Lates? how to proceed

As a newbie I think I am doing pretty well.

First thing I did was opt out. Next I cleaned up previous addresses and such. I did TU online, and I am still waiting for them to come off, but the others did right after I called. I guess TU is waiting the full 30 days. should have called first.

The next thing on my list is to get the lates off my report. I am still unsure of the best way to go forward. I have read the newbie posts and searched the forums, but after a while things do start to run together. I still have a lot to learn, and things are sinking in slowly the more I read(and will continue to read).

I did gather that I should send a goodwill letter, or dispute with the CRAâ??s.

What would be the one to start with. I have 3 accounts that show lates on them, but not on all the credit reports. All of them are from about 3yrs or more, when I was in college and had some medical issues.

If I do dispute/goodwill and they come up verified, will they then show up on the other CR? I just donâ??t want to make things worse and make a newbie mistake. Do certain companies try to hold on to the lates more than others(more difficult to deal with than others)?Any experiances?

Iâ??d appreciate some input, so I donâ??t make that newbie mistake. I do need a car in the next few months. I would be dealing with the OC and not a CA. (most of the posts I've read have to deal with CA's and not OC)

Also what do you do when you donâ??t even have the Account Number anymore, they only show a partial on the reports(is that good enough).

The Citibank is closed, would it be best just to dispute as not mine? The account is closed so I donâ??t think they would be too open to fix something that isnâ??t making them any money.

Also how long do the OC usually keep the records if I dispute them as never late? I just was curious if they purge there own records in a certain amount of time, because the CRAâ??s would still keep the file updated. Maybe as time goes by, the harder it is for them to actually find the correct info. Okay, I know I am reaching there, but I am trying.

Here is the info

Experian

Assoc/Citi
Date Opened: 05/99
Date of Status: 6/03
Last Reported: 6/03
Balance: $0
Credit Limit: $1300
Current Status: Closed at consumerâ??s Request
History: 30 days late as of 11-2000

US Bank
Date Opened: 07/97
Date of Status: 1/02
Last Reported: 6/03
Balance: $4487
Credit Limit: $4500
Current Status: Pays as agreed
History: 30 days late as of 12-2001 , 3-2001

WFNNB/Victorias Secret
Date Opened: 09/97
Date of Status: 5/99
Last Reported: 7/03
Balance: $0
Credit Limit: $1200
Current Status: Pays as agreed
History: 30 days late as of 4-1999


Equifax

Assoc/Citi
Date Opened: 05/99
Date of Status: 6/03
Last Reported: 6/03
Balance: $0
Credit Limit: $1300
Current Status: Closed at consumerâ??s Request
History: 30 days late as of 11-2000


TransUnion

US Bank
Date Opened: 07/97
Date of Status:
Last Reported:
Balance: $4487
Credit Limit: $4500
Current Status: Pays as agreed
History: 30 days late as of 12-2001, 3-2001
60 days late as of 3-2001, 4/2001

WFNNB/Victorias Secret
Date Opened: 09/97
Date of Status: 5/99
Last Reported: 7/03
Balance: $0
Credit Limit: $1200
Current Status: Pays as agreed
History: 30 days late as of 4-1999

Thanks for any input
_________________

 

Experian 651


Equifax 690


TransUnion 646

 

*Bump*

Anyone?

Dispute first or Goodwill?

Just want to make the correct move.

Since they are from 3 or more years ago, will they even be in their databases?

thanks