I see that many people who post here list their old and new improved FICO scores when they post and in some cases it looks like the improvement came in just a couple of months. I'd really be interested in hearing some stories on how that was accomplished.
Simply a matter of removing derogatory info. Some people get lucky and get most of their stuff removed on the first round of disputes. I raised mine over a 100 points in 8 months. Gib
timmyq, By being persistent and documenting everything. I started 5 months ago. I pulled all 3 reports individually. The only scores I got were CreditExpert when I finally signed up and the one that always comes with my TU reports. I started by disputing names and addresses. For some reason, these are really screwed up. Once you get this done, you can start disputing tradelines. The logic behind this is that once you remove the old names and addresses it makes it difficult, if not impossible, to verify stuff. Personally, it's been about a 50-50 shot that stuff comes off. Some CAs you have to get "stronger" with and in some cases the BBB online can help. My goal is to buy a home, so I've been concentrating more on getting the derogs removed than improving the score. I've been using the score as a "guide" more than anything else. Best thing to do is get comfortable with the FAQs, read as many of the posts as you can, learn the FCRA and FDCPA and then start your journey. If you run into something that hasn't been previously addressed (RARE), then ask away. P.S. This has been like a part-time job for me in that I probably spend 2-3 hours nightly on my own repair. HTH
So essentially it is a matter of disputing negative information (even if it's true)? For example, I have a lot of late payments recorded on student loans which I'm sure are hurting me big time.
I've noticed that a lot of my previous addresses are all screwed up. Is that what you're referring to when you say dispute names and addresses? I am very new at this so I'm just trying to get as educated as possible.
If you've already gotten copies of all 3 reports, call the 800 numbers and just say "Not Mine" to all the name/address variations you don't want. I got down to my real name and current address. There were lots of ones with nicknames, wrong middle initial, etc. Some CRAs want proof of an address, especially if it's "new" compared to what they have on file. I used my driver's license (went to DMV and got the address changed). Once I had this in hand, I lined out everthing except my name, address and birthdate. I also sent a copy of a current utility bill and lined out everything but my name and address. For example, I lined out the account number, amounts, due date, etc. Don't give these guys any more info than you have to.
One more thing about credit repair: It's not about whether or not you owe it. That's a moral issue. If you owe it you owe it. It's about the reporting of accurate information and the CRAs & CAs complying with the FCRA/FDCPA!
I agree, I suppose I need to study up on the FCRA/FDCPA so I know what my rights are. This discussion board is very helpful. I'm glad I found it.
Most of the mistakes people make could have been avoided by doing a little (make that a lot) of reading before jumping in with both feet! Good Luck.
I had a lot of negatives on my CR. All of it was technically true. Life isn't black or white though, there were extenuating circumstances. All my derogs but one were derived from medical bills, some of which I never new about until they showed on my credit reports. Like I said, they were technically true, but should I be forced into 7 years of credit hell for something I was never even billed for? Or for medical bills on my daughter that my ex-wife just trashed and never let me know about? If I hadn't learned my legal rights, I would be in hell for another 7 years. I had a medical collection pop up when I was closing on my mortgage 3 months ago. The hospital that the CA was collecting for admitted that I hadn't been billed. I almost wished they hadn't removed the collection, they would have paid for my house for me. Credit repair hasn't been a moral issue with me, it has been about my right to be treated as a human being. There have been laws enacted to protect consumers from falling prey to over zealous collectors, and to insure that credit reports reflect 100% true and accurate information. Use them to your advantage. The one derogatory mark I had that wasn't medical was a student loan, I paid it off a year after I defaulted on it. I had 3 different organizations reporting that. Technically true, but what makes it right by it being reported as 3 negatives? If you have moral issues with disputing things that are technically true, ask yourself if you deserve to be treated as a second class citizen forced to pay higher interest rates than what ought to be legal, even if you can get credit at all for the next 7 years. Gib
When one embarks upon this journey they begin by cleaning up those items that fall easily. Usualy about the first half or 2/3rds in some cases, fall off with the first dispute round. This results in a noticeable score boost. The rest is the more stuborn items. Edit: I see that Gib already covered this. That's what I get for not reading before I post.
