Basically that the information they have on their records are information provided by the creditors, and if it was wrong I have to go through the creditors and not the agency for reporting bad ifnromation. They tell me that I can write a 100 words or less to put on my credit report.. And that's basically it?! I thought they too had to provide verification that the information is correct? Also on their website it says that they go to the companies on the credit report and request verification? How dare they send me this then?! Saphire
Actually now that I'm reading it over and over.. Maybe it's better I just post it entirely?? I'm so afraid to post it though, cause I've had people pull me apart for posting.. Ok.. I'm going to cross my fingers and post it.. This is the letter.. Thank you for contacting Treans Union. Our goal is to maitntain complete and accurate information on your credit report. We have provided the ifnormation below in response to your request. Re: Verification documents not available. We store information in our records as it is supplied to us by creditors. When infomation is disputed, we are required to investigate and record the current statue of the information. We do not provdied dispute verification responses received from creditors. If you need to obtain documentation or written verification concerning your accounts, then please contact your creditors directly. Re: Explanation of different items on your Credit report You may wish to add a consumer statement...blah..blah..blah.. If you have any add questions contact us.. blah..blah..blah.. ANy ideas of a good move on this one?
Hi Saphire, Can you give me an idea of what you said in the letter you sent to the CRA(s) in this case? (Perhaps you sent them a request that may have been originally intended for a OC or CA?)
1. Never add the 100 word statement. It doesn't help your score and usually is a negitive. 2. Dispute with CRAs and it is likely some of the tradelines will go away. 3. Require validation from CAs and many suggest the same for OCs eventhough OCs are not required to respond. 4. Catch CRAs in violation of FCRA and sue. You can settle for deletion. 5. Do a lot more reading of archives here and continue to ask questions. Good luck.
Hi Saphire, OK, here's what I am thinking: I bet TU is trying to sidestep things, hoping you won't call them on it. ...Hoping you'll just file your 100-word and go away. Did you wait to receive your green cards from the OC/CA before taking it up with TU? Is the account listed as being in investigation on TU (from the OC angle)? In any case, I think if I were in your position, I would go forward with the Debt Val Letter 02 (below) and doctor it a bit to fit the situation specifics. It doesn't matter if TU doesn't directly maintain your account specifics on site--that's a moot point--because they ARE responsible for correct reporting, regardless. And if they are getting a (false) verified response from your OC, you need to know about it and be in a position to follow up. So, I would make this second letter to TU pretty angry and indignant. I would express my annoyance at their decision not to take my claim seriously. Then I would pay close attention to my CRs and see what is going on. I would review the FCRA and make sure I knew what violations to expect. Then, in any subsequent letters (see Debt Val 03, etc.), I would be prepared to list the violations and let TU know that I mean serious business. *Disclaimer: This is all newbie advice. So admittedly it may not work for crap. And furthermore, it may be the wrong thing to do. It's just what I would do if I didn't know any better. Just hoping I could help. Good luck. ___________________ [This is a request for debt validation from a creditor or credit bureau. Send as certified mail, return receipt requested.] «Your Name» «Address1» «Address2» «City», «State» «Zip» «Company» «Address1» «Address2» «City», «State» «Zip» «Date» RE: Account #_________/Original Creditorâ??s Name Dear Sir/Madame: This letter is a formal complaint that you are reporting inaccurate and incomplete credit information. I am distressed that you have included the information below in my credit profile and that you have failed to maintain reasonable procedures in your operations to assure maximum possible accuracy in the credit reports you publish. Credit reporting laws ensure that bureaus report only 100% accurate credit information. Every step must be taken to assure the information reported is completely accurate and correct. The following information therefore needs to be re-investigated. I respectfully request to be provided proof of this alleged item, specifically the contract, note or other instrument bearing my signature. Failing that, the item must be deleted from the report as soon as possible: Name of Creditor/Agency, Account #_________ The listed item is entirely inaccurate and incomplete, and as such represents a very serious error in your reporting. Please delete this misleading information and supply a corrected credit profile to all creditors who have received a copy within the last six months, or the last two years for employment purposes. Additionally, please provide the name, address, and telephone number of each credit grantor or other subscriber. Under federal law, you have thirty (30) days to complete your re-investigation. Be advised that the description of the procedure used to determine the accuracy and completeness of the information is hereby requested as well, to be provided within fifteen (15) days of the completion of your re-investigation. Sincerely, «Signature» «Your Name»
I got the same attitude when I called TU. The girl was nice but admitted the letter I sent proved the oc was reporting incorrectly. She said as long as they say its true to TU then they will leave it there. I am glad someone responded and said to send a letter back to TU with more force. I think they can almost sense who will go away and who will be a pain in the **s.
In reading their response: Are you sure you didn't say "Not Mine," and then go on to request some kind of validation, verification, proof, documentation etc. That is probably the "sticking point." That is not their role to provide this information - that may be why they are referring you to the originator. -Cliff
I sent a second dispute to TU with information proving what the OC is reporting is wrong. Today I received a procedure letter. What a bunch of crap! The FCRA says: (4) Consideration of consumer information. In conducting any reinvestigation under paragraph (1) with respect to disputed information in the file of any consumer, the consumer reporting agency shall review and consider all relevant information submitted by the consumer in the period described in paragraph (1)(A) with respect to such disputed information. Getting ready to sue them hopefully monday.
Saphire, Ignore their response and just request a new investigation. All three CRA's send out the same types of letters hoping that you will just go away. The letters they send mean absolutely nothing. Just send in another dispute. You can even send them the same exact letter. As a rule of thumb, they will re-investigate every 2 to 4 letters. It may take 8 to 10 letters and several months of work, but you should get pretty much everything removed. For those accounts that remain or are giving you trouble, try different tactics. FYI, I have sent in the same form letter over and over again and have gotten 20 of 23 derogatories removed from my credit reports in a little over 6 months. Of the the 3 others, 1 was deleted via a negotiated settlement, 1 was deleted because EX did a sloppy job verifying it, and one still remains. Contrary to what many here may think, this is not rocket science.
After reading Bayhouse, and how they do most online and fax, I went and disputed it online.. And the response was through USPS mail to my house.. Within 7 or 8 days.. Pretty fast.. I then was REAL angry with them, and sent them an online dispute, that their website clearly claims they will investigate, and they didn't and sent me a letter that it was my job to go to the OC. I'm going to send out a certified letter tomorrow... The one that Alchemist posted. My first request online it asks you "What" you want to dispute, and I just put two different accounts, and what my dispute is.. (It says "Not Mine" as the option and that's what I chose) That's all.. Never said anything else.. Jen
If she does that, she lets them off the hook for the 30 days clause. I would just wait the 35 days and send them a deletion demand letter due to the 30 day law
Ok I got my 2nd response back from Trans Union. They deleted 1 and "Verified 2" So I just wrote and demanded who they spoke with, and how I can contact them. I told them, that I would contact them on my own, cause I was dsigusted with the games they play when asked to investigate possible fraud. I went on to say that they handle very important consumer information, and if they aren't accurate, they should be faster to verifty and fiax the problems. Waiting to hear.. Saphire
Re: Re: CRA sent back letter saying The fraud statement just landed you in the special fraud department. Don't worry, you will have company, me, I am there for one year starting Feb 25, 2003
