these addresses and inquiries on my report are not mine. How do I get them off?

1. How do I remove incorrect home addresses from my credit report?
2. How do I remove inquiries from my credit report (those that affect my scores)?

some of those addresses are not mine, ever! and I don't have a clue as to where all the inquiries come from because I have only applied for credit twice in 2 years
---------------
well you should dispute them
and say you think someone is fraudulently accessing your credit file
use the dispute form here
then add in a small letter explaining your position
might add a copy of your report and circle the errant entries
many credit reports list the phone numbers to every entry
at the bottom of the report
for
inquiries
public records
collections
credit accounts

If you have those i would call them
then send a letter validating the entry
u could use a debt validation letter but remake it to validate an inquiry

Had items deleted from credit report. Need check score to see if it goes up

I have had several items deleted from my report,will I have to purchase a credit score to see if it has gone up ? Or can I get it for free and where?
--------------
get a free score here if you cancel in less than 7 days
it is the only way to get a free score
scores are never free unless done like this

Credit report has errors. Says I have credit I never had.

Hi, I have just turned 18... I have been declined jobs and credit cards because in 2005 & 2006 store cards were opened under my name with correct information just wrong DOB, they believe I tried to look over 18 to get credit, however none of the accounts are in debt but I will fail credit checks everytime making it impossible for me to get a credit card or a job, i've not done anything.
I've requested a credit report and will dispute but what will happen now what are the procedures costs and time?

-----------------

use the credit dispute form
and dispute the incorrect items on your 3 credit reports

everything above is totally free if you cancel the credit report service in less than 7 days
is worth one or two months / to make sure the updates and dispute really worked
and
how much it increased my credit score

credit dispute answered by mail within 20 - 40 daysof mail date.

once everything is cleared up

try these bad credit / no credit / credit card offers' that say / reports to bureaus.

Car repo sold over and over. I thought 7 years was it.

I have a car repo from 2000, the accounts keep getting re- sold again and again, after 7 years I thought it would drop. Will this continue as long as the account keeps being sold? Considering the fact that I did not go into any financial agreement with anyone except the original debtor can I get this removed?
-----------------------
validate the debt
then complain to your state atorney general

Collection sold and sold and the 7 years keep getting changed

In 11/2006 I request to all 3 credit bureau's that they have a collection removed. The collection agency first reported the debt in Sept 1999 on all three credit reports. All three removed it because it was past 7yrs. I was aware that the collection agency could have sold the collection account since there 7yrs were over to another agency. So I checked my report in March 07 & June 07 to see if they sold the collection and if the new agency were now reporting debt nothing was there. I received collection letter today from the same 1999 collection agency request the debt be paid in full and amount went from $1300 now almost $2600. I looked at my credits report this same agency have added themselves back on my credit report trying to collect same 1999 debt under the same name, same office address & account number. They didn't sell it to anyone else they simply started reporting it again. Are they able to do this. What actions can I take against this company for reporting debt again after 7yrs?
-------------
click here
make them validate the debt
then follow up

dentist bill went to collection in 2002. Should I pay it?

I have a $600 dollar dentist debt on my credit report. It was posted in 2002. What would you recommend I do? I had insurance at the time but its possible that they did not cover the work that was done. Since this was from 2002, should I contact the collection agency? or should I dispute it? or is it better to leave it alone since its from 2002. I appreciate your guidance in this matter

---------------

I guess it depends on your credit score now
and
if this is affecting something you wish to do

you can dispute it and hope
might do that
then
negotiate, pay and be done
ask for humble credit help
talk to both the collection agency and the original creditor

if you have new good credit this should not hurt your score much even if they do redate it
but i would make sure they at least did not re date the account

Paid Collection. Remove from my credit report.

Was married in 2001 and had a account with a utility company with both me and my wife's name on it. Separated in August of 2001 and moved out of the house. Divorce went final in July of 2003. Ex-wife moved out of the house we had in April of 2005 and left behind this utility bill unpaid. I learned about this account in October of this year and paid it off after it had been in collections. Now I am trying to get it removed from my credit report. I have disputed it with all 3 credit agencies and asked both original company to remove it (they accepted payment and it is paid), plus asked the collection agency to remove their report of this account. All parties refuse to remove this account and as you know it is a major hit on my credit rating at this time. Any suggestions on how to get it removed? Any help is greatly appreciated.
---------------
you have done everything you can dp.
get and keep new good credit to overcome the past old bad credit

Bankrupt credit problems creditors calling court jail

Okay well I have credit problems and I have creditors calling leaving messages etc. And I have spoken to a few but they are so mean so im trying to work with them. My credit is so bad that im thinking about the big "B" yes Bankrupt. but alot of my friends are telling me not to go that route. Well to finally get to the questions, I have been to court for a settlement for a past due credit card and I was making payments, okay I left the state I was in to go college and that didn't work out, and not to sound ditsy but I forgot about my payments, and im afraid that ill go to jail and that's why im afraid to call and continue where I left off. So in that case I don't know what to do, since there was a court appearance involved.
-------------------
in your situation yes
call or else face a warrant for arrest when you are pulled over for a traffic problem.
Eventually you will have to pay

I think if you call you can feel it out and hope
give your past name and address and ask how much you owe
do not give out your current address or phone at first.
if you can pay them off right then.
be prepared to pay in full right then

Macy's charge off credit card did not change last name.

In 2004 I returned to my maiden name. All credit card companies promptly changed my last name per my request except one: Macy’s. A year and a half ago I had moved and informed Macy’s, but they still did not change my address (and subsequently my last name). I apparently had a small balance (less than $100) on the account which I had thought was paid off, but because the last name was not current the post office did not forward any bills. 6 months later I received a call from Macy’s wanting a payment, which had now doubled due to late fees. I immediately paid over the phone, but for some reason it did not go thru, nor did Macy’s return the call to inform me so my account continued to be delinquent. I checked the account online out of curiosity a month or so later and saw the balance and promptly mailed a payment this time by check. I also wrote to Macy’s informing them of their incorrect name and address and that being to reason as to the delinquent payment, and asked to close the account. This has hurt my credit score and I was wondering if there was any way to rectify this problem. Will adding a comment help?
-------------------------
all of the reasons do not fly
last name and did not forward because of last name change and move


you already paid
when you pay before negotiating the account stays on your report
get new good credit and forget abot past old bad credit

you did what i would do and that is pay and go on with your life

Chapter 7 from 2000 - 2001. How to remove

I'm a mortgage loan officer in Las Vegas, Nevada and help clients repair their credit all the time. You had some great tips that I didn't even realize were possible. My personal dilemma is as follows. I filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in December 2000 and it was discharged in April 2001. I've worked over the years to get all of my previous bad credit completely removed from my credit report. For over a year now, there are no items appearing on my credit that are from the time I had the bankruptcy. EVERYTHING on my credit reflects perfect payment history and you would never know I ever filed with the exception of the Public Records section of the reports. Do you have any advice for trying to remove this early? I would qualify for A+ paper financing if not for that public record.
---------------------
not really
sounds like you are up to speed
public records are court documents and if you disputed them
thats probably all one can do

Filed 13 and case dismissed. can i have the 13 removed

1. The end of 2002 beginning of 2003, I self-filed a Chapter 13 in an attempt to save our home. The bank foreclosed; we lost our home and I withdrew the Chapter 13. The Bankruptcy shows as Dismissed. Is there anything I can do to have this completely removed?
2. We lost our home through fore closure, but there is still a debt classified as "Mortgage" for $72,000... this was a Second Mortgage. Why is this still on our file as a debt owed? Our home was taken but they still want the Second paid?
3. The Date of Last Activity continues to be updated on this Second Mortgage. Which tells me no matter what I do, this will never be removed.
4. It seems whenever I do an inquiry to Equifax to correct errors, I start getting calls again on old debt... does the inquiry to Equifax cause the Date of Last Activity to be updated?
------------------------
copy the dismissal papers and mail them as a dispute use this form

yes they still want the money. I would assume though some would be paid during the foreclosure and subseqent sale?
i would have to see a paper tail to help with this. but sure and loan has to be paid off period.

#3 not sure what to coment on this one.

#4 does not make sense. there is no correlation. inquiries only happen when you apply for a loan
not when you check your credit online
---------------
thanks

Credit Report: Collection

In 11/2006 I request to all 3 credit bureau's that they have a collection removed. The collection agency first reported the debt in Sept 1999 on all three credit reports. All three removed it because it was past 7yrs. I was aware that the collection agency could have sold the collection account since there 7yrs were over to another agency. So I checked my report in March 07 & June 07 to see if they sold the collection and if the new agency were now reporting debt nothing was there. I received collection letter today from the same 1999 collection agency request the debt be paid in full and amount went from $1300 now almost $2600. I looked at my credits report this same agency have added themselves back on my credit report trying to collect same 1999 debt under the same name, same office address & account number. hey didn't sell it to anyone else they simply started reporting it again. Are they able to do this. What actions can I take against this company for reporting debt again after 7yrs?
---------------------------
click here
Get debt validation. Validate the debt.
get follow up info in writing on co letterhead.

Trying to raise my score.

Bo: i am in a long term dispute with two credit card co.`s.I have not heard from either one of them in two yrs, except the this last week, I received a letter from the arbitraition forum that might case was dismissed. My score was from Experian was 765, score from Equifax was 330. should I send the letter from the forum to Eqifax and ask to have this neg. report removed, because it has been dismissed? thanx
---------------------
yes you should
765 and a 330
something is wrong
350 is the botttom i think?

Mortgage 30 days late remove and credit card balance reported too high.

My mortgage company was quick to report following a 30 day late last April. However, they have not reported since June 2007. If they did, would that help my credit score. Should I contact them and ask them to report? Also, my credit card balance has not been reported since July 2007, and the balance has been substantially lower for months now.
--------------------
yes you should ask them to report

and It would have been better IF, I called them on the 30 days late thing, right then, then maybe they might have taken it off, or allowed 1 extra payment this year, or any number of things as long as I don't just let them hang? You know how that feels. If they let you hang you get nervous, but if they call and let you know, you feel better and have something to work with.
i doubt these efforts will increase my score more than 10-15 points,
if any
but it is something that needs needs to be done asap and it could help my credit history score as much as 30 points if the credit card balance was over 80% and now it is less than 80% debt to high credit ratio.
there is no chance of helping if you do not call them.
Verify any phone agreement with something on compnay letterhead.

College student credit card charge off collection turned down for job.

I am a college student, and I fell into the trap of signing up for a credit card in 2005 to help with some of the cost of my books, etc for school. I was able to open an account with Capitol One, and my credit limit was $300. Capitol One eventually ended up closing the account because of non payment. The account is currently showing up as a charge off on my credit report, and is $785 past due, and has been sent to a collection agency known as NCO Financial. They were offering to settle at one point at time, but I disregarded the letters they sent me since I had no way of paying them. The last time I received a settlement letter from them was in March. This is the only negative balance on my credit reports. Everything else I have are student loans which are all in good standing. I did not think this one negative item was that big of a deal since it’s the only negative item I have, and it is not considered to be an “outstanding amount” of debt compared to others. However, I was turned down for a job because of this a few months so now I see how serious it is.
-------------
i would call capital one first

then if they do not help
negotiate with collections agency

one needs three open lines of credit
that report to a bureau
and are at least one year old.

Repo car. Now the collection agency says they will sue me

i've been dealing with a collectin agency called trilogy in san diego, ca
they claim i owe $12,000 on a car that was repossed in 2005, they claim they cut the price down to $7,500, provided that i make payments of $50.00 or more, but they won't tell me how much my carsold for... claimng if i protest the offer they gave me, than the original creditor will back out the deal and go for the original $12,000... i've been making payments but they are not reporting to the credit bueraus, i have not signed anything and i'm afraid if i dont't make a payment they will garnish my wages... i filed chapter 7 bancruptcy in 2002they have a noose around my neck what do i do???
please help, i'm a pisces too...lol
---------------------
i guess the car was a 40,000 plus dollar car or you were 12,000 upside down.
because they can only sue you for the difference in the selling price and what you owed them
when you repo a car you sell it and the difference is all that can be sured for.
you could be facing a judgment if you do not pay
but make sure you are paying a fiar price
ask for the copy of the bill of sale at auction after the repo
and how much you owed them

i would validate the debt
they may being trying to presure you into paying too much

the account was not included in your BK I assume
since you said it was repo
if included in bk. They can not sue you
-------------------------
every time i ask,they threaten to back out and go for the 12,000!!!
the car was a 2001 honda accord sale price $18,000 intrest and finance jacked it up to $27,000 i paid a $450.00 car note for 3 1/2 yrs when they picked it up i owed $17,000!!!!
this is the collection agency i'm dealing with and they know i've already filed bancruptcy they have me in a noose... they claim the client is being nice by dropping the price to $7,500 and if i challange them they, will go for the $12,000!!! can thy do that???
do i have to pay...all i know is what they tell me,and i've been warned not to contact the lender or else.... is there an agency that monitors collection agency practices in california?
i 've neversigned anything with this agency, i just started sending them money every month, did that hurt me? i'm only 30 yrs old and a single mother, my only source of income is my job..what can i do??
--------------------
no this car was purchased after my bancruptcy discharged. so they really have me.
-----------------------
sounds to me like they are hiding someting
contact the original lender FOR SURE
find out if the company charged off the debt on their books, if so a collection compnay can not sue for the rest as the debt was already used as a tax write of for the original creditor
validate the debt FOR SURE
contact your state atorney general FOR SURE

They can not sure your for the contract price
only the difference in what you owed and what they sold the car for.
AND
once they have accepted a lesser fee or payment plan
in tn. i don't know about cal
they can not sue you for the whole shebang
so they are bluffing.

your cal state atorney general monitors these guys
and the FTC


---------------

Charged off credit cards in Ohio.

I live in the state of Ohio and am looking to purchase a home within the next three years. Unfortunately, I came across some economic hardships a few years back and this lead to two charged off credit card accounts; one in 2003 and One in 2004. I have read articles about how severe these charge offs are on obtaining a home mortgage. I am in better economic waters now with a decent paying job. Ok so here is the problem: I have done some research about handling these charges-offs. One site suggested that I contact the creditor to see if there is any way to negotiate payment in half or in full of the amount that was originally owed. I did call the creditor directly and they referred me to a collection agency. I called the agency and informed them of my possible intentions. Was this a huge mistake given Ohio’s Statue of Limitations? I am afraid that by just contacting them, they will re-open my debt and report to the credit bureaus.
------------------
If the collections are not on your report then yes you should have left them alone I guess.
I like to pay everything i ever borrowed off if I can. Responsible Credit Man!

so arent these collections on your report?
if they are on your report what can you do wrong?
nothing.
validate the the debt
then negotiate the debt
then either pay or dispute the debt and go on with your life.
Make sure you keep open 3 reported to a bureau lines of credit to overlap past bad credit.

Get a collection removed from my credit report.

I was wondering how I can get a collection removed from my credit report? I looked up my report (Experian), and it said I had a collection for 58.00. I called the collection company as directed by experian, they said it had been paid. I told the lady it should not be on my report then, (that is what experian told me as well). How do I get them to remove this. The collection agency said they were mailing me a reciept as paid, so I could send it to Experian
----------------
Use this free universal Credit Dispute Form.
The item will come right off.
You can use a copy of the document they send you.
Remember that it will still show up as a collection
It will say collection. Paid in full 0 balance.

Charged off credit card Experian. Transunion Equifax removed account

I was hoping you might have some advice for me. I have one last charged off credit card on Experian. I was able to get this item off of Transunion and Equifax. In fact, my credit is clean and I have good revolving credit otherwise. I keep mailing the dispute to Experian, and they keep mailing me back a letter rejecting it.
--------------------
give it up and go on.
you have done all you canwait 7 years from date of last activity.
get and keep new good reported credit

Paying off old charge offs and a judgement. My credit score

I am paying off old charge off accounts, will this have any impact on my credit score. In addition, I had judgement placed in 1999, I paid it in full 10/2000. It should have been removed in 2007. Once this is removed, shouldn't my score improve? I have paid off 4 charged-off accounts this year. I live in Texas and these accounts, not all were paid delinquent when I divorced in 1997.
---------------------
it should help some. but if you have new current good credit, which one has to have, to have good scores. Not more than 20+ points.
get and keep new good credit.
---------------------
What do you mean, " not more than 20+ points?" Do you mean that paying the old bills will only increase my score by 20 points or new good credit will increase by 20+ points
-----------------
what is your score now
do you have 3 open rated lines of credit now
I mean if you have good credit now and the charge offs are more than 2 years old your credit score should be pretty strong already
-------------------
I do not know my score. I have not checked it since 2000. I am sending for it this month, and yes I have 3 open rated lines of credit.
-------------
One should know the score and have a copy of the report
Good.
You are on the right track.
Negotiate with and pay off old charge offs. Vaildate any duplicates.
-----------------
Well, I got a copy of my score and it is 589. My plan is to pay down my balances, and pay off accounts. I am currently paying accounts, but these accounts have already been charged off, but I have an obligation to repay. How long will it take me to raise my credit score to 650. I want to purchase a new car, hopefully in June.
----------------
I would dispute some old stuff and hope
paying something off will help you greatly
june is 9 months from now.
with 3 open rated lines off good credit, some paid, some removed, 650 is reachable. Of course I never know for sure till I do it.
You can. Go for it.
--------------------
I was looking over old emails
and
your score could jump way over 20+ points and
could go up to 650
if
you keep 3 open lines of credit that are reported to bureaus and owe less than 80% on the credit limit of each.
Validate legally / then / Negotiate any old bad credit Read this page

be sure to negotiate with original creditors.
be sure to validate any duplicate charge offs
like a collection thats is also reported from a credit card or hospital or utility.

This is the right answer.
Sorry for the mumbo jumbo

Erasing a chaprter 7 bankrupcty from equifax transunion experian

Dude, from what I can tell your info is accurate and free. Thank you. I was an Equifax employee for 3 years from 1986-89. Things have changed quite a bit, but still resonate the same. I am wondering if you have any other suggestions for erasing a Chapter 7.?
---------------------------
Not really
One can dispute anything on the credit report and hope it comes off.
Public records almost never can be disputed or are disputable.
If you have new good current credit and the bankruptcy is older than 2 years.
Your score should not be affected much by a bankruptcy.
Of course all credit falls off my report in 7 years.

Bank foreclosing on house. Can they garnish wages

I have a ? a friend of mine at work, is forclosing on her house, she asked me to ask you when this happens can they come after her later for the money? can they garnish her wages? thanks again
----------------
normally a house has equity and the payoff is not that hard to cover
hopefully this is the case here

But the answer would be yes they can come after me for the negative difference between the sale price and the payoff if there is any.

This is why 100% loans are not done much in the house market.
Ask her to decide how much she owes and how much it should sell for.
This should ease here mind

student loans consolidated and 3 open lines of credit for good credit

1) I took out four student loans to begin my college career and, throughout the years, these loans have been transferred several times, and now I have finally consolidated them all into one loan. The problem is that each loan from each lender is reported on my credit report, and I am wondering if there anything I can do to get all of these removed so that just the current loan is showing? On my credit report the old loans say, "Account transferred to another lender," and some of these loans were past due at some point prior to transfer.

2) When you say, "Have at least 3 open credit lines..." to fix your credit fast, do you mean I need to have 3 credit cards or is a mortgage and a student loan acceptable as one of the 3? I have one long-term credit card I use and I just opened another one, but I really do not want a third. But, if it will help me raise my score fast, I will seriously consider it.
---------------
those old tranfered accounts will stay listed.
one can dispute them and hope
after 2 years these will not hurt much

student loans can count as good open credit
they don't help anything much because you see them on credit reports as nagging unsecured finance company like debt that only hurts my debt to income ratio.

3 lines of current open good reported credit over rides old credit each month that goes by
-------------------

Verizon wireless and debt validation. Should I call them? Negotiate?

I sent a dept Validation letter to verizon, today I received some letter that said to call them, they sent me nothing to validate this dept ( we beleive this acct was merged with our sons JR, SR ) I will not call them do I send the second dept valid. letter demanding they verify, and qoute all the laws ? (certified of course) the CRA said this was verified. please addvise me on my next step, this is the last baddy on the report it just keeps coming up its org date is 1999, I have read verizon is the worst one to get off and if it is mine I will over a pay to delete, if it comes to that thanks for all your help. I realize its probly not really affecting our score but if you go FHA for a home loan then every thing on your credit reports have to show paid.
---------------------
I would call verizon wireless for sure. Yes call them.
Also use the second letter for debt validation to make sure your rights are protected.
cell phone home phone verizon, bellsout all have to validate debt in writing or cease efforts.

Fico scores are automatic calculations made by a machine

Like I said I pay all of my bills on time. everytime. I only have two cc bill one is paid off but I put $20/mth on it and the othe is at about $180 and I will be paying that off in Dec. I have never been late on my house payment nor my car paymt so how do I get the score to come up, after everyone corrected their faults. My biggest problem is that these companies can say what they want if they can prove it. But when I proved them wrong, they don't fix the score, because they have nothing to do with fixing the score " so they say
----------------------
scores are calculated by machines at the bureaus that scan your credit history.
So creditors do not make scores.
creditors can update the credit history you have with them only
if i could see your report i might be able to help you more but probably not

in light of that
validate, negotiate, dispute and keep new good credit.
eventually ones score will go up. 2 years maximum time till 680 scores

Bank foreclosure and bankruptcy dismissed and credit is messed up

1. The end of 2002 beginning of 2003, I self-filed a Chapter 13 in anattempt to save our home. The bank foreclosed; we lost our home and I withdrew the Chapter 13. The Bankruptcy shows as Dismissed. Is there anything I can do to have this completely removed?
2. We lost our home through foreclosure, but there is still a debt classified as "Mortgage" for $72,000... this was a Second Mortgage. Why is this still on our file as a debt owed? Our home was taken but they still want the Second paid?
3. The Date of Last Activity continues to be updated on this Second Mortgage. Which tells me no matter what I do, this will never be removed.
4. It seems whenever I do an inquiry to Equifax to correct errors, I start getting calls again on old debt... does the inquiry to Equifax cause the Date of Last Activity to be updated?
----------------------
copy the dismissal papers and mail them as a dispute use this form

yes they still want the money.
i would assume some would have been paid during the foreclosure and subseqent sale?
i would have to see a paper tail to help with this. but sure any loan has to be paid off period.

#3 not sure what to coment on this one.

#4 does not make sense. there is no correlation. inquiries only happen when you apply for a loan
not when you check your credit online

remove 30 days late on a mortgage loan

I had a few mortgage payments go 30 days late back in April of 2005. I have recently paid off this loan in july of 2007 and was wondering if there is any way to remove these late payments from my credit report or do I have to wait until 2012 for these to be removed?
--------------------
no there is not
yes you do
the effect is almost nil after 2 years pass and you have new good open credit

Do you have the fax number for Equifax?

Love your website. Do you happen to have a fax number for Equifax?
----------------------
they change it and they do not accept consumer faxs
only bus to business

so mail it
www.oskie.com/credit-dispue.htm
-------------------------------------
Sent in by a real live person to help another real live person.

Here are a pile of numbers.
Remember CRA Credit reporting agencies are a moving target as far as phone numbers go.
800-685-1111
800-797-7005
866-238-8067
877-474-8273
888-207-2854
888-532-0179
404-885-8000
also try: 800-846-5279
866-640-2273
888-873-5455
800-525-6285
888-766-0008
I just got through on 800-640-2273 on saturday nov. 10th 2007
FAX 800-466-4481
888-729-0083
Fraud Department, I think 404-885-8988
678-795-7798

single mom lost income. Credit cards charged off. Same accounts sold over and over

I had a credit score of over 750 three years ago. I am a single mom and I work around the clock.
I had gotton caught up in the credit card circle and my home was hit by Hurricane Katrina and lost all....my credit had gone down due to me not being able to pay the bills...I have many charge offs...of all I finally negotiated with and paid off. So they are showing Charge Off but paid in full.
I had my credit card company sell it to another collector and sometime three to four different companies kept selling it to another...............when I asked for proof of some because I did not remember some..they could not prove it was my debt...only my name and address...do I have to pay them?
-------------------
do the debt validation and debt validation follow up
stop the nonsense of repeated same accounts reporting

Never filed bankruptcy but it shows on my report at tranunion only. They will not remove it.

I have a bankruptcy on my credit report; however, it only shows on Transunion, as I have never filed a BK. I disputed it with Experian and Equifax, both have deleted them; however, for whatever reason Transunion states that the information has been verified and will not delete it. What can I do? I am trying to purchase a house, and this is definitely creating a kink in the process
----------------------
if you didnt file it
bk should come off

i do not know

where do they verify from
what court
use that number and call and get this straight
report them to your state attorney general or to the FTC.

medical bill, sold to collection, report past due. Should i settle?

A medical bill for $989 that we set up a payment plan on was given to a collection company for the children's hospital, We have made the agreed upon payment every month since they started. About 6 months ago.
I went out and pulled my credit report last Friday and saw that they have it listed as seriously past due and list the balance but do not put anything in the payment status and as of October it shows a KD for the month. I called to verify they were receiving payments on time from my account and asked about it, they claim that all they do is change the balance every month 35 days after the payment is made and it will say its seriously past due until its paid off completely.
This dropped my credit score substantially, I was told last fall when we refinanced our house that my score was in the low 700's and now it shows 649 and this appears to be the only negative new thing in several years. Are they right and only doing what they are required to do? I told them that if they had told me this 6 months ago that I would have paid it in full and put it on a card as the drop in points is worth more to me than the $900. The last two times we had major medical bills we did this same thing and it wasn't handled like this. Should I offer to pay it off completely if they will amend the report to show paid on time and in full to get my points back?
-----------------------------
should have paid it off and negotiated for a better credit right then.
So do that NOW.
Make sure the debt is validated when you are not paying the original creditor.
---------------------------------
Thanks, I couldn't pay it off when it was with the hospital because the insurance company was due to pay more, original balance was over $2,400 and it took over 4 months before the insurance company paid it down to the correct level around $980. I was communicating and updating the invoicing dept. of the hospital but they turned it over to their collections department while it was being paid down by the insurance company. The woman in the invoicing department and my HR rep at work told me if I paid the bill it would be like pulling teeth to get that money back from the health insurance company so I guess I got bad advice at the time.
I will move some money around from savings and offer them the settlement.
Should I insist on getting an agreement from them in writing if the say they'll amend the report and only pay them in full after I get the agreement? And do they actually remove the whole thing or just amend the report to say that I made all payments on time and it is paid in full?
The thing I don't understand is that Children's Hospital is the original debt holder, they sold the debt to Holloway Credit Solutions and on the report it list Holloway as the debt holder. How can Holloway report that I'm not making payments when they are auto drafting them from my checking account?
When I asked them about the KD in October after 6 months of payments they told me all they do is adjust the balance every month
------------------------------------

this is normal and accurate reporting f0r collections, yes.
bureaus only report what they are sent to report.
send the holloway group debt validation and make them show they have legal right to collect
most don't expecially on charge offs.

Yes insist on writing before you pay.
but validate first even though you know it is your and you have made payments
insist on validation. Play hardball in a nice tone.

in the end, if nothing can be done pay them anyway, if you can, and BE DONE.
---------------------------

I need good credit. What should I do about old collections if i want good credit fast?

I have not had any open credit since 1999 when I paid off an auto loan thru a local bank. My credit report(s) show 4 collection accounts that all originate from a single visit to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist in a nearby city.
That office visit did not cost much (~$200.00) and was paid within 30 days.

My credit reports however show 4 collection accounts that are attributed to this facility. One for 62.00, another for 414.00, one for 68.00, and a fourth charge of 140.00. I have no idea what these charges are for, and to date I have -never- been billed or contacted by the doctors office, nor the collection agency who now has the accounts. Two weeks ago I tried contacting the orginal facility to find out about these charges, but a phone recording says they went out of bussiness in July of this year. The recording also listed a number to call for any billing questions. The next day I called that number during normal bussiness hours and reached a voice mailbox where I left my name and contact phone number along with a message that I was investigating these charges. It's been almost 2 weeks now and I have heard nothing from them.

According to the Transunion report these charges are scheduled to drop off in May of 2008, but I need to start reestablishing credit now. As I said above, I've been back at work for over 3 years now, and I'm finally in a financial position to where I can feel comfortable with taking on some debt. These medical collection accounts are the -only- thing listed on all 3 credit reports, so I doubt I have a credit score at all.

Would it be best to just get a few credit cards and let these collection accounts drop off next May, or should I go ahead and dispute them now in an effort to get them removed? Also, are those high fee credit cards listed on your site the only way to establish credit in todays world?
----------------------------------
for amounts that small and old, I might leave them alone, i might dispute them, I might pay them. I like the pay them thing and then its over with. But I would make sure a date of last activity was not changed.

These are the best cards for people that need new credit
Use the total visa. it reports to all three bureaus. will take one year to get the accounts rated.

for amounts that small I might leave them alone.
i might dispute them.
I might pay them.

it is a toss up.
i certainly would not want them to be redated though.
so if i did pay them i would make sure no new date was put on my credit.

matter of a fact.
just leave them alone unless you get turned down for a card

Students loans and garnished wages

I was so happy to find you on the web and am hoping that you can give me some advice. My credit is awful and am trying my best to clean it up! The most pressing issue right now is my student loans. I owe Sallie Mae for defaulted student loans. They are currently garnishing my wages. I have been in contact with them to try to get set back up on some sort of monthly payment plan (if that's possible at this point!). The amount that they are garnishing is not leaving me enough to pay my bills each month. After speaking with them, I completed a financial statement and provided them a W-2 and check stub. I am hoping to be set back up on a monthyl payment schedule in lieu of a garnishment for credit purposes, but feel that the best I can hope for is a reduction in the garnishment percentage. When examining my credit report, I show several loans from Sallie Mae. Is this correct? 2 of them show as "transferred". I think according to my credit report, It looks like I owe a lot more than I do. How can I fix this? Not sure if this information will be helpful, but this is what is listed:
S L M Financial Corp (Transferred/Current, was past due 30 days) $8,181
Sallie Mae 3rd PTY LSCF (Transferred/Claim filed with government) $1,313 Account transferred to another lender
Sallie Mae 3rd PTY LSCF (Transferred/Claim filed with government) $2,001 Account transferred to another lender
Sallie Mae 3rd PTY LSCF (Transferred/Past due 120 days) $8,182 Account transferred to another lender
State of NJ Higher Ed As (Claim filed with government/Never late) $3,386
State of NJ (HESAA) is the lender that has placed the garnishment on my wages.
--------------
well at some point a court or goverment got involved because they could not contact you, or, you just couldnt or wouldnt pay.
so at the garnishment level you have let it go too far and now have started the only thing you can by negotiating and provided w 2's

anything on your report that looks incorrect you should dispute as incorrect.
use the dispute form

say amount incorrect or account incorect or not yours or something

wait on the response and contact me back later

I have good credit history on rent. Can I have that reported to a bureau?

I have three rescue horses and have been paying almost $1,000 per month in board for over four years. Is there a way that the owner of the equestrian facility can report this excellent credit history? Is there a fee? If you don't know the answer to this question, do you know who would?
----------------------
3 years ago bureaus set a minimum reported to them at 500 per monthPlus the company has to sign up.

so your answer would be no.

i have spent countless hours trying to find a way to report stuff without being a signed up company. Yesterday in fact i spent 2 hours.

I think I will write each bureau a letter and hope I get an answer.
if i do I will let you know

the other part of this is
boarding is like a utility no a loan
car loan
credit card loan

you can stop at any time
utilities only report bad not good credit.
looks like even if one could report
it would not work for this type araingment
---------------------
I ran across a landlord protection Agency site (theLPA.com) and it looks like they report bad tenants for their members but not good credit. It just doesn't seem fair that the CRA's will allow you to report bad credit but not good credit if you don't have enough records. I put this question to TransUnion but I'm sure they will say the same thing. I appreciate you responding to my question so quickly. I'm about to embark on a "raise my credit score" journey...
----------------------
get a bp oil credit card
send them 300 to open it up with the app you get at the gas station
charge your gas and pay and extra 10 - whatver extra each month

i did this and bp oil had me charged off for 345 bucks. i paid them 345 and 300 a week or two later to open it back up.
after two years i asked them to only report the last two and they did.
bamm my credit went HUGE.

in one year your score will jump and your high credit limit will be higher than 300 for that account.
after a year go on a trip and charge the money back down to zero but send money each month no matter what
in two years your credit will be even better.
get at least 2 more of these and try to get your high credit up.
if you pay good for 2 years and nothing bad shows up those two years and you will be 700+
with a strong file. 3+ lines of credit 2 years of paying on time and nothing bad the past two.
looks good to me and i sold cars for 12 years
------------------------
Wow! Thanks for the advice. My problem is mostly little petty things. A Capital One charge, a Cingular charge, and an old vet bill. I can clear them all up for about 1200 dollars but NCO has the old Cingular charge and they will not mark it as paid...only settled. I'm confused about the collectors re-dating the account which could make my score drop dramatically?

My score was 650 and before I educated myself I paid off a loan and my score dropped to 590!!! Then NCO got the Cingular account and they keep updating the account (reporting it every single month) which is keeping my score down. They sent me an offer of 50% in the mail but they said they can't mark it as paid...only settled. I'm not sure how to negotiate this problem.

As soon as I clear up these accounts, I'm going to go for the BP card. Great idea! My daughter works there but I never get gas there because it's too high. Oh well...
-------------------------
they can not report it as paid because they probably do not own the account legally
pay cingular only if you pay.
make nco validate the debt or report them to the FTC
that will make them go away i bet. read this and this

Dispute, validate, negotiate and pay origianl creditors only. File FTC complaints

The company I told you about that didn't want to scare off after I requested validation. Well, I filed a complaint with the attorney general consumer division in my state and within two weeks every account was wiped clean and the creditor (who was always nasty!) sent me copies of the request with a polite letter signed "Sincerely". Thought you'd get a laugh!
There was only one creditor who actually had files after selling the account (scary), but, they admitted they have no signed contract by me and they are looking for it. If they have nothing signed by me can I still pursue deletion?
------------------------
Yes you should.
So lets talk about this folks.
Dispute
Validate
Re Validate
Negotiate and pay origianl creditors ONLY
If it has been sold several times. File a complaint with the FTC

Chapter 13 dicharged but I can not get approved for a credit card

I am sure that I am not the first and surely not the last to email you about my sorrows from bad credit. Let me ask you this. I have tried and tried to get credit to make good credit but no one seems to be willing to take that chance. My husband and I filed Chapter 13 three and a half years ago and since has been discharged. We did it the correct way made payments on time and waited patiently. Now we are trying to get credit but our reports are not showing many in good standing accounts. What do we do? I have ordered our reports and disputed what I was allowed and our score has gone up a little but how can I get the others to get off there and show paid or settled or heck even in good standings? Thanks for you time.
-----------------------
start with some gas cards. Go to a Bp oil station, exxon, shell

send certified check with your application
shoot for 300 dollars to start. after one year you should have increased your 300 to at least 420 or 10 dollars more than you spend each month. The 400 become your new high credit limit by default same as the 300. With 1 year of good payments you are on your way.

go to your local bank and borrow 500 for christmas. make sure they report to bureaus. Pay the money back each month with the money you borrowed. Make the loan last at least 12 months. Go in each time you make a payment and get to know the bankers a little each month for one year.

Chapter 13 discharged but still some accounts list balances. I need a home loan

I am trying to get negative information off of the credit report.

The first thing is from Chicago Municiple Court Bank 1. My husband and I do not know what this is and we can not find a phone number to contact them. All that is listed is a reference number but it is showing up on our Experion report as owing $524.00.

The second thing is we filed chapter 13 in 2003 during this time we owned a time share (Emerald Pointe at Grand Vista) we surrendered it as terms of the chapter 13. It is showing up today as we owe over 6,000 on the report from Experion. I have called several places since Emerald Point has changed ownership several times. Each company I have called states it is not their problem they closed account due to non payment. I am currently waiting on the last contact person to call me back which has been since 11/5/07. We moved in 2005 to another state and some valuable papers were damaged beyond repair so I do not have any documentation that we surrendered the deed except for my word. I do know that it was in the chapter 13 so how can we address this issue to get it removed from the report?

We are trying to get the best possible rate to qualify for a home purchase.

I have read many of your tips and find them to be very helpful. We keep open one credit card make purchase and pay it off. We have a car loan through a credit union and the score is in the high 600's what can we do to raise it quickly even with the chapter 13 still showing up? We paid the chapter 13 off in 2005.

I have other documentation from medical companies / second mortgage that we have paid off the bill but it still shows on the credit report do we mail a copy of the paid reciept to the credit reporting agencies?
-----------------------
www.oskie.com/credit-dispute.htm
dispute the first one as not yours.
wait for 30 days and see what happens. go from there

dispute the second one as not yours or error on report
see what happens

do exactly what you said on the last one.
these should show on your report as included in bk zero balance.

might need to do all this in 2 or 3 letters.

do the first to at once on one dispute form to all bureau affected

do the last in waves of no more than 4 at a time. I don;t know how many you have.
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http://www.oskie.com/after-bankruptcy-credit-report-repair-credit-card.htm

Reopen a past charge off credit card and pay them and extra 300.00. pay more than you charge each month.

I wish I read your blog before I made a payment on my Charge Off. Here's my question:

I received a charge off in July 07 from Victoria's Secret. I used the credit card once. I forgot I used it and they never sent me a bill. They contacted me six months later telling me the card was charged off and asking me if I would make the payment. Emergencies occured in my life 3months later and when I contacted them again they gave my account to a collections agency. I contacted the collections agency and agreed to pay them half of the amount. They told me that I could go to any Victoria secrets store to make the payment which I did. I still have the other half to pay. My question is...since I made the payment to Victoria Secret which I have a receipt that I paid half of the amount to Victoria Secret. Is there anything I can do to get them to remove the "charge off" from my account. Im hoping to go to school in a yr. I have a feeling because of this I wont be eligible for student loans or private student loans. I hope you can help me.
----------------------
pay it off in full
then add 300.00 extra dollars to it and re open the account
pay them at least 10.00 a month every month more than you charge.
after one year ask to have the charge off removed
revolving credit
ie credit cards
usually only report the last 24 months activity
so at the very least they should help you in 24 months
------------------
no
pay them 300 extra to re open the account

everything else is right
---------------
Hi Bo,

Has this plan helped anyone remove there charge off from there credit report?

If I have I pay the extra 300 dollars to open the account. Wouldn't that just them owing me and 300 dollars that wont be debt but a plus. Would I have to then charge on the card more than 300 dollars to be in debt with them?
--------------------
i did it with my bp oil credit card
i was charged off for 345 bucks in 1992
i paid that off
called them and told it wanted better credit and to be a real person
and i was wiling to send them 300.
if they opemed the same account
they did
i paid them extra each month till my high credit limit went from
300 to 500 in one year because i built up money they owed me.
after one year i asked them to take the bad stuff off
they did and thats the best move i ever made
and the best move for anyone trying to help their credit

Collectors might check your credit without your signature. Illegal inquiry.

The creditor might make a mistake and check your credit which is unlawful. what exactly does this mean? I have disputed alot of stuff and there are alot of inquiries on my reports, can you explain how they do this?
------------------
if there is an inquiry that is not the result of you siging for credit then that is illegal.
unless you sign to get a car and the dealership shotguns your credit to several banks. That is legal since you signed up to get approved for a car loan.

sometimes a collection agancy will pull your credit to see if there is a new address for them to use. illegal.

when you catch someone doing the illegal you can get them to take stuff off or face FTC sanctions

need 40 more fico points before i can get a home loan. Judgment

O.k. so I need 40 more points before i can get a home loan. I have a 1500.00 judgment on my credit, the loan guy said if i pay that off and have it satisfied then disput it then my points should go up the 40 i need. Is that true?
------------------
probably right
you can never tell till your try.
sounds about right though
I do know that judgments are subject to the 7 year on your credit problem. So if they take the judgment off it will be a miracle.
-------------------
So you agree that once you pay off a judgment and have it satisfied and then disputing it with the creditors that It WILL raise my points??? How many points do you think?
Thanks!
----------------
you never know till you try
I dont know
I doubt it will work but if the judgment came off it would raise your score 40 points or more.

paid phone collection and a paid charge off for insurance.

I have a paid phone collection for $268 and a paid car insurance collection/chargeoff for $58 listed on my report. These went to collections back in 05 but were just paid recently. One is listed to fall off my report in 2011 and the other in 2012. However on each one I have a discrepancy. The insurance list my account as still being open account and the utility one does not list the date it went into collection. If I dispute these to the credit bureaus do you think since they are paid and neither creditor (well neither is a line of credit) have anything to gain by answering the bureaus dispute will respond thus requiring the bureau to delete? And if no deletion occurs how harmful would non-lines of paid credit collections be on your report it they remain?
---------------------
that is a perfect train of thought
do it just like that

they will not hurt any at all once they become 2 years old and you have new good credit going that is reported to bureaus

these are both utility collections and are the least likely to negotiate off
so one disputes them and hopes. thats all you can do.

Bad checks telecheck check system

I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE FOUND YOUR WEBSITE ... DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WAS PLANNING TO PAY SOME CREDIT REPAIR COMPANY? I HAVE A QUESTION ... CAN YOU SUGGEST A SECOND CHANCE BANK BECAUSE I GOT MY NAME BOTH IN CHECKSYSTEM AND TELECHECK .... THANKs
--------
the checks have to be paid off
if you want to open an account or write checks.
Telecheck puts your ss# into a national databank for check writing
Unles you pay the bad checks you will not be able to wrtie anymore if the company uses tele check or check system.

Sons verizon wireless charge off on my credit. Disputed this collection.

I have a problem, I have done almost everything I am suppose to
Pulled credit reports
Disputed for months, sent certified everything, kept copies kept detailed records, now I feel I need to send letters of dept validation to Verizon (1999) I have already disputed this with the 3 credit ber. of course they came back valid, these are my sons acct (they merdge the two accts SR and JR, when I ? this they just put a fraud alert, my ? is do I send Dept validation letters to the collection agency, or to the credit beru. or both ? thanks in advance. this is like a part time job
----------------
send validation letters to creditors (verizon)
they have to confirm the information is correct and legal
Some how they must have you ss #
your son might have given it to them? I do not know
validation should clear it up
if they just verify who you are and your address
send the follow up.
all certified mail

Health care related collection agencies. Delete by phone or mail.

I read much of your website and found it to be very helpful. Most of my debts in collection do not show up elsewhere on my credit report. They are all filed under the collections section. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with them being all health care related. My question toyou is concerning how I should approach the collection agencies. If Icall, what type of dialogue should I use? What questions should I ask, and should I request a confirmation that they will delete the entry onthe phone and request that they send it to me by mail, or should I request everything via mail? Any help would be appreciated.
--------------------
I would dispute them first. Mark not my account.
Then validate the debt, if the dispute does not work.
Then call and negotiate
Ask for total removal if you pay in full
Settle for marked paid in full with no new dates.

say you are buying a new home and this is the only thing holding you back from getting your dream.
beg, beg a manager at least

Got a lowes card charged off Ge Citi 7300

I “had” perfect credit and a very high credit score. I have never paid a bill late in my life.

I purchased cabinets at Lowes a year ago and applied for a Lowes card with 12 mo/no interest/no payment. I didn’t open the first few statements since no pmt was due.

A few months later I got a call that I was late. I explained it was no interest/no pmts. I got a third call in Dec that at first said I was late. Then the Lowes rep checked and said “you ARE under promotion and it wasn’t entered correctly”.

I admit I am remiss in that I didn’t verify it was fixed, but I received no more calls from Lowe’s, so I assumed it was ok.

In Spring 07, I received a call from a collections company. I do not know if it was Lowe’s GE credit company, or an outside company. I assumed they had outdated info and refused to deal with them. I answered no more “out of area” calls.

Shortly before my one year mark, I attempted to pay Lowes online, but my account wouldn’t allow a pmt. By now, I had misplaced my contract, so I called the local Lowes and asked them to send me a copy. It took several calls and faxes and ended up being only the install portion. By now, I was past the 12 mo date.

So I went to Lowes and talked to the head manager. He was very nice and assured me they would get it fixed. I told him it might be in collections and now it was past the 12 mo mark, but he said they might be able to undo that. He contacted GE and GE wants me to send a dispute letter, but the manager is trying to get me a copy of the contract first.

Coincidentally, one day after I talked to the Lowe’s manager, CTI, a collections company, called me at work and said I can only pay THEM now. They started to offer a lower amount, but I said I didn’t want to “settle”, as that would stay on my credit report and get reported to the IRS. I said I wanted to pay the original amount (no interest or late fees), but I wanted assurance that nothing negative would be on my credit report.

When I told them about the no interest/no pmts mistake, they said they would call Lowe’s/GE. I regret talking to them now, in case they muck up what the manager is trying to do from the Lowes/GE end.

#1 – If Lowes/GE sees the 12 mo no interest/no payments on my contract, can they legally pull it back from CTI and let me pay them? If I have to I will pay the interest, even dating back to the purchase date since I went past the 12 mo mark, but what would I need first from them to assure me they will clean up my credit report?

#2 – Any chance they will refuse to give me a copy of the contract? If they get wind that I have lost mine, will they lie and delete the no interest part? (I’m a bit worried it was never put on there, but I have hope since the one agent did admit seeing it).

#3 – If the contract does not state “no interest” and I have to deal with CTI, what should I get from CTI prior to paying? CTI mentioned a “paid as agreed”, but I see you suggest “paid as agreed and on time”. What else can I ask CTI to do to remove any trace of negative info?

#4 – Even if I get CTI to do these things, won’t Lowe’s keep reporting negative info? I would think I have no leverage to demand Lowe’s fix anything if I am not paying them.


My main consideration is in undoing the damage to my credit, not paying the least amount.

Original - $6600
Charge off to CTI – either $6600 or $6900 (couldn’t clarify)
CTI’s current amount - $7300

I know I brought this on myself by procrastinating and not following up with Lowe’s. But I feel they made the first mistake and should be willing to consider that.

Thanks for any help you can give me. (Please reply to all, so that I can get it at home).
---------------------------------
BO
you didnt do right on the lowes from the start
they alerted you there might be a problem and you ducked it.
that will get you burned no matter who is right or wrong.

all you can do is pay it and go on
negotiate but pay it no matter what they agree to
--------------------------
You are so right.

But what should I ask either Lowes or CTI to put in writing prior to me paying them anything?

Is “paid as agreed on time” all I need to make sure my credit is fixed?

Thanks for replying – I read your blog too and you have very useful info.
------------------------
Bo
this is the best full answer for an uneven but frequent question I get
Citi is lowes
but maybe lowes can you you on their end too
---------

How do i know something will fall off in 7 years like it should

dear bo majors........

came across your site.......was wondering about a certain issue. if an outstanding bill with a creditor is over seven years old is it taken off the credit report? if i then call the creditor to check on the status, does it automatically reopen the account?

not sure if you actually take questions, but i thought i would give it a shot.
-----------

I would not call the creditor. Do not stir could stir up any pile.
Unless I wanted to start new good credit with them.
I would check my report to make sure it comes off.
If not, then dispute it as not your account as it is not. It would be too old.
Of course the 7 years starts at date of last activity.
Credit Dispute Form
------
I did give them a call to see what status they had me listed as. Even though it has been over seven years, they say that I am still listed in their files as oweing and delinquent. They said they report to three major credit agencies about this. Would calling them count as "activity"? Prior to my call, the last "activity" is listed as 06/2000. I will try disputing with the form you provided. This is terribly kind of you to aid
---------------------
should never have called them this late in the game.
so it should fall off now huh?
dispute the account as too old, please remove from report
------------------
silly of me......
I took care of another one and thought I'd just check to see if that one was still listed.

How can i negotiate a credit card debt collectors i cannot pay?

My name is Lawena. I live in Hawaii. I’m a single 28 year old female with major credit problems. Just recently, I have attempted to get this under control. I don’t know what to do or what should be my next step. Please help me. Here’s a little of what happened so far.

I received all 3 credit reports. My credit score average is 576. BAD!!!! I’ve had three credit cards when I was 18-22 years old that I have neglected. These accounts were charged off and have since been issued to a collection agency. These balances are 1600, 5500, and 6500. Within the last month, I went over my credit report and paid any small delinquent accounts that I could. One of them reflected that I paid it in full. The others are still on there as they originally were. My question now is…..how do I go about negotiating with these collectors? I don’t have the money to pay them in one payment in full. Can I work with them on a payment plan? Will my credit score increase? Should it increase because I cleared some of the old debt that I had?

I have two credit cards presently. They have small limits but I keep them balance on both of them very low. Thank you so much for any help that you could give me.
-------------------
make sure the two you have report to bureaus. 1
work out a payment plan if you can.
if you can't, then tell them and go on.
they usually have to charge these off.
Use the debt validation letter on anyone that might try to collect on these accounts in the future

Divorce with bad credit.

Thanks so much for the free advice. Thanks for offering us some hope. I am planning on marrying someone I've been dating for some time now. He's a really great guy, however he went through a divorce and the whole nine yards, his credit is terrible. Mine is kinda decent. Will his credit be tagged onto mine, or affect mine in anyway once we get married?
--------------------
if you cosign for anything or get joint awnership on anything that already has an installment loan.

Deleted 7 bad things on my credit report and my score went up.

first they put a fraud alert on my credit report, then reinvestagated everything on the report ( except a lien that should say released go figure) got the credit report back 4 collections on it did the dept validation letters havent heard a word been 1 week, do I have the credit bur reinvestagate these or will they report them or not automatically the companys that I asked to validate, I do not have any type of service to watch my reports like other people do. and do you think the other credit beru will do the same by investigating everything on the reports? this was sweet they deleted 7 bad things off the report. thanks again
--------------------
the other bureau should do the same i would expect, but follow up on.
the debt validation usually takes 2-3 weeks for a response.
if you get a positive one
copy it and mail it to the bureaus asap.
your doin good arent you
way to go.

some people are just afraid to dig in

it would be helpful to check your scores after the changes have been made
go here......after the changes have been made that you hope will help you.
cancel in less than 7 days and its free

if you have new rated credit. your score should jump through the roof
-
hi Bo, you say afraid to dig in, I raised 4 sons and that was a walk in the park conpared to this, this is like a job, I have a whole table filled with credit stuff, when I got the report with 7 deleted on it, I swore it was xmas. My hubby could not beleive it, he said your doing great, i said ya thanks to Bo. Even if I get turned down for the ref in the spring and my payment arm resets I will wait a few months and reapply, been trying to save some extra money just in case, its just a matter of time before all my GOOD credit outshines the bad, NEVER ever be late.
------------------
and if you are late
call quick and ask for help with your report now
they usually help

auto loan only on experian. can i get it on transunion and equifax

Bo,
I have an auto loan that was opened in Jan. 2006 and has been current ever since. However, this account only appears on Experian's credit report. Shall I contact TransUnion and Equifax with the account info?
Also, I have a student loan that does not have a payment history with Equifax. TransUnion and Experian both indicate "OK" in green since June 2006.

I have an account that went to collections for $150.00. I paid the account. If I contact them and request they remove this account from my credit report, what are the chances they will actually remove it?

Should I attempt to re-open a credit card account I had with Chase that I made a settlement on? I was thinking to contact them and find out if I could open an account of $500.00... AND should I attempt to re-open an account I had with Best Buy that went to collections and was paid?

Thank you in advance for your time.
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Creditors do not always report to all three bureaus
usually onlyone or two

paid collections will not come off or be removed after being paid unless you negotiate first you didn't

yes try to re open that account
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Bo,
Thank you for the quick response! I have another question for you. I have two Sallie Mae student loans that appear on my credit report. I only have one. The status of the earlier of the two reads: "Closed (Transferred)." Dates are June of 2001 to December of 2002. The other account is current from June 2006 until now. Do I need to contact Sallie Mae to have the older account removed? Have you ever heard of this?

Thank you!
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if i pay will i get a new date of last activity?

I've pulled my "free" credit report from all three bureaus. I recently received a phone call from a creditor from Capital One, stating that I owe x amount of dollars. The last report of activity was 9/99.

I guess my question to you would be, if I pay the amount (or make payments) hypothetically today, would my credit report show, that the last date of activity is today? And therefore start the 7 year cycle again? Or, chalk it up as a loss, and pray for next year to hurry up and come
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yes the redate can happen
you might sit tight and hope nothing else happens
if it does
validate the debt first
negotiate if it can be validated
pay if you have done the above and can afford it
keep new good credit open.

Debt to income ratio bad. My score is good 698 700. Arm due must refinance.

I have a arm coming due in july 08
this is what I have

1 mortgage never late for 3 years
1 mortgage ( rental property never late 3 years )
1 major credit card 3000.00 limit owe 1200.00
1 truck haven't been late in 3 years ( 4 more payments to go)
1 new truck ( 6 months never late)
bankrupt. 9 years ago
although I got alot of things deleted alot of credit card judgments my trans union score is 698, don't know husbands yet, waiting to pull his what kind of loan should I look for or will I even qualify for a loan to refinace? I am worried sick I have 6 months to go, trying so hard to reach 700 on fico, everyone says no new credit something about dept to ratio, the rental property is rented and I have a lease to show the morgage company. thanks
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If they are turning you down for a debt ratio it would be
DEBT TO INCOME RATIO.
The score is so high it must be debt to income ratio.

I must be below 45% reported monthly obligated debts showing on my credit report.
to
Verifibale gross income per month. Last 2 years tax returns and current pay stub.

ie. I show a home loan, a car loan 3 credit cards for 3000 per month.
I must be able to prove with tax return and check stubs at least 6800 dollars per month.
6800 X .45 equals 3060 dollars. That leaves me 60 dollars a month I can add to my credit and not get turned down.
DEBT TO INCOME RATIO

looks like your open credit is very good and your score reflects that 698
i would dispute some of the older paid items and hope?
A 698 SHOULD get you whatever you want.
2 more points might help you a percentage point or less, but not much difference is there.

so dispute some old stuff
maybe pay the remaining four payments on the truck
other than that? you look good

Pay off as many monthly reported obligations before you apply for your new loan
Oh and do not open any more new credit.
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hello, thank you, the truck will be payed off by the time I need the loan, so that will help also, do you think I should get 1 more credit card for a better mix, or just stay on the course I have in the works?
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no new credit card now
cards need 12 months to help you.
you have enough credit: 3 lines reported now.
dispute some old accounts and hope
www.oskie.com/credit-dispute.htm
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can u still dispute even if there marked paid or I should say settled for lesser amount, like I said I did settle all of these accts 3 years ago, so its just a matter of time before they fall off or don't look that bad. I have 3 judgements marked paid would love to see those gone, and the bank. will fall off in March 08
----------------------
you can always dispute something
it may not come up but you can dispute

daughter unpaid credit cards garnish wages

I have a daughter who went away to college and open up 2 credit card and now they are going to garnish her wages which isn't much and my concern is what can she do? She has moved and they stated that their is nothing she can do at b/c she never responded in which she just received the letter yesterday in the mail and b/c she work bankers hours and is not allowed to answer her cell phone while at work, that when she does return their call they are close. I need to know what can be done to assist her to get her credit in order?
-------------------------
number one is stop making excuses for her
number 2 is realize she should have notified the creditor when she moved.
She gets a break. lunch and such. She can call them.
Nothing in this msg says anything about a credit report
she should have all 3 with scores so she can work on them.
she should pay the cards or court off befoe they garnish her
she should get a stable stout income or marry someone with a stable stout income.

once something is in garnishment. it means this has gone to a court of law.
so debt validation wont help. courts validated them already.
dispute doesnt work.
so get this paid off and 2 years behind thee. get new good credit somehow.
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thanks for your very negative approach tothis
number 1 i was just trying to give you a history behind this
number 2 your advice behind marital status has nothing to do with anything and if you want to be an advice counselor you need to leave the credit field alone.
you or whom ever you have representing you need to find a better attitude when answering these emails because you never know what a person has been through for you to dump on them with your nasty and very sarcastic disposition. I am very sorry I tried to to get any advice from someone who is supposed to be a so called professional. Lose my email.
----------------------------
Bo
I am not a pro
i am a real life person
the things i say are facts.

moved and i didn't get the letter is flat out ridiculous and you know that.

stable stout job is imperitive you know that

negative approach is applicable on this for sure.
i guess you never watch judge judy.
some people just do not get it.

I think that is YOU for enabling your daughter. I am sure you have heard of that.

just be glad you didn't co sign for her
---------------------------
Bo
A hundred dollars to 1 says you have no idea what is on her credit file
and that all you know is when the stuff hits the fan she finally calls you to bail her out.


life is hard
if one can not get a great job they are in with the 41,000,000 people who do not make enough to live on and I feel for these as i have been one.

might pick the book up "Nickel and Dimed in america. has a waittress lady on the cover.
a classic about an american woman who tried to make it on wait staff wages.
it can not be done
it definatley can not be done and have credit.
so your daughter may not ever have any credit unless by some act she can rise out of this situation.

My hope is she can.

my first bad credit was the same thing
i moved and didn't pay an electric bill and a bp oil credit card.
i said i moved and never got the letter.
i knew and blew it off.

then it came back after me.

so i tell people the world is hard
----------------
BO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-jUFL2ubR0
this is me and how my credit got messed up.
it is all about the job.
I married a BSN RN, thats a 4 year degreed nurse.
I was still an idiot and could not handle my job till one day.
then my credit got better and i could pay my bills

Two judgments on my credit report. One hospital bill and one telephone bill.

I have two judgements on my credit report. One a hospital bill and one a telephone bill. How can I have these removed or at least turned into collections? Also I am trying to raise my score ASAP. I want to purchase a home in the next 6 months but my score is in the mid 500's any advice on that.
------------------
Thats what those bills do when i move and let them get by. Bad things happen fast. 30 days. Judgments are terrible since they usually executed in court after 365 days. LOOKS BAD.
Judgements will remain on my credit report for 7 years but will not hurt me much, if satisfied 2 years before today, and I have new 12 months no lates reported to a credit credit bureau like Equifax, Transunion and Experian.
I open the telephone back up / ask for credit help
I pay the hospital bill / ask for help before I pay
I talk and beg before I pay
I validate and dispute anything I can not confirm personally.
I keep good current open credit
Re Flect on this webpage.

capital one says i owe x dollars on a 99 date of last activity.

I've pulled my "free" credit report from all three bureaus. I recently received a phone call from a creditor from Capital One, stating that I owe x amount of dollars. The last report of activity was 9/99.

I guess my question to you would be, if I pay the amount (or make payments) hypothetically today, would my credit report show, that the last date of activity is today? And therefore start the 7 year cycle again? Or, chalk it up as a loss, and pray for next year to hurry up and come?
-------------------
yes the redate can happen
you might sit tight and hope nothing else happens
if it does
validate the debt first
negotiate if it can be validated
pay if you have done the above and can afford it
keep new good credit open.
---------------------
Good or bad credit takes:
12 months to be rated on my report
2 years old and the account becomes unrated but can affect my score negatively.
2 years of solid reported credit will overcome most old bad credit.
7 years is how long most credit shows on my report.

filed chapter 7 2002 score checked for employment job

I filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in 2002. Currently, I have five open lines of credit, all in perfect standing. I checked my credit reports in Oct. 07, and the scores were 659, 640, and 710. This past weekend I rechecked, and the 710/Experian score had decreased to 619, while the other two scores had increased to 690 and 692. I paid off my car loan in October, with no late fees or negatives. I have examined the Oct. and Nov. credit reports and I am unable to determine any cause for the rapid score decline reported by Experian. My credit will be checked this month for employment purposes and this score is an important factor. Please advise.
----------------------
i think you will be ok on your job check
unless they dont hire people with a bk showing
620+ is the standard for people with good credit
680 is average with no lates payments ever in thier life
If your credit the past 2 years os strong you should have no worries.
have an explanation for the bk


I can not make a decision about a report I cannot see.
So thats all the advice I have I guess.
---------------------------
Thanks for the advice. I just discovered your web.site and have found it extremely informative. One more question. Experian also reports a last name I never used in the personal information section of my credit report. Previously, I co-owned property with an individual and it is this person's last name and my first name. I attempted to dispute this information online but was directed to call. When I called the number, there was no appropriate option nor could I get past automated symstem. Write a letter?
---------------------
Bo
Go here > Dispute form and dispute the error
anything old
anything inccorect

Fix bad credit reports. 12 Steps to good credit.

Fix Credit Fast
Fix delete repair bad credit and keep good a credit card 12 steps to good credit

Collection Company suing me for 7000 in 10 days. What do I do?

I got a claim from one of a collection agency.. have 10 days to repsond.. what should I do. They say I will get a judgement against me.

also the original negative was reported and now that company tha tis suing me reported as well. so I have 2 differnet amounts because the claim amount includes fees.

what can I do ? I dont have the money to pay. orgiinal amount due to credit card 4600 all comes up to 7000 now with fees.

any ideas ?
-------------------
Make them fill out these debt validation letters and see if they have a case for court.
Get and talk to a lawyer.

negotiate and pay bad credit. Get and keep new good credit

Hi Bo -I used your advice and sent Citibank another negotiation letter. I received delivery confirmation early this week. On Friday, I got an alert from Equifax stating that my Citibank balance had been adjusted. My balance of $1529 was completely taken off and is now $0, however now it says: "Settlement accepted on this account, Paid charge off" and of course, the account status is still CHARGE OFF. I am a little curious about this because I never agreed to a settlement. I only stated that I would pay the remaining $1529 if they removed the account from my report completely. This did, however, raise my credit score from a 598 to a 628. I am hoping that you might be able to guide me with this.. should I just let it be since it increased my credit score.. or should I take other action? Your advice would be greatly valued. Thank you for your time,
------------------
Bo
you got lucky
leave it alone and keep new good credit going.
great job
----------------
I will do that, thank you. Also, thanks for having a website that helps so many people. Best regards

First let me say I think your great, its nice to know there are still nice people in this world willing to help someone if they can, not for fame or profit, just because thats who you are, if I was your Mom I would be so proud, do you realize all the people you have helped, well include me as one. my ? is

first they put a fraud alert on my credit report, then reinvestagated everything on the report ( except a lien that should say released go figure) got the credit report back 4 collections on it did the dept validation letters havent heard a word been 1 week, do I have the credit bur reinvestagate these or will they report them or not automatically the companys that I asked to validate, I do not have any type of service to watch my reports like other people do. and do you think the other credit beru will do the same by investigating everything on the reports? this was sweet they deleted 7 bad things off the report. thanks again
-------------------------
the other bureau should do the same i would expect but follow up on.
the debt validation usually takes 2-3 weeks for a response.
if you get a positive one copy it and mail it to the bureaus asap.
your doin good arent you
way to go.

some people are just afraid to dig in

it would be helpful to check your scores after the changes have been made
go here......after the changes have been made that you hope will help you.
cancel in less than 7 days and its free

if you have new rated credit. your score should jump through the roof
-----------------------
hi Bo, you say afraid to dig in, I raised 4 sons and that was a walk in the park conpared to this, this is like a job, I have a whole table filled with credit stuff, when I got the report with 7 deleted on it, I swore it was xmas. My hubby could not beleive it, he said your doing great, i said ya thanks to Bo. Even if I get turned down for the ref in the spring and my payment arm resets I will wait a few months and reapply, been trying to save some extra money just in case, its just a matter of time before all my GOOD credit outshines the bad, NEVER ever be late
-------------------
and if you are late
call quick and ask for help with your report now
they usually help
----------------
this is why judgejudy has no remorse.
we have had a chance for remorse and let it go all the way to
Judy.
-------------------

Insurance paid 80% and charged other 20% deductible unpaid. I have a judgment

I had a broken hand repaired by a doctor who was referred by a mutual friend, another doctor. He accepted my insurance which paid 80%. He never told me verbally I would be responsible for the other 20%, though I may have signed something to that effect with all the forms signed. He wanted over $2,000. Then he lowered the amount to about $1,800. i paid over $800 but started paying $20 a month because I couldn't keep up with the agreed payment plan. He sent it to a collection agency. The agency says I now owe about $2,600-$2,800. Since that time I moved out of state and found out on my credit report that thea gency has sent it to court in NJ. They don't know where I live so I guess that is why I have not been server a summons to appear. Do I have rights because I was paying? I never signed any agreement, it was verbal. I stopped paying when the collection agency contacted me. Or should I bargain? Seems I am getting the shaft!
-----------------------------
Any resonable person knows they have to pay the other 20%. You should have paid. No excuses.
When a creditor accpets a payment plan they cannot collect the full amount if one stops paying unless they go to court and you do not defend yourself. You didn't and now have a public record. This is a lawyer thing though. I am not sure what your legal rights are.
If you are being sued in court you need to find a lawyer anyway.
Are you being summoned to court?

Ex husband has old bad credit and i co signed. 7

I pulled my credit report and there is stuff on there that was closed for at lest 12 years. the mortgage that I had with my ex-husband is on there from 1997. the house hasn't been mine for the last 12 years and he sold it about 5 years ago. I singed the house over to him in the annulment. how do I get really old stuff off of my credit report ? it thought that things came off on there own. What can I do ?
---------------------
The house with your name and your ex-husband's name on it was sold 5 yrs ago not 7 years and thats why it is still on your credit report.

Get new current rated credit on your credit report.

Forget that ex-husband and how he screwed your credit. 5 year old stuff does not affect your score much if you have good credit for the past 2 years.

Do you have credit from today back 2 years on your report that says you pay good.
If not get new good credit started here i like the Total Visa middle of page.
these report to bureaus. Takes 2 years to clear most all bad credit.

Dispute validate and negotiate anything that is old and incorrect.
-----------------------------
I don't under stand your response ????

how do I get all of this old closed stuff from 1997 off of my credit report ??
there is no other guy on my report, just he mortgage company that I had back in 1997
------------------------
You need new current credit more than you need to get rid of old bad credit.
That is my response.
--------------------

College discover card and master card maxed out. Remove fix clean delete late payments raise credit score

In college i was given a discover and Mastercard that i maxed out and eventually had serveral late payments. After graduating I was able to pay off both of the cards. During college i closed both of the cards, thinking that it would help me. In 2006 my credit report showed that both cards were paid in full. I thought that i needed to establish good credit by getting a new credit card. The only company that approved me was capital one. I have been paying all of my bills ontime, but my credit still lingers around 640. What should i do to increase my credit. Currently i have a balance on my capital one card. Also, is there anything that i could do to have the late payments removed from my credit report -i.e. discover and mastercard? Should i open the discover card account - which is my oldest account - and have my balance transfered from capital one? Please help! Also, I have amortgage and two other credit cards open which are in good standing. My goal is to hopefully have a minimum credit score of 750 in the near future
-----------------------
if you had late payments and paid something off before negotiating you cannot help your report.
Unless
I re open one of those same accounts, pay good 1 year, then ask for removal of old lates.

get 3 open rated accounts with no past lates, drop balances on credit limits to less than 80% of maximum.

shoot for 700-720