I had an acct with Atlanta Gas Light, date of last activity being 5-1999. I moved 6-1999 and just didn't pay the last bill of $150. I have perfect credit except for this stupid account. For a while it was showing up as charged off in 2000. Then they changed it to 90 days late in 2/2000, 90 days late 6/2002 and 90 days late 7/2002. It is showing as 120+ past due currently. I have disputed it with the CRAs as being not mine, dates being wrong, everything. I've sent certified letters to AGL requesting its deletion for payment and never got a response. I've called AGL requesting the same and still get nowhere. The rep I talked to today was very nasty. They keep saying 'pay it and we'll show zero balance but won't delete it.' Do I have a chance disputing it based on the fact that it is not an open account and is not "currently" 120 days late because it was charged off before (I have the earlier credit reports that show it was charged off) and that because of this error they are violating the FCRA and they should delete it totally because they are ruining my life? I refuse to pay the $150 to have a zero balance, previously-negative-tradeline (negative in the last 12 months, no less). Everything else I have is PERFECT and I know this is costing me at least 50 points. Please help! I'm trying to buy a new car. Agstabelle
Don't know if this helps, but have you tried having your previous address removed from your credit reports? If not, try having it removed, then re-dispute. Will be harder for them to verify without a matching address. Just a thought.
if the removal of addresses along with disputing with the credit bureaus does not work, try negotiating for deletions. Something in the nature, I will pay you only if you delete this entire tradeline. Claim ignorance that this was outstanding etc..and write a letter outlining the terms for the deletion, cmrr it and if they accept, well pay it. If you don't want to pay it, well go for the not mine after removing old addresses, variations on your name, etc.
Here's the thing... that address has NEVER been on any of my credit reports! They have been able to "verify" it being mine not based on the address but 1.)I have an unusual name and 2.)they had my social security number. Yes, I have tried over and over by mail and by phone to get them to delete-for-payment, they keep saying NO! And, at this point, they have a paper trail on me contacting them on this, so they are pretty confident it's mine. Any other help??? Please?
This account is illegally re-aged. Either the CRA is "punishing" you for disputing the information, or the utility company is punishing you for trying to get it off of your credit reports. I would go with the utility company violating the FCRA by illegally reaging the account. I think if you look in the top three threads you can find the rule that applies and sample letters to use. Then I would send them an intent to sue letter. You send me $1,000 and then I'll send you the $150.00. Or you can write off my account balance and remove your derogatory information from my credit reports. Do not talk to them on the phone anymore. Most (not all) people who work in collection departments have personality traits that make them enjoy giving you a hard time. I'm sure that someone else can also enlighten you as to what avenue of approach you should take. Anyone???
What about a restrictive or "WestCap" endorsement (try searching for WestCap and endorsement)? This would be something you write on the back of the cashier's check that states 1) the check represents payment in full and 20 that by depositing/cashing the check they must delete the derogatory TL. There's a little more to it than just that, but that's the gist of it. You'll learn more by searching. People have had success with these. I just sent one out to a stubborn utility company myself ... I'll let you know what happens. peace, delilah
Thanks for the suggestions... I will try sending a letter re the illegal re-aging: it's Equifax that is showing that it is CURRENTLY 120 days past due. TransUnion shows that it was charged off in 2000, which is much better than being currently late. I just pulled my Equifax score, while it's being disputed (I didn't know they did this they appear to have 'supressed' the tradeline entirely. The difference this baddie is making in my score: EFX 781 (showing supressed utility tradeline pending investigation) TU 731 (showing utility written off in 2000) I think I remember someone saying that EFX scores are higher overall but this is still a significant difference!
Atlanta Gas & Light. They are a big pain in the a$$ for me too. I have a $106 derog with them from for an account opened 07/1999. Trouble is, I moved to Minnesota at the end of June of 1999. I think my mom opened the account in my name because she already had a deliquent account with them (she's a real class act). I've written ATL Gas twice telling them this account isn't mine, please delete (no response) and have disputed with CRAs 3 times (always verified). I'd be willing to pay the $106 to get the darn thing off my reports, so let me know what happens.
i have a bill that was left in pensacola when i moved to atlanta in 12/2001 that i didn't even know about. as soon as i found out that i had one, i sent payment of $77 ($76 bill). they are still listing the bill as collection on the bureaus. is it possible to get that taken off? what letter should i use?
