HELP 79 Negatives Down to 47 NOW???

Hello y'all! I am a long time lurker, and I need MAJOR help with my three major reports.

Here is the summary:
Original Reports (01/2001)
Equifax - 22 Negative Items - Mostly Unpaid Charge-Offs from 1997 and 1998, and Collections; 18 Positive Items (I have one Capital One credit card w/ no annual fee).

Experian - 27 Negative Items - Mostly Unpaid Charge-Offs from 1997 and 1998, and Collections; 27 Positive Items;

Trans Union (Florida Merchants) - 30 Negative Items - Mostly Unpaid Charge-Offs from 1997 and 1998, and Collections; 20 Positive Items;

I started the dispute process January 2001 after reading different experiences here (THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!!), and so far I have had the following deleted:

Equifax: 10 Deletes (5 charge-offs and 5 collections, and one MBNA account with a 30 day late);

Experian: 7 Deletes (3 Charge offs and 4 collections);

TU (Florida Merchants): 15 Negative (7 Charge Offs and 8 Collections).

The following remains in my reports:

Equifax: 5 charge offs, 2 lates, 3 collections, 2 paid collections.
Experian: 10 charges offs, 3 lates, 5 collections, 2 paid collections.
TU (Florida Merchants): 8 charge offs, 2 lates, 3 collections, 2 paid collections.

My dispute process involves stating that the account is not mine, it is a duplicate account, or the account was never late. To date, Experian has been the worst, Equifax the best, and TU got better in the last two dispute letters (TU or Florida Merchants is the worst to read since they don't itemize your dispute, and rather, they just send you a new credit report).

Since January 2001, I have send 5 letters to each CRA, with 6 disputes on average (I have disputed from 3 items to 11 items per letter). I have the most trouble with the following UNPAID charge accounts:
1) BANK OF AMERICA;
2) DISCOVER;
3) HOUSEHOLD;
4) USAA;
5) PORTFOLIO RECOVERY.

I am going to keep sending dispute letters for another three months, and then I would like to hire a firm to dispute on my behalf. Here are my questions:

1) Am I disputing like I am suppose to do?
2) What else can I do to dispute other than sending letters to the CRAs?
3) Any advice on how to delete the companies listed above?
4) What company should I use in 3 months? ICR, Lexington, Junum???
5) How do I find my FICO scores? Is it free?


Thanks for the help!!!YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!

Sini

 

Thanks for the Reply!!

If I were to hire either ICR, Lexington, or Junum, are they going to dispute differently from the way I am doing? I typically dispute as not mine or not late, but like many members here, Experian seems to be the toughest to remove anything. I don't have any major inquiries other than for Auto Insurance, and I would love to know other alternative to clean up the record. BTW, what kind of scores will I need to obtain a reasonable MORTGAGE?

Sini

[If you've progressed from 79 to 47, you clearly are doing it like you are supposed to. Besides dealing with the CRA's, you might start sending out validations with CA's individually. I only have experience with Discover and they are TOUGH. Others may have ideas. Research the companies here and then make a decision on your own. That way, no matter what happens, positive or negative, you know you made the decision. Just do a searchof the company name. No, FICO scores aren't free unless you use a trial thing. For clarification, let's say scores by CRA.)]

 

Bill:

I am indeed very pleased with my results so far, I expect to shed another 25% to 35% in the next couple of months. However, how long does your method takes to run thru the system and I start seeing results? I am ready to try something if it is a successful system. BTW, can I call you or email to chat a little about your system?

Thanks.

Sini