Hello: This is like a distress call. Today, I ran my credit report from EXPERIAN and much to my surprise I see that there was a negative point from EPB a local electric utility company, which indicated that I owe EPB $56 and you reported it to collections ROBINSON REAGAN & YOUNGon 06/1/2008. They claim that I did not pay. I was a customer for EPB for more than 6 years while in "cityA" before I moved to "cityB" in Dec 2007. I have paid my dues on time directly from my account. I have asked for the disconnection of the service in Dcemeber 2007 before I moved to cityB and paid all my dues. The last payment deducted from my account was on 12/18/2007 for $31.78 which was deducted from my bank account directly. I had this arrangement for almost 6 years. I have not received a even single letter from the utility company that I owed them $56. Even the collection agency did not contact me on this.I have made sure that there was nothing pending against my account when I have canceled my account. Even the utility company had my direct deduction from my bank and I am not sure if I had owed anything, why not the company taken it from my bank directly. I am not sure if I owed EPB $56. If they think I owe any amount which I do not even know,I am ready to pay and get over with it. But my biggest concern is the NEGATIVE point I had on my experian report. Now my request to you: 1. How can I get this negative mark out of my credit report? I know it is my responsibility to pay the dues whcih I have been doing. I have had the arrangement pay directly from my bank. Instead of reporting to credit agency and spoiling my history could they not directly take from my bank account? 2. Do I need to pay them off, if so how to proceed with it? Please let me know as I am planning to shop for mortagage next month and I need to clear it ASAP. Please help!!!!!!! Thanks in advance for your help and understanding
ASAP might not be possible but soon should be. Start with the utility to find out what the deal is. If you don't owe them anything, have them recall the account from the collection agent and have the collection agent remove the entry from Experian. You want to be friendly but firm with the utility as they are the ones who can remove this the quickest. Get to the bottom of this and don't take "No" (or "we'll get right on it") for an answer. If you don't owe them then ask to speak to "compliance" so you can square this away.
As part of your records, you need to make sure that you notify the OC in writing about your dispute. Otherwise, you will have no record of your informing them of their error.
Thanks. Per your suggestions I have contacted EPB. They agreed to take off the NEGATIVE point if I paid in full. Following is the letter they sent me: -------------- Pursuant to your request, I'm sending this letter stating that your account is paid in full on <date>. A request has been sent to CA to reflect your account paid in full. We have asked them to take out the entry from your credit report due to your credit histrory with EPB -------------------------- Now I have the following questions. 1. Does this mean my NEGATIVE point will be taken off? I have asked them over and again to confirm, but would like to check with you based on the wording of the above letter. 2. What are my next steps? Do I need to call CA to confirm this? Do I need to call EXPERIAN? 3. If I need to call EXPERIAN, please let me know how to proceed. Thanks
