Experian has a new trick

[what_now]

First up, I have a question:

If a consumer accesses the free annual credit report, how long can a CRA use that report for reference? In other words, lets say you purchase a credit report 11 months later, does the free annual credit report 45 day rule still apply? Someone from the attorney’s office at Equifax told me that the FCRA’s FACT Act afforded the CRA’s that leverage but I’ve never read that anywhere. Can anyone confirm this?

Now here’s the story:

My fiancé PURCHASED his credit report from Experian through their website: Consumerinfo.com. A particular tradeline was supposedly verified on day 38 of the dispute. Because they only had 30 days to investigate, we called and challenged this. Some of you may remember my “unbelievable conversation with Experian” in this thread:

http://www.debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255474

We wrote a letter to the CEO of Experian giving him a detailed account of what went down. It was a nice letter but asked him to do one of two things: 1) delete the tradeline or 2) send a check for $1000 for violating FCRA. We sent a copy of the receipt proving that the credit report was purchased; as well as, a copy of the credit card statement showing the transaction.

We received a letter from a Consumer Affairs Special Services associate with Experian claiming that their records indicate the investigation was processed based on an annual free credit report and that Experian has complied with the FCRA and must deny our request for compensation.

I called this “specialist” today. I reminded her that we sent proof that we PAID for the credit report and did NOT access a free annual credit report. She asked for the report number of the PAID credit report. Well, I printed it off the internet, but ConsumerInfo.com does not provide an official “report number.” She says Experian “affiliated” companies do not count.

In other words, you can pay for your credit report, but unless you purchase it directly from Experian, it is investigated under the laws of a free annual credit report – 45 days!

I kept challenging this logic. Had her on the phone for a long time. Apparently, when we sent the initial dispute, we sent some documentation to prove our PO Box mailing address. One of the things we sent was a copy of an old Experian credit report dated May 2005 (11 months ago) That report WAS in fact a free annual credit report but only the first page of that report was submitted and we clearly indicated that it is submitted to provide proof of our mailing address ( the address they were reporting at the time was wrong)

Anyway, I gave up and researched ConsumerInfo.com where we purchased the report and found out that Experian is their parent company. Also, there is a big lawsuit due to fraud. So, despite the big lawsuit, Experian’s new tactic to screw consumers is:

1) Trick the consumer into purchasing a credit report from ConsumerInfo.com, all the while thinking they are Experian ( and they are)

2) Do NOT provide a “report number”

3) Investigate the dispute as though it is a free annual credit report!

Geeeez man, you can’t win! They pull so much crap that it’s impossible to win! Experian got their $10 bucks!!! We purchased the credit report because we thought $10 was worth it to shave off the extra 15 days but now they get around that too!!!!

[Greg]

I'm glad you posted this cause I was going to give all 3 $ so I wouldn't be under the 45 days rule.

That's the reason for this site, to help each out.

We are a bunch of Davids taking on a few Goliaths and we will prevail.

Greg

[elyse449]

Ok, so if you paid consumerinfo.com to view/receive the CR's and THEY got it for free....hmmm...something smells like crap!!!

Have you submitted any questions to consumerinfo.com?

Elyse

[what_now]

Hi Greg,

I have received a lot of info here and have had lots of success but this really bites! I have to tell you though that I'm not saying that you shouldn't purchase your credit reports for the purpose of shaving off the extra 15 days. I still think it's a good idea and well worth it - as long as you have not accessed the free annual credit report within the last 12 months. At least that is my understanding (until someone can answer the question stated above)

The message here is: If you do purchase your credit reports, mail the request and money directly to the Credit Reporting Agencies. Do NOT purchase them through any of their websites because even if the website appears to be the CRA, they may just be "affiliated" and according to Experian's "Specialist" credit reports that are purchased through "affiliated" companies are not official credit reports; therefore, the CRA will treat your dispute as though you accessed the free annual credit report.

Good Luck on your disputes!

[what_now]

Hi Elyse

That was my thought. I'm going to call ConsumerInfo.com tomorrow. Perhaps they pocketed the money instead of forwarding it Experian? Regardless, I proved to Experian that I did pay for an Experian report, but the "specialist" argued that paying Experian "affiliated" companies do not count.

[better credit]

I had the same problem with experian.

[magician2020]

Or you could do what I did... Since my FAKO's started in the Low 500's... Just apply to a few various on line credit appl's get turned down with a declination letter and then ask for your free report, and start disputing then... They only have 30 days vs. 45... It is not as instantaneous but is definitely cheaper...

[Focus2069]

you do realize...that this thread is almost 2 years old, right?

and that advice gets you more hard pulls on your credit report, that lowers your score.

[Guest BucFan]

you do realize...that this thread is almost 2 years old, right?

[TTigggers]

Yet another zombie

[LoveToGod]

Once the dispute is processed they should send you an updated report in the mail. Use that report number from now on.

If I were to go through all the reports I have from Experian, I don't know how many different report numbers I would have. You can dispute it a second time, but I wait a month or so. Maybe give us some details and we can develop a strategy on how to do the 1-2 punch to dispute.

[isislc]

Magician has become very unpopular at digging up dead zombie threads. lol

[LoveToGod]

I noticed that, but sometimes its okay, because of new people like myself who come on here that are not familiar with something like that.

[admin]

Actually this is still happening, and happened to me. It should have received a more attention recently.

I recently refinanced and there was a bogus tax lien on my credit report. When I disputed it, I was told my investigation would take 45 days because I had used annualcreditreport.com. Yeah, like about 2 years ago.

So Does this mean that if you EVER use this service they have 45 days? Or they are using annualcreditreport.com?

BTW, I laughed until I cried over using that mummy icon in this thread. TOO FUNNY.

[LoveToGod]

Actually this is still happening, and happened to me. It should have received a more attention recently.

I recently refinanced and there was a bogus tax lien on my credit report. When I disputed it, I was told my investigation would take 45 days because I had used annualcreditreport.com. Yeah, like about 2 years ago.

So Does this mean that if you EVER use this service they have 45 days? Or they are using annualcreditreport.com?

BTW, I laughed until I cried over using that mummy icon in this thread. TOO FUNNY.

I just make sure that the report number I give Experian is not from the free report. If that is all one has, pay for a report, then dispute.

That is scary that a tax lien can just pop up.

[win270]

I got the same 45day because annual CR. They told me that my very first dispute was based on the info from the annual report and it was verified.

now anytime I re-dispute that account information it will be based on that report giving them 45 days. I asked why the annual credit report gives them 45 days and was told the FCRA allows for it.

I purchased my CR after that dispute and the accounts I dispute from that report for the first time are 30 days even on re-disputes.

[isislc]

That's weird, I used my annualcredit report over a year ago and have never since had my dispute go over 30 days. Except for the lazy bums CSC which are slow anyways.

[LoveToGod]

That's weird, I used my annualcredit report over a year ago and have never since had my dispute go over 30 days. Except for the lazy bums CSC which are slow anyways.

I can't even reach CSC. They are "temporarily closed". I will have to mail my dispute and hope they are not closed.

I have online disputes pending. If I mail in a dispute to TU will that give them another 15 days?