Hi, I am new to this site so please bear with me if I ask stupid questions. I am working on getting my bureau reports cleaned up right now and I'm running into some problems. First, I can't seem to get a copy of my bureau from Trans Union via the internet...it keeps saying it can't validate me and I should try again in 30 days. Is there any way around this, or should I just throw in the towel and order it via snail-mail?? Second, I have a collection item on my Report that is showing up twice. It appears that it was with one agency and was subsequently sold to another agency, so both collection accounts are reported. Is there a way to have the inactive one removed?? I have several similar situations like this and I think that if I just got those removed, my score would be much better as they are showing as delinquent accts. Lastly, what is your opinion on the credit repair services?? Am I better off tackling this project by myself or is it worth it to have someone else do it for me? I want to investigate each item individually to prove it is legit because of the duplicate situation referenced above. I don't mind paying to have someone else do it, as long as it doesn't take FOREVER and they do a good job. Thanks again for reading this and I look forward to getting your input on these problems. -M.
Multiple CAs can report it as long as the old ones say "sold or transferred - $0 balance". Do it yourself if you have the time - most credit repair companies can't do anything that you can't do yourself with the help of this board.
It does not say that on my bureau, at least not the one I got from Experian. I guess this is where the battle begins. Is there an effective way to view all 3 of my bureau reports from one place so I don't have to do all this switching around? How does everyone hear keep such a close eye on their CRs without spending a fortune on the fees associated with having it pulled?
Shell out the $79 for CreditExpert (Experian) and the $50 for CreditWatch (Equifax). If you know whou has pulled your TU report in the last few months, you normally can get it online with a score.
You're better off doing it yourself. You will pay less and you will more motivated that any employee who is being paid to provide this service. I had a similar situation. I sent a validation letter to everyone. Then disputed with the CRAs and the company who sold it Gulf States deleted from my credit reports. I received a letter from them stating that my credit reports have been updated to show that this collection has been sold. I'm still trying to get it off the ca who has it now.
There is a way to see 3 reports in 1. It's called a tri-merged report, however I don't suggest you doing it. This is why: Some CRA's may have derogatory information about you that the others don't. So if you dispute a CA, you don't want to dispute with the wrong CRA. They could try and be cute and add it to your report. Tri-merged reports don't separate which account is from which CRA, so Experian may have ABC collections, and Equifax doesn't, and you could wind up disputing the CA with Equifax, and not the actual CRA that has the CA on your report.
