I know that TU can list tradelines as "SUPPRESSED." This happened to me when a credit card company reporting on my TU went bankrupt. The tradeline was notated as suppressed. However, I have an issue with an experian tradeline. A CA was listing a debt. I disputed it. It was verified. I disputed it again (after sending my validation request), "new information was added." This new information was a note that the account was in dispute. I disputed it again and it was verified but updated to NO STATUS. I wrote the CA with a threat to sue because they had not supplied any records whatsoever showing this debt was valid or this account was mine. Their laywer responded saying they did nothing wrong and were going to obtain some original account records. But, until that time, they would cease collection activities. So, I disputed again with EXP and included this letter showing they had no records and were going to cease collection. Therefore I requested that the account be removed. It was verified again. However, I noticed, when I pulled my privacy guard report, it did not appear. But, it did appear under the negative items category when pulling my report directly from Experian. I disputed one last time and again the item was verified. I called EXP and complained and said I wanted it completely removed (not hidden). I talked to four..yes four different customer service representatives and I asked them the EXACT same question. Why is this account still being listed on my EXP report but not to other creditors. I would like it removed from my EXP report because it is still appearing in the negative item section and I will have no idea if it ever becomes "unhidden" since the report does not even notate that it is hidden. Response 1: What account? That account is not listed anywhere on your Experian report. Yes it is.. I am looking at it right now. I'm sorry but it really isn't. It was probably deleted. Ummm okay..whatever. BYE Response 2: What account? Hmmm. let me try looking in a different area.....OH yes.. I see it here. Why is this account not being shown to other creditors but still being shown on my credit report? This happens automatically when the account is updated to NO STATUS. When this happens, we automatically hide it like that. Umm okay....whatever.. BYE I've had other accounts listed as NO STATUS that were never hidden Response 3: What account? No...its not here... YES IT IS!! It is being hidden from creditors. Oh yes.. I see it...it has an exclusion code on it. Why? The collection agency put this on there at the end of their investigation. Why didn't they just delete it then? This is as good as a deletion. Don't worry about it. There is nothing else you can do. Umm. okay..BYE Response 4: Oh yes.. I see the account..it is being hidden from other creditors. Why is that? We put an exclusion code on it. We sometimes do that when an account can't be deleted. So will this account be removed then? No. This account has been "excluded" for about 6+ months now (it is still showing in the negative items section with NO STATUS and ACCOUNT DISPUTED). So, based on what I have read on suppression, this is something the CRA does. Does the "exclusion code" through Experian sound like the same thing? According to one rep, the CA did this (which wouldn't make sense unless they wanted to try to trick me into believing it was deleted), another said the CRA did this automatically when it was updated to NO STATUS, and another said they do it when the account can't be deleted. I'm just wondering if this will pretty much stay "hidden" until it falls off or if the CA can "unhide" it at any time.
I don't have an answer for you, but I am going through the same thing myslef right now with TU & Exp. I have an acct that is "suppressed" at TU, but a "new" TL has replaced it, this same TL at Exp came back as "Remains", but does NOT show on neg items(?!?!). I am calling today to both CRs to try and investigate this reporting. I am just as baffled about what it is, and its effect on reports and scores. But it also sounds like no one else is sure of what it is either!! Perhaps this is just a new mechanism for the CRAs to get around people like us now!
I am well aware of your situation. It was actually your thread that made me start this thread. Do you have a privacy guard account and if so, does the EXP tradeline show on your privacy guard report? Also, you say it does not appear in the negative items section. Is this an OC making the entry or a CA and is the entry showing you are past due?
Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Sunhawk, No, I do not have a Privacy Guard report, but I am looking for another avenue to pull my report for this very reason. As to "who" is making entry", it is a bit confusing as Verizon Wireless acts as both, it has its own collections department (two heads to the monster?!?), so which entity is actually making it I'm not sure. The TL does not really show me as past due, in fact it does say PAID but....it shows under "Account History" "Charge Off as of 11-2003" So I know this is killing my score. I'll (hopefully) know more after I call Experian today, I hope I don't have to go through as many CSRs as you did!! Thanks and Good Luck with yours
Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? You can get a 3 month trial through PG for $1...not bad... I just keep signing up over and over again. I would assume it is Verizon (the original creditor) making the entry (and not the collections dept) because charge offs are usually not associated with a collection agency. It is usually the OC that charges off the debt and then tries to send it over to a CA. It it odd that a charge off would not show in the negative column...I guess because it is notated as paid. You could only know for sure if it is doing anything to your score by pulling your score and seeing what it states are the factors lowering it. As a fun experiment, you may want to call back a couple more times to see how many different answers you get!
Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? As an update, I just got off the phone w/TU..."suppressed" TL will be removed, per CSR "no need for two". But there was no info on why TL was suppressed, and why "new" TL is different. As for Exp, I'm almost hesitant to call; they are so inept perhaps this is just a data entry error. I'm afraid of alerting them to their own mistake!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? I like how they decided to keep the un-suppressed one and get rid of the suppressed one. There was no info on why it was suppressed because the lady had no idea. When I talked to Experian, the CSR that said she couldn't find the account said something to the fact of I have been here nearly 35 years and I have never heard of an exclusion code or hidden account. Just because they work there, they really don't know how things run because they honestly probably don't care. They are there and trained to do one thing. Basically, tell people whether an investigation started, to start an investigation, or answer simple questions like what is listed on their report. They don't know what is going on behind the scenes. Re EXP, I don't blame you. However, even if it is not in the negative section, that doesn't mean it isn't negatively affecting your score. I would guess, where it appears on your EXP is irrelevant (under negative or positive). But, I would guess it is under the positive because it was paid. I have never seen any paid chargeoffs on EXP so I can't comment but somebody on this board probably has. May be when it is paid, it moves to the positive section? But yeah, I don't blame you for not calling them....at least until you pull your score to see how this is affecting it.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Hi Sunhawk, Actually, I have to say the CSR at TU was very helpful AND did seem to "know" about suppression of accounts. She did not come right out and say it, but...between the lines she was hinting that a Data Furnisher does this when they've screwed up a bit, or they're just getting lazy. She was a bit "hesitant" after she pulled my file, and saw the items, she had "no comment" when I mentioned the information differences between the two TLs, and how this related to the disputes of the items. Interestingly, the first question she asked when I mentioned the word "suppressed"(before giving any info at all, and before my file was pulled) was whethere this was a "Sallie Mae" student loan item! She said this was a common practice with Sallie Mae! As for Exp...I am waiting to see what they do. I've had so many issues with them, my next move is the request for ALL the info in my file, to see what they've really done in the past, then ITS. And, I am still waiting for Verizon to "validate/verify"; I'm lucky that I live in one of the states that require validation from OCs directly. So...we'll play this one out!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? TU, in my opinion, is usually the best out of the three. When I have a problem and I show them proof, they always delete. I have never had any problems with them. EXP is second and by far, in my opinion, EQUIFAX is the worst. I am glad to hear though that you got a knowledgable person! I would not be at all surprised if EXP gave you some different service...or atleast, if you hung up and called back, I would be very surprised if you did not get different answers. In my experience, TU has always had the best customer service. You can write to EXP and request everything in your file (as opposed to just a credit report)??
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? The Full Factual Report? You're kidding. If I thought I could do that I would. Have you done this Sun? ???
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Not me...bizwiz41 said he was going to do it. I didn't know it could be done.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Yes you can; I don't have time to pull up the section of the FCRA, but it stipulates a consumer's right to ALL the information in your FILE (not report). This is probably the last move to make, as it will fully show what they've done, and NOT. Per other's who've done it, it is best to have done all your other moves first, then demand ALL INFO, then ITS. It CAN be done, but it should be looked at as the "last bullet in the gun"..... I'll try to pull up the section later today for posting..
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? wow...never heard of that... Yes, keep me updated.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? I've heard of it , I was reading over state laws in NYS and it specifically states that a consumer can request a full account of what is in their files, not just a credit report, it; has to be worded that way also, must request file.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Sunhawk: The clause is stated as below (from FCRA) § 609. Disclosures to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681g] (a) Information on file; sources; report recipients. Every consumer reporting agency shall, upon request, and subject to 610(a)(1) [§ 1681h], clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer: (1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of the request, except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a consumer reporting agency to disclose to a consumer any information concerning credit scores or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the consumer. (2) The sources of the information; except that the sources of information acquired solely for use in preparing an investigative consumer report and actually used for no other purpose need not be disclosed: Provided, That in the event an action is brought under this title, such sources shall be available to the plaintiff under appropriate discovery procedures in the court in which the action is brought. I will have to paste in another "post" how the FCRA describes the word "file", which includes ALL information about a consumer regardless of form (taped, written, etc.)
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppression= EXP exclusion code? Sunhawk; Here's the definition section: § 603. Definitions; rules of construction [15 U.S.C. § 1681a] (a) Definitions and rules of construction set forth in this section are applicable for the purposes of this title. (g) The term "file," when used in connection with information on any consumer, means all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored. So, there it is....I'm sure you have to "push" the ALL part, and "regardless of how information is stored", but there it is in "legal balck and white" Hope it helps.......
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: TU suppress Bizwiz, This is the same situation for my account that was suppressed/hidden with EXP.....the data furnisher messed up in reporting the account in the first place. It was never my account. EXP was later told by the CA to delete, but they didn't they just hid it. I never knew the account was reported to begin with, at least with EXP. Thanks for sharing.....the puzzle of these hidden accounts/suppressed accounts, that were NEVER disputed is starting to come together.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Bizwiz, Asking for your consumer report is a request for ALL files contained in the CRA's database about you. § 609. Disclosures to consumers [15 U.S.C. § 1681g] (a) Information on file; sources; report recipients. Every consumer reporting agency shall, upon request, and subject to 610(a)(1) [§ 1681h], clearly and accurately disclose to the consumer: (1) All information in the consumer's file at the time of the request, except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require a consumer reporting agency to disclose to a consumer any information concerning credit scores or any other risk scores or predictors relating to the consumer. (2) The sources of the information; except that the sources of information acquired solely for use in preparing an investigative consumer report and actually used for no other purpose need not be disclosed: Provided, That in the event an action is brought under this title, such sources shall be available to the plaintiff under appropriate discovery procedures in the court in which the action is brought. ................. .................... .................... (b) Exempt information. The requirements of subsection (a) of this section respecting the disclosure of sources of information and the recipients of consumer reports do not apply to information received or consumer reports furnished prior to the effective date of this title except to the extent that the matter involved is contained in the files of the consumer reporting agency on that date. IMHO***, if you are requesting a disclosure, which is a request for information on file, then you are requesting a consumer report. Which should contain ALL files on you that the CRA maintains, including suppressed ones.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No, there is a difference in "definitions" beween "file" and "consumer report", it is earlier in the section. The "consumer report" (credit report) is DIFFERENT than your "FILE". As obvioulsy all of our disputes are kept on "file", but do not show in our "reports". As I said, you have to stick to the "letter of the law" on this one.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: (g) The term "file," when used in connection with information on any consumer, means all of the information on that consumer recorded and retained by a consumer reporting agency regardless of how the information is stored.
