I sent a letter of dispute to Experian about 20 days ago. I just got a letter from them saying the following: We are responding to your request to verify information on your personal credit report. The item(s) listed below could not be investigated because you did not tell us specifically why the information is inaccurate. Please send us detailed reasons why the information is innacurate, then we will be able to begin our verification process. What do I do now? Can you please help....I am this close to my job with the fire department but my credit might disqualify me from Background. I have a collection for 189.00 and a charge off from providian for 1029.00. What letter do I send them or do I call Experian to complain? Do I offer settlement with the creditors....Providian is all interest no principle (500 limit) paid over millions of times Any help would be greatly appreciated. I used the dispute letter in the sample letter forum here on creditnet.
I'm no Guru but if I were in your shoes I would... 1) Assumming you have the money and don't have alot of time to dispute/validate, I would pay off the $189 collection and get a zero balance/paid status on report(you can go back and dispute this later). 2) Again assumming you have the money, as for the providian you must have some sort of priciple from befor to accumilate that much interest, I would go for a settlement and to get a paid status,possibly a deletion. My intention here is to have your outstanding balances zero for the purpose of your job, just so they can't use outstanding delinquencies(spelling)against you,after you get your job, you can take the time to delete the remain negs. I hope this helps, but again I'm no guru I would double check with others goodluck.. Kinetix
edward, You used the right letter. When you list your account you need to tell them what it is your disputing about the account, ie. "Not Mine", "Never Late", etc. So for Example: SEARS Acct #1234321 - Not Mine - REMOVE Providian Acct #23232 - Never Late
Well... fortunately perfect credit isn't required for most jobs. So let's take this logically. If we assume the credit may be an issue then you should do this: 1. Send the credit bureau the information they requested... again if necessary. You can use your report number and call if you want, that way you don't put misinformation in writing. (eg: "not mine" if it is) and then hope it will drop. Also, it'll be faster if you call. Now, let's deal with the real issues. Being pressed for time never puts you in the best negotiating position. If I were you, I'd talk with the HR professional and be honest. Tell them you have several minor credit issues and ask if/how they might affect you. Again, be honest. Tell her you're trying to get them resolved but there are issues with the accounts and you don't just want to completely pay something that has exhorbidant charges just because of the job application. You want to pay what's fair, and you really want this job. ASK if it's an issue, and if it is, what has to happen to make it a nonissue. (Most HR Professionals would prefer to hear about it from you anyway, not just learning of issues from your background check). These issues are relatively minor and for small amounts. they may even be a nonissue. you won't know until you ask and I know, it's hard to face your worst fears (that these issues might keep you from a job you want). But you have to hit this one dead on if you want it to go away. Ok, now with the creditors. We don't know the issues on the 189 deal so a few more details might help us. You can go validation or try for a pay/delete. Your call. again, time being/not being of the essence. As to Providian, we've been seeing a lot of settlements coming out of Providian that are a lot less than the stipulated "amounts owed" because Providian needs cash. You can try to negotiate a settlement for deletion... or you can do a settlement and dispute with the bureaus and hope it deletes due to Providian's being short on staff... but if the bureaus computer verify then it'll verify... so I'd go for a settlement /deletion (in writing before you send the cash) of course. And worst case scenario, the HR PRofessional tells you they have to be paid and you'll have to show proof of payment (they know the bureaus take forever to update)... so you might get stuck paying in full (or not getting deletions for payment) but you'd still get the job... If they want you for the job they'll work with you on the credit if it's a policy issue... Most things can be worked out with enough persistence By the way, financial issues are more of an issue when you're applying for a financial position (eg: accountant, cfo, auditor etc). They don't want you handling their money if you need money. Makes sense. For most other jobs it's either a minor or nonissue. They just want to make sure you don't have bodies in the basement, aren't kiting checks all over the country and will get arrested right after they train you, etc etc. Nobody is perfect, and recruiters certainly know that Good luck on the job, by the way.
Those credit issues should not be a factor, from what I have heard and read HR people are mainly looking for a huge amount of debt/and or lots of judgements. Of course this can vary from employer to employer, but I do not think you should worry. But of course, clean your report anyways
Edward, I agree with Marie. When companies conduct background checks, which usually includes a credit report, they're looking for felonies and fraud. Most companies don't use "fico" to determine employment unless its in Finance or Accounting.
Uh oh. I am a finance major, 'A' student, and I have low scores (they are not teaching the right things) My current job deals with finance and fraud, and I got it no problem! No worries. BTW, I have given 2 speeches this semester on credit reporting and the FCRA, etc. Everyone loved them, sometimes fellow students wait for me after class to discuss their issue. It feels so good to help them, thanks to you guys, I have learned a lot.
yeah.... but you've learned, are helping others, and will always be a better person for having not been perfect. People who have had difficulties or who have made mistakes are normally more generous and forgiving towards others... because they know they're also not perfect. and the knowledge you have now will last a lifetime Better to learn it now when you have plenty of time to recover then later in life when it might be a more permanent setback. Congrats on learning more, sooner It's always fun to be a subject matter expert
Your credit will be reviewed and scrutinized when the Fire Department conducts a background check. They want to make sure that since you will be in a position of public trust, that you are not in severe financial trouble therefore opening up the possibility of misconduct once your on the job. 2 or 3 marks against your credit will not hurt your background check. They will look for a history of defaults and late pays, and a large debt load. I wouldn't worry about it, I know several police officers that have less than perfect credit and they passed their background checks. Good luck
