I sent a dispute letter to CBC Credit Services of Dayton and they signed the green card on 07/19/02. I talked to CBC Credit Services and they said that they began their investigation on 07/25/02. I told the representative that the 30 days begins from the date that they receive the letter, not when they start their investigation. She said no, it starts when we start our investigation. Isn't this wrong? I've looked it up and it does appear to be from the date of receipt, not the date of the start of the investigation. Am I right? Also, I called back and attempted to discuss the status of my dispute since I didn't see that the items on my credit report were being marked as in dispute. They continually dodged the answer to this question. I was told that I would need to contact CSC Credit Services, out of Houston Texas, as CBC Credit Services didn't handle my area. Apparantly, Equifax has set up regions for their affilates to handle. Well, I did send it to the address showing on my credit file for disputes (which was CBC). Then I talked to someone again and was told that CBC Credit Services in Columbus (the office that handled disputes) shut down on 07/29/02. They had my info for 10 days and have made several inquiries into my report. This person that I talked to today said that since CBC Credit Services of Dayton/Columbus didn't handle my account, they forwarded my information by mail to CSC Credit Services in Houston, Texas. They could not confirm if it was actually mailed or that CSC did indeed receive my letter. They just assumed that it was and did not offer to verify this for me. I have not received a letter from either CSC or CBC regarding that they are investigating my information. If they do not do the investigation, do I have them in violation of not investigating? Someone, please help!! I need advice!! So much to learn......... Sirrowan
Ok, I'm relatively new here, and I have yet to do any validation letters so this may be the wrong thing to say but....what the heck are you doing calling the CA while you're in the validation process? Why would you call them and tell them they haven't put it in dispute on your CRA's? Why would you tell them that time's almost up for their investigation? Isn't part of the whole validation process to let them slip up, and hang themselves, so you have more leverage and negotiation power in the end? Or am I just not reading it all correctly? I would just stay away from them for the full 30 days, and let them tie the noose around their own necks. Also, I wouldn't call the CA's anyway, because I'm too chicken that I'll slip up and give something away. Everything is in writing as far as I'm concerned!
Tracy, these are equifax affiliates. They handle the equifax business in certain areas of the country. Where I live, I don't deal with Experian, I deal with Credit Data Southwest which is an affiliate.
Oh, ok. My bad (I'm blushing now, from embarrassment!) that's why I always put my disclaimer "I'm new" I'll be doing that even when I'm old!! Thank you for clarifying, and doing it so nicely!!!
Actually Tracy, I could have sworn they were Equifax affiliates, but after reading another post, now I'm not so sure. You may be right afterall.
The reason that I keep calling is because I'm concerned that they still have not marked my disputed items as in dispute. When they do this, these items (correct me if I'm wrong) are not used to calculate your FICO score while in dispute. I am attempting to purchase a new car at 0% financing. I could not afford the car that I need (a minivan to haul the family around in) without the 0% financing. I was just turned down for the second time. I'm also concerned that they have lost my letter of dispute. But the kicker is, they signed for it 10 days before the office in Columbus stopped handling my area. Someone has my letter, either CBC or CSC, but I can't find out which one. If they do not investigate properly, I don't know who to go after! LKH, all you seasoned creditnetters, any ideas on this? So much to learn............. Sirrowan
we were wondering if this is a CA, or a division of equifax? that would make a bit of a difference in strategy perhaps. Also, to clarify for another thread, you said CBC in Columbus closed. Does that mean the company closed, or just that one particular office, which would mean the information would be spread out throughout the other branches??
I see what you mean. Although they may have lost your dispute in the shuffle, the FCRA does not allow extra investigation time for their mishandling. Sadly, your only recourse is to sue, or dispute again, unless you happen to get an understanding rep at CBC, which is unlikely. JMO
You have proof they received it. Wait til 30 days, then send the demand that they deleted whatever you disputed. If they lost it and didn't send out any disputes, that is their problem. I see this working in your favor.
Why Dayton? Why not Detroit, Danville, or Duluth? Do you live in Dayton? From whom did you obtain the credit report you're using as a reference? I thought Equifax was Equifax was Equifax and was a consumer reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers on a nationwide basis. But if CBC and CSC take care of part of the nation for Equifax, then that makes Equifax something less than an agency with the nationwide definition.
I guess that Equifax is separating their affiliates into regions, kind of like Coca Cola Distributors have regions with noncompete situations?? I did call equifax and they weren't any help. I just want my credit report to reflect the correct information. However, if they do not update my credit report, or investigate as they are supposed to do, could I take them to court. I disputed 18 inquiries total-13 hard inquiries and 5 soft inquiries. Arent't items in dispute, not supposed to affect my score? There are two other items in dispute and they are still being used to calculate my score. The only reason I know this is because they are the only two changes on my credit report. So much to learn........... Sirrowan
I apologize, I didn't make myself clear. Equifax has officially broken into regions. The CBC Credit Services of Dayton/Columbus has stopped handling my area. They do this by City/Zip Code. As of July 29, 2002, CBC Credit Services of Dayton/Columbus does not handle my area. They are still in operation though, just not for me. It doesn't make much since though. I can go to Dayton, which is 20 miles away, to CBC Credit Services of Dayton and get copies of my credit reports. Instead of disputing my information in Columbus-which is 1/2 hours away, I have to send my disputes to CSC Credit Services in Texas which is @%$&*( miles away. How efficient! Also, CBC Credit Services does indeed have a Collection Department. I think it's called CBC Companies. I called them by accident the other day (thought I'd found a toll free #, wrong!) to reach CBC Credit Services and they told me I had the Collection Company. I felt like asking the woman to stand up in her cubicle and yell across the room to CBC Credit Services of Dayton/Columbus to please take my call! I'm becoming soooooooooo bitter! Sirrowan
If I do sue, how would I go about this. There are 18 inquiries total! I think there are 13 hard and 5 soft. Our small claims in my county is $3,000. Should I sue for 3 at a time? Ideas anyone?
Excuse Me!!!??? You tried!!!??? You tried what!!!??? Are you being obnoxious(sp)! WTH are you talking about. Put yourself in my shoes. I am a single mother trying to purchase a brand new car for my family. The more I know about purchasing a car, the more I am insulted. Car salesman prey on women-not an opinion mind you, a fact! And you say "I tried". What did you try? I called Equifax. They told me that I need to deal with their affiliate that handles my area! Should I go postal on them? Email them repetitevly, and get no response? Tell me Greg, what would you do in my situation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please note that I am a single mother of two trying to get by, not get rich, just get by. I don't have a few months in order to purchase a vehicle, I need one now! So tell me greg, what would you do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Temper Flaring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sirrowan
