serasa is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a healthier financial life! 🚀
Having a clean record opens doors to better financial opportunities, such as lower interest rates, credit approval and even greater peace of mind in your day-to-day life.
If you apply the knowledge you gained from this article, you will not only resolve your current situation, but you will also be better prepared to avoid future problems.
Key points to remember:
- Check your debts at Serasa Limpa Nome
- Negotiate discounts that fit your budget
- Know your rights as a consumer
- Keep your finances organized after clearing your name
- Monitor your CPF regularly to avoid surprises
Start your journey to financial freedom today!
