Thoughts on organizing diputes/etc

I have been reading/posting on this board for about 6 months and still feel like a big time rookie. One of the biggest problems I have faced is keeping all of the paperwork organized and knowing what the last step/next step was/is. I am truly organizationally challenged (probably part of the reason why I am even here reading about credit repair ~ ) Noting that, and please regard it as a caveat, I thought I might share my little "system" for keeping everything organized. Someone probably has a much better system, but an ultra newbie might be interested in mine.
This system is good for consumers who have multiple TL they are working on, need to work on.


I first , of course obtained all three Credit Reports.

Be sure to save copies of your CR on your PC, save by date- EQ022204,EX022204.etc in one file folder for each CRA

I have printed copies of the FDCPA and FCRPA

I bought one of those little portable plastic file holders that you can hang file folders in and organize a bit-works better than those paper expand -a-file holders.

I bought a binder with plastic separators.

For each Tl (OC AND CA) I labeled a file folder with the name and date of last activity for all three CRAs. If it is only on 2, I noted this.

I also noted a cross reference if the TL is currently with a CA.

I separate my OC folders in one "section"

I separate my CA folders in another "section".


For the binder I created a simple form in Word that has the following format:

NAME OF CREDITOR
BALANCE (ORIGINAL AND BALANCE WITH ADDED INTEREST)
DOLA


Date Action Taken Next Step Violation/Sec


2/21 dispute letter wait 30 watch for dipute/CR

3/25 2nd validation Estoppel ?






You fill in the possible violation in the violation sec
and the portion for the FDCPA or FCRPA (i.e. § 1692e(8). )that it is violating and possibly the FTC letter that pertains, if applicable and if you know it.

I mark all violations (what I believe are violations,ask the board if unsure) in red, so they stand out and as you are reviewing your binder, they stand out.

I keep all hard copies of the correspondence I have ever received from the CA/OC in the file folder.

With the File Box, I keep in each folder, all correspondence ever sent regarding the account.

When I type a letter and send it out , I print about 7 copies.

One I attach all of the CRRR documents (postal receipt, Certified receipt and Green Card)
I keep 4 for documentation for a lawsuit(Judge, Defendant, Me and an extra) -Keep in file folder

One in case I have to send another copy to the CA/OC-keep in file folder

One for the binder so I know what was sent out as I review the binder-note on this copy the date letter was received by OC/CA(Green Card)

The file holder holds all of the "hard copy notations",

The binder is your working folder that you can keep handy to reference where you are at.

I also include in the File Folder box all copies of my CR /current and older that I may have printed.

I place a copy of the page of my CR where a particular TL is reported in each file folder for quick reference.

Just print out the page that your TL shows up on your CR and keep it in your folder (be sure to note the date of the CR if it doesn't show up on your printed page for some reason.

Anytime there is a change on your CR in a TL, print it out and put it in your folder (note the date the CR is from)

OH! And I keep a Success folder, for all of my little wins!


The binder really helps me keep up with where I am .

It is organized like this:

Each TL has a section,separated by a plastic or paper separator and index tab with TL name.

Form I created with Word as noted above with notations I have made a possible violations.
Be sure to note any correspondence you have received from CA/OC regarding TL in your notes on the "Form".


I start with the TL with the oldest DOLA-(my reasoning for this if it is past SOL or very near, you are more than likely not going to get sued, and if you do and SOL has expired, you can raise the SOL as an affirmative to the lawsuit. It is just a way to organize, you could also alphabetize, whatever works for you.)

Then the next oldest DOLA, and so on.


Copies of letters I have sent regarding the TL

Page of CR where any changes have occured on the TL (if they have)

At first I did use only the "file box" as my organizing method,it didn't work for me.
I was constantly searching through file folders as I have multiple accounts I am working on.
You can just flip through the binder and note what is going on with each account through your notes on the form. You do have to remember to mark your notes on the "form", but it isn't hard if you keep it up. This way you will be really organized if you do have to go to court.

This system may not work for everyone and I am sure someone out there has a much better "System". I just thought I would share mine as I am sure there are some Newbies out there going AAAH! Where do I start, I am so overwhelmed! You can accumulate a lot of paperwork as you clean your credit, be sure to save EVERYTHING, you never know when you may need it to prove a violation.

I know I was completely overwhelmed and thought Bankruptcy was the way to go. I have the never ending CR which would scare the pants off of anybody, slowly but surely I am making progress and my scores are improving.

I read the board every day and ask questions when I need to , some of them seem stupid, some are good and start wonderful discourse on the subject and make you glad you asked the question. Some go unanswered, mostly because the answer is already out there and fairly easy to find with a bit of research. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but do take some time to do a search to see it the answer may already be out there. Sometimes it is and you can't find it. If someone seems brash when they answer, get over it and move on, there are many personalities on this board. You are hear for one thing only, to repair your credit or learn to make your credit better. Keep your ego out of the postings, just soak it all up and learn as much as you can. Someone who may post what seems a brash or unkind answer may turn out to be your biggest source of assistance in your journey. Don't piss off your potential advisors, you could lose a valuable source of assistance.

I am welcome to suggestions on this system or even a much better system if anyone knows one. I just thought this might be a good idea for a thread since you gotta start somewhere and usually that first step is the hardest. If you start off organized it really helps and you don't seem so overwhelmed and lost.

If you just Dive in, as I did when I started, you send off the wrong letters ( a CRA letter to a CA-woops!)misplace documents, throw them away, spill coffee on them, etc.

Stay organized and you will be much more proficient in your journey.

3day

 

Great ideas!

I just find that having the copies ready to go when I send subsequent letters is easier for me than having to boot up the PC locate the file, make sure it is an exact copy of the letter I previously sent, print it out and mail it.

If I have extra copies I can just go to my file folder and include it with the next letter, etc. You don't really need to have them, I just find it works for me.

For instance when I send a debt validation letter and you don't hear from the CA, I incude a copy of the first letter sent, to back up my paper trail.

But I am seriously challenged when it comes to being organized, so I need that extra "already prepared" help. (you should see my house ~ )

I am probably creating more mess doing it this way, hopefully this thread will help create a really thorough and effective method of organizing credit repair files.