Hello everyone, First of all, thanks in advance for your help. I have read through some of the previous posts and sections on this board including "Credit Repair - Getting Started", "Quickest Way to Increase Score", the discussion regarding the Nutcase Letter(s) and read the sample letters. However, I am still unsure as to where I should start to tackle my credit issues. 1. I had a student loan from AMS serving group which went into collections on April 2000. Frantic, I put together the money to pay for the entire outstanding balance at the end of June 2000. Currently, EQ lists me as "Paid Account as agreed", EX has me as "Paid, was a collection account", TU has me as "Collection Account". I called up AMS to see if they would "kindly" remove the negative listing with the Credit Cureaus, but they respectfully declined. How do I get them to remove the "collection" listing? 2. I have a charge off from Macy's West GECCCC in the amount of $363 that I ended up paying in September 2001 (like a fool)! What is the best way to tackle this? As I said before, I reviewed the Nutcase letter series. Is this the way I should go? If not, what is? 3. I have another charge off account (which I also paid) from WFN for a Structure account (now known as Express Men's). I paid the account back in April of 1997. I would rather not wait for the 7 years and 180 days, so shall I do the same as 2. above? 4. Finally, I have an unpaid phone bill from RMA (in Albuquerque, NM) for $63. It went into collections in August of 2001. Now this one, I haven't paid yet. I contacted RMA and they said that they would not remove the listing completely even if I paid the entire thing off. They offered me a "deal" of sorts, which was for me to pay it off now and they said the clock for the 7 years, 180 days would start in April 2001 rather than August. I said I would call back. I really would appreciate any direction you can point me in. I feel like such a newbie, but even reading posts on this board for four hours last night, I feel I've learned so much already.
Welcome to the board! I know that you will find lots of useful information on this board. I am going to try to give you as much help as I can. #1: Regarding t his collection account. First, I would dispute it with the CRAs. See what happens. If AMS verfies, write AMS a handy dandy nutcase. State that they are breaking the law with their reporting. Mention legal action...that should get them jumpin'. Hmmm~. In a way, you don't want to goodwill first, because that will weaken your nutcase letter. Hence, it seems like a nutcase might be a good way to go. See above regarding the nutcase. Dispute with the CRA's first. See what falls off. If WFN verfies, then you can either try to Nutcase or Goodwill. Given that the account is so old, however, the chances of it falling off after the CRA dispute are high. Rule #1: NEVER CALL A CA...see my tag line... They want to trap you into saying stuff on the phone that could incriminate you later. The deal that they are offering you is BS. RMA has this alleged "policy" of not deleting, but I've heard of it happening with posts on this board. Given that this is still within SOL, I'd be more careful when dealing with them. An option is to pay it and then try to get it deleted, but the odds of them doing it then are slim. They were lying to you. Paying the account DOES NOT re-set your clock. They were offering you a deal for somthing they already have to do. The date of last activity is just that: THE DATE OF LAST ACTIVITY. They can't change that. They were playing with you and broke the law. As an amendment to my never call a CA mantra, here's what I would do: I would get a recorder, and try to catch them in that "settlement" lie. Tell them that they are using illegal and deceptive practices. That should get you that deletion.
Rblues, I appreciate the welcome and your help! 1. I am not quite sure about AMS, but I don't think the are of the credit agency variety (I could be wrong). I checked their website and have seen information about loan deferment, conferences and workshops and the like; they say they "service" educational loans (of which I got the Perkins student loan). Do you or anyone else have any experience with these guys? If they are a government agency, or maintain educational loans from the government, I think the nutcase letter would backfire. 2. I'll try out the nutcase letter, but answer me this, please. I read the nutcase letter, but I am DEATHLY afraid of them calling my bluff. I read somewhere that you also must have a "truth" to a case or complaint, otherwise it is illegal. On what grounds am I threatening legal action based on the nutcase letter? What leverage do I have? 3. I'll follow your advice regarding the CRA's. 4. I don't think it is legal to record a conversation with the CA unless I inform them first (I live in CA, but they are in NM). Do you have any other ideas that can get them to agree to delete? I have told them I would send them a money order with an agreement in the back stating that by cashing it, they are agreeing to delete, but they said that they would send it back to me. Help!
