OC

[jjulez]

New at this but here goes....the OC is reporting 'Account charged off/Past due 150 days.$5,120 written off.$900 past due as of 10-2001', this acct has been paid as AGREED it shouldn't reflect a balance(?)What route do I take (incorrect date?amount?) to have this corrected, better yet removed?

[Smitty]

As a former Marine, I learned to practice what is known as fire control. I personally think it kinda applies here...especially since we're talking about CRA's

As tempting as it may be, perhaps you don't want to fire all of your ammo at once, but hit them with smaller, independent bursts. Fire off what sounds like a dead ringer...the inaccurate balance at them first and see what happens. Sounds like you've got a clear cut case with that. If you can't knock it off that way, hit 'em with the innacurate status, then perhaps the date.

Me personally....that's what I would do.

[jjulez]

Thanks...any suggestions on the wording for the disputed amount letter?

[Swede]

You can dispute the account with the CRA's online, that way you don't have to write a letter. Don't know what kind of timeframe you are working on, but I'd do the online with the CRA's. If this is an old account, don't know when the charge-off was, chances are the OC won't bother to verify or can't find info to verify. If it comes back verified, I'd send a letter to the OC - don't quote the FDCPA as it doesn't apply to OC's. Quote the FCRA on reponsibilities of furnishers. When you get your green card back in the mail, dispute it again with the CRA. This way, you lock them out of the 30 day timeframe to verify with the CRA. They can't furnish information to the CRA without stating that the account is in dispute and that almost never happens.

[Smitty]

The sample letters section posted on this site has a good example letter.

[Smitty]

<blockquote>Originally posted by Swede

You can dispute the account with the CRA's online, that way you don't have to write a letter. Don't know what kind of timeframe you are working on, but I'd do the online with the CRA's. </blockquote>

I've stated numerous times on this board my opinion regarding online disputes. It's important to note that when disputing online with Experian, you must agree not to re-dispute once the investigation is concluded...unless you bring new info to the table.

Furthermore, you are relying on their system to track what you have done...lest we not forget that they are the enemy!!! I re-state that disputing on-line will not yield any noticeably faster results than mailing or especially faxing. They still have 30 days to reply...and trust me, 9 times out of 10, they will take that long.

Swede: I did think that your method of sending a "validation" letter to the OC and following up to the CRA's was pretty cool. I will definitely try that. Thanks!

[Swede]

Smitty,

You have a good point on the online thing. I guess I've just been lucky that they have actually entered and completed the investigations- well the result wasn't that great. Regarding Experian though, I know the disclaimer on not disputing again before bringing new info to the table. However, when I did my dispute, I disputed the balance. When it came back verified, I disputed the same account, but entered 'other reason' which was the fact that they were reporting the account before it was even opened. So, I think you may be able to dispute at least the same account, but not the same tradeline.

[jjulez]

Thanks for the suggestions...I have another question, is it necessary to use that first line, 'I have been the victim of identity fraud...'

[Smitty]

<blockquote>Originally posted by jjulez

Thanks for the suggestions...I have another question, is it necessary to use that first line, 'I have been the victim of identity fraud...'

</blockquote>

I typically state "I believe I have been the victim of mistaken identity." It is, I think necessary to give A reason for your dispute if that's really what you're asking.

[jjulez]

smitty, thanks for having patience with me so I should state something in that effect even though I know that it's not true? (I guess I'm such a SOFTY) but, from what I've been researching, it sounds like I need to TOUGHIN' UP or maybe after getting over those first few hurdles I'll be OK?!@#@!$

[Smitty]

<blockquote>Originally posted by jjulez

New at this but here goes....the OC is reporting 'Account charged off/Past due 150 days.$5,120 written off.$900 past due as of 10-2001', this acct has been paid as AGREED it shouldn't reflect a balance(?)What route do I take (incorrect date?amount?) to have this corrected, better yet removed?

</blockquote>

No prob jjulez...your original post above seemed to point to the fact that you have some legitimate cause for dispute...at least on that one account. However, if you have some valid entries on your report, I would bet that at least half of them have errors (dates, amounts, etc...) that you can find just by reviewing your report. So, worry about being a softy to the people you care about.

The CRAs have you bent over a barrel if you don't assume control over what they are putting in your report. So yes, you'll need to toughen up a little with them. It ain't personal...it's all business.

[jjulez]

smitty, thanks for the INSPIRATION and any others will be appreciated.