What's Next, do I need to I follow-up ?

[Radio_Guy]

Hi Everyone,

I have a quick question- Do I need to call the CRA's to follow up on a dispute BEFORE the 30 day allotted time is up...

The reason I ask is my wife and I have called in our 2 disputed trade lines with all three credit bureaus instead of sending the CMRRR ltrs as per the "What we've learned" thread.

We received the first response from Equifax within two days, they deleted the 2 items we contested.

Then 25 days later Experian contacted my wife and told here the same thing.

So here we are 29 days into the process and waiting for Experian to get back to me and TransUnion to get back to both of us.

I guess another way to ask the same question is "If we call and check on the progress, do we mess up our chance of getting a simple delete?"

and in answer to YOUR question, SURE I'm a patient person...

NOT !

[breathing_easier]

Radio! You need to chill, dude! Wait until the 35th day (allowing time for mailing) after you called in your disputes to EX and TU before contacting them. Then, and only then, should you contact EX and TU in writing and inform them that since they didn't respond to your dispute within the time period set forth in the FCRA then they need to delete the negative TLs. And remember...patience is a virtue...especially when it comes to credit repair!

[Radio_Guy]

Thanks breathing_easier,

I needed that !

Thanks to you, I got it back under control now...

[breathing_easier]

Glad I could be of service!

I must say that already getting six deletes out of your 12 disputes is pretty darn good, and that without the 30 days even being up. Who knows, you may go 12 for 12! Is this the first time you've ever disputed?

Noticed your siggie...have you been to Borg Invasion 4D at Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton? Took my 12-year-old nephew and 10-year-old niece last June. They enjoyed both it and Klingon Encounter. I'm not a true Trekkie/Trekker (just a cool aunt) but must say that both those attractions were pretty cool. You haven't known terror until you've had a "real" Borg drone chase you down a fog-filled hallway! That was the night the Pistons won the NBA championship ... watched it on the big screen in Quark's Bar.

[Radio_Guy]

have you been to Borg Invasion 4D at Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton?

No, but boy I WISH I could say I was to the "Borg Invasion 4D at Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton" or the "Klingon Encounter" ....

Took my 12-year-old nephew and 10-year-old niece last June. They enjoyed both it and Klingon Encounter. I'm not a true Trekkie/Trekker (just a cool aunt)

WOW - You are the Cool Aunt !!! You have my vote for "Coolest Aunt of the new Millenium !

"

I am probably not a true Trekkie either. I've never dressed up like a Star Trek character and hung around a Star Trek convention. However, I have watched just about every episode of every series 2 or 3 times, (except this latest one "Enterprise" - call me a prude but when the lady Science Officer "Topol" was almost nude every other show I said this isn't Star Trek anymore. )

The way I figure it if society were run a little more like Star Trek, there would be no need for this entire site/board - because people would be alot better off...

And yes, this is the first time I ever have disputed anything. Actually this is the first time I have seen our credit reports since we bought our home 14 years ago.

I am glad that this going so well. I take it that we are very fortunate and we are hoping for a clean sweep as well, (12 for 12.)

Best wishes,

[Niner849]

Hate to hijack this thread, but is the Borg Experience something new over there. Years ago DH & I went to the Star Trek Experience shortly after it just opened. So obiviously we haven't been there in a couple of years. I'm not a die-hard Trekkie either, but I must admit that it was pretty cool.

[breathing_easier]

Niner: Yes, Borg Invasion 4D opened last year. They have live actors playing various parts (including the Borg) and they put you in the middle of the action. My 10-year-old niece, who is as fearless as they come when it comes to the fastest and highest roller coasters, got a little freaked when the Borg were after us. If you enjoyed Klingon Encounter (which they still have) you'd really enjoy Borg Invasion 4D. I hear they've got a new attraction in the works. Not sure if they'll be replacing Klingon Encounter or if it will just be an added attraction.

[breathing_easier]

I am glad that this going so well. I take it that we are very fortunate and we are hoping for a clean sweep as well, (12 for 12.)

I'm glad for you that it is going so well! Even if you were to only get 6 out of 12 deleted, that's awesome for a first round of disputes. However, I must admit that I'm a little envious, too. I've been at this for a little over two years and there are still some stubborn OC TLs (all paid accounts, but with negative info on them) that just refuse to budge.

Wow, you hadn't looked at your reports in 14 years?! So the last time you looked at them before this year they hadn't yet implemented FICO scoring. I must admit that from 1994 until 2003 I hadn't pulled my reports. I had A++ credit in 1994 (pre-FICO), but it had gone to heck in a handbasket by 2003. Much better now, but yikes, what an ordeal! The best thing that came out of it, though, is that I am determined not to make those same mistakes again and to spread the word about protecting your good credit. Also, with i.d. theft on the rise, in part due to the Internet (which wasn't much of a factor in in 1991 or even 1994), it's so important to monitor your reports.

[Radio_Guy]

Hi Niner849,

Please - Hijack the Thread- I appreciate your additional observations....

Hi breathing_easier,

Wow, you hadn't looked at your reports in 14 years?! So the last time you looked at them before this year they hadn't yet implemented FICO scoring.

Believe it or not, Credit scoring was around at that time, (at least in Downtown Washington, D.C. where I'm from.) The only reason I know is because my Loan Officer said my credit scores were terrible! Which is funny because she said she wasn't allowed to tell me what they were. And I worked at the same BANK !!! (This is a story in itself.) Also, as a Savings and Loan Banker, I remember having access to Beacon Scores back in the Mid-80ies.

When I was all said and done I had A credit not A+ credit. Slowly my credit climbed to A+ later.

I had A++ credit in 1994 (pre-FICO), but it had gone to heck in a handbasket by 2003. Much better now, but yikes, what an ordeal! The best thing that came out of it, though, is that I am determined not to make those same mistakes again and to spread the word about protecting your good credit. Also, with i.d. theft on the rise, in part due to the Internet (which wasn't much of a factor in in 1991 or even 1994), it's so important to monitor your reports.

I feel the same way. I've had similar mistakes and am also committed to helping others avoid these problems.

I have also learned not to let ANYTHING slide. I send CMRRR letters for everything and I don't trust anything any creditor or service person says on the telephone. I have seen too much lying on the part of companies trying to hurt us consumers...

Best Wishes,

[breathing_easier]

Wow, you hadn't looked at your reports in 14 years?! So the last time you looked at them before this year they hadn't yet implemented FICO scoring.

Believe it or not, Credit scoring was around at that time, (at least in Downtown Washington, D.C. where I'm from.) The only reason I know is because my Loan Officer said my credit scores were terrible! Which is funny because she said she wasn't allowed to tell me what they were. And I worked at the same BANK !!! (This is a story in itself.) Also, as a Savings and Loan Banker, I remember having access to Beacon Scores back in the Mid-80ies.

That's interesting. When I applied for my mortgage in 1994 no mention was made of a specific credit score or a Beacon score. I was just told that I had "A++ credit" and that I was entitled to the lowest interest rate. I had requested copies of my credit reports from the CRAs (one was still called "TRW") through the mail and had reviewed them, but there was never any mention by the CRAs of a credit score. Perhaps because you were a banker you were privvy to information denied to us mere mortals. How odd that your loan officer said she wasn't allowed to divulge your credit scores to you. How things have changed, eh?

[Radio_Guy]

Perhaps because you were a banker you were privvy to information denied to us mere mortals. Wink How odd that your loan officer said she wasn't allowed to divulge your credit scores to you. How things have changed, eh?

Well I do remember the Loan Officer acting rather sheepish about telling me about my low scores, almost embarrassed. I did get the impression that she wasn't supposed to divulge this info.

At the time there were HUGE errors on my report - several hundred thousand dollars worth of revolving credit accounts that weren't mine. My credit report was 36 pages long (legal size paper,) !!! My score went up dramatically after the bank made the credit bureaus delete about 25 PAGES of erronous information and accounts. Another strange thing was they wouldn't fix my credit report unless they were sure I gave them back all the originals...

What a different world...

I remember the intimidation factor was tremendous. Not only was my possible home purchase wrapped up in this transaction, but my job and career were on the line as well...

[breathing_easier]

Radio_Guy: Okay, by my calculations today is the 35th day since you submitted your disputes to the CRAs. Drum roll...what was the final outcome? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Radio_Guy]

Hi breathing_easier,

You ARE good ! I suspect most people would have forgotten or not cared, but then again you're not most people - obviously you're exceptional.

In addition to being the talented, award winning "Coolest Aunt of the New Millenium."

(The autograph line starts on the left - please move along... move along... )

I got 9 out of 11 deletions, (it was only ever 11 items not 12 - obviously I can't count all that well either!)

The only pesky "hanging Chad "is a $10.00 collection from Bell Atlantic.

This is of course is the only really bad item on all three CRA Reports. Oh Boy - three "Dings" for the price of one!

Yes -you heard correctly- ten - 10 - one more than nine - ( 11.00 - 1.00 = 10.00 ) dollars !

Those lovely people at I C Sytems (the CA) verified and updated both the Experian and the Trans Union dispute AND they ADDED it to my Equifax report. This is scheduled to come off my Equifax Report in December of 2005, and my Trans Union Report in January 2006, and my Experian report in December of 2005.

I called them and it appears to be my debt - which is so stupid since I have the same telephone account I did when this supposedly occurred. So I was planning to DV the debt and hope to trip them up.

I was going to offer them a PFD but I can't believe they would actually answer a PFD for a $10.00 collection item !

Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas you may have would be greatly appreciated.

[HeartRN]

This is scheduled to come off my Equifax Report in December of 2005, and my Trans Union Report in January 2006, and my Experian report in December of 2005.

I realize that it is only a 1 month difference, but these should all come off at the same time since the date of deliquency would be the same across the board.

[Radio_Guy]

Hi HeartRN,

I feel as though I will need your professional expertise before this is all over. What a stressful situation!

Thanks for pointing that out. You're right, they should all come off at the same time.

Just shows you the quality, ( or lack thereof,) our credit reporting system in this country.

If I can't get rid of these via DV or MOV then I will dispute the date thing and get them all off in November.

[breathing_easier]

You ARE good ! I suspect most people would have forgotten or not cared

Hey, I know what it's like to wait for those dispute results. Of course I care!

In addition to being the talented, award winning Coolest Aunt of the New Millenium

Well, yes, I am that. 8)

I got 9 out of 11 deletions

I thought there were 12? Doesn't matter...9 out of 11 is awesome, especially on your first round of disputes!

The only pesky "hanging Chad "is a $10.00 collection from Bell Atlantic.

Bet it cost them more than 10 bucks just to report it. Is it Bell Atlantic reporting it as the OC, or a CA? Cuz you know you can't DV an OC. Don't understand that if it was the same account you have now why it just wasn't added to your monthly phone bill. Then don't they just shut off service if you don't pay the account in full? I wouldn't spend too much time on it since it is due to drop off your reports in just 7-8 months.

Once again, congrats on your success!

[Radio_Guy]

Hi Breathing_Easier,

Yes, I edited my earlier post to address this issue...

I thought there were 12?

and the answer is...

I got 9 out of 11 deletions, (it was only ever 11 items not 12 - obviously I can't count all that well either!)

I agree with you that this should have been added to my regular bill. I haven't a clue what is up there but I have heard of this happening to other consumers as well.

I am glad this went so well. I am very lucky and gratefull to Kristy for writing her book which lead me here to all the helpful people like you...