Thanks for the input on my letters Bill, but I didn't catch it in time. I look at my situation this way: I've got a $68 LD bill from Sprint that's been turned over to two collection agencies, duplicately reporting on my bureau. I agreed for 10 cents a minute, switched carriers (after having Sprint for a while), and then got a bill for something like 25 or 30 cents per minute--and, told them to stick it; now I'm the one stuck. First of all, I don't think a collection account of $68 should be allowed to drag down a score who's last late payment on ANYTHING was 1995--to me, that's an inherent flaw in the scoring model. But--I ain't gonna change it single-handedly. Then to have Exerian allow it to report TWICE on the same $68--that's a major flaw in the reporting agencies. It tells me that they check nothing when it's presented to them to be reported--whatever the creditor/agency says must be gospel I suppose. With that in mind--the damage is done. For me to be nice, polite, and submissive to UNDO the damage, to me, doesn't make a whole lot of sense. They can't worsen the damage. They can, however, jerk me around/ignore me/take their sweet time to make any changes if I play the nice/polite/please/if-you-don't mind card. However, should I use the guerilla warfare approach (as the LizardKing calls it), the best outcomes are that they 1) fail to validate according to FCRA, and the trades(s) have to be removed, 2) they remove them because of threat of litigation (costing them time, money, and bottom line), or just so I'll shut up and leave them alone. Either reasoning provides the same outcome. Worst case scenario on the guerilla tactic is they do nothing, and I spend $20.00 and act as my own lawyer. I'm banking they won't take that chance, but if they do, then they are doing themselves and their agencies a great disservice over $68. I suppose I figure that the guerilla approach will warrant attention, while the "could you please check on this?" approach will only warrant disinterest--leading to the damage remaining even longer. I work in the lending industry, and the squeaky wheel always gets attention and action initiated--even if that wheel doesn't know what the hell he is talking about. We just want the wheel to be happy, shut up, and leave us alone. Thanks for the rant. David
