Okay, I'm actually writing this post. Good. Baby steps. I've been surfing the net for about 3 weeks now, first at moneycentral with Liz Pulliam, then a post led me here. It seems like this is a real supportive community. Boy, do I need some supportive feedback because I'm scared to death to try to clean my credit report. My mission began three weeks ago when I was turned down for a car loan. My fiance and I even tried applying jointly, thinking it might help. I knew our credit wasn't the best in the world, but I never really knew how bad it was. I ordered both of our reports from all three CRAs. All of his came today, I'm still missing the TU. Needless to say, they're pretty bad. The really bad part is that they are mostly right. We both have two or three collection accounts that are still showing unpaid when they have been paid, and I have an unpaid collection from 1996 that is showing up three times as three different unpaid accounts. Also, my fiance's car loan that his Dad cosigned for (never made a late payment in a year and a half) is only showing up on the EQ CR. These are the only "incorrect" aspects. Most of my really bad collections and cc charge offs are from 1996-1997 when I was in a previous marriage, and a horrible financial situation. All of these old unpaid collection accounts are "joint" (I think), (hospital visits for our son), but all under $200 apiece. Anyway, I don't know how much detail I should give, or if anyone even cares, but it is really important to me to get our credit cleaned up so that my fiance and I can buy a home within a year or so. Can someone please, please give me a nudge, a shove, a kick in the butt, anything, to help me over my fear of dealing with the Big Bad CRAs and Collection Agencies? I'll give as much detail as anyone kind enough to help cares to read! BTW, we were told our FICOs were - mine:510 his:534
Congrats on the baby steps! I'm no expert, by any means, but I have been working on mine for about 4 months now and I'm almost cleaned up! I think your first step is to read the FAQ section on this board. I'm still a newbie here, but the people are very friendly and there are a lot of experts. The FAQ section started my quest and helped me do things that I didn't know I could. Good luck to you!! mysti_summer
Hi, Welcome to the board. Consider this your push, shove (I don't kick) in the right direction. Read the FAQ section till you get everything down and feel comfortable enough to start disputing. When I first started, I made sure my bills were past the SOL (Statue of Limitations) where they couldn't come after me to sue because the debts were too old. http://www.carreonandassociates.com/sol.htm This information changes daily. I can't tell you specifically how to dispute the repo stuff, (someone here on the board might be able to), but the search button on the bottom of the page will help alot in looking for others who have been in that boat. Alot of people here have old medical stuff they have gotten off their reports. So: Read everything on this board you can, ask specific questions if you need help, search, and GOOD LUCK. By the way, EXHALE, you can do it now ;-)
Thank you for your replies. I don't have a repo, so at least I won't have to worry about finding info on how to deal with that. I've read the FAQ, but I don't think I've found a comfort zone yet. Actually, I have a few questions. I don't know where to start. I think I should start with the derogs that have the most impact on my credit score. These would probably be collection accounts within the last 12 months that are still showing unpaid, even though they were paid in 04/02. Should I try to dispute with CRA and hope to get them deleted (there are two with the same CA), or get the status updated to paid. I'll start with that. I just need a little hand-holding through the first dispute, then maybe I'll feel more comfortable. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hey, You don't want them listed as paid, you want them off. Them being off your report is your goal. A paid collection on your report is like nothing has changed. Dispute with the CRA. ------------- This is what I do/did, I am not telling you to do this: I dispute everything as 'not mines'. If it comes back, I wait and do it again. If it comes back, I start to pick the tradeline apart and opposite the dispute: This was paid, but the dates and days are incorrect. (I know you are to never admit it is yours, but that got me 9 deletions). ----------------- By the way, it wasn't paid, and nothing is wrong with it, it was just there on my report. ----------------- In your post you said about a car and your fiancee' so I thought it was a repo. (Sorry) ;-) Also, be careful about placing your disputes apart, and getting labeled 'frivilous'. There are many posts/letters on the board for getting rid of paid chargeoffs, so I guess that will come. Hopefully this helps. Many people on the board will help you... Good luck....
Does getting a deletion work on something so recent as a collection within the last year? I know the CA can't prove that the account is still unpaid. If they can't verify their information, and I ask for a delete, do the CRAs have to delete. Or will they just update the info? Also, I think my next step after dealing with these recent collections is to work on a Discover card paid charge off. The debt was bought by Cap1, and I've almost got it paid off, but the ChargeOff is still on my report. Another of my paid CO CCs was a CitiBank (also bought by Cap1) that doesn't appear on my credit report any where. From there I plan to attack the old unpaid collections, then the multiple 120+ late pays on a multitude of student loan accounts (which I defaulted, then consolidated). I've been reading the Rmv default sch loans from CRAs thread, so it looks I have a really good chance for removal there. Anyway, I'm feeling more confident now. So I think I'm ready. What are the feelings of online dispute vs. CRRR? I'll keep the board posted on progress. I think I might even have a little fun doing this.
I don't know about recent collections much because all my stuff was at least 5 years old. Getting stuff deleted that is recent can be done, but I did mostly 5 year old stuff. I personally like online disputes because you have proof they received it, and you save money on postage. But, some have said that if you want a paper trail for voilations in case you need to sue, you need to do everything by mail. So, you choose which one you prefer. IN my opinion, Once CapitalOne buys a debt, the original creditor knows it can't collect. I mean, CapitalOne buys old debts and tries to get you to put them on another card. (yuck). I am glad to see you are gonna have fun. Remember, some days will be sucky, and some will be great. We will be here for you. Good luck.
Help me over my fear of dealing with the Big Bad CRAs and Collection Agencies? charityg ================== Actually CAs are easier to deal with than OCs.You should be grateful for the collection accounts not fearful. LB 59
I agree LB, With the laws nowaday's, the only power CA's have is what we allow them as consumers to have.
Welcome to the board. The most recent ones are the most difficult to remove. Try some of the oldest ones first. But begin by getting any old addresses and employment info off. That's usually pretty easy. Gotta get your feet wet before you jump all the way in.
I'm scared to death to try to clean my credit report charityg ~~~~~~~~``````` Best advice get rid of the fear. This is what they pray on and use it to their advantage at your expense. LB 59
Breeze, by getting rid of old addresses and employment info, do you mean dispute the info? I did notice on my report that there were two addresses that I never lived at, and I also have an old unpaid collection for a gas bill (with the OC), but I SWEAR I never had an account with them! I think my Mom used my name to get her gas turned on, and then didn't pay the bill. Anyway, I'm so confused about disputing vs. updating. As far as the recent collections go, they were paid back in April, but are still showing as unpaid collections with the CA. I know I can do SOMETHING with them! I just don't know what. Thank you all so much for guiding me until I get the hang of this!
