When the CRAs validate a judgment, they go to the court and try to match 2 of the 3 pieces of info, address, name and SS#, correct? OK, do they just ask the court for a copy of the lawsuit and check it themselves or do they say please send us the defendant's name, address, SS# (if available) from this case? Or do they say to the court, 'do you have a case for Bob Smith at this address and this SS#?
From what I've read while trying to get a judgment off my reports, there is actually a service that the CRA's use that reports all newly filed judgments (many courts provide online access to these). They must have some kind of program that checks names and addresses, and when it finds a match the judgment record shows up on your report. That's how it shows up in the first place. But, if you've moved since the judgment and are able to get your previous address removed from your credit report, then when the service goes back to search the court records they can't find a match. I've had a satisfied judgment removed from 2 CRA's this way, am still waiting on Experian.
I have no Idea how they verify judgements. In any case how they do it is very inefficient. Experian verified a judgement that was on my report twice. Only problem was that it really wasn't mine. I went down to the court got a copy of the judgement that was on my credit report, faxed it to them along with a nasty letter telling them I would sue them. Next day judgement removed. It's really sad when you have to do the CRA's work for them. EdG
