<prompt> Human: Just got my credit report, and was upset to see that an electric account that was charged off a few years ago could be negatively impacting my score. I signed a lease with a roommate in September 2009 and the landlord was never forthcoming with details about bills. The apartment was in a bad neighborhood, and the landlord was overall just an uncommunicative jerk. He would pass off the utility bills after he received them, which was always months later. In April, our power was turned off due to the fact that no one had payed the electric bill and it was in no ones name since my roommate and I had moved in. I took responsibility for the payments immediately, retroactively paid for the winter, and thought everything was settled.I really want to dispute this, but Im not sure how to craft the language there is no standardized reason. Do I need to reach out to the electric company to get documentation? I no longer live in that state, so I have no existing account with them anymore. Any advice is much appreciated.  <response>: If the power was in no ones name, how could they tie it to you? Did you ever sign anything? If not, dispute it on the report and they legally have to supply you with the proof they have or have the ding removed. 