Collection, redating, paid in full, increase score

Really the best way to get paid as agreed and in full is by negotiating with the original creditor in the first place. Once you dispute then everything becomes sort of final. Will it help your score? Probably not very much. It still shows as a collection, but you did get the money out of the past due column. Another note that might hurt is the item might have been redated and now your seven years to fall off starts now, and the 2 years till diminished negative or positive effect to your score.
The name stuff I would dispute again and possibly place a fraud alert on my file. Your name could have been misspelled by accident or someone may have been trying to open credit with your name and misspelled it. Credit reports have become one of the most important part of a persons life and should be guarded like a child.

Quoting REAL PERSON :
Hey Bobo, thanks your help earlier. Now I sent off my letters and Trans Union surprisingly responded already. They sent me an updated copy of my credit report. 1st, my name is wrong, damn idiots. 2nd, the status on the item was changed to PAYMENT AFTER CHARGE OFF/COLLECTION. Does that improve my credit rating at all? Should I try again to have them change the status to PAID IN FULL OR AGREED? How many times should I keep trying?

Bobo@oskie.com wrote:looks great to me
maybe too much
but what the heck

Quoting REAL PERSON :
Thanks Bobo. Just a few more, sorry for all the questions. I check my credit report, actually all 3, and there are are not public record of legal items. Should I only send a copy of the the Paid In Full letter? Or should I also include a copy of the certified check, as the amount that was paid is less than the amount of the actual debt, will that matter? Or is that not enough evidence for the bureau to make any changes? Below is the letter I have constructed using various sources. Do you think I need to make any adjustments to it? Thanks for all your help.
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241
June 10, 2005
Attention: Credit Disputes Department
Dear Equifax:
Enclosed please find a letter from Pressler and Pressler representative of New Century Financial that states Chase MasterCard account:
******************* has been PAID IN FULL.
In addition, I have enclosed a copy of the certified check in which was paid to Pressler and Pressler representative of New Century Financial.

Please amend and delete this item from my credit report to reflect this account is in good standing. Please make this correction within the required time frame, 30 days, of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and supply me with an updated copy of my credit report.

Thank you for prompt attention and timely cooperation on this matter.
Sincerely,
Enclosures: Paid In Full Letter, Copy of Certified Check

Bobo@oskie.com wrote:
if you know its only on one bureau then deal with them only
it probably shows settlment
i cant see you report so all i know is very little about your report
if it only shows a settlment 7 years if it shows up in the legal section its 10 years you can dispute ANYTHING and yes. Bad credit sucks.

Quoting REAL PERSON :
Can I dispute the item even though I paid it off? So it is still a legal item despite being settled out of court? This sux. Will all three credit agencies have this or should I just deal with the one that the collection agency reported to? Thanks again for your help.

Sincerely,
John
Bobo@oskie.com wrote:

----- Forwarded message from Bobo@oskie.com -----
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 05:15:08 -0700
Subject: Re: Bo - Need some advice on "Paid In Full" letter

My first thought is you have a legal item on your credit report which means 10 years. Do you have your report. If not get one NOW! I would dispute the item and marked paid in full after i tried to dispute it as not mine. Should take about 14 - 30 days for response.
Might hire lex law
Quoting Bobo@oskie.com:
Quoting John Lewis :
Hi Bo,
I was reading your site and found that you were very informative and helpful in a "real person" manner. I was hoping you could answer my questions or lead in the right direction. I recently settled with a collection agency for an account that was probably charged off, been about 2 years to the date of my last payment. The agency had retained a law firm (or the agency was a law firm and I was issued a summons. Not wanting to go to court, I settled with them for an amount and have received a "Paid In Full" letter, as well a "Stipulation of Settlement" that was filed with the court (I am assuming with that being filed with the court, I do not have to appear). Now I would like to update and improve my credit score but I am not sure how to approach the credit bureaus. I am not sure what to include in my letter, the type of response, and response time I should be expecting. Also, the "Paid In Full"
letter is pretty generic although it has a legal header there is no signature, is that OK? Do I need to include the "Stipulation of Settlement" or just the "Paid In Full"? Can I request that that item now be deleted since it is completely paid? I am so lost. Sorry for the long email. Your help is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,
REAL PERSON

Experian Phone Number

Thanks so much for posting your experience on the Web. I've only spent a half hour trying to get in touch with Experian and I'm ready to cry or strangle someone but I can't find a body with a neck attached. I will follow your lead.
Real Person

Experian Website here
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104
1-888-397-3742

Get a report here

Employers, Addreses, Dates and scores

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 12:19 PM
Subject: Credit Repair Question (Old Info Removal) Thanks.

Hello,
Recently viewed your credit repair website, great job! Thanks!
I have a question I would like to ask.
I have mailed all of my credit dispute forms in and I'm waiting for
responses.
My question is, I would like to remove old information such as employer info, old addresses, aka's etc. I understand that this info can cost you points on your score, how can I remove this info?
Thank-you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
REAL PERSON

Paid Charge offs or bills

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 9:41 AM
Subject: I paid everything off


Now what can I do to have the negative items removed from my credit report. Should I send proof to the bureaus that this information has been paid off. Or should I ask the creditors to do it.

paid
and
"paid as agreed and on time"
are 2 different matters totally
The former will get a marked as paid but still the lates will show up.
paid as agreed and on time will remove the negatives and increase your score.
i would suggest marking them
NOT MY ACCOUNT and hope for the best
at the very least you will acomplish what you wish in that upon contacting the creditor your account will be updated as you wish. PAID.
At the most you might see it fall off completely.
Bobo Majors

Unauthorized credit report inquiries

Someone has been accessing my credit report on line and viewing it without my consent. A family member--told me outright! My question: does Equifax, Experian and Trans Union keep track of how many times it sends out an individuals report and to whos mailbox it it received in? Other than my bank mortgage person who pulled my report recently which I gave verbal permission too---this invasion of privacy, if in fact this family member did pull my report, has got to stop. Help--thanks REAL PERSON


These should show up as inquiries unless they are doing it online which is unlikely in that online report require a matching credit card to go with the social and personal info.
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Unauthorized Credit Card use and collection redating

Sounds to me like one big mess that you decided to take credit for when you should not have. Credit cards are supposed to be signed on the back and verified buy merchandisers. But as we all well know we can go to the gas station or even Wal-Mart and just SWIPE that card and off we go. the credit card issuer is not at fault and done all they can considering you will not file on this man.
If it has been a long time since DATE OF LAST ACTIVITY i.e. payments made by you. Then the item should fall off in 7 years. If the collection agency is re dating the file, you might go to the BBB and file on them to stop the harassments.
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 10:19 PM
Subject: please help


I have read your info with enthusiasm and thank you for being kind enough to do this. Wanted you to know this right away. I do have a problem that I need some coaching on. Firstly, sir, I am not a deadbeat. I take my responsibilities very seriously and honor them. My credit report reflects that I paid off debts of over $2,000.00 and over $3,000.00 in one fell swoop and in full. They were my sebts and I wanted them gone. In late 1998 or early 1999 (I can no longer recall), a farmhand working for me, used my card (I always stupidly left it lying on my kitchen counter so it was handy when supplies came) used it without my permission. He was not an authorized user on the card and I can't believe that VISA allowed him to make purchases with my card without verifying same, but they did. The stores he ordered from allowed him to do this also. When I contacted VISA to work this out: offering to return the merchandise and asking what proof they needed of return and taking them to task for allowing this, they refused to help me stating that if I would not pursue fraud charges against the man they were not interested in helping me. I would not do that as the man had a family, he did a stupid thing and I believe that human beings deserve 2nd chances. The man offered to pay Visa if they would give him the credit for doing so. They refused. I refused to pay them for something I did not do. The companies were willing to take back the merchandise but as Visa would not credit my account, this would do me no good. I was in a hole. I still have the merchandise, never used in the original cartons. I tried to sell it to make the money to pay them and was never successful. Then the company went out of business. To finally shorten this letter, my question is this, bad debts come off in 7 years from date of last activity. What does that mean exactly? I am waiting for this to come off my record. I have disputed it 'til I'm blue in the face to no avail. Of course it went to collection a long long time ago and I have handled their insults and harassment for all these years. I have offered them the merchandise. I am now just waiting them out. But last activity bothers me since when I read the credit report they are always showing some activity on the account that is recently dated. Does this ever stop. Way back when this 1st happened I put a dispute form into my file with all the letters and documentation between me and Visa and I update the dispute frequently. Is this ever ever ever going to be off my record? I don't want to burden you, sir, but I am ill with cancer and in a fight for my life right now. I just can't keep fighting and I do not want this mark on my record. I use credit very sparingly and respectfully and this really bothers me. Can you please advise? I will be very grateful. Respectfully, Peggy Ann Lewis

Lex Law and credit repair

INBOX
Empty Trash
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 05:06:56 -0700
From: Bobo@oskie.com
To: REAL PERSON
Subject: Re: about bad credit
Quoting REAL PERSON

Dear Bo,
I have hired someone to do the bull crap for me. Lexington Law. Much easier than me doing it myself. But i wanted to let you know that you are right.
I tried it the other way. Took to long. Had a BK back in 98'. And well to make a long story short, everything was showing up on my credit under the BK as open and still oweing. Since I have hired this company. 1/2 of the crap under the Bk have been totally illimated. I went from a 425 beacon score 4 months ago, to a 650 beacon score now.
The best thing is that when I go to buy a car now. I get told look at anything you want "No problem" Instead of the "you can look , but not drive" And the "Gee i will be right back" And never see the guy again. Anyway nice to see someone out there helping people to get their life together. Have a nice night.

God Bless
REAL PERSON

They do know the ins and outs.
Some things they can help with that real people can't even thing of.
If you figure in your time and anguish, Hey Lex Law

Paid in full on a legal item

Quoting REAL PERSON
Hi Bo, I was reading your site and found that you were very informative and helpful in a "real person" manner. I was hoping you could answer my questions or lead in the right direction. I recently settled with a collection agency for an account that was probably charged off, been about 2 years to the date of my last payment. The agency had retained a law firm (or the agency was a
law firm) and I was issued a summons. Not wanting to go to court, I settled with them for an amount and have received a "Paid In Full" letter, as well a "Stipulation of Settlement" that was filed with the court (I am assuming with that being filed with the court, I do not have to appear). Now I would like to update and improve my credit score but I am not sure how to approach the credit bureaus. I am not sure what to include in my letter, the type of response, and response time I should be expecting. Also, the "Paid In
Full" letter is pretty generic although it has a legal header there is no signature, is that OK? Do I need to include the "Stipulation of Settlement" or just the "Paid In Full"? Can I request that that item now be deleted since it is completely paid? I am so lost. Sorry for the long email. Your help is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
REAL PERSON

Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 05:17:06 -0700
From: Bobo@oskie.com
To: Real Person
Subject: Fwd: Re: Bo - Need some advice on "Paid In Full" letter

My first thought is you have a legal item on your credit report which means 10 years.
Do you have your report. If not get one NOW!
I would dispute the item and marked paid in full after i tried to dispute it as not mine.
Should take about 14 - 30 days for response.
Might hire Lexington Law Firm

Can't find a Creditor that show late on my report.

Quoting REAL PERSON
Hello, My Name Is Chantel Godin, I was wondering if I can get some help from you, I went and got a credit report done in April 2005 and on it shoed I am owing someone 1200 dollars from June of 2000 and I have called credit personals banks anything to see what it's from and I'm not getting anywhere.
I'm not sure if you can do anything for me but if you can it would make my day
Thanks

Make your own day by disputing the item with my Credit Dispute Form
http://www.oskie.com/credit-dispute.htm

Debt Management and Credit Scores

Quoting REAL PERSON
Hi Bo,
For the past 4 years, I have been enrolled in a debt management program. I have been very successful in paying off most of my creditors. Actually, I started out w/ 7 creditors and I am not down to 2 that still have balances. Do I need to do anything (such as fill out a dispute form or contact the creditors directly) so that most of the creditors can take off the bad credit from my credit score? I am in desperate need of improving my score. Any advice that you can offer will be great.
Thanks. Real Person

Bobo@oskie.com wrote:

Debt Management helps you with debt not scores.
Many times a debt will show settled, or in debt management and will still show the lates.

My best advice would be to
1 open up some new reportable accounts and pay well
for 2 years.
2 dispute all the bad debt and hope for the best
3 if they do not come off, add a comment to each with a letter
4 hire lex law and see if they can help

7 Years from date of last activity bad credit falls off. Matters of law 10

----- Original Message -----
From: Real PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 11:36 AM
Subject: Question
Saw your web page. Cant get anyone at Experion, maybe you can shed light on one or two questions for me.
a) i'm showing one or two 30 and 60 day late payments from 1995 and/or 1996 ...I thought these were supposed to "fall off" after 7 years?
b) how come when you order a credit/fico report from Experion it says one thing, 687 for example, but when my bank gets a compiled report which includes an Experion score generated the very same day, it says 625 for example!
I can't find any way to contact Experion to ask them these general questions!

Thx in advance!
REAL PERSON

a The lates should come off if the date of last activity shows 95 / 96. Start dates are in different columns than last activity date.
b Experian Trans Union Equifax all have different data. My company subscribes to Equifax only. If you have multiple credit streams there will be a different score since they all use one of the 3 but rarely all. The scores measure in simliar ways but are all branded. Just like Chevy Dodge Ford trucks all call they're 4 door trucks a different name even though they do the same thing.
Read These Pages The 3 Main bureaus for phone numbers and the like.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066

Business and Personal credit

Quoting Real Person

Hi Bo,

I have read through you blog and you seem like "the guy" to talk to
regarding my situation. I am a small business owner. I just started my new company one month ago. I recently checked my credit report and found I have a POOR Beacon Score of 563 through Experian. I need help establishing my business credit as well
as fixing my POOR personal credit.

This is my own fault as I did not take my credit seriously and for years relied on cash payments for everything. I had no idea how much this would hurt me down the road and figured I didn't need credit. This comes from being raised by a "creditaphobic". My family didn't believe in credit. It was taboo to even talk about it in my household when I was growing up. This stemmed from my fathers experience when his mother ran up major bills on her Sears Card when they first came out some 10,000 years ago. So needless to say I didn't take it seriously enough to follow through with establishing a good credit record. This was foolish on my part and I am paying for it now.

Recently I have had a major change of heart and realization that credit is something you need. When you sign that paper, that is your word. Even more than your word it is in writing and might as well be written in blood. It is what you say you are and tells others if you are dependable and that they can trust you. This realization I hope has not come too late and I hope and pray I can fix what took me years to mess up.

Back to my new corporation. I started it on April 19th 2005. I filed all paperwork and now am the proud owner of a few dozen sheets of paper with some really cool sounding legal language on it which says I own a new Florida for profit corporation. YAY! I know it really does mean something, and I am proud to own my own corporation. But creditors and banks don't look at it that way, and surely don't share in my enthusiasm.

Every bank and creditor I talk to says I need to give them my personal information to apply for a business credit card under the corporate name. What can I do to get a business credit card, or establish credit for my new corporation? Is it possible to apply for and receive a business credit card "without" using my personal credit score? What suggestions do you have to establish my business credit and fix my personal credit at the same time? What Beacon score would you suggest to apply for a credit card for business or personal, and would it be wise to apply for credit at this juncture? I have 3 inquiries on my credit for the year unfortunately and don't know where they came from and don't want anymore. Would it be a good idea to just apply for as many credit cards as possible at one time and play the numbers game or would I be wasting my time and lowering my score for no reason?

I would like to use the business credit cards for start up capitol and to purchase initial inventory and equipment. If you know of anything that might help I would be greatly appreciative. I have checked the SBA, FTC, BBB, FirstGov.com, and a myriad of other sites for any information regarding what kind of beacon score I need for a credit card of any type but have found very little information regarding actual scores needed. I know all cards are not created equal and requirements vary by creditor, but there has got to be a general rule of thumb here. What's the minimum Beacon score I should have when applying for an unsecured credit card? Am I wasting my time with a score of 563?

Wow! I know that a lot of questions but I have never done this before and never had a credit card in my life. The closest thing is my Debit Card through my bank and credit union. I have 4 bank accounts with 1 bank and 1 credit union. 2 business accounts and 2 personal account with 3 Debit Cards.
I have not applied for any cards yet and don't want the inquiries on my credit report. I don't even know if inquiries would hurt me at this point.
Help please...
Regards,
REAL PERSON

To be a corporation that relies on it's own merit it has to be at least three years old. So you have to rely on your personal credit until that days comes. When that day does come try to transfer everything to the corporation to isolate yourself from finacial ruin.
I would max out whatever i had until that day. Asssuming you will make. If you don't. It would probably be wise to file BK as you will not be able to repay without a business. I know this from from best friends activity in GA.
You need a 640+ Beacon

Repeated sstudent loan entries and credit scores

----- Original Message -----
From: Real Person
To: Bobo@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 11:25 PM
Subject: Consoladated Accounts
Bo,
I used student loans to pay for my college education and my lenders differed from one semester to the next. Upon graduating, I consoladated my student loans into one payment. Consequently my credit report consist of 10 to 15 pages of transferred/consoladated student loans. Creditors have consistently brought this up during purchases and this has really cast a negative outlook on my credit report. Is it lawful for these transferred/consoladated accounts to remain on my credit report. I feel that these are pointless entries and should not be on my credit report.

RLP

If you did transfer / consolidate loans several times or even once, yes this is legal. The more accurate assumption I would make is that, all you have are loans that have been deferred over and over and no real person credit and at some point you will have to pay the piper. Many lenders veiw these strung out loans as a possible future reason for you to bank rupt on them. So those loans make you a higher risk. The best way to compensate for this, would be a huge salary and long term job time.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Charge off Mistake will not come off at Experian but does at the others.

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: bobo@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 6:07 PM
Subject: Charged Off .... But not Really
Hi Bo:

I came across your blog as I am suffering from a headache on my credit report. I have a negative item on my report from a creditor and I don't believe it should be on there. TransUnion researched it and deleted it, but Experian will not and I am unable to get credit because of it. The scenario is this:

3 yrs ago, I had a past due balance with a cell phone company. I received a letter from this creditor saying that I had to pay the balance within 30-45 days or it would be forwarded to a collection agency and reported to the credit bureaus. I paid the amount in 27 days. I have proof of payment. However, on my credit report, this item is listed as negative and it says that it was charged/written off.

Do I have a case to make for getting this off my report since I paid it within the timeframe my creditor gave me? Should this be a negative item since it was paid?

Thanks for your help!

~~Mad at Experian

It would be better to be mad at the phone company. Go to them but do it in a somber tone. Explain how you are trying to buy a home and this one item is holding you back. Explain you are certain it is a mistake and show a canceled check or payment stub for proof. Ask them for a letter saying account paid in full and as agreeded and mail that in. If Experian refuses to take it off it is soley due to the phone company verifying the account as being late and past due.
Good Luck and get that letter.
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Bankrupcy and credit reports

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 4:20 PM
Subject: Dear Sir, Repairing credit after, BK

Dear Sir, I am writing you to ask for advice. I had recently filed chapter 13, and have as of to date received a credit report that has been updated, still shows most all of the former debits, by using your despute form can, or will the credit agency's repair or update the report to show, the cases dismissed under bankruptcy?

Thank You, for veiwing this e-mail. Sincerely R. Person

The only thing they can do is add an attachment to each included in bk item which will not help your score

You might dispute some hoping for total removal first. Say it is not your account. If the bureau doesn't remove it, send another dispute with attchments to each item on bk to say involved in Bk.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Charge off acounts. When do they come of credit reports.

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:28 AM
Subject: charge off account
Hello. My question is if an account is in the “charge off” status, will it be removed in 7 years even if the balance is not paid off

Yes it will. Sort of like the statute of limitations. The thing to look for is when was the last activity date on the account. 7 years start from date of last activity.
Good Luck

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Pay Collection and Keep Credit cards open?

----- Original Message -----
From: Real Person
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 9:32 PM
Subject: re:credit
I have been trying to pay all my bills on time lately. At the begining of the year I will be trying to purchase a house. I only have four active accounts on my credit 2 credit cards a car and a furniture bill. My car and furniture bill will be paid off in a month or so, the only thing I will have is the two credit cards. By not opening up any more accounts do u think my credit score will go up with just those two account. I also am paying of some old accounts collections with balances is this a goioid idea?

When I answer questions about credit I really must admit I am in the dark. I haven't seen a persons credit in most cases. I haven't taken a credit application to help me understand your positon in life, and the information I get is limited.
Make sure you have paid at least 12 months on any credit so it will be rated. Yes these will help your score.
"Old collection" sounds like a problem but not one to avoid. Yes pay them off, unless they are 5 years or older, thus redating the collection. EXCEPTION your lender ask, or the credit / collection agency promises to take the collection / slow pay off or, mark as paid in full and as agreeded.
Good Luck
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Home Loan Qualification and Credit Scores

----- Original Message -----
From: Real Person
To: Bobo@oskie.com
Cc: o_greer@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 12:47 PM
Subject: concerned person
Your website is great, and very enlightening. I have already disputed some things on my credit report, and I am just waiting to hear. My wife and I are hoping to buy our first home.. My Equifax beacon is 651, Experian 642, and TransUnion 622. Will I be able to get a loan for a home with these scores? I would appreciate some advice on what to do. Thanks, R P

realperson@bellsouth.net

Home loans are much easier to qualify for if you have sufficent downpayment. 10 - 20 percent. And a 640+ beacon score. So I would suppose you can buy whatever you wish as long as you have a downpayent. Even if your score is below the 640 range downpayment, job time, local realatives and other factors can get you financed. There are almost endless ways to buy home with endless lenders. Ther are many people in your area right now who own homes and will owner finance for you with reasonable terms even if a first rate mortgage compny disqualifies you due to the one 622. If they do, I would work on that one. Pay down to 80% of high credit limit on all your accounts. Dispute a few things. you can raise that one 18 points I'm sure.
Good Luck
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Credit Card Debt w a 715 Beacon. Should I ask for settlement or pay.

----- Original Message -----
From: Real Person
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 12:34 PM
Subject: just wondering
I am going to take out a loan to pay credit card bills already approved my credit score is 715 now. If I call the credit card company and ask them for a settlement amount to be less than i owe would hurt my credit alot. or should I just pay the balances owed and forget the whole idea. I have never been late with any bills or been turned down for a loan just my credit card debt is huge.

By all means pay in full. Your credit is too good to settlement anything if there is any way to pay. How much money are we talking?
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

----- Reply Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:12 PM
Subject: just wondering 2
Thanks! I thought you were going to say that. I guess I just wanted to try what some others try but okay pay in full I will do thanks. The answer to your question 70,000.00 but I can repay in 5 years at 5.99 thats not so bad i guess.

Depends on your income and ability not to continue debting
If your debt becomes more than 45% against income, meaning monthly income minus monthly debt on car, home / rent, credit cards and any other revoling debt, then you are considered insolvent by most lenders.
In this instance i would say settle.
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Pay Settlement or In Full for better credit?

From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 1:49 PM
Subject: Settlement or payment in full
Hi Bo,
I was browsing the internet for a good information on how to do it yourself credit repair and found your website very very helpful and no bull (....).
I have beginners questions for you. I'm trying to settle one of my account, and it's currently with the collection agency as well. The collection agency got a settle plan which take 30% off the full amount. It's $ 101.00 so I would only pay around $75
Do I need to pay the full amount for a good standing or pay the settlement plan?
Does it make any difference?
Thanks in advance,
Real Person

Unless both places, the collection agency and orignal creditor both agree to "account paid in full and as agreeded" your credit will not be helped much other than getting the balance out of the past due column. The MAJOR problem is it will show up as a collection AND a late or settled account on the original creditor and the accounts' date of last activity will show todays date thus making 7 years (removal) or 2 years (diminished effect) start now.
I would try for both and settle for nothing less than one entry on this account, the collection or original creditor.
Make sure one goes away totally and the other shows paid at the very least. Co-operation may prove difficult but go for it in a humble manner.
So pay the settlement or play offense and try for total removal by agreement to pay full or extra. Sounds to me though that the answer to your question is ...... Not much difference if any at all.

Good Luck
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Credit Card Late Payments, Credit Limits and Balances

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Sunday, May 22, 2005 11:56 AM
Subject: Credit Help!!!!

Hi Bo,
I was reading your website and it is choc full of info!
I have 2 delinquencies on my credit report for late payment over 30 days. I called the credit card company and they told me that they could do nothing to remove the delinquencies from my credit unless it was their error. Do I have any other options or am I stuck waiting 7 years?
Another question if I pay my credit card debt down to below 25-30% of their limits will that bring up my credit score significantly? If so could you estimate?
Thanks for your website and all of your help!
Sincerely,
R Person

It sounds as if the answer would be no to the first question. You have tried to no avail unless you have a check receipt from your bank before the 30 days past due date. You are entitled by law to dispute this entry through the bureaus. The answer will probably be the same. Try to get 2 years behind you and ask for help then. Do not close your account and pay them well and your score will go up anyway.
If you pay down any account to below the 80% against you highest allowed limit on the account, it will help your score and sometimes significantly. So do it!


Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Settlements or Paid as Agreeded. Click here and clean credit reports

From: realperson@aol.com
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 9:05 AM
Subject: (no subject)
I am clearing up my debt and have been offered settlements. One company is owed $1000 but offered two settlements. One for $700 which will be marked paid in full, while the second settlement was for $500 which will be marked settled.

Is there any real difference as far as my credit report is concerned.
SJ
To help your score, your credit report has to show paid as agreeded with no late payments AND in full. So the answer would be no and possibly a small yes. These will not help your score if you have entries in the overdue column. Paying in full will clear this column and it will help your score some. The overiding factor on scores are paid as agreeded and in full. Any late payments or settlemnts will still show you were late at some point in time, thus lowering your score. The up side is to pay every bill you have no matter what your score is but try to use payment as a lever to have thing marked paid as agreeded and in full. The back side, if you pay now is, todays date will show as the latest activity which is where the seven years will start. After 2 years, good or bad credit has diminshed relevance on scores. So for at least 2 years your payment will have more effect in the negative, due to recent activity. Get a gas card by sending them money with your application and overide the recent negative, with recent positive credit.
Good luck
Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Unrated accounts on credit reports

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2005 6:27 PM
Subject: Question
Bo,
Thanks for your info. Your home page is very useful. 4 months ago I filed BK-7. Last month I received my credit report and many of the accounts have not been updated and the ones that were updated have a pay status of "Unrated". I can't find a definition for "Unrated" and how does that affect my score. I'm not looking for a 720 score, but I would like to see some improvement.
Thanks,
REAL PERSON
Unrated means it is not an account established at least 12 months ago. So the account is less than 12 months old.......or some times they go unrated when they are older than 2 years from date of last activity.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066
Get your free report NOW Clean your report here

Credit Fraud by e-mail .. get credit monitoring

Quoting Real :

Bo,
Since I am not as experienced as I should be,I did a bad thing by responding to a scheme to get personal information. I have a perfect rating score with Equifax. (820) I know that these scum balls will try to do damage to my credit, along with the other that fail for this scheme. Since you seem to have great knowledge, please advise what I should do. I have obtained my credit report and changed all my passwords,but that may not be enough, I am including the e-mailheader that I received. This scary, please help me to understand the dange that I am in.
Thank you very much
Edgar Bryant

You need to send my credit fraud letter in to each bureau,
AND sign up for credit monitoring for one year.
Its a 79.00 investment which cannot be too much considering your spot.
Do you have any idea how good a score that is. Jees. Yo have to spend the time and money to protect your standing.
letter Credit Monitoring
One of the biggest scams today is, update your pay pal or bank account Like Regions. I get these in piles every day. They ask for update to secure your account before it gets closed or something to scare the wits out of you. It works. They scare me each time. Never do this when promted by e-mail. Log into these accounts as you normally would and deal with it there. There never is any REAL PROBLEM IVE FOUND.
bo majors 931-455-6066

Catch on FREE CREDIT REPORTS

From: "INFO" REAL PERSON......
To:
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 3:57 PM
Subject: free credit report

Whats the catch with the "free credit report" with credit.com? Do you actually get all three bureau reports free or just one and buy the other two? Do they include FICA SCORES?
all best....B

All free credit reports are a result of the customer buying something. In almost all cases, it is credit monitoring for 79 range. The trick is to cancel before 30 days elapse and wala, free report and score.
Most instances it is only one report from one bureau
But you do get a score and most scores and credit are close at all three. If you cancel in less than 30days it is totally free. FREE
People west of the Missippi can get one in about 30 days free with no score if they write the bureaus by hand and snail mail it to them. Or on wlefare loooking for a job and all thats on my website.
I like to just pay the 34.95 and get all three bureaus and a score and be done. NOW!!!!! HERE!!!!! LETS GET ER DONE!!!!!
Thats the honest to god catch.
Im a truth sayer totally

Bo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA

Free Credit Report & how to Cancel

Quoting Real Person :
Bo, I've been reading all of you e-mails and one long one caught my
attention. I am an unfortunate victim of this scam. I'm sure I only asked for the free trail and I was trying to cancel but would'nt you know it there is'nt any info on how to cancel before your 30 days are up. And they did say 30 days not 20. can you help??
--------------------
I don't see it either
i bet if you log in (with your username and password) you can find it
i do know they give any paid customer a phone number
use that
or go to contact us at bottom
then to the bbb if you cannot get satisfied
they do make it hard so it is easier to keep your monies
and they are not my friends
they are owned by experian
and pose as a third party
what a bunch of .............
Bo Majors
I want to see my credit report NOW!

Blog Directory

Add Your Blog

Credit Agency Closed @ Ex Spouse Payments on Bills

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: 'majors@oskie.com'
Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 8:43 AM
Subject: Credit repair


You stated that you disputed an account in which that company had closed, what did you put as the explanation. Also, what advice can you give me on a matter in which a car had been repoed and the ex-spouse was responsible for paying that car payment.

Engineer Design Branch
Directorate of
0000 First St. Bldg. 0000
Real Person Town MO 65473
931-931-931
REAL PERSON@us.army.mil

1. not my account please remove Use this form
2. If the account was joint the only option is a 50 word explanaation attached to the bureau sometimes a court order will remove it but most of the time I find that an explanation is the only thing a man can do. No help with score on explanations.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA
My Credit Report Website
I want to see my credit report NOW!

How to raise your credit report score in 30 days.

----- Original Message -----

how can a person raise their credit score in 30 days the scores are as follows: 608, 612 and 624 with the 612 being the middle score i really need this to go up for a mortgage loan please email me at

1. dispute anything old looking
2. pay down debt to less than 80%
3. Try to pay bills and get the creditor to remoove the file.

Bobo Majors
931-455-6066 Work Russell Barnett KIA
Credit Help
Check your Credit Report on Score or scores. Click here
Blog search directory
My wifes' Blogg

Collections

To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 12:59 PM
Subject: HELP
I found your website when trying to find how to dispute a collections Item. I printed and filled out the dispute form but could not find an address for the CRA. The situation is that my ex-husband has a collections item on his report for a doctor bill that was actually mine. We were seperated at the time so he is no way responsible for the bill. It has now been paid and I did send a letter to the collections company letting them know that I was in responsible. They are now telling me that because it went to the attorneys office they can not have it switched from him to me. Do you have any suggestions? He has immaculate credit and now one of his Credit Cards has raised his interest rate due to this. Also.. once it is removed from his credit, is there a way to have his interest reduced back?

Thank you so much for you time.
-----------------------
i think you find a creditor to be a problem like this fairly often
they want to burn down fujjalah
like bush
Credit cards have disclaimers on the back side of the request forms that say they can raise your score for just about anyreason they can come up with. He signed it and should know that.

but what can you do about it
all i know is what you have done
they want to stick it to someone
and if it has been to a lawyer
and if his name was on the lawyer stuff thats it

NOW

if you are telling the truth
and if he could in no way be responsible for the item

he needs to address the problem
not you
it's his job to protect his credit not yours

HE needs to get hot and heavy
and i would possibly consult the BBB if you find no satifactory reasoning.......

you can dispute anythig you like
so he can dispute the bill
with the bureaus
experian
trans union
equifax

sounds like the creditor is not gonna help though

this might be a good case for
LEW LAW
heck they sick lawyers on the creditors and bureaus
and for 79.00
he'd lose that in no time with credit cards so they are worth the money get your husband to click here

but its your husbands deal
don't fall for the it's your fault crap
he has to do it

Bureaus and Phone Buracracy

I really appreciate your website. I called the numbers prior to viewing your site just to get their address and was unsuccessful. Thank you for providing information to others in need and with the ambition to make a change in an uphill battle.

This is the very reson for me making this website in 1998. I could find no help at bureau land.

2 Bankruptcies cannot be filed in less than 7 years

To:
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 12:37 PM
I have ordered my credit reports to begin a repair on it. I tried to get a new car in January, but was even denied through KIA. The gentlemen from KIA told me it was because I have 2 Chapter 7 bankruptcies showing up in 1998 and 1999. I did have a BK discharged in 1999 that was originally filed in
1998 but legally there is no way I could have had 2 BK's in consectutive years.

You have this statement on your website
"Not all bad credit can be removed or repaired legally. BK's, Judgments, Collections, Late payments. Some can."
So I just wanted to see if I am going to be able to have either one or both of them removed. What is your advice regarding this situation? It seems to me that the Credit Reporting agencies would have known that it would be illegal for me to have both of these---but I guess they dont care......
------------------
I would dispute in the manner in which you have told me
use this form
and yes your right. All bureaus do is what creditors tell them and very little "in house" monitoring is done to make sure they have accurate or even legal records on your credit report. Remember bureas get money from creditors not from disputes and the like.
This is the very reason why all people should check their credit report at least once a year.

Unable to contact a creditor to pay them

To:
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 7:48 AM
Subject: Question
Dear Sir, I have a derogatory account from nextcard and I believe the company has been bought out. I am trying to contact them to see if I can setup a payment plan in order to pay the bill but I cannot seem to get in contact with anybody. What do you think I should do?
Thanks

Dispute it
It will be removed or you will be able to at least contact them with the numbers provided from your dispute request. Expect about 14-40 days for your answer.

FICO vs Experian Score

free fico credit score Click here with monitoring. Cancel in 30 days and its free.
----- Original Message -----
From: tettamilli tettamilli
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 10:22 AM
Subject: Experian Plus Score Vs Fico score

Hey,

You've wrote a nice article on credit scores). I have an score average of 732 between all 3 credit agencies (Equifax, TRW, and Experian). I just tried to get a mortgage, they told me I didn't have a credit score- shock to me! I didn't know you had to have an account open over 6 months for FICO to kick in. I just thought everyone went on the Experian Plus score. I suscribe to their creditexpert.com service. This brings me to the question at hand: what do you think my FICO score will be, if my "average" score for all the 3 major bureau's is 732?

Curious
__________________________________________________
one thing to add. Experian uses many aliases and one is a site called creditexpert where they prey on people and tell them what they want to hear then switch them to nothing for money. See the credit expert thing was meaningless as you have shown me. use a real live place. Click Here. Cancel in 30 days and keep the report free
---------------------

all 3 bureaus suggest experian also.....thats one of the three....so the question is already answered. NO SCORE? Which is it. Got one or not.
all scores measure the same but may have different data.

732 is great

12 months is the level for a "Rated Trade Line"

30 days late at Ford Motor Credit

----- Original Message -----
From: Anonymous
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2004 2:22 PM
Subject: [Repair a Bad Credit Report Score Free ] 12/3/2004 02:18:29 PM


Ok here is our deal. We are trying to purchase a new home and have one hit against us from Ford Credit for a 30 day late in Oct. My husband was out of town for 3 weeks yadayadayada...We did mail the payment to them close to the 30 day limit due to oversight. When they called about it I spoke with a rep told her it was in the mail etc...Then phonepayed the November payment. I called today to try to get some help - we have made 38 payments on time etc... Have no history of any lates with Ford. The rep said they will only remove the late if they are in error. He would fax a credit ref letter but it would still reflect the one 30 day late and state that we are current. The home we are buying is $30K less than our current home due to the fact it needs a remodel and we haven't had any credit issues in 5-7 years. Any ideas??
------------------------------------------------------------------
i dont know your score
yes the late will show up unless you catch it before
most of the time big credit companies like ford
will not allow any changes
so it sounds as if you are in a fix
one 30 day late should not hurt you so bad
look for any balances over 80 against your high credit
reduce these and see an imediate score increase

bo majors
See your Credit Report Now and get a FREE DEBT Analysis

Collections Paid Collections Laws

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To:
Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 8:27 AM
Subject: Paid Collections
Bo, impressed with your website. My experience over
the years is if you paid off your collections in full,
you could get the collection agency to delete their
entry from your credit report with a request.
Exception: ATT who sent the bill to collections but it
was paid in full (payment directly to ATT), refuse to
delete the wording "Collection" off the credit report
comment box. I told them you received all of your
money and it serves no benefit to ATT or me to have
the collection word on the credit report. Collection
agency said they are out of loop since ATT directly
received check. I talked to the ATT higher ups etc.
and they said it is the law that they have to report
it that way. Is that true? Also do you think if I
continuously dispute, ATT will give in? Any
suggestions?

Thanks Real PERSON
_____________
it is not a LAW
it is a company policy
there are no LAWS about removing credit report entries......
these are all privately owned bureaus who keep records of how you pay...
SO
it is not a LAW
But
They can make company policy and label it a law to ease the burden of explanation from the clerks of the company.
ATT sounds like they wish to smoke you.
you made a mistake by not making an agreement prior to your payment that the entry be removed.
they may not have done it.
but i would not pay a collection if the company refuses to remove the entry
after all
what good will it do you to pay
your score is still the same
so i would not pay on collections unless i get gauranteed relief
of course i would never let someone collect on me in the first place
i sign up
i pay
I'm Bo Majors
Click Here. FREE REPORT Cancel in 30 days and keep the report free

Credit Question

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 1:10 PM
Subject: I need help
Hi Bo,
I ran across your web site trying to find the phone number for Trans Union and I'm hoping you can give me some advice. I lost my job some months ago because it requires a security clearance and they noticed that I had not started to pay off my years old debts as I told them I would when I got hired.
At that time I was making arrangement to consolidate my debts through CCCS and thought everything was taken care of. Then I found out that CCCS couldn't start the process until I furnished phone numbers for the companies that were listed on my credit report. None of these collectors is in contact with me, the original credit card companies have sold off my debt, and I don't know for sure who I owe or how to contact them or what is the wisest course of action to pursue.
So I ordered a 3 bureau credit report last week hoping that I could start over and get my act together this time before going to a debt consolidating agency. But I'm looking at all of these different reports and they don't have the contact information. Even if they did I don't know which companies I need to contact in order to have my credit report show that I am not over 120 days on any outstanding debts which is what the government says I need to do in order to have an acceptable credit picture to pass their security check.
I looked over your site and tried to figure out from the various pages what to do but I'm getting overloaded with information that I don't have the insight to know whether or not it pertains to my situation.
Can you be of any assistance please?
------------------------
just dispute everything you don't know about
use my form
they will either remove it
or give you an address
sounds to me though
your gonna get fired
debt consolidation?
charge offs?
they will surely not let you get away with that stuff
creditors will eat your lunch if you give them a chance
and it is your job not theirs to keep in contact
when or if you move or for any reason
you signed up
you charged
you pay......
listen if you borrowed money from me
and didn;t pay oh man
so for me
if i borrowed 5000 from you and didn;t pay you
you whip my tail
your only hope is to pay them all off
in full
or ax grinder
use my dispute form

ask to remove them in waves of 3 at a time
i dont know how many you have
but if you dispute them all at one time
it doesnt work as well
you might benefit from this outfit
for 79.00 they might help you save your self

Click Here. FREE REPORT Cancel in 30 days and keep the report free

Credit Report Score News Articles

Click on the heading above to veiw 5 things you need to know about your credit report score.
Get to Know Your Credit Report
Click Here. Get YOUR credit report Free with cancelable monitoring and free debt analysis on your desktop now!
Identity Fraud Article
My credit Report has another persons credit on it!
Article with tips to imporove your credit report score!
Lexington Law firm Can help your credit score!
Use my personal webpage to help. Read my real life story!

SomeOne Please Comment on something......

Click Here. FREE REPORT Cancel in 30 days and keep the report free

Credit Card Report Fraud

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 1:05 PM

Just wanted to say thanks for compiling the 3 addresses. I’ve been a victim of credit fraud. Someone actually used my name/info to open an account and charged up 25,000 dollars and then some. I was there friend (not anymore) and worked for them at there office and was told to use this credit card for gas occasionally if needed and that I was being put on it as a signer (not the business owner). Anyway they filled out the form as though I was the one who asked for it and since I charged gas a couple times on it – I became fully responsible. What a horrible lesson I’ve learned. Your website helps get through some of these headaches. I never had one problem with my credit till now. It was also a lesson learned in checking my credit regularly. The world is full of ugliness unfortunately and we really should not have to go to these extremes to get half this stuff off our credit reports because companies should be sure that it comes off once your 7 years are up and the loans have been paid but unfortunately we have to follow up on those things too.
This has been a nightmare but thanks for your help.
D
Real Person
REAL PROBLEMS
Listen
It is encumbant upon creditors and bureaus to protect consumers from this ugliness.
1. the creditors should have contacted you sooner than this or at least helped you.
2. the bureaus should have to noticed a marked change in your credit habits and flagged your account, and possibly called you before it got too bad.
Hope it all works out.
Bo Majors

Have your credit report in hand NOW? If not, get one!

Get a free credit report, a credit score and a debt analysis, 

All on your desktop in seconds, click here
Free Credit report Dispute Form Letter
Free Fraud Victim Form Letter
Free Dispute Form Letter
Free Credit Report due to Fraud Form Letter

Home Puchase and 466 Credit Score

----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 9:30 PM
Subject: our credit report
my hub and i have been working so hard to clean his report to buy our first home we are getting no where, we had a jundment report was removed and stuff not belonging to us i am trying to find what each item is in points is fico score is 466 we just cant get a head i haave disput almost everything any thing else we can do?
---------------
Bobo Majors wrote:
try to find owner financing
you need a stable job history only for most owner financing
ask a realtor
--------------
From: REAL PERSON
To: Bobo Majors
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 10:36 AM
Subject: Re: our credit report
my hub been on his job for 4 yrs same trade 20 yrs we are trying to buy a modular home and land it will be our first home
------------------
Bobo Majors wrote:
your gonna need owner financing
----------
To: Bobo Majors
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: our credit report
what is that? how can u have that when it is brand new?
----- Original Message -----
From: REAL PERSON
To: Bobo Majors
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 10:51 AM
Subject: Re: our credit report
can i bring it up in less then a year? his score?
----------
Bobo Majors wrote:
what i am saying IS
you will have to abandon the NEW thing
and look for a place that someone would rent to own or the like
410 is so abysmall there is no chance in haydees of getting financing
unless you put 1/2 down
----------------
sounds like it would highly unlikley
you have disputed
you have called
you have paid things
but 466
lord ive not a report that bad in a year or so
510's....520's is about as low as i have seen
and 450 is as low as possible

466 is pitiful
id have to see your credit
but sounds to me like you have never paid anyone in your whole dang life
your whole dang life
so why would you now...is what the creditor ask
then i bet you don;t have anything to put DOWN
if are are going to be able to make payments
one would assume you have some money saved
borrow 1/2 down from you mother and get her to co sign
and maybe they might look at it

i don't mean to make it sound hopeless
but really it is

you need 7 years under your belt
and narry another bad mark
and some re established credit

i would send 400 to a gas card company
pay them good for 2 years
and pay them more than you charge
it will raise your high credit limit above the 400 you sent them
but with a 466 they might even send you money back to you

its that bad

466
how did you manage that>>>>>
that my friend is almost impossible to do even if you TRY to screw your credit up

Click Here. FREE REPORT Cancel in 30 days and keep the report free

Free Credit report Dispute Form Letter
Free Fraud Victim Form Letter
Free Dispute Form Letter
Free Credit Report due to Fraud Form Letter

Debt Consolidation & Credit Scores

Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 2:38 PM
---- Original Message -----
From A REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com a REAL PERSON

What is your opinion on debt consolidation. I have decent credit, just high usage to limit ratios and my interest rates are so high that it makes it hard to lower the balances. Would it be beneficial to do debt consolidation or would it just lower my score since the accounts may be closed by the lender once I enroll in the programs? Are there alternatives to consolidation?

Manager, Business Development

i think you are right about the debt hurting your score
BUT
that is only if you know what your score is
if it is bad 575 or less
it really doesn't matter about consolidation
your score is bad anyway
my rule of thumb is how bad is your debt

if your debt is more than 1/3 to 1/2, your yearly income then you may be in trouble and need help BAD

alternatives would be
second mortgages or personal loans from banks not finance companies

thanks
bo majors
Got Debt.....Get This

Get my Credit REPORT NOW
Free Credit report Dispute Form Letter
Free Fraud Victim Form Letter
Free Dispute Form Letter
Free Credit Report due to Fraud Form Letter

Lex Law and credit repair

----- Original Message -----
From: Real PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 9:47 AM
Subject: Interesting web site

Hi there, I just finished reading your website and I really found it interesting.
About two years ago I found out my husband was having some problems with the bills and (long story) I ended up with terrible credit. I even had a leased car for 4 years and when the lease came up and I asked to buy it, they would not let me.

Let me start by saying I have no idea what my score was...but it must have been really terrible. I had a tax lien that I did not even know about, a foreclosure, and number of late payments.

I got on track, signed up for Lexington Law (a web company that I send 35$ a month to and they dispute anything on my report that I am not happy with), and starting making all my payments on time. Lexington has removed the foreclosure and some of the late payments (by the way, legal I checked it out first) and I just got my score yesterday and it is 644.

Not great, but I am hoping at least acceptable for now. Of course, I am still working on it and I am proud to say I have no real credit card debt to speak of and I have saved about 20k.

Question: I have a small credit card where the limit is $550. Sometimes I pay it all off, Sometimes I have a balance of $300.00 or so. I asked for a low limit because I did not ever want to get into trouble and run it up. Is this smart....or is my ratio off because I have such low aval. credit? What do you suggest?

My husband did not sign up for Lexington Law credit help, but he did so just this morning. His credit score is 560. He has a tax lien (on one report) that should have come off like the other two reports (we paid it off), but I guess they have not gotten to that yet. I am sure that will help him by a few points when that comes off.

Is my credit score in a range where I could apply to make a purchase again? I have not applied for a car or home because I feared that my score was so much lower than the average.

Thanks so much, and I will share your site with my friends and family.

REAL PERSON SIGNS

640 is usually the cutoff range for mortagages unless you get owner financing......so yes your credit should get you in..... IF you quailify........... based on debt to income and the banks do not hold a tax lein against you.

but I am glad to hear positive things about LEX LAW. I have heard time after time how good they are and how they make it easy to do the impossible but with by the law. Hard work. And come up with ideas that regualar people can not imagine......SO I believe in LEX LAW. They don't cheat. You can quit anytime. AND they do not prey on poor people with no brains. They actually force bureaus to obey the LAW.
Get your report Free RIGHT NOW!
Get my Credit REPORT NOW
Free Credit report Dispute Form Letter
Free Fraud Victim Form Letter
Free Dispute Form Letter
Free Credit Report due to Fraud Form Letter

Credit Scores and Why you need to know yours

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to knowing credit score
From Alabama comes reassuring news that Chucky, the 1,000-pound zoo alligator who escaped during Hurricane Ivan, has been captured. That means you can stop worrying about finding a giant reptile in your bathtub and move on to other concerns. Here's a good place to start: your credit score. Your credit score influences everything from the interest rate on your mortgage to your car insurance premiums, yet many Americans don't worry enough about their scores. A recent survey by TrueCredit.com found that only 10% of Americans know their score. Another survey released last week by the Consumer Federation of America found that many consumers harbor some dangerous misconception about their scores.
The knowledge vacuum is troubling, consumer advocates say.
"The cost of not knowing your score and its significance could be not only denial of credit, but also difficulty obtaining needed services and even a job," Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the CFA, said last week.
Credit scores are compiled by the three major credit agencies, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, based on information provided by creditors. Most scores are based on a formula developed by Fair Isaac, a research firm. They're designed to measure the likelihood you'll repay a loan, based on your record of repaying debts in the past. Some common fallacies about credit scores include:
• Your credit score is like your golf score: the lower, the better.
A high score indicates a borrower is a low risk; a low score signals trouble. If your score is below 600, you can expect to pay above-average interest rates on a loan, if you can get one at all.
Borrowers with scores above 700 usually qualify for relatively low rates. If your score is above 760, you probably qualify for the lowest rates.
• You can improve your credit score by marrying well.
Married couples don't get a combined credit score, so you can't improve your number by marrying someone with a 780.
"When you get married, you're not mixing your credit history," says David Chung, interim president of CreditXpert, which sells credit-management products.
However, lenders will look at both scores if you apply jointly for a loan, such as a home mortgage, says John Danaher, president of TrueCredit.com, a subsidiary of TransUnion.
• Earning more money will improve your score.
The amount of money you make doesn't affect your credit score. Your score is based entirely on your history of repaying your debts, Chung says. If you're behind on your bills, your score will suffer, no matter how much you earn.
"I could be a multimillionaire, but if I don't pay my bills, the bank doesn't care," Chung says. "They didn't get their money — that's all they care about."
Your occupation, age and employment history don't affect your credit score, either. However, individual lenders may consider those factors, along with your credit score, when deciding whether to give you a loan.
• There's little you can do to improve your score.
Actually, there's a lot you can do, although it may take time.
About 40% of consumers surveyed by the CFA didn't realize they could raise their scores by paying off a large balance on a credit card. A disturbing 28% mistakenly believed they could improve their score by maxing out on their credit cards.
Most credit scoring calculations look at the amount of your outstanding debt compared with your credit limits. Borrowers who have maxed out on their credit cards are considered riskier because they may have trouble making payments. The formula rewards borrowers "who are using credit but using it responsibly," Danaher says.
Paying your bills on time will also go a long way toward improving your credit score. Your score is adjusted as new information comes in.
If you pay your bills on time, your score could improve in as little as three months, Danaher says.
• You can get your credit score for free.
Sadly, that's not true. A federal law enacted last year will allow consumers to get a free copy of their credit reports once a year. The rollout will start in December on the West Coast, expanding to cover all parts of the country by September 2005. But unless you're applying for a home mortgage, you'll still have to pay to get your score.
All three credit reporting agencies will sell you a copy of your credit report and score. You can purchase all three reports and scores HERE for $38.85.
To test your knowledge of credit scores, go to www.consumerfed.org/score.

Get a copy of your report Free

Read all of these questions and answers and see if you find something of use!

my opinion is yes
i would go after the creditor and the dern bureau the more i think about how creditors do this stuff and bureaus don't police.the more angry i get
lets take a lender here in town "SOMETHINGNICE finance
they cater to poor credit people with local ties and like to tie up a home with car loans and the like....this is what they do
if you pay well
they don't report to the bureaus
if you dont pay well
they do report

they do this to keep you comming back if you pay good....
because they haven't reported.....you have to come back to them.....
no one else knows you paid well...get it.

then if you pay bad they put it on there so it makes your life miserable...this is preditory lending and reporting

the bureaus should make ALL CREDITORS report both the bad and the good or not report at all

I say don't do business with anoyone who doesn't report

do bureaus have any qualms about the foementioned...
do they even look for it.....nope
all they do is what they are told by creditors
they never bother to see if it is a duplicate of another account
which should be against the law.....and probably is
the problem lies in that creditors have money, time, expertise and the bureaus mighty hand to wave
and guess what
the bureaus just stand idly by and say nothing
what each bureau should have IS
an internal police commission, with all
commissioners being elected by the consumers of America......
...poor consumers....illiterate consumers.....unorganized consumers...and yes a few intellectual consumers with law degrees....then consumers would have a voice and some decent living might be cited by a bureau and a creditor after they lose a couple hundred thousand lawsuits.
which they would
in a court of law a judge will routinely use the "Reasonable Man" feature
would a reasonable man do this...or think this is right.....
on the bureaus side
they have to make money
and its hard and time consuming to do these things
BUT
In my opinion they have to do them.....or else be liable by law.....
lets go one step further
the links on my website that point to buying a credit reportare only clicked on and bought by....guess who...people who want to improve
or repair their credit.....guess what......consumerinfo.com wants me to take off any links that have todo with credit repair....why....they don't like police knocking on their door....what reason do they cite......OH...Credit Repair companies prey on poor consumers........I would like to know what you think.....who is being preyed upon here AND is it better to have a 35.00 per month option to repair your credit using a professional law firm .....or shall we say police the bureaus and creditors
or NOT.....My bet is lex law is more in line with the law than creditors OR bureaus....i may end up taking the links off
but if i do.....i will step up my own campaign to get these preditors off the mapI do know that the people need to be able to look at their credit....and be able to understand it...and be able to change preditors ghastly habits
buy a USA today
today's edition
and see what the nice lady has to say about credit scores....or click on this linkthe creditors and bureaus have the upper hand and the consumers don't even know what's going on.....they need help as is evident in this article
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2004-09-27-ym_x.htm
bo majors 931-455-6066 days 931-393-3326 nights 931-247-2066 cell
majors@oskie.com
----- Original Message
Sent">majors@oskie.com>Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 2:09 PMSubject:
Re: help!!!! 2 email same subject
so is the fact that the date is so recent, on a 4 year debt --is this anexample of re- aging ? what do I do to stop it ?>> and this same debt has run out... the statute of limitations say itsover...how do i get it totally removed, the fact that its being re aged ismore gun power for me...is it not?
Get a Free Report NOW!
Get a Report with free SCORE HERE!---------------------------
companies will re report your account or put it in as another account tomake it stay on longer.this is a very common predatory creditor practice that is not properlypoliced by ANY bureau.it is in FACT against the law......bureaus AND creditors should all be heldliable of this awful practice.
----- Original Message ----- From:
To: <majors@oskie.com>Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2004 12:45 PM
Subject: help!!!! 2 email same subject your website has been very informative to me... thanks soooo very much. Can you answer a question for me? how can i get a debt that has had the statute of limitations run out on it removed from my report ??
and can you explain what" re- aging an account " is-- i think i may be a victim. thanks soooooo much !!!!!> Sabrina
------------------------------
Fruad alert's will not get you turned down in most cases UNLESS you are unable to be contacted at the phone number you list in the alert. Make sure you include several phone numbers on any alerts.
Remove an alert the same way you had it placed. Use a 50-100 word letter to ask for removal. Include several items of your personal effects such as drivers license, social card and a phone bill or insurance card.
----- Original Message -----
From: Some one
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 5:14 PM
Subject: how to take Fraul Alert Off?
I’ve read a lot on your site, what a great site – I’ve book marked it. But I have a question I did not find any info about on your site. A couple months ago I got on line searching for the best interest rate I could find because we were trying to buy a house. After giving my social security number to several different finance/mortgage companies and letting them run a credit report I was told every time someone run that report it would lower my credit rating. Because I was not even sure whom all I had given my number to I called the automated numbers with Equifax, Experian & Trans Union to stop this but found I could not talk to a real person to explain my situation – I chose to treat it as “fraud”. I knew it was not but didn’t know what else to do at the time. Today applied for a Yamaha loan and was denied. I think the ‘fraud alert’ is probably the reason I was turned down because I have excellent credit. Can you please give me a little advice on how to take the Fraud Alert off?
---------------
it really is not probable but maybe possible

i had the same with toyota
they wouldnt take it off at all
and 2003 puts you to 2010 till it comes off......dont pay someone thinking this will come off
if you haave tried and called and disputed
thats all that can be done

Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 10:11 PM
Subject: web site
I was reading your web site. I found some of your information very helpful. I am in a similar situation. My credit was as bad as yours if not worse. All my charge offs are 7 years old or older. So I had them removed. I paid all derogatory items on my credit report. Had those marks removed. My credit score was 541 last November. Now it is 706. I have to credit cards that I pay on time every month. But my problem is Chrysler financial I was late on 32 payments out of 60. I paid loan off 5 months early. So now when I apply for a loan or credit card. Chrysler comes back to haunt me. I took out this loan in October of 1998 and payed it off in May 2003. Is it really possible to have them remove the entire file from my credit report? Thanks Dave
----------------------------
----- Original Message -----
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2004 12:20 AM
Subject: credit report entry
I was searching the web for”RELS” –it is reported on virtually all of my borrowers credit reports and no phone number
Nor reason nor debt can be associated- Thru my search, I linked to your report and it is also on yours but not addressed except as an inquiry- so I decided what the heck- I’d ask you about this entry-

I pull their credit from all 3 bureaus and it (RELS) appears in the same section as an inquiry around the same time frame but when I pull my inquiry is listed as either Wells Fargo (or whomever the Lender is) or as Landsafe Credit or Info1 ,and says the name of my mortgage company, as the designee. This ‘RELS’ hit is strange- not one borrower knows who it is or why and the dates don’t coincide with my Freddie Mac or Credit pull either-

Do you know what this RELS is for and how and why it appears on credit reports consistently-am I creating this or my title company/Closing Atty or the Lender somehow?

Thanks for the Info if you have it-

Finance Specialist
Professional Mortgage
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact-it's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a Dare. Impossible is potential Impossible is Temporary.Impossible isNothing.....
*INQS-RELS 181ZB03708 01/14/02 PEOPLES BK 414BB15822 11/06/01 CITIFINANC 243FP256 07/20/01 FUSA, NA 458ON5704 07/07/01 LEND TREE 241FZ157 04/26/01 AEDC CR UN 772FC31 01/15/01 Im certian that rels just means something associated with inquies and expanations....not an inquiry......what does rels mean. Who knows with the bureaus you can never tell and there is no one to talk to about it. It's like they are dead except when its time to prove you don't need the money you want to borrow. but rels in this report, and area, i would assume means nothing other than inquiries. This is the entire premise for my website. the bureaus are so bogged down for time.....millions of reports.....so overburdened they cannot and WILL NOT EVER enjoy a positive working relationship with real live folks and even subscribers as your self who use their services to make loans.....why else would you email me........bureaus....need to get real....
------------------------
they change them so often that ive stopped keeping up.....they look for ways to run from you...so just mail it in
----- Original Message -----
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 12:16 PM
Subject: fax #'s
I read your website and was wondering if you had the fax #'s to these bureaus? I want to fax my bankruptcy papers to them. Thank you. Merika
------------------------
i think you are right
possibly i would look for a rent to own or owner finance home
575 is a low score but i dont know how far it dropped over a late payment......but paying collections helps some but not much until 2 years have past OR you make an agreement to have the account removed as a basisi for your payment
----- Original Message -----

To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 5:21 PM
Subject: credit question
Thank you for your site, i found it quite helpful. I find myself wondering if my mortgage company is being straight with me or not.

The initial credit report showed a score in the range of 575. Over a couple of weeks we were able to clear off by payment and letter 7 items. I provided a letter regarding some 30 day late payments in the past.

Now, it's the week before i have to be out of our current home and the finance person tells me that because we've had one additional late payment the score is 541??? Because the loan we were going for requires 580 minimum, we are in great jeopardy of not only losing the deal, but the roof over our heads too. The finance guy's comment was that he has some "other ideas"...i wonder if he's just looking for a way to soak us for more money, now that we are over a barrel.

I just don't understand how one late payment could hit us that hard unless paying off the old collections and providing letters of payment meant nothing. and if they meant nothing to our bottom line, why did i waste 2 weeks on the phone and a lot of cash out of pocket trying to clear them up?

If you could get back to me on this, and tell me how this could be, my husband and I would greatly appreciate it. We are really in trouble here....Thank you.
---------------------------
Thanks for your response.I told them that I would go for "their" Judgment style and asked for aletter from them to the 3 credit bureaus indication PAID AS AGREED and toremove any credit info that may appear.Joe>

matters of law are not my specialty> all i know is that they will show up for up to ten years> sounds like the credit union has ya> ----- Original Message -----> From: Sent: Monday, September 20, 2004 2:07 PM> Subject: Credit question
I saw your website and wanted to ask a simple question. Your immediate>> response would be greatly appreciated.
My wife's union filed a lawsuit against her to collect back some money they paid. Although we are willing to pay 100% of what they are claiming, they are requiring that a declaratory (they want it on record that they sued and won for future cases) was entered. I thought, for credit purposes, it would be better to enter a Settlement Judgment. What do you think and/or is there any better way to handle this to avoid it impacting our credit?>>>> Thank you,>>
-----------------------------
you need to open a credit card account
by sending them monies
then pay them well for 12 months and wha la
in the meantime
if your looking for a home
look for seller financing
----- Original Message -----

To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 9:55 AM
Subject: (no subject)
I just got a 3 in 1 credit report.. like you I have al lot of late payments listed on a car installment loan that was paid off in 2002. My problem is Equifax has used the 2 yr payment history as a current thing.. showing 2003 and 2004 thus increasing my score to 654. Experian and Trans union are still showing the account under the 2 yr payment history as being from 2001 and 2002. This is killing my credit score. I understand they have the right to report late payments for 7 yrs.. and that should be done under the 7 yr payment history.... not the 2 yr, like the guy from expirean said.. please give me some advice here. Ps does the lexington law firm.. really help repair credit ? I make 99k a year and cant qualify for a bucket to pee in... I have 4 outstanding collection accounts that the bills got lost in moving.. <> I have 4 settled medical bill account.. I owe no one anything at this current time.. and unfortunately have paid cash for almost everything I own.. I need help !! I also havent had any negative credit since the car loan was paid off in 2002. How can I benefit from this and delete old loan negativity ? Charlow RN

Get my Credit REPORT NOW
Free Credit report Dispute Form Letter
Free Fraud Victim Form Letter
Free Dispute Form Letter
Free Credit Report due to Fraud Form Letter

Credit Report Question and Answer

Hi Mr. Majors,
I found your credit site on the search engine provided by aol. Well I am looking for advice. I have been provided with effective tipe to repair the credit scores for both myself and my husband. Our credit not that bad--we each have all three scores ranging from high 500's to low 600's--however we used to be 700's at A credit. We pay our bills but sometimes I am forced to go over the 30 days mark and it has cost us our good rating. I have been trying my best to be timly with our paments since I started the dispute process.

I ordered all three reports for each of us and began disputing everything on line through each beuaru--every 30 days when I get the results I go back in and re-dsipute. While some of the negative item,s have come off--most have not, they have simply been verified and up dated with the creditor and at this rate I feel that our scores will not come up as much to get as back to A. I was wonderingif you have any suggestions that I can effectivly get help without paying a law firm? I may have to resory to writing letter, but if on-line disputes won't work, why will the letters? Please help if you can.

Thanks REAL PERSON
----------------------
the fact is not all credit can be restored
and so you have found that out
make sure your debts are less than 80% against high credit limit
try to make deals with creditors buy paying back and maybe a fee to remove items...credit is real...and hard to repair
sometimes time is your only hope
7 years that is......
Get a 3 Bureau Report with free score here!
Goto My Website

Divorce Credit BankRuptcies BK's Bk Get Home Loan Mortgage
FROM REAL PERSON
To: majors@oskie.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2004 1:50 PM
Hi Again,
Thanks for the response. I am just a little confused becasue the woman I work with and her husband both divorced and got real ugly credit and she actually had to file BR- using -the link below and did everything I am doing and she had the BR removed and all other neg items and they both now have high 700's. She claims i just need to be persistant with it--she said NEVER pay anyone do it yourself for free, never have a co. try to lower payments for you etc becasue that makes it worse. Given the fact that she owns a mortgage branch and has to often help people who have ahrd time getting approved I figure it's solid advice. Take a look if you haven't seen it. I like your idea about offering a fee--has that worked for anyone you know of?? It almost sounds as if if wouldn't be legal on the end of the creditor but if it's affordable it may be worth a try.
Thanks REAL PERSON
------------ Original Message -----
ulll notice there is a link on the site below for debt consolidation........my site is my own real life experience and i dont have a webmaster
it's just me.....see how fancy that site is.....try to call the owner......or email him......whatever

im real and i speak the truth
uv done alot and may be that is all you can do for now
but lets just think about this
and ask your mortgage lady about this
is it worth say 100 to know KNOW you done everything you can.......
i think in many cases it is
try to open new accounts and pay them well
2 years from now you will be in great shape
------------------------
Experian Help Lawyers or Repair Companies
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:08 AM
Subject: Great Page

Bo...I found you as I searched for the elusian Experian mailing address.
I like your no-nonsense approach.
Question: is there a time or an area that an attorny is helpful in a rebuilding program? Does their letterhead demand respect? Can they navigate certain areas a consumer can't (threats of suits, etc.)?
Regards,
REAL PERSON
------------------------
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2004 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: Great Page
no doubt sometime an attourney will comand attention to the orignal creditor.....many times though there becomes a disconnect when you do this have you tried to resolve this problem yourself with the creditor
are they in the wrong for sure?
and will not correct it?
have you beeen humble as much as possible?
if these avenues have been explored
then yes
i would consider the BBB
and maybe a lawyer
and maybe even lex law on my website
i mean for 35 dollars what can it hurt
you must realize however
i do not know your exact situation
and i am unable to give exact directions
and rememeber
not all credit can be repaired or removed
in fact..... if the credit file is accurate and the company has a rule of no changes....you may be stumped
of course you can attach and ammendment to your files 50-100 words or less.....i would try about 25 to explain the error
even though this willl not improve your score...it does help future creditors to understand the reasons behind the entry
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 11:24 AM
Subject: Bo: question regarding experian
Bo, your website on credit companies is very impessive and helpfull. I have one question. I mailed in my dispute to experian about 15 days ago. Then, I got to thinking, what happens if they just never respond at all? I understand that in that situation they are required to remove the damaging information in dispute. Thus, if I send a letter after 30 days from my dispute letter, informing experian that they now have to remove the info, what if they just never respond to anything? What can I do than. What if Experian just tells me that they never got my letter, or don't know of any
letter.
How high up the latter of there would i have to go to get action taking on my request after the 30 day period expires? I guess in the meantime I'll just wait out the last 15 days and see if i hear from them, although I dought i will.
REAL PERSON
------------------------------------------------------
From: "Bobo Majors"
To:
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 12:40 PM
Subject: Re: question regarding experian
the 30 days is an internal thing.....
if a credit bureau does not get a response from the creditor on your
account they have to remove it.... not exteranl where if the bureau didn;t return an answer within 30 days it has to come off....that doesnt work.....if there is ot response the best thing i can say is to...DO IT AGIAN......sorry......do the recipt mail thing....for the most part they will get your letter and resond....it;s very seldom if ever you will not get a response...give them at least 30-35 days before your freak out and croak....it's not worth it...Bo Majors
=======================================
hi my name is mike from sc,ive been battling these credit companies for a while,what ive been doing is hitting them everyday disputing my credit,,i guess they got tired of me they took every neg things off my credit,ive sent them letters,and so far everything came off,so i went to a gm dealer tried for a loan,walked out with a 2004 chevy caviler no money down,but the only trouble aim having is inquires,any ideas for that??? but as far as cleaning credit its easy to get things taking off just time cunsiming.u know by law they have to call u to verifie its ur debt i use that for leverage on the 3 companies as well that usally works the best.iam going to start doing this for people on the side,like lex lawfirm thats what they do and charge the heck out of yea,i think i will do it for 350.00 bucks. but if u have any good imfo id like to hear from yea thanks for your time,mike
Lexington Law....the credit Repair Experts