I'm just gonna start out saying that I was nervous to get reports for myself and my new husband. Now that I've read them, I'm scared and freaking out. I didn't know anything about credit and didn't think I would have to care about it in my life. Who needs credit, right? Well I'm all grown up now (kinda) and we want to buy a home and raise our kids comfortably. But that may not happen for a long time This is the first time I have EVER seen my credit report, I'm pretty ashamed. I am 31 years old and have no work history, I have been a mom and housewife my whole life. I did attempt college and that was a failure that I thought I could just brush under the rug. Well guess what? The student loans are in default. My dumb a** didn't think I would have to pay them back, lol. So this is my wake up call. I'm ready to start this journey but need to just take a step at a time. I have spent many, many hours reading and trying figure this all out. My head is spinning. So this is what my report says: TransUnion-541 Equifax-527 Experian-549 All 3 have current address wrong and previous address over 10 years old. Can I get the previous addresses removed? Sending dispute letters to all 3 to fix current addresses. Should I send them certified mail? Is this the right step? I have 7 accounts in collections right now. 1) was for BMG Music that I have never applied for and don't know anything about it. Balance is $31. Was opened 5/30/2013 date reported was 8/31/2013.Transunion is the only one reporting it. What should I do to get rid of that? What kind of letter and to whom? 2)have a couple different medical bills in collections listed TWICE: a)$155 balance- opened in 2008 both collection accounts list identical info. don't recall this or getting a bill b)this double listing has identical dates (2009) but the balances don't match-one says $1692 and the other says $1669 c) I also want to add that it is the same CA that is reporting 2a twice and a different CA that is reporting 2b twice I don't have any idea how to handle this- please help 3)also have a library fine in collections (I know-pathetic) balance is $76 from 2012. only 2 CRA are reporting this and I just want to make it go away. I was going to pay it, I just want to best outcome so my scores will go up. Should I just go down to the library and pay or contact the CA? There are many more issues that I didn't list, I just want to get started somewhere. And then there is my husband's credit too. I am willing to provide more info if needed if someone can help walk me through all this.
You don't need to send a certified letter disputing them. Just do it online, it's free, and in my experience they're deleted within a week or so. Who is reporting, BMG or a CA? If it's BMG, I would immediately send them a letter, certified, disputing the account in its entirety. If you have 3 addresses listed on your report that are completely wrong it could be possible you're a victim of identity theft. With an account open date so recent, I would suspect that the OC would have the necessary supporting documents to verify who opened the account (signatures?), where the product was sent, etc. The same creditor cannot report the same account twice. Dispute one (or even both to see where the cards fall) as duplicate. It SHOULD come off rather easily if the balance and all other account info is identical. (b) do they both have the same Last Updated dates? it's possible that some interest is the reason for the different balances. Either way, I would suggest starting with the same dispute as above. Depending on what state you live in, you may already be past the SOL on both of these accounts. If that is the case, you're in a better negotiating standpoint for the other accounts. Check yours here: Statute of Limitations on Debt Collection Sorted by State What you should be reading: The Fair Credit Reporting Act What you should be reading: The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act They're long, but well worth it. Without having at least a basic understanding, I wouldn't suggest going past simple disputes with this. If there is any chance of working with the OC, and especially since this is so recent, I would suggest you do so. Be sure though that you get in writing that they will pull the account from the CA either before or after you pay.
I can see I am going to be FORCED to write a thread not only WHY WE ONLY DISPUTE BY MAIL & HOW GREAT errors on out info page of our credit reports is!
ONLY DISPUTE BY MAIL with a letter that looks something like this! Attention: Experian (Have written one for Experian,Transunion, Equifax) My name is xxxxxxxxxx, attached is a copy of data page of my Experian report number XXXX-XXXX-XX. Upon receiving this I have noticed some errors that need to be corrected/removed I have attached a copy of the data page with the addresses circled in red. I am informing you that the addressees of: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-address 1 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-address 2 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-address 2 The above addresses are invalid and need them removed. I am concerned about ID theft/fraud. In addition to the address section located under the telephone number section: xxx-xxx-xxxx xxx-xxxx-xxxx Both of these are invalid as well. The number xxx-xxx-xxxx is the correct number. I have included a copy of my driver’s license, a copy of my SS card and copy of a current utility bill as proof of the items. Thank You, XXXXXXXXXX
