Thread: Fleet/BoA reporting incorrectly

So I called Experian today regarding an account that dropped off of EQ and TU in May/June 2006. I inquired as to why it had not dropped off of EX (I had disputed this account in Jan 2006). They said that it was last showing a late payment in Feb 2003 and that it would continue on my report until Mar 2010.

This was a credit card account that was closed (involuntarily) around 1999-2000. There's no way it could have been "late" in 2003. The only way I can think they have reported this is perhaps when it changed CAs somewhere along the way. I think they were being vindictive because I disputed it in Jan 06 and just reported whatever they wanted to keep it on the report. Whatever they did in Jan 2006 when they "verified" it caused my Experian Score to drop from 668 in December to 595 in January. Right now, I'm setting on a 637.

Since my phone call, I'm thinking of disputing it again since they've provided bogus "late payment" information as a reason.

What should I do?

Originally Posted by adcgroup

So I called Experian today regarding an account that dropped off of EQ and TU in May/June 2006. I inquired as to why it had not dropped off of EX (I had disputed this account in Jan 2006). They said that it was last showing a late payment in Feb 2003 and that it would continue on my report until Mar 2010.

This was a credit card account that was closed (involuntarily) around 1999-2000. There's no way it could have been "late" in 2003. The only way I can think they have reported this is perhaps when it changed CAs somewhere along the way. I think they were being vindictive because I disputed it in Jan 06 and just reported whatever they wanted to keep it on the report. Whatever they did in Jan 2006 when they "verified" it caused my Experian Score to drop from 668 in December to 595 in January. Right now, I'm setting on a 637.

Since my phone call, I'm thinking of disputing it again since they've provided bogus "late payment" information as a reason.

What should I do?

It could show as a late payment if you made a payment in 2003. If not then you need to request the validation on the account, more specific the last payment date, from the CA and CRA.

I never made a payment of any sort after the account was closed. The account limit was 1000 and they had it at 1656 (penalties, etc. I'm sure)

So - I've never made a payment or talked to any of the CAs for fear of validating it by mistake in talking to them.

Originally Posted by adcgroup

I never made a payment of any sort after the account was closed. The account limit was 1000 and they had it at 1656 (penalties, etc. I'm sure)

So - I've never made a payment or talked to any of the CAs for fear of validating it by mistake in talking to them.

You need to request validation from the CA. Disput ethe account again with the CRA showing there was never a payment made to the account.

Should I contact BoA first before I dispute with EX? What should I ask BoA to produce for validation? They're not going to be able to produce anything that shows activity on the account. The only thing I think they could point to is something in transfer of CAs. Can something like that hold up as 'validation'? If they can't produce anything that passes muster, how do I get them to remove it?

Should I do an online dispute with EX or will I need to send it via mail? If I recall, they have a set group of reasons for dispute and I don't know what fits best for this.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by adcgroup

Should I contact BoA first before I dispute with EX? What should I ask BoA to produce for validation? They're not going to be able to produce anything that shows activity on the account. The only thing I think they could point to is something in transfer of CAs. Can something like that hold up as 'validation'? If they can't produce anything that passes muster, how do I get them to remove it?

Should I do an online dispute with EX or will I need to send it via mail? If I recall, they have a set group of reasons for dispute and I don't know what fits best for this.

Thanks!

You probably will have to dispute 'other' and list your reason for dispute as, no payment made after 1999 or whenever your last payment was. I would dispute online and mail a copy in. BOA will probably not provide you with anything other than the CA's phone number. You'll need to provide the CA with a dispute and validation of debt letter. It could be that maybe you are reading the report incorrectly, it could be that the CA took over the file in 2003.

I am preparing a validation letter found in the Sample Letters section of the forum. In it, it asks for proof of "the alleged item, specifically the contract, note or other instrument bearing my signature." Should I ask for something different in this specific case? Should I ask them about a supposed late payment in 2003, or should I just be general and let them address the case as a whole?

Originally Posted by adcgroup

I am preparing a validation letter found in the Sample Letters section of the forum. In it, it asks for proof of "the alleged item, specifically the contract, note or other instrument bearing my signature." Should I ask for something different in this specific case? Should I ask them about a supposed late payment in 2003, or should I just be general and let them address the case as a whole?

Unlikely 7 years later they will have the contract to send to you. Leave the letter the way it is and make them prove it to you. If they send back the requested information and it doesn't add up to what your CR shows, then you need to ask for more specific information.

Thanks for the help!

I'm still wrestling with this validation process (as you can tell from other posts). I've sent the letter and just received my confirmation receipt back. Now, they can do one of 3 things. They can not respond at all, they can send a bogus response that doesn't meet the requirements for proper Validation, or they can send correct Validation (not likely).

If they are able to provide Validation, then I guess I have to 'drop back and punt' and pursue another angle, perhaps PFD. If they don't respond at all, I send the 2nd form letter as is. If they respond, but incorrectly, I'm assuming that I'll send the 2nd letter stating that they haven't provided sufficient proof and they're out of time.

Should they send me something that is bogus and the 30 days have expired, should I send copies of everything to Experian and demand they remove it from their file, or will they defer to BoA?