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Nave · #1 (**permalink**) 05.15.2002, 23:06

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Creditnet Note: Click HERE for the updated Unofficial FAQ, now maintained by Butch. (To assist new members, previous links to Nave's server throughout this thread have been updated to Butch's.)
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I have been discussing this with PBM and he is behind it but can not devote the time right now to develop it. Therefore, I suggested to him we post it off site (so we can maintain it) and call it the "unofficial FAQ".

So here is the first official release of the unofficial Board FAQ.

I believe this will be the best idea at least until we can edit it into a useful document without requiring PBM upload changes and corrections every day.

Please add suggestions or changes to the FEEDBACK forum (see the link at the end of the FAQ)...and please don't be shy with the criticism or corrections...I do not want this to be a Nave creation but rather a group effort of those of us that frequent here and could use a FAQ to point people to the best and most overasked questions and topics.

-Peace, Dave

pbm · #2 (**permalink**) 05.16.2002, 01:09

Thank you, Dave! In the meantime I will set this post to "stick" to the top of the message list.

Sincerely,
pbm

Dani · #3 (**permalink**) 05.17.2002, 16:36

Nave,

I just looked at the FAQ and you have done a terrific job. It is much needed. :)

Dani

PsychDoc · #4 (**permalink**) 05.17.2002, 17:15

I'll second that, Dani!

Doc

LKH · #5 (**permalink**) 05.17.2002, 21:25

I'll third that, Doc, Dani & Nave the Nave.

Nave · #6 (**permalink**) 05.17.2002, 21:26

Thanks LKH, Doc, and Dani.

I have added some new info to the FAQ from suggestions in the "FAQ suggestions thread".

Please keep the suggestions coming...if I can not get them in right away I will get to them. It would help me greatly for the suggestions to contain the information and not just the question, as searching for the right post (answer) is the tough part.

Again thanks, and if you can find items that you would like to see in the FAQ let me know.

-Peace, Dave

ITEMS ADDED:
should I dispute online/phone/mail
what is and AU
what is Citi's BDD
how many disputes in a round
how do I get started with credit repair
what is the difference between hard and soft inquiries

Keller · #7 (**permalink**) 05.19.2002, 10:57

Nave and PBM, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have wished for something like this since I started researching this board and became a member! This will prevent the board from getting cluttered with continuous "newbie" questions and allow for more "publicity", if you will, on various other important discussions and "in-depth" HOT topics! We all know how time consuming this process is and I, myself have been guilty of trying to search for certain topics I needed the answer(s) to, and not getting "instant gratification", I have posted the same monotonous question as others have posted before me to get a "much needed" QUICK answer. Ya'll have just taken care of this! :o) I must tell you that I think you guys are GREAT!! It honestly takes special kind of people to continue helping others even after they have accomplished their own feats! I just had to commend you all!

Kudos!!

Keller

Butch · #8 (**permalink**) 05.27.2002, 23:37

Dear Davester,

Great Job!

:)

Stephanie · #9 (**permalink**) 06.06.2002, 20:52

Super!!!

you are the best!

I had to change my user name. Don't worry my hubby didn't divorce me after I got the results back from the CRA. hahaha

Still steph+gary

Why Chat · #10 (**permalink**) 06.20.2002, 21:01

If you think it might be useful, you can put this link to my general information site on your faq's page.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Y-chat/WhyChatsCredit/

Nave · #11 (**permalink**) 06.21.2002, 01:07

Thanks Why Chat will do....

Everyone,
If further suggestions need to be made, please use the "feedback forum" link. That way we do not "push" the FAQ link up the chain in this thread.

-Peace, Dave

Igotarock · #12 (**permalink**) 06.27.2002, 08:30

I agree with Keller!! You have no idea how much we newbies appreciate the wisdom and patience of you veterans!!

superadman · #13 (**permalink**) 07.01.2002, 18:25

Excellent Nave. It's never too late for a great idea.

Mrei · #14 (**permalink**) 08.09.2002, 10:02

Dave..
Do you think we should change the tittle from
Unoffical C B. FAQ to "NEWBIE MUST READ"

Maggie75 · #15 (**permalink**) 08.09.2002, 19:26

I think that would be a more catchy title, good suggestion?

cma · #16 (**permalink**) 08.13.2002, 09:30

WOW! All I can say is WOW. I have to admit, I think I've been a little naive these last several years. My credit repair journey began five years ago with all three ca's reporting at least 18 derogs. I had to restart my efforts about two years ago after both my wife and I lost our jobs and had two children in serial (talk about a tight 2 years...)

Since then I've searched the net looking for and digesting everything from the FCRA to personal sites, but for some reason didn't think to look for a site like this. I'll admit, I though I was the 'credit repair guru' until I found this discussion site about 3 days ago. Since then I think I've doubled my knowledge and tripled my desire to clean up my credit. Call me naive, but I really felt alone in my credit hole. I thought the only way to get this kind of info was to pay for it...and I've done that more than once in the past only to get majorly ripped off!

Even though I've been somewhat successful, I still have a ways to go, especially on my wife's report. I think I'll use the NUTCASE series on a couple of stubborn tradelines. I apologize, I don't have my FICOs to post, but I haven't wanted to check my FICOs until I did some more repair work. I guess I'm kinda cheap-don't want to pay for the service yet. But I think I might just do that today, just to get started. Also, on advice of some here, I have chosen not to look for more credit cards. I was going to as Providian upped the rate from 18.9% to 29.9% on my visa, but I only have 2 hard pulls on my reports in the last 12 months and I want to buy a house by Christmas.

Anyhow, thanks everyone, you guys are really providing a service that is unequaled anywhere else (unless I'm being naive again)

I have a few questions that I can't seem to find any info on in the search... So I'll start some new threads and hopefully get some answers.

Mike

sam · #17 (**permalink**) 09.07.2002, 07:42

Buy equifax credit watch. use the $39 option.

Dispute any high balance cards, and derogs.

pull report next day. your score is higher.

Even if the account is yours, but has a high balance (hint: keep all balances on one card).

By using this method. I have raised my gf's score from 669 to 730+ in one minute.

Instead of $704 per month for that new bimmer lease its 565/month. $149 savings * 39 months = $5000 saved.

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Open a business charge account if your credit is good . Anyone can open one with american express. You don't need to even be a business, just declare yourself one. The charge/credit card will not appear on your credit reports unless you dont pay. Thus you can have the great benefits and hide your debt. See above trick to raise your score. Roughly a 650-690's you should apply for delta skymiles open business credit card. If you have higher than that go for the Amex blue for open for much better terms.

Either way having an ability to hide your debt for a few months comes in handy when you have to go buy that house.

$10K in credit card debt can lower your score easily by 60-70 points Versus (none).

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cma · #18 (**permalink**) 09.08.2002, 10:29

Thanks Sam! Your info was very helpful. I have gained much since I first posted this message, but your info will help even more. Thanks again!

QUEEN_BEE · #19 (**permalink**) 09.17.2002, 13:15

Link to secretary of states for all states:

http://www.iaca.org/members.htm

kerry · #20 (**permalink**) 09.22.2002, 15:18

Hey Nave, I talked with you and others about Experian hard inquiries only "generally" hurting us for 6 months on another thread the other day.

After reveiwing tons of old threads on EX and CE and FICO, I concluded that it is most likely that hard inquiries actually hurt us for 12 months. My conclusion is that it is very unlikely that they only hurt us for 6 months. We may never know the answer here but when you answer the question in the FAQ section about inquiries, I suggest that you reference that somewhat impressive 'FICO Presentation' link that someone (maybe you) demonstrated. The FICO Pres. uses the 12 month figure.

Changing subjects to Equifax (Credit Watch actually) hard inquiries, I want you to know that my husband and I got a total of 6 hards deleted from Nov-Dec 2000. Our scores did not change even 1 point. Probably because they are almost 2 years old. This is consistent with the FICO Presentation. It will be interesting to see if we get a score change when the "under the 1 year old hard inquiries" drop.

You might want to poll people here at some point about their Equifax bumpage and the effect on scores.

In conclusion, I am as ignorant as everyone else here about how long hard inquiries hurt but my guess is that they hurt us for 12 months on EX, EQ and TU.

As someone else here says: Just my 2 cents worth.