Okay with credit report in hand here are my and my husband's credit issues. Any input on our next steps would be appreciated. Me: 1. Lowering my credit card balances is my first priority. They are only $250 and $350 limits. One is down to $195 now and the latter is still around $348. 2. Derog: Wells Fargo Auto Loan, closed 5/2. TU and Exp are showing 8-30s and 1-60. Exf is showing 19-30s and 1-60!! My records aren't complete as this was in the days before I documented everything but what I do show is closer to TU and Exp (I definately do not show more than 8-30s). However, when I called Wells Fargo, they say that it is 18 and 1. I am a little afraid to dispute Exf. And if I do and they verify, will TU and Exp change their reports? Or is this one that is just better to be left alone. 3. I am showing both a Cross Country Bank (the OC) and Midland Credit (the CA). This was paid off and is closed but is still on my report. Perhaps a goodwill letter? 4. Also a Credit Management Inc. that is still showing from a cable bill. This was paid all the way back in 99 and I found it when I ran my report in 01. I disputed and got it cleared as a derog, but it is still on my report. Another goodwill letter? 5. And last but not least the derog attorney bill that I will not pay. It will just have to fall off as I don't see any other alternative. Now for my husband... 1. After a chpt. 13 that will be discharged two years this May, he has many accounts that say closed/included in bankruptcy. Anything we can do about these? Or do they have to bide their time? 2. Derog: Elan Financial. Closed 3/1. 1-30, 1-60. Should it still show as derog if it has been paid? Would a goodwill letter be in order? 3. Two Verizons. Verizon says there were two accounts. Hubby only remembers one. One has 4-30s and is not showing closed and the other has 5-90s and 2-30s and is showing closed. A phone call or a letter to verify? 4. Panhandle Credit. Charge off/paid. Goodwill letter? The other issue I see is the lack of current credit for my husband. He has our one auto loan and adding him to my cards is not an option (or so they claim). Should he be looking into his own card to start building time? Thanks!!
One other question... The reports are showing many wrong names and old addresses. Should I send letters off immediately asking that these be removed? Thanks....
Here's some suggestions: 1. Get all your old addresses removed from your credit reports. This can usually be taken care of with a phone call. 2. CA's are going to laugh at a goodwill letter. It seems everything you mentioned here is paid, I would try simple not mine disputes with the CRA's first, and see what falls off easily. 3. You mention one that you got the derog removed but is still on your reports? A collection is a derog paid or unpaid. 4. Never admit to the BK. Someone with BK experience will hopefully chime in, but I believe you should start again, with simple not mine disputes. Good luck!
I also filed Chap 13 BK in 12-98. As of right now, I only have one of the probably 30 accounts that showed as "included in bankruptcy" left on my CR. And the amusing part about that is the BK itself has been deleted. My big way out was that most of the accounts were joint or AU with my ex, and I never signed anything to get the cards. So I would pick three, dispute as not mine, and most would fall off. Then after I got rid of all I could that way, I disputed them as incorrect information. And most of them got tired of that and they disappeared. So my advice is be persistent. It takes time, but I have gone from the low 500s 2 years ago to about 630 now. Also, dont validate anything. They have to do the work to validate the accounts, not you. Several times Credit Bureaus asked me to mail them a copy of my bankruptcy papers. NEVER NEVER NEVER DO THIS. You will hang yourself. The only chink in my armor is Sears. They are still reporting their account as "included in BK". And through this whole ordeal I have never once sent a letter. All of my deletions were done by disputing online.
Thanks, that also helps a lot as the BK is hurting DH worse than anything. We are starting the dispute process today. I will update with any results.
