Despite what many have suggested or claim otherwise, simply calling a CRA or creditor (or their collection/closed account arm) works. I've done it twice in the past few days and have been informed that my credit record was updated, or that the CRA's would be notified to update, information that I disputed. Many websites offer overly aggressive methods (certified letters, and such, to CRA's and CA's) that I felt could be done as a LAST resort. In fact, I had already crafted some of these letters prior to calling around, then learned that my phone calls alone did the job. Save yourself a lot of hassle; make some calls first, you might be amazed how friendly and effective the rep. who answers your call might be. A lot of the hype preached by others wastes time, costs $$ (certified letters, i.e.), and may trigger more anger than productive response. Just a newbie's (who's found his own groove) opinion.
Calling is a BAD IDEA, no matter how you look at it. For starters, many (if not most) CAs will promise you the sun just to get your money. They then conveniently "forget" their end of the bargain. I know this from experience. Also, CRAs and CAs are notorious for playing verbal tricks to get you to admit to the debt. Why give them the opportunity to trick you into admitting a debt is yours? I've had a CA try for 20 minutes to get me to admit to a debt in all sorts of ways. I'm glad it worked for you but just becasue it worked doesn't mean that's the better route to take. I think you are more the exception than the rule.
Once again, I suggested calling as an opening option, and letters as a LAST resort. It took me two or three days, maybe 4 to 6 phone calls, to fix "reaged" accounts, unexpired accounts, bad personal informtion, etc. All I've seen in many of these forums are suggestions of agressive approaches. A friendly demeanor on the phone as a first resort may save someone a lot of the hassle. I haven't bought into the theory that all CRA's and creditors are wicked (though, from personal experience, CA's certainly can be). If I had followed through with many of the suggestions offered here, many things could have gone wrong: a letter might not be informative enough or too vague; it might be to negative in approach; the wait time for results could be months (instead of a day or less, as in my case); you could be addressing the wrong department--or have the address completely wrong; etc. Many of you will disagree. But how many others who need effective help with their problems will avoid potentially more simple methods, soley because the majority of the suggestions in forums revolve around agressive letter-writing campaigns or consumer threats of lawsuits.
Most people who are here have already tried the "friendly" approach and failed. That's why most of us advocate the tough stance. You didn't address another point I made regarding verbal communications - what happens when the CA, CRA, or OC tricks you into admitting a debt is yours/valid? Furthermore, if your phone calls go nowhere, you've wasted time in your dispute process. Why not, instead of a friendly phone call, send a friendly letter? I'm more onbaord with that idea. We all here didn't one day decide that the tough stance is the route to go - this has evolved from MANY of our experiences.
I donot know how long you have been tryinfg to work on your credit but although I have found some ( who are an acception to the rule) to be nice and cooperative ,but most of the collection agencies and even OC can be ruthless manipulative and scandalous. Not all but many. For instance I spoke to collection sfor AT&T gulf state they "seemed nice" but I will still need to talk to one person tomorrow to see fi every thing went through. Until then I will wait and see you never know. sometimes heavy artilary was very much needed soem time s just a mere phone call you will see what I mena if you stay at this long enough .
doombug, The thing about calling is that they will lie, cheat and steal . Did the people you call put it in writing? Are the disputes off your report? If not I wouldn't brag about em til you get it in writing or have seen the deleted entries on your CR. Charlie
My credit problems have been burdening me for quite a long time; I just never took the time to engage them. By researching on the internet over the past few months, the majority of suggestions I've run across have involved the non-cordial approach. I bought into this and started drafting letters to the CRA's and creditors, was about to starting mailing them, and just decided to give the phone approach a chance. Prior to the revisions in the FCRA, many of the popular letter campaigns promoted here probably would have worked best, since our opponents had little to fear. I think CRA's, CA's, and creditors are evolving because of the revised laws, they realize the futility in fighting every battle, and would rather gamble on ridding themselves of us the first time around (even if it's by phone). I've spoken with CA's by phone in the past, agreed to pay on allotments, then settled with them for less when I felt I had enough $$ to do so. They may re-age the accounts, whether intentionally or not, but then that's not an inconquerable barrier to hurdle (I never thought to demand/ask for deletion as a condition). Most of them weren't bastards, they were actually pretty flexible (RMA, Surpas, et al.) I guess it's what ever method you have more patience and/or faith in. My gut instinct told me to rap with a rep. It worked. And I'd do it again.
Also don't forget if you do have to go to court as a last resort for some reason you will not have the proof you need or a papertrail as we call it. You might also have been set-up to agree the debt is yours or said something else which might be damaging to your case because remember "This phone call may be recorded for training and verification purposes". You could bet if you admitted anything or said anything else which may prove their case for them they will indeed bring it to court with them. Nothing over the phone is binding! Verbal contracts are for idiots and those who care less about doing things right. This last statement is NOT directed at you but just a point I'm bringing up. You must from the begining be ready for battle. You must prepare and set up your case as if it's going to court although it may never make it there or need to get that far, but if it does you have everything you need to make a case for yourself and make it happen. You will find your sucess via the phone to be short lived soon. Most general information can be taken care of over the phone but if you are disputing an account tooth and nail to get a deletion or updated "good" info then you will learn this needs to be done via the mail and sometimes in harsh respectful language. I'm glad you are having luck with your attempts via the phone. In my experience it got me no where but more aggravation. Mail for me is the way to go! Tac
You didn't answer the question - have the accounts been deleted from your reports or converted to positives yet? Of course the CAs will be cordial if you are offering money - why wouldn't they be??
doombug, I'm not sure if I'm following you here. You say you never thought to ask for deletion. So I would guess from you post you have CA accounts on your reports that either say paid, or settled, correct? And if that is correct, how can you say calling a CA works? They're (the CA) required to note the account as paid or settled depending on the outcome, so by them doing so, they're not doing you a favor, nor have you negotiated some kind of "deal" with them. And if CA's "would rather gamble on ridding themselves of us the first time around" then why are there thousands of posts, threads, questions, concerns, comments, etc. on this board about probably almost every CA that has ever existed? The answer: Because CA's don't follow through with their verbal promises, heck it's sometimes hard to get them to follow through with a written one unless you threaten legal action. Bottom line: If the CA does not follow through with what they claimed they would over the phone, you'll be wishing you had done your validation, and negotiation in writing to back yourself up when it comes time to face the judge.
Ok-- so I have to somewhat agree with doombug here-- I said somewhat mind you. I have found that if I don't recognize a collection account, a call is best just to get some initial information. If I do this, I always play the "naive" consumer ... in other words, no quoting the FCRA or FDCPA, etc. I have found that they can be quite responsive to this. In fact this approach has resulted in two deletions (both CAs that were no longer collecting on debts). On the other hand, I think it is a terrible idea to try to negotiate with CAs over the phone or to call AFTER you request validation-- they will not offer you a reasonable settlement, will lie about deletion and will try to force a payment by phone. Bad idea.
TMitchell, that's exactly what I was going to ask. I have yet to see a credit report update within a day or two of getting an agreement to correct it. I'll be very interested in how many actually do what they say they will do. I've also never heard of a CRA telling someone on the phone they would correct a tradeline without first putting it into investigation and contacting the company listing the tradeline. It is my understanding that the people who answer the phones don't even have access to make changes on the credit reports...all they can do is pass it along to someone else. I hope this did work for you OP, but please forgive my scepticism. While I think being nice will sometimes get you something in your favor, I'm convinced that the methods used by many creditnet members are the only successful ways long term to clear up errors. L
1. If you didn't negotiate for deletion then you've just thrown money out the window!! A trade line that says "settled" is just as bad as one that says "charge-off". The only way to effect your score(positively) is to have the negative trade line deleted or changed to an R1 status. 2. See #1 3. You'll probably have to!! I will say that I have used the phone to correct personal info ie: past/current address, telephone number, name variations, etc.. BUT THAT'S IT!! Everything else should be in writing(or you can dispute on line)!
I don't think the poster fully understands that a "settled" notation does not constitute credit repair as defined here. It sounds like he/she thought "settled" was a good thing.
doombug, I understand your desire to want to believe that the collection agencies will do right by you and stand by their word, but trust me 9 times out of 10 they won't. I would really caution you not to believe you've found a quick and simple solution to the issue of credit repair. There aren't any. Also, the things you are asking for seems to be all wrong. They are'nt doing you any favors here You need to be demanding a complete and permanent deletion each time all the time. What you have asked them for (updates on reaged accounts etc) is what they are supposed to do anyway. I am willing to bet that if you owed any money on those accounts they either got you to agree to a payment plan with no promise of deletion or hey tried damn hard to. And in the process of doing this you most likely slipped up and said something like ( i want to do the right thing here or I want to clear this up but I don't have the cash now) that implicates you in this debt. Please do not ever talk to a collector on the phone unless you absolutely have to for what reason I don't know and if you must please wait until you are a little more experienced. This is for your own protection I know because I used to be a collector. In fact I still have my handbook on all of the answers to your rebuttalls.
doombug, here are a few credit report heuristics to remember: "PAID SETTLED" = terrible "CURRENT WAS xxx LATE" = terrible "R5" = terrible of course "R9" and "CHARGEOFF" and "DELINQ" and "DEFAULT" are even more terrible, lol... In any case, many CAs will go ahead and update a credit report to "paid settled" or "current, was xxx late" or "R5" in exchange for a negotiated payment. The good thing is that you can usually (but not always) settle for a reduced amount and put the matter to rest forever. Settling a debt is certainly an honorable outcome, and it is one way of getting these people off your back. Plus, as you've noted, you can make a deal like that in a friendly way. PROBLEM: Some CAs will make a verbal deal with you and then turn around and slam you with a bill for the balance anyway. Suddenly, that portion you thought you had negotiated away is apparently payable again, and you'll regret not having it in writing. A friendly phone call at that point will do you no good. Although this isn't par for the course, it does happen, and we see people posting about those kinds of outcomes on Creditnet from time to time. That of course doesn't mean it will happen to you. However it's worth noting that bill collectors aren't always among the most honest people on earth, so anything can and does happen. HOW YOUR GOAL DIFFERS FROM MOST PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD: I think this is where the conflict described in this thread emerges. Most of the folks on Creditnet would never be satisfied with a "paid settled" notation. The reason is that it hardly makes a difference in your credit rating. On Equifax, for example, in the imaginary situation where you only have a single bad notation, an "R9" (default) which changes to an "R5" (was 150+ days late) may improve a credit score 10 to 20 points or so. On the other hand, the full deletion may well boost it 100 points or more if it's the last remaining item. (Remember that the more derogatory notations you have on your report, the less impact a single deletion will have.) People on this board are attempting to clean up their credit files in addition to settling or disputing their debts. If all anyone was interested in was just settling their debts, then, yes, polite telephone calls would work with some (although not all) CAs. Doc
