Advice on how to get my credit report better

I have been reading your blog recently and wanted some (non-legal) advice on how to get my credit report better. I have some old judgements from 2002-2003 and several medical collections (some duplicates) that are showing up. I have been paying cash instead of using my credit for several years now but would like to get back in the "game" asap. I do not want to file a bk to erase all this stuff considering the 7 year mark is approaching next year on the judgements. Can you make any suggestions on what I should do to get my scores and history strongly established asap.I plan on buying a car in a few months and a home in the next year/18 months, what can I do now to getthe ball rolling??
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Dispute the Duplicates http://www.oskie.com/credit-dispute.htm
Of course use your credit card that reports to a bureau or bureaus you can not file bankruptcy on past juudgments anyway....... you will want to have 3 lines of credit so if you can try to open more gas cards. credit cards
use them sparingly and pay them of each month
send in a downpayment to make sure you get approved
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So basically... Dispute the Derog Duplicates and open a handful of secured credit cards??
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Yes
one point would be to try and get one of those cards to raise your credit limit as much as possible some times lenders will turn you down if you do not have a STRONG history.
This can happen even i your credit score shows a 720+. Which sometimes it will and you will only have 2 lines of credit with a 500 and 300 high credit limit. Think about it. Why would someone lend 75000 dollars to a consumer who only has a high credit limit of 500.
They will call your credit file thin.
So try anything possible to get your credit limit on at least one line of credit as HIGH as possible.
This shows stability. Dispute the derogatory and hope for the best. If they have already been paid the chances are no very good that a creditor will take it off voluntarily
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Cool.. good point regarding the THIN credit profiile! I can only afford a couple of hundred dollars per secured card that I open, so I see the issues. How about adding myself as an Authorized User to beef up the history???
I know fico has made scoring adjustments but will doing so help out.
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They have deleted that aspect
but
it can never hurt to try
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Whoa.. I thought they just stopped scoring for it!
I will try to get a legitimate high score on my ownbut credit depth is what I am looking for with Auth. User.
am I wrong with this thinking?
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supposedly you are but try anyway
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List of letters to contact the credit agencies and Collections

i would like to start to repair my credit i would like to know if you have a list of letters and when to use them to contact the various credit agencies as well as the in debtors all you help will be most appreciated
respectfully yours
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http://www.oskie.com/free-credit-help-sample-form-letter-letters.htm

Experian says they have already investigated and verified its accuracy

Experian says:"We have already investigated this information and credit grantor has verified its accuracy. Please refer to the personal credit report you received for the name, phone number, and address of the credit grantor who verified this information. If you still believe the item is inaccurate, then we can add a statement of continued dispute to your personal credit report at your request, or you may wish to contact the credit grantor directly to resolve your issue. If you have additional relevant info...." I do have the personal credit report I received and under "Credit Items" It gives me the name and address of AFNI, INC. (the collection agency) "No phone available" and "Original creditor: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS" So it seems I should send out another registered dispute and specifically insist on this Signature and legal chain of ownership you made mention of so that I may present Experian with additional relevant info. Just who do I send this request to, AFNI or CHARTER? It also stands to reason that if AFNI had a legal claim they would have responded to the 1st registered letter. What do I do now?

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send the dispute to to charter and the CA

Experian says they have already investigated and verified its accuracy

Thanks in advance.In a phone conversation with Bank of America I was shocked to learn that some collection agency has me owing someone $365.00 from 2005 that has not been paid.Otherwise I am blemish free, but this black mark has by score at 676. I know my score was 720 in Jan 08.I feel sure this is the work of my ex-wife.How do I pay the bill & get rid of black mark?
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dispute it as not yours
if they find it is
legally validate the debt
if they can do that
negotiate to pay if they will remove it you need to know if they have your signature and legal chain of ownership
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Experian says:"We have already investigated this information and credit grantor has verified its accuracy. Please refer to the personal credit report you received for the name, phone number, and address of the credit grantor who verified this information. If you still believe the item is inaccurate, then we can add a statement of continued dispute to your personal credit report at your request, or you may wish to contact the credit grantor directly to resolve your issue. If you have additional relevant info...." I do have the personal credit report I received and under "Credit Items" It gives me the name and address of AFNI, INC. (the collection agency) "No phone available" and "Original creditor: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS" So it seems I should send out another registered dispute and specifically insist on this Signature and legal chain of ownership you made mention of so that I may present Experian with additional relevant info. Just who do I send this request to, AFNI or CHARTER? It also stands to reason that if AFNI had a legal claim they would have responded to the 1st registered letter. What do I do now?
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Capital One Credit Card account not reported to bureau

I have an account with Capital one I've had the account since Feburary 2, 2007 .Ive been told that the account was closed each time I try to get infomation I am put off ,because I know that it isnt been reported to your company or the other two (account number is
3243008-2001) I found out that it wasnt being reported when I tried to trade the car I was told that a bank would not help me because of that, Please help me soon.
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my name is bo majors
i operate a credit help webpage
i am not a bureau or capital one the only way to have something reported to a bureau
is through a creditor sucn as a credit card company
so you have to mediate through cap one

Use these credit cards to improve your credit score

How much will my credit score go up after inquiry falls off that is 2 years old

Does my Credit Score go up after an inquiry is removed from my Credit Report after two years?
P.S. I followed your advice to the letter from your website about raising my Credit Scores Fast and thanks to you my Credit Scores went up more than 100 points each! I am well on my way to purchaing my very first home!
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after 2 years?
probably nothing will change on your score.

Inquiries afftect your score almost none after 1 year anyway.

Get good credit cards for bad credit

Good credit cards for bad credit help you raise your credit score faster and with less liability than any other credit option I know of. I got my bad credit jump started to good credit by opening a credit card that had been charged off for 384 dollars in 1992.

The Total Visa will approve people with bad to VERY bad credit. Just pay back more than you charge each month and after 12 months your credit will take a big jump up the FICO good credit score ladder.

~ Instant on-line decision
~ Monthly reporting to all major credit bureaus
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Another good credit card for people with Very Bad credit is the Continental Finance Credit Card.

Some useful tips and information on avoiding bankruptcy

When you are on the verge of filing bankruptcy and desperately want to avoid that, some other alternatives are there. In this article, you can get some tips and information with the help of which you can avoid bankruptcy.

If you are able to steer clear of filing bankruptcy, you must do it. This is essential because bankruptcy can badly influence your capacity for obtaining credit and loans for the coming 7-10 years. Following are some other alternatives worth considering and some tips to avoid bankruptcy.

Credit counseling

Once you lag behind on your payment schedule, you would easily become beleaguered. Although filing bankruptcy might appear as the simplest alternative, it might not be the most beneficial option. When you really wish to avoid filing bankruptcy, you can rather attempt credit counseling. A variety of credit counseling services is there to analyze your condition and offer you professional guidance to assist you in improving your financial status.

Debt consolidation

While you have become overextended by multiple bad debts, you might take into account obtaining a debt consolidation loan. By taking this loan, you can get the necessary money for consolidating all your debts into a single and reduced monthly payment. Subsequently, it would be easy for you to manage your bills and you can make a fresh start altogether.

Tips for avoiding bankruptcy

Besides credit counseling and debt consolidation, there are some other steps that you can take in order to avoid bankruptcy and they are the following:

1) Take an honest attempt to clear up your debts. A few creditors might be ready to receive a lower amount in comparison to the actual amount you owe.

2) Filing for bankruptcy does not come to you for free. It is essential that you conserve money for that or find an additional job. Think about utilizing the money that you already have and extra money that you can make to start repaying the bills as an alternative.

3) Try to economize. Save as much as you can and utilize that money to liquidate your debts gradually.

Foreclosure on my credit but my ex was supposed to pay

I need some advice. I divorced almost 4 years ago. I had a home that was to be put on the market and sold. My ex and I were to split the profits. About $15,000. each. for over a year it was on the market, he rented it out. This year he let it go into foreclousres. He said I won't get a dime from him anymore. "He also owes back alimony". Anyway, This is on my credit report. According to a judge, he was to sell it. How can I get this off my report or will I be able to? I need help.
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Probably notbut you can add a comment about the divorce decree.
You can sue the man for the lost monies due to his stupidness and non conformation to court mandates, the credit disruption and future cost associated, and the alimony. I would place a comment on the foreclosed account.50 words or less with a court number

Home of my dreams and I have a 540 score. Get Financed

I found the home of my dreams,,,, I have a good stable job, but my credit score is 540. The few lenders and brokers I have contacted, treat me like I have a disease because I don’t have a 800 credit score! I don’t believe that every person with a home has perfect credit ( give me a break! ) There has got to be someone out there who can help me (either up my score, or work with me with the score I have). I am willing to work on my credit score for a few months (I really want to move by Feb-March 2009)….
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Do you know everything that is on your credit report and why your score is a 540.
The good accounts
The bad accounts
Everything 540 is below a 640 is below a 740.
homes lenders do not need an 800 scorebut they do need something stable to hang on to. Someone is going to ask your potential lender why did you lend this person money. First you must also realize that going to regular banks that regualry lend regualr people money is not where you should go.
You are irregular.
Then lets talk about the home of you dreams.
Is it affordable for you.
Do you have a 20 percent downpayent.
Have you been on your current well paying job for more than 5 years.
Have you lived in your curent area for more than five years
Have you lived at your current address for more than 2 years.
Have you considered paying too much interest to buy the home of your dreams
Like going to wells fargo for a large interest loan....... well lets start here
what is on your report
bad good ugly

Collections agency pulled my credit before they posted a deliquency

I love your blog. It is so refreshing to get down to earth credit advice. My question is - I have some unapid medical bills. One of the collections agencies recently made an inquiry to my credit report before they posted a deliquency. Why do they do that?
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That is totally illegal
threaten suit and allow no respinse other than total removal they do this normally to find out new addresses
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Well the strange thing is that I have not been contacted by any of them. One of them did post a new credit ding for $800 for which I have no idea what it is and will be sending them a verification. The others I have heard nothing from and havent posted anything to my report. I am thinking the inquiries are hurting my score though since there are about 10 of them from different companies. When you say it't illegal should I dispute it with the bureaus or the company themselves?
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dispute it with the company themselves
and threaten suit if the account is not totally removed due to their illegal activity of pulling your credit report fishing for addresses

If you did not authorize the inquiries. This a is violation of the fair credit reporting act.Excersise you stautory rights

617. Civil liability for negligent noncompliance [15 U.S.C. § 1681o] (a) In general. Any person who is negligent in failing to comply with any requirement imposed under this title with respect to any consumer is liable to that consumer in anamount equal to the sum ofJuly 30, 2004 63 (1) any actual damages sustained by the consumer as a result of the failure; and(2) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, thecosts of the action together with reasonable attorney's fees as determined by thecourt.(b) Attorney's fees. On a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faithor for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing party attorney'sfees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading,motion, or other paper.§ 618. Jurisdiction of courts; limitation of actions [15 U.S.C. § 1681p] An action to enforce any liability created under this title may be brought in anyappropriate United States district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, or inany other court of competent jurisdiction, not later than the earlier of (1) 2 years after thedate of discovery by the plaintiff of the violation that is the basis for such liability; or (2) 5years after the date on which the violation that is the basis for such liability occurs.

my 3 in 1 credit report has accounts I do not recognize.

I just got my 3-in-1 Credit Reports and Scores. I don't recognize half of the items on each one! Will it lower my Credit Score if I Dispute multiple items on my Credit Reports? Thank you,
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no i would dispute anything that is not familiar

What deos DOLA cannot overlap on collection accounts

I had a credit card back in 1992 that I stopped paying on. The credit report says: date assigned 6/7/2005 and date reported 9/19/08. How could these dates be so close to now instead of back in 1992 when I first defaulted on it? I think that this card should be removed from my credit report because it has been so long since I have had this account. Please explain.

What does this mean on your website? Collection dates cannot overlap the original creditor dates.
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a collection account which is different than the original account can not overlap on dates some times a collection account will overlap the dates and this is illegal

date reported should be the last time the account was reported to the bureauthis date should not be confused with the date of first deliquency which should signal the date the account should fall offorthe date for statutes of limitations.or the date for collections if sold to one. dates are a big deal in FCR Fair Cedit Reporting

Negotiate with collection agency

Hello, i have received my verification of debt from a collection agency, for a bank account that i own, what would be the next step.
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negotiate

Credit Fico beacon score is different at all three bureaus. WHY?

My credit score on TransU is 782, Experian 840, but on Equafax it's only 672. Why so much difference and how can I raise the Equifax FICO score?
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I would have to see the reports

I would assume the Equifax has somthing on it the others do not
proabably a brand new account, an overutilized credit card or a collection. Do you see in diferences in the reports?
or did you get a 3 in 1 report. it is best to have a report from each bureau then check each for differences when you have report that shows a much different score. the 782 and 840 are close but different enough to want to know.....100 points is a drastic difference though huh?

Question about unknown medical bills now in collection on my credit report

http://repairbadcreditreports.blogspot.com/2007/07/medical-bill-collection-unknown-inquiry.html

I was doing some research on the internet and i came across this post from last year. I had a question about unknown medical bills and I dont know where to get any other information from. Basically about 5-7 years ago I went to the ER, I am pertty sure I was still in High School for the first case, because I remember being out school...anyway my question is can the hospital send a bill to collections agency with out me ever reciving a bill and not knowing I owed anyone anymoney and its been over 5 years. what do i do?
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many times this is the only way for hospitals to collect. Many people move and they cannot send a proper bill to the proper place so they put it on the credit report. When ever that person wants credit the hospital gets paid. as far as age goes. you may have been younger than 18 and might get out of the bill on that accord. I would dispute the bills. Say they ae not yours and ask for validation the bills.

I am trying to get my credit report cleaned

Im trying to get my credit report cleaned, I have 3 medical bills on there that add up to $5300. I called the collection agency and they wanted me to pay it in full at first but I told them there was noway that I could do that. They said if i paid 250bux a month for the next 2 years then I will be paid off but that is even high for me to pay. I have a family and I couldnt even do 100 bux a month right now. Is there anything I can do that will help be get this done and over with? Thanks in advance
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how old is the bill?
is the collection company associated with the hospital?
are you in the same state
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Im sorry, the bills are from 2006. I dont think its part of the hospital, the name of the company is A1 collection agency and I live in New Jersey
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There is a very high likelyhood that the collection agency only paid 50 or less on the dollar
validate the bill with this form
follow up wih this validation form
then dispute the accounts with the bureaus using this dispute form then make them remove the account totally or
negotiate a lower payment of to about 50 cents on the dollar after all this
you might call the medical company? and ask them how much you owe?
see is you can make a deal or if they charged the account off. non of this is legal advice
and
non will work perfectly. but this is a good path
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Thank you again for the help, I have 1 more ?
Is it possible they can take money from my job or bank account?
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there is such a thing as garnishment
validate the debt by mail
bank account i doubt
they will tell you anything to get you to pay
they have to get a judgement to garnish wages
same thing with bank account

Court for a credit card debt that was not mine.

I had a credit card company take me to court for a credit card debt that was not mine back in May. In fact I have never even heard of this company . I actually won the case. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice. The problem is that it still shows on my credit report. I proved to the courts that this debt is not mine . So how do I now get it removed from my credit report. Thanks for you help
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dispute it by certified mail.
send copies of dismissal along with copies of your personal details and effects.

All 3 credit reports and scores

Hello Bo, I have ordered all 3 bureau reports and I have TU =596, EquiF =783 Exper= 541
from the credit bureaus and from Freecreditreport.com
I sent out my disputes for Experian and TU so they should be taking the old accounts off and other inaccuracies. When I went to apply for a loan they said I have no credit scores? The service was Credit Link, they say I have no Beacon, Fico or Empirica scores showing - Why? Any ideas why the CR
agencies have scored me but Citibank, WellsFargo and 5thThirdbank for a mortgage do not see a score for me?
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i cannot answer that question
all i know is you might not have any current rated credit

Re age credit card loan.

How effective is it to ask a credit card company to re-age your loan? Does it work? How fast will your credit score improve? Also I have a collection account that was paid to the original creditor but however the collection account updated and did not remove from my credit report. Although the original creditor explained to them to remove this letter. What is the next step?
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dispute the second collection. as you paid the orignal creditor
say not your account never heard of re aging a credit card loan
what do you mean
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Re-aging the credit card balance…the creditor
wiping away the late payments agreeing to a payment arrangement and allowing you to start fresh.
Will paying all credit balances to zero improve your score rapidly? If not how long does it normally take to get points back?
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this would be the fastest way
YES
one year later and some new current credit....your score would jump
everything is paid off and you have new credit
the reaging thing/\....
i do not know about that
seems strange
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OK, THANKS
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the reaging thing sounds good
Try that also. I cannot hurt.

Does your credit score go down when you apply for a credit card

Does your score go down when you apply for an credit card. Im trying to rebuild my credit and I have one credit card Orchard Bank the limit is 300 dollars so do I pay 290 on it and leave the 10 dollars as the remaining balance how much lower could I pay on an balance of 300 for an score increase. Also I had an credit card by first premier that was closed and I owe 470 do I write then an letter like you have on your webpage or do I go ahead and call them and see what they say. I want to reopen with them again
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When you apply, you get an inquiry. Inquiries reduce your score by 1 - 6 points. So no.
Pay the cedit card off, completely and add more money to it to get a higher credit limit. ]
300 is considered and thin credit record.
Thickin the file by maying more than you charge to raise your limit.
Call first premier and reopen that account. Pay that one off and add to it like above.

I have been offered a settlement. Should I take it or not

Ive been offered a settlement amount for a store card that is 85 days passed due. The bal owed is 1600.00 ruffly there offering me 1100 but will show legally settled for lesser amount and this was offered in a letter that they sent to me. Should I settle or wait until I could pay the full amount which by that time could be hundreds more I have to get back to them by the 17th of this month any information would really help.
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cost less
i would do cost less
your credit already has taken a hit
settlement does not change this fact much
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I was denied a mortgage because of a past collection

I recently got my credit report and saw derogatory information on it. I contacted the collection agencies (4) to be exact. These were not for substancial amounts of money but they were for accounts from a couple of years ago. I agreed to settle these debts and I am doing so as I write this. I am wondering if it is possible for me to get these collection accounts and derogatory statements off of my credit report in a timely fashion? Is there any type of letters that I can write (if you know of samples that would be great) and to who? I recently applied for a mortgage and because of these derogatorys I was denied. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I heard something about a deletion letter but what to write and to who I dont know. Also I had a bankruptcy 8 years ago and I asked verbally to the credit bueraus to have this removed but they gave the usual answer to me. Not for 10 years.I will anxiously await your email
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you should negotiate with the collection before you pay them. Ask them what you asked me. Can I get them removed. Some will some will not. NON will after you pay them. BUT if you pay them and wait a year or so, then you might dispute them and they might fall off. you just dispute the bk with the dispute form and hope
10 years is right on bk's in most states.
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How can I go about getting these Derogatorys removed along with the Bankrupcty? What type of letter should I write and whom should I send it to? Also do you know where I can obtain a sample copy of the letter I need to write?
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you cant just magically have these removed
you have to work and negotiate
i sent you a link with a good negotiation approach
you send it to bad accounts on your credit
there is no perfect answer or letter
re establish new good credit
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I have 22 inquiries on my report. How do I remove them

how can i get the inquiries off my credit report?
for each one aint that about 6 or 7 points for each one?
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not if the inquiry was for the same thing
if you inquired about the same loan 5 times. that would be about 6 points for all 5
any inquiries over one year old do not really count at all
so can you give more info as too how many and how old and what for.
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i have 22 inquiries from 10/31/06 to 6/5/08
i have my car purchase on there and a few credit cards i applied for but rest i dont know what they are.
thanks
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so you have your report from the bureaus
and you do not know what thise inquiries areand the addresses on thew inquiries are not yours
http://www.oskie.com.credit-dispute.htm/
say not yours
someone is defrauding me they are your addresses you just dont know or care or remember
say the same thing and hope you get lucky most bureaus look down on inquiry disoputes
so not your address really works best
even if you moved
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ok,i have 1 more question,i have things on report from like 2001 some good ,some bad .should i try to have them removed?
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dispute them as not YOURS
hope and pray
many older acounts get less attention
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trying to get an address, even a phone number where someone will answer

I have tried, since May, 2008, to get any response from the collection agency ALLIANCEONE INC. I have been trying to get an address, even a phone number where someone will answer, return my call or even send a response letter, anything…to be able to pay off a collection debt that was discovered when I received a copy of my credit report(s). I discovered a phone number/address for ALLIANCEONE INC., in Vancouver, WA, at 1200 Franklin. This turned out to be the city’s Court House. We’ve tried for months to get any response, find a phone number where someone will answer or even return my call, or get a current address of where to send the pay off for a credit report debt. Can you help? I live in Longview, WA, and need a local (NW states) address and phone number for ALLIANCEONE INC.
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heck
dispute that account with the three bureaus
check NOT MY ACCOUNT then you will get a response
OR
better yet it will fall off

Improving my credit and my husbands credit.

I am in desperate need of improving mine and my husbands credit score. Could you please give me a little direction on what I should include in any dispute letters and what i need to include to show that we have paid off most of the debts and would like them removed? Also, do you know whether i should send to all three credit bureaus or just transunion? I am very young and need a lot of advice. If you have time I would grealty appreciate any advice you can offer.

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I would just dispute them as paid

send copies of your drivers license and utility bill for indentity proof.

if you have documents you can make copies and send them with the disputes.

If the accounts are only on transunion.

That is the only place you should send the disputes.

I assume you have looked at all three reports
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validation letter and have not heard from the companies at all

I have contacted you in the past in regards to my credit. I did a validation letter and have not heard from the companies at all. I am now doing my Debt Validation Follow up. Once this is done I contact the BBB, State consumer affairs, state attorney general, take them to court.
How long before I do those things and do I contact every one of them and how do I still get this off my credit report when this is all done? I have no problem paying them but I want better credit also and they are killing me with the negative parts of this.
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Have you disputed these accounts also
If they do not answer. Usually you can dispute them with the bureaus and they will fall right off.
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I have not disputed these yet. Do I send them all the information I have sent the companies? Also the link you sent didn't work.
Thank you again for all your help. I am sure I will be back for future issues. But you have been a great help
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www.oskie.com/credit-dispute.htm
Just read instructions and check no mine. dispute with the bureaus only for now.
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Okay will be doing that today then.
If these come back from BBB with a response then what is my next process. I have been on top of this and want to keep the process going. Thanks again you have been a lot of help.
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from the bureaus
http://www.oskie.com/transunion.htm
the addresses are on the form not the bbb see what happens
then maybe file a complaint

Authorized user getting collection on my husbands account

My husband added my name as a joint or authorized user on an acct. without my knowledge or consent and then at some point he let the acct go to into collections. Now this is reported on my credit report. Is there any way I can have this removed from my credit report?
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I do not have a perfect answer
I would dispute the account as not mine with the bureaus then dispute them with the collection companies then validate the collections looking for your signature
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I have already filed a dispute with all three bureaus and am hoping for a positive outcome. However I contacted the lender today and they said that I was just as libel for this acct. even though I never signed for this credit card. Again I didn’t have a card for this acct. or access to the monies from it. It is my contention that both parties should have to sign if they are equally libel. If I go to my local bank and apply for access to 5000.00 dollars and I became delinquent they would not report my negative payment history on my husbands credit unless he signed to make it a joint loan. I have also looked into filing a complaint with the OCC who investigate practices by national banks. Do you think I should hold up on filing a complaint with them until I see if the bank responds to the dispute.
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I would wait and see
but if you called ... i would expect it to be verified... I do not know the law here.... try this place
see what they say...
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I am a divorcee of two years. Right after the divorce,

I am a divorcee of two years. Right after the divorce, my ex bought up a new car and other things on his own. He then filed for Bankrupty 3 or 4 four months later. I got a CC in my name(right before divorce) in my married name not maiden, because the divorce wasn't final. Now I go to change it over to my maiden name and a balance xfer, I get a letter stating that my Int rate is goin up to 24% The CC co said it was becuse of my EX's Bankruptcy. HOW DOES HIS BANKRUPTCY AFTER OUR DIVORCE AFFECT MY CREDIT?
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credit card companies have crazy rules
since the divorce was no through? sounds like a credit card compnay to me
All I can say is try to open another account with another card
then transfer the balance.
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Should I pay American Express or the collection CA

My charged-off account is with American Express; I owe $1,074 and can pay it in full. I have received letters from a CA willing to settle for $700. My Credit report lists only Amex. I was planning to reopen the account to replace the bad credit by paying in full. Would it report the same if I just settle with the CA for $700 and find an alternative source of credit (like Old Orchard). I spoke with Amex and inquired about any good will policy that could be implemented with payment in full – they referred me to their credit department (which I haven’t contacted yet). Since this will fall off in 2009, I want to avoid any re-dating by Amex, but I would also like to take care of my obligations.
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It would be better to do business with amex
they will blackball you forever if you do not pay them no matter what your report says
and
you can get new good credit with them.
bypass the ca, but ask amex about the ca and if you pay will the ca go away
get something in writing, on business letter head before you pay
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Bk discharged in January 2001 but still on my credit report 7 years later

I filed BK (chapt 7) and it was discharged in January 2001. Is there any reason why it would still be on my credit report? I thought these fell off after 7 years. And if I am incorrect with my assumption is there anything that I can do to get those credit card debits that say “included in bankruptcy” off of my report?
------------------------------
I am pretty sure bankruptcy shows for 10 years.
Matter of law.
The accounts included in BK should be off.
Dispute them all and say reported incorrectly. BK discharged Jan 01
Include a copy of your discharge papers.
----------------------------
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-----------------------

New collections found on my Equifax Score Watch report and score

I'm coming to you b/c you helped me once before and I was able to get 3 medical collections off my account and of course my credit score has been building ever since. 2 years and I'm very proud of my score. I watch my credit report monthly and even sign up for alerts and this morning one just came in about a collections. It's with Oxford Collection Agency. I don't know anything about this and never rec'v anything from them. It doesn't show what creditor they are assoc. with and if they are assoc. with a creditor, it has to be a very aged acct b/c everything past my college years are current.
1. How do I find out what old credit account this is w/o getting balled up in their fraud attempts to collect?
2. Isn't there something I can doing in regards to the statutes of time or something like that?
3. It's obvious they don't have my home phone number or house address so if I send them a letter I surely don't want to help them harrass me; should I go through an attorney? I just want to make sure my credit remain clean and definitely not be affected by old debt.
----------------
I would dispute the account with the bureaus as "not mine" remove from my report.
then if the account comes back verified.
use the address and account information to validate the debt legally.
then follow up validation
You do not know how many years it has been on the account until you dispute it and get moe information.
-----------
On my credit watch with Equifax I can do an online dispute, would you say this is wise or it may get hairy as well; I don't know what company this is with. It has to be ancient! I just hate this unknown collections has come up on my report.
--------------
you want to dispute with whatever bureau the account is on
sometimes the account is on all three
but if you wish to dispute with equifax online. by all means do it. but make sure it is not on the other bureaus also i like to mail disputes myself
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Actually b/c this collections places something new on my report, I was able to pull a new report and see more details. It's showing something w/ Lab corp. a medical billing issue. Which is what I'm experienced w/ handling... thanks to you! Anyway, I contact Lab corp this morning and they are not showing any bills for me; then I noticed the collections said 1st report was Jan '04 and passed over in 2006. At any rate she said I will need to find an acct. number from the agency so she can do some research, but the amt. the debt is $98 sounds familiar to me but was paid so I'm contacting Bank of america to try and get a copy of payment. I think I'm going to be fine. Again, I have not rec'v any bill notices, which is strange for a collections to pop up w/o a letter. right?
-------------
depends on wheather or not you have the same address as 2004 i guess.
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ok, this is really getting weird! I have spoken w/ Lab Corp 3 times today and also Oxford, neither show me but the oddest thing and I know an error on my part was when I called Oxford they couldn't locate anything under my name; then they asked for my ss#; he said he didn't see anything under that either; asked for my number I told him I don't like to give this out, he said it's his search method; then said he didn't see anything and maybe they had sold my acct to someone; when I called Lab corp afterwards they asked for my last 4 digits, which after I thought about it is the norm; Could I have just given Oxford something to validate an old bill? I told Labcorp if I owe something I had no problem paying, I just have not rec'v any information from them or credit agency. Do you know if I can have this removed, if I did in fact owed them but the address they had on file was incorrect and I never rec'v it? Thanks again for your help! by the way....I have equifax investigating now.
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just dispute the bill at all three bureaus
they cant find it
neither can the bureaus
it is that simple
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---------------------

I am not sure how I can fix my credit score. Paid Collection cell phone court

Im not sure how I can fix my credit score. I currently have paid off all my bills and collection fees. Really the only thing I haven't paid for was a few cell phones that I naiively opened under my name. I am now having to take these people to court. I paid everything off but I saw no changes in my score. I was denied cable and cell phone service. But have my power, water, gas, and rent all under my name with no problem. I don't understand, seeing that I just paid all these bills off after the fact? Help, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
-------------
BECAUSE
paying off collections is not good credit....... you have to have good current credit
http://www.oskie.com/raise_credit_score_fast_quickly_free.htm
I must have at least 3 reported credit lines or personal loans that are current the past two years) and rated (open at least 12 months). This is the very best way to raise a credit score 50 -250 points over no more than a 2 year period and sometimes in as little as 6 months. it is that simple
you have no good rated lines of reported good credit
all you have done is paid off collections.paid off collections is just that. paid off bad credit. get new good credit use this
Applied Bank Secured Visa® Credit Card- Best card to help really bad credit. You WILL be APPROVED and reported to bureaus for good credit but you have to deposit funds to overcome the really bad credit. AKA secured credit card.
-----------------------
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Credit Cards for bad credit or no credit.
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How much do paid collection over 12 months and 24 months hurt your credit scor

I have two collection accounts($268 phone bill and $58 insurance bill) that will be still listed on my report when I apply for a home loan next year. They have been paid in full. The newest one will be about 14 months old paid and the other one will be just outside of the 24 months paid time frame you always mention in your blogs. Each collection account is approximately how many points off of your credit score? I know it depends on the age of the account. 10 to 50, 50 to 100, 100-250 points? What are the deciding factors? You said outside of 24 months very few points but what about less than the 24 month period.
-------------------
i would say about 25 points for one paid collection that is more than 12 months old
if it were less than 12 months and unpaid probably 50 points this is assuming a lot though assuming you have several lines of credit that are less than 79 balance to high credit ratio
and all are more than 12 months old.
and your score is higher than 600 if ones score is less than 600 it would not hurt your score much
there is really no absolute definition to your question. plus i cannot read your report
if i could look at it i might be of more help
each report is unique
-----------------------------
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Need to get new good credit but I get turned down

I am 21 years old and I am now starting to understand how the whole credit thing plays into "the real world" I have two chargeoffs that are paid in full and my credit score is a 548, how can I go about rebuilding my credit. I am looking to buy a house in the next two years, my fiancé however has excellent credit, but I want to rebuild mine just to have better credit. HELP please!!!
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http://www.oskie.com/credit-repair-negotiate-with-creditors-remove-delete-bad-credit-collections-charge-offs.htm
get a gas credit card no matter whatpay and upfront fee to get started.
or get a the applied visa with an upfront fee
takes 1 yr and your score will go up
IF
all your past bad debts are paid off
------------------
like a secured visa, one you have to deposit money into?
Ive tried to get a gas card and I was denied.
--------------------------
yes
BUT
you have to make sure they report to a bureau
the applied visa will do it AND those cards that turned you down will do it
IF
you send a deposit in with your application
read the link and see what i did with bp oil
http://www.oskie.com/bad-credit-no-credit-secured-cards.htm
----------------------
I went to appliedbank .com is that the right place to go?
----------------------
Applied Bank Secured Visa® Credit Card- Best card to help really bad credit. You WILL be APPROVED and reported to bureaus for good credit but you have to deposit funds to overcome the really bad credit. AKA secured credit card

Credit for you. Student loans 120 days late and credit cards not reported to Experian

Hey there, just happened to stumble upon your website and read your story. I am in a similar situation now (at least I did not think i was) but let me tell you a brief synopsis about myself:
- Credit for 11+ years- Married- Have not been late on any payments for several years- Some inaccuracies on Experian report I need to square up- $0 credit card debt balances all have been paid in full and still open (4 total)
Here's my problem....
1.) I have been great at paying on time for year, but around 5-6 years ago I had student loans that I was not even aware of which went into default 120+ past days due several times. Since then I have never missed a payment. They are government lenders for Student Loans and wondering if it's possible to negotiate with them at this point because I keep paying and the balance goes nowhere!
2.) I have 2 joint Credit Card accounts with my wife in both of our names and both are missing from my report, including a huge mortgage we paid off since we sold our property last month. I couldn't believe it wasn't on the report.
I have to say when I opened up my score from Experian at 606 I was shocked. We make good money, never miss any payments for the last several years now but feel like I have been ripped off and now can't even think about applying for a mortgage at this point unless I get the score back up and feel totally helpless.
Any help or insight would be tremendous ~
-------------------------------
i would ask the student loan folks about the one time forgiveness plan they have on loans

you may not qualify and it you may not be able to change your past lates
but I do know they have a forgiveness program. I am not sure about details at all
just call them and ask them

your credit cards and mortgage may have been reported to the other two bureaus or just one of the other two bureaus
or none may have been reported at all
always get your report from all three bureaus

who was your mortgage with
who were your cards with. what bank AND were they a visa, master card, or american express? here again.
i would call the banks and ask if they reported
----------------------
Thank you for the reply. I will call the school loan folks and see if I can help myself first. Is it possible to settle for less with same lender and not have that show up on your report as being "settled or less"?
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not really
if you settle for less, why would someone say you paid in fullunless, they are desperate for your money and, you are a good negotiator
i would not plan on that happening.
it is good to get, the date of last activity and zero balance marked in stone though.
after 2 yrs, the settled for less becomes meaningless if you have good current rated credit and, the account shows zero balance
-----------------------------
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I got divorced and court odered ex wife to pay van and cards

I got divorced a year ago. The judge said in the divorce decree that my ex wife was responsible for the credit cards and the van and I am to be held harmless. Well she filed bankruptcy and the van was repossesed. I am afraid they will come after me but they took the van and sold it and have not yet contatced me. That being the case if I am responsible then why didnt i get notified with a chance to pay for the van? And if not a judge said I wasnt responsible can he turn right around and hold me liable after the fact ?
-------------------------
credit and law have little to do with each other. The van folks use the address on the note. They probably do not even know where you are to contact you.
even if a judge decreed something, you can still get hurt with your credit. All you could do would be sue your ex for the money legally. This will not help your credit nor stop the van folks from coming after you.
------------------------
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Bad Credit good credit

I have bad credit over 7 years old on my credit report. Most of this credit my exhusband opened in my name. I have tried to dispute and have had some taken off but not much. Isn't it supposed to come off in 7 years and if so how do I go about telling them to take it off because it is longer than 7 years? I also have tax leins from my exhusband's business on my credit report. Just a couple months ago I got my yearly free credit report and they are showing that they are paid (he must have paid them off) but I want them removed because they are not mine! I have been trying to get credit to help raise my credit so that my current husband and I can buy a house because it is the perfect time but I can not get anything. They say there is to much bad credit and not enough good credit. Well, no one will give me credit so how am I supposed to have good credit. Please could you help with some tips of ideas. Thanks so much for your time.
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http://www.oskie.com/credit-repair-negotiate-with-creditors-remove-delete-bad-credit-collections-charge-offs.htm

get a gas credit card
pay up front
tax leins? paid 7 yrs?
If it has to be 7 yrs since DOLA date of last activity not date you opened account I would validate legally all the debtsIf they do not have your signature....it is not legal

http://www.oskie.com/credit-repair-negotiate-with-creditors-remove-delete-bad-credit-collections-charge-offs.htm
validate and dispute those debts

http://www.oskie.com/free-credit-help-sample-form-letter-letters.htm
--------------------------
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Negative Entry removal, consolidation loan & negotiation with original debtors

Background: I had flawless credit (700+) up until 4 years ago when I lost my job and did not have income. I've gotten a foothold on my finances again and I'm trying to rebuild credit. I'd like to get an apt and move out of my house, but my credit score is below 590 right now.

1) I have 3 legitimate debts that I owe for credit card balances. On is with Amex and I will negotiate with them directly. The other 2 are with collection agencies... I tried to verify one of them and they sent me a letter saying they would look into it, reported the debt as disputed, but continue to send me requests to settle the debt... it's been 6 months and they still haven't verified... the remaining collection agency has sent 2 vague letters saying legal action will commence if I don't pay them. Isn't this illegal to threaten legal action w/o following through? If you think I should deal with these 2 agencies, what's the next step?

2) With these 2 debts in the hands of collections agencies, it it better to call the original debtors (Chase and Bank of America) and negotiate to have the entries removed if paid in full? I had long standing excellent payment histories with all my credit cards before I had financial issues a few years ago. My plan is to get a consolidation loan so I can get just one payment and at the same time improve the credit report. Will a $12,000 loan under my name hurt my credit (I'd be getting a cosigner)?

3) There is one pesky entry on my credit report that I cannot find any record of. Asset Acceptance LLC had sent me a few letters for a debt but it never belonged to me... I sent 2 certified DV letters and never got a response although I got return receipts for both DV letters. This debt is for $18,000 (reported to all 3 bureaus, last update was 08/2007) and this is really hurting me now. I filed a complaint with the FTC on their website already. What next? Should I sue them?
----------------------------
1 if the debts are yours they can sue. If they do not verify the debt you may have a way out legally. negotiate would be the next step

2 it is always best to negotiate with the original creditor. You might find the debt was charged off on the companies books and then possibly sold for .40 cents on the dollar. They would not tell you that. But if they say it is out of thier hands and has been sold to collections then, you can guess that the collection agency only has about .40 cents on a dollar or les in the note. So you might negotiate with them for a lesser amount.

3 if is not yours and you filed a complaint and that does not stop collections then, I would seek out a credit lawyer. I do not know where to send you to look for one.
------------------------------
This has been quite helpful, thank you! Please share this on your amazing blog!
------------------------
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Credit Cards for bad credit or no credit.
Debt Consultation for battling large debt loads, divorce or job loss.

I have 4 Bad charges on my credit report. Most are from a divorce.

I have read several of your blogs and very pleased with all the information I have gotten.
But I am still uncertain and unclear on how to manage my credit from the start.
I have 4 Bad charges on my credit report. Most are from a divorce and are still coming after me. I am however going to pay them in full but would like to consult with you and see if I am doing this correctly.
One is from a collection agency that has nothing else on my report from them. I am ready to send a validation letter to them is this the first correct step. This one is old since about 2003.
And do I send validation letters before I negotiate with the companies to pay them have them removed from my account?
I will be paying them all in full but I am trying to make sure I am taking the right steps to help myself out.
-----------------------
yes you are right on target
i guess i should say
you might dispute them with bureaus first for the fun of itthe validate and make them provide you personal info. do not prived it for them.state name and account number maybethen negotiate to have the account removed if you pay in fullthey can do it but may not

Credit repair identity theft and inquiries

I have been working for 2 years to repair my credit after some identity theft, and after a long illness. My scores are 681, 688, 640. They all mention the fact that their are many inquires. I actually have not requested my credit to be pulled in 2 years. However, I have about 15 inquires. In Jan.07, I placed something with agencies, to block 'soft' pulls. I wrote letter to everyone of these inquires. @ have been returned unable to validate address. I have also spoke with the companies I had phone numbers for. I seem to get the run around with many of them. I feel that any inquiry that I did not request should be taken off. Equfax tried to tell me, I had no choice, if the co. would not contact them. That they will be there for 2 years. I want to buy a house now. If these inquires were off, I'm sure my scores would hit 700. There are also many address's listed, that I never lived at. I disputed it, but it remains. I have had major credits cards for about 27 months, I have always been on time. One credit card ( Citi Bank,) shows nothing, no activity. I have used the card responsively for 27 months. I called citi bank 3 times, over the last 4 months, and it still is not showing my activity.
---------------------------
first off
unless you sign off on a credit request. there will be no inquiry on your report
soft inquiries are not inquiries at all. they are people in the upper tier group that the bureaus sell to markting agencies. so there is no such animal as a soft inquiry showing up on ones report i would send a letter to the bureaus stating they have made many a grievious error reporting incorret address and not only do you dispute the incorrect addresses and inquiries but you plan to file a complaint the the attorney general of thier state and suit in the court of the county in which the operate. They must not only remove he errors but provide names addresses and phone numbers for each and every error or face punitive actions.
the letter would be enclosed with a copy of the report with circles around each error. this should ellicit a response.
i would tell you to use the fraud alert letter but that would be releasing the bureaus from the course of action above by saying it is not thier fault. Each and every acccount, address, inquirie has to be filed with some compnay that the bureau has detailed information on, with a statement explaining how and why the bureau should allow them to report. NOT only that but since about 2004 each of these companies have to report a minimum of 500 account each mont to quailfy.
So the bureaus DO know who put each and every detail on your report.
http://www.oskie.com/free-credit-help-sample-form-letter-letters.htm this page has about every kind of letter possible for credit help. I have assembled my most useful letter, the first being th dispute form with bureaus addresses.
near the bottom of the page are 2 other sources of letters that might be of some use to you.plus there is a link to the FTC complaint page.

i would hit them in the mouth, gut and shins. now as far as inquiris and the amount they affect your score
if they are more than 1 year old. NONE. less than one year maybe 10 points for the totality of the inquiries you told me of.the addresses hurt none. BUT are inflamitory if you try to buy something and the potential creditor wises to know why you have been here there and even everwhere. maybe even gitmo bay. heck i dont know. almost every credit report comes with a disclaimer saying stuff like to many revolving accounts. too much owed, too many inqiries. this is just a set of pat bull... s
tatments that really mean just that. the only real way to tell if to read the report. this is one of those from my 721 score

FICO SCORE *721* TOO MANY BANK OR NATIONAL REVOLVING ACCOUNTS / proportion LOAN BALANCES TO LOAN AMOUNTS IS TOO HIGH PROPORTION OF BALANCES TO CREDIT LIMITS, TOO HIGH ON BANK/OTHER REVOLVING ACCTS LENGTH OF TIME ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED
and thats on a 721. means squat.

if you pay the account off each month it may show nothing more than the months the account has been open what do you mean by activity? and make sure any other cards or accounts show less than 79 balance to credit limit

Recently paid in full five accounts in collections. Will my FICO score increase?

I recently paid in full five accounts that were in collections. I’ve received letters from those companies that were collecting and I would like to fax these letters stating the accounts are closed and paid in full to the three credit bureaus. Can I do this? If so, how long after I fax these letters will my FICO score increase?
-------------------------------
you need to mail themfax number change like the taffic flows in LA
TransUnion P.O. Box 1000 Chester, PA 19022 1-800-888-4213
Equifax P.O. Box 740241 Atlanta, GA 30374-0241 1-800-997-2493
Experian P.O. Box 2104 Allen, TX 75013-2104 1-888-397-3742
use certified delivery mail your score should change in less than 30 days
IF
the papers show paid in full AND as agreed
IF
they just show paidyour score might even drop for up to one year overall though you have done the right thing and over time you will be rewarded
----------------------
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Settlement advice needed on old credit card collections

I am getting conflicting advice from several debt counseling companies and websites, and so I am writing to you. I read all the archived posts on your website and admire your common-sensical and practical approach to debt reduction / credit enhancement.
I have accumulated about $32,000 in charged off credit card debt. Recently, I paid off 2 cards in full (original creditors) and still have $26,000 debt left.
The rest of the cards are with collection agencies and they are offering settlements. My confusion is whether I should opt for the settlement or pay the debt in full. If I pay in full, it will be reported as 'paid in full' on the credit report but the 'charge off' notation will still remain. If I settle, it will be reported as "Settled", but the 'charge off' notation will still remain.
My other problem is that if I opt for a settlement, they want me to settle in 3 monthly payments, which I cannot afford.
My question is, should I settle and save some money or pay in full and get a better score on my credit report - which will hopefully help me when I buy a car or a home.
-------------------------
there is really no difference on your credit report between settled and paid in full if the charge off notation still shows
which it probably will.
most collection companies pay .30 to .40 on a dollar for the right to try and collect anyways
unless they are in house collection companies and the collection is less than 1 year old. if i could setle I would. the reason they offer 3 payments is because once they offer a settlement or payment plan an you take them up on it. They cannot take you to court over what might remain if you fail to pay in full.

I have been working for 2 years to repair my credit after some identity theft, and after a long illness. My scores are 681, 688, 640. They all mention the fact that their are many inquires. I actually have not requested my credit to be pulled in 2 years. However, I have about 15 inquires. In Jan.07, I placed something with agencies, to block 'soft' pulls. I wrote letter to everyone of these inquires. @ have been returned unable to validate address. I have also spoke with the companies I had phone numbers for. I seem to get the run around with many of them. I feel that any inquiry that I did not request should be taken off. Equfax tried to tell me, I had no choice, if the co. would not contact them. That they will be there for 2 years. I want to buy a house now. If these inquires were off, I'm sure my scores would hit 700. There are also many address's listed, that I never lived at. I disputed it, but it remains. I have had major credits cards for about 27 months, I have always been on time. One credit card ( Citi Bank,) shows nothing, no activity. I have used the card responsively for 27 months. I called citi bank 3 times, over the last 4 months, and it still is not showing my activity.
-------------------------------------
first offu
nless you sign off on a credit request. there will be no inquiry on your report
soft inquiries are not inquiries at all. they are people in the upper tier group that the bureaus sell to markting agencies. so there is no such animal as a soft inquiry showing up on ones report i would send a letter to the bureaus stating they have made many a grievious error reporting incorret address and not only do you dispute the incorrect addresses and inquiries but you plan to file a complaint the the attorney general of thier state and suit in the court of the county in which the operate. They must not only remove he errors but provide names addresses and phone numbers for each and every error or face punitive actions. the letter would be enclosed with a copy of the report with circles around each error. this should ellicit a response.
i would tell you to use the fraud alert letter but that would be releasing the bureaus from the course of action above by saying it is not thier fault. Each and every acccount, address, inquirie has to be filed with some compnay that the bureau has detailed information on, with a statement explaining how and why the bureau should allow them to report. NOT only that but since about 2004 each of these companies have to report a minimum of 500 accounts each month to quailfy.
So the bureaus DO know who put each and every detail on your report. http://www.oskie.com/free-credit-help-sample-form-letter-letters.htm
thhis page has about every kind of letter possible for credit help. I have assembled my most useful letter, the first being th dispute form with bureaus addresses.near the bottom of the page are 2 other sources of letters that might be of some use to you.
plus there is a link to the FTC complaint page.
---------------------------------
i would hit them in the mouth, gut and shins.
now as far as inquiris and the amount they affect your scoreif they are more than 1 year old. NONE. less than one year maybe 10 points for the totality of the inquiries you told me of.
the addresses hurt none. BUT are inflamitory if you try to buy something and the potential creditor wises to know why you have been here there and even everwhere. maybe even gitmo bay. heck i dont know.
almost every credit report comes with a disclaimer saying stuff like to many revolving accounts. too much owed, too many inqiries. this is just a set of pat bull... statments that really mean just that.
the only real way to tell if to read the report.
this is one of those from my 721 score
FICO SCORE *721* TOO MANY BANK OR NATIONAL REVOLVING ACCOUNTS / proportion LOAN BALANCES TO LOAN AMOUNTS IS TOO HIGH PROPORTION OF BALANCES TO CREDIT LIMITS, TOO HIGH ON BANK/OTHER REVOLVING ACCTS LENGTH OF TIME ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED and thats on a 721. means squat.

if you pay the account off each month it may show nothing more than the months the account has been open what do you mean by activity? and make sure any other cards or accounts show less than 79 balance to credit limit

I have a question about what do to about a bad credit score. My credit is nearly perfect except for a blemish from a Ballys Fitness membership that went unpaid for 6 months. The credit card on file never got changed so it was past due for a while. However when notified, I immediately paid off the entire membership (this happened last September 07 and my membership expires October 2008) So this all being said, I tried to have them to take off the derogatory comment on my credit report and they said they would not. I was wondering if you have any advice for this situation. Thanks!
-----------------
it would have been best to negotiate possible future problems on your credit report at the time of paymentof COURSE as it is now. sounds like you have a problem
what i would wonder is why the fitness place and you did not get sideways before 6 MONTHS
i would try harder with the fitness company
beg plead
offer to extend your membership another year, if they would just not respond to a dispute by you that says paid as agreed and on time never late
ask nicely why you were not notified
-------------------------
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Negotiate collections, late payments and charge offs with the original creditor

Thank you for your wonderful advice. Even though I've not yet been able to take advantage of anything, I've read the information you have provided and I'm beginning the process of restoring my score.
In #4 of your credit repair advice you suggest, "Negotiate collections, late payments and charge offs with the original creditor. Do not pay before you get a company letter head signed agreement for future disputes." I have a couple of collection accounts for past due medical reported as $1 past due. I sent a certified letter to the original creditor and asked them to send me a signed agreement that they would remove it from my credit report once I paid it in full. Instead, I received a form letter from the "Customer Service Manager" without a signature, saying that they "could not send information tha the account has been paid until after the payment is posted. Once your payment is received and credited to your account the agency will be notified that the account has been paid." Is this form letter sufficient to dispute the account once I've paid it, or should a reclarify that I need a letter on letterhead with a signature saying that they will remove it from my report? I have the money to pay it and the account is less than 1 year old. It is typical of some of the other accounts that I saw on your website. Dr. sends bill to wrong address, so I don't see it until it's too late. Please help.
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i would call
beg
give a reason hope and
ask a amanager but more than likely
that is the best yo can get
and i would take it but first
i would validate the debt legally look for credit help letters on my website
and validate the debts
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A judgement has been placed on my credit report without my knowledge

A judgement has been placed on my credit report without my knowledge. I have contacted the apartment complex to whom placed this judgement. I went to the court house I was informed to contact the apt complex. I spoke to the manager, she informed me that she would contact the property manager and take care of the issue, that was back in april 2008 I have tried contacting her on several occasions and have left numerous of messeges no return call. In June 2008 I sent her a certified letter statin my concern, she signed the return receipt card verfiying that she received the letter, I still havent heard back from her. I in the process of trying to buy me a house What shall I do?
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drive them crazy
did you not fullfill the entire lease
then move some where this is the only reason i can think of that you would not recieve summons
and have judgment rendered without your knowledge
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http://www.oskie.com/free-credit-help-sample-form-letter-letters.htm

legally dispute and validate this judgment
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Denied credit I did not sign for

Yes, We received a letter from Commerce Bank . Saying they denied a loan application which we know nothing about
We bought a Motor Home. But we have never had any problems with our credit. I would like to know what is going on with our credit.
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i do not remeber a previous conversation for some reason
but i would get my reports for sure and get the scores
you can do www.annualcreditreport.com and then upgrade for scores i think 5 bucks for each of 3 bureaus
or go here and get all 3 reports and cancel for free. http://www.credit.com/landing_pages/equifax_whos_viewing/index.jsp
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and
if you find problems, inquiries that are not yours and the like
dispute them with this form
and place a fraud alert with this form

Student loan rahab status question

Hi Bo, is there any way to remove a student loan from collections if it is in rehab status
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if you complete rehab
everything should come off and show paid as agreed no lates
that is the whole point
ask your student loan folks
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Dispute Validate negotiate and pay collections

I have a collection on my credit report that is actually my wife's. I did not sign the contract, so is there a way to have it removed from my report?
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i would validate that legally
i would dispute it with the bureau legally
if they cannot provide all the details
including all itemized bills and work done plus all your personal information and signature i think i would threat suit
do not call them.
do not give them your personal information if they ask you to verify who you are
make them prove that
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Thank You. I think your web site is great, it has been a big help to me. I was also wondering if the creditors or collection agency's will not agree to have debts erased from my report will paying them off in full still help raise my score?
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i did that myself
read this
---------------------- I "Bo Majors" had a charge off for 345 dollars in 1990 with BO Oil credit card. In 1992 I called them and told them I needed good credit and that I would pay the 345.00 and add and extra 300.00 down payment to start new good credit. They agreed. I charged gas and paid extra each month for 12 months. I called and asked them BP Oil to remove anything older than 24 months which was a charge off, 5, 30 days late, 2, 60 days late and 1, 90 days late and they did. My I checked my credit report and everything with BP Oil now said 400.00+ high credit limit with 0.00 dollars owed and a perfect "no lates" payment record. My score jumped huge in less than 13 months. The best fix bad credit move I ever made. Negotiate and pay. I "Bo Majors" also had a bad credit collection from getting stitches at the local medical clinic. The medical clinic sold my bad debt to a collection agency within 120 days. After about 1 years I called the collection agency and asked if I paid the bill off in full would they remove the bad credit from my report. They said only the medical clinic could authorize that. I called the clinic and got an ok for the collection agency to take the debt off if I would pay the debt in full with fees right now to the clinic. I called the collection agency who called the clinic and we had a deal. I paid in full and the collection agency removed the bad credit. My score jumped right then.
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first it may hurt your score with a new date
in one year or less it will help because your debt / credit limit ratio for that account will go from 100% to 0%
the main thing to raise ones scores is to have some open credit that is reported to a bureau and is older than 12 monthsthe number one best way to raise your score these are all great cards and the applied visa will appove anyone with a downpayment
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Just wanted to thank you for the free credit help

I belong to a program called, TrueCredit and they monitor my credit reports each month and also I can pull free reports and credit scores there at will. I recently had a derogatory thing drop off my reports so I decided to pull my new scores. Last year at this time my scores were:537 Transunion599 Experian615 Equifax On July 9 I "re-ran" my updated credit scores to see if there was any change and there was. On that day they were:658 Transunion632 Experian 610 Equifax I was SOOOOOOOO excited to see that my scores were going up. However, on July 9th I also entered some disputes (there was one derogatory that was over 7 years old and I asked that it be removed.) So I decided to refresh my scores one more time on July 11. When I did, I was shocked to see that Experian and Equifax has LOWERED MY SCORES by more than 40 points each, even though there has been no change to my credit reports in the two days between the July 9th score update and when I pulled them July 11. Here was the result on July 11:658 Transunion (NO change here!) 596 Experian 573 Equifax The last two are significantly lower than my credit scores have ever been in my lifetime. Since nothing derogatory was added to my credit report in that two day window, what do you think happened and how can I get this fixed?
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true credit should give you that answer
makes no sense to me at all should be higher the only reason it shold be lower would be if you charged up a credit card or something
to more than 80% balance to high credit ratio
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Contractot took all the money I gave him and left town

My name is David and I found you on line this morning. Here is my situation. I just got screwed by a contractor and I gave him all my money for new home being built. In the meantime he still has not payed the builder and the plumber and the contractor states he has no more money. So the builder and the plumber filed a mechanics lien on my house. Since then we have retained a lawyer and the builder and plumbers lawyer is pushing for a foreclosure on my house. The bank in the meantime stated they have to protect them and are going to have to answer by filing a petition to foreclose. I called the corporate office a transunion and talked to a young lady and she stated it has to do with what the bank puts in the report if it is going to affect my credit. The banker is worried that when filed at the courthouse that there is a petition that this is public record and this will show up and affect my credit. Could you help me on this matter
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go here
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/credit-repair/copy and paste question just like it is
ask for smurf helps
hes a bad girl
may take a few days.
must have yahoo account
i must say this is more comon than one might think
the contractor bails, file bk, then reopens with another name and address carl is one who i think is a contractorhe can help too but you might be SCREWED
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Validate dispute and raise my credit score

I am writing to you again. Still trying and persevering to improve credit score. I went from 452 to 471 in one week, and then Capital One account from 1999 and one from 2000 hit me with a report to credit bureau. So I called the credit bureau and they told me 7 to 10 years it can stay on there. So then I called Cap One and she took my social and said she had nothing come up when she punched in my number. What do you think I should do?? Should I send off that letter of validation? It was like I got punched when I saw my score drop after I watched it go up a little bit. The Cap One accounts are charge offs, derogatory, closed accounts that won't go away. They had limits of 200 and 500 and now have balances of 1440 and 2200......Please help
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i would dispute the accounts first through the three credit bureaus as not yours or an error
then maybe do the validate thing if cap one can't find the account under your social
a dispute should garner the same results I would think or assume.
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Thanks Bo!!! I already have ongoing dispute going, so I guess when that one concludes, I will dispute the two Cao One accounts and send validate letter after that dispute is over. I'm not giving up!!!
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How ya doin? Just wanted to ask question - I put in dispute for the two Capital One cards and now I got a credit alert on my credit report saying that Cap One has changed date from N/A to N/A. Do you know what that means? Thanks
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that means they should take that dang thing off
combat this with validation
then valdiate follow up
then call state attorney general
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Well, I disputed with credit bureau and it comes back as REMAINS. Verified to be accurate. Yet when I call them, no record. So now I will send the letter.....Will keep you posted
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vaidate and take them to court
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Just wanted to let you know I am up 100 points since I started a month ago. I had the Cap One accounts removed from Trans Union, and I am disputing the age with the other two bureaus. If one credit bureau takes them off, do you think the others will follow? Thanks for all your help.
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they should
way to go
thanks for telling me