An account that was mine, but not mine.

[ZORG]

Last year I began the process of cleaning up my credit. I jumped through all the hoops, had lots of stuff removed, and learned tons of valuable information through the proper use of search tools.

Unfortunately, about three months into my first repair procedure, a past issue from Diners Club was suddenly (unexpectedly) placed on my three credit reports. Here is some background info:

A company I worked for in 2004 sent me on a training trip. In order to properly track business expenses, it was the policy of the company to open a Diners Club charge account in the name of the employee (me). The account was opened and I went on the trip. Afterwards, I properly submitted all of my documentation and reports. I also attempted to turn in the card. I was told to keep the card and that the account would remain open and active through the duration of my employment. I was laid off about six months later. I returned the card (it had my name on it) and the account was closed.

In January of 2007 I began the process of cleaning/repairing my credit. The Diners Club account was no-where to be seen. About three months and four different investigations later the Diners Club statement suddenly showed up on all three of my credit reports. The account had a high balance of $527.00. The amount reported as owed was $157.00. I don’t remember what the original CL was. The CR’s also showed the account on charge-off status. All the dates reported were correct. I immediately wrote dispute letters to the CB’s. My first set of dispute letters were denied as were my second. In my dispute letters I did explain that, although the card had my name on it that the account was opened through my employer and was for business expenses only. Additionally, I explained that the card was used only for expenses on the business trip and that all of my financial documents and reports had been submitted to my employer.

My new credit reports still show the charged off Diners club account. However, they are also showing that the charge-off has been paid and that a settlement has been accepted on the account.

My Experian statement has the most detailed documentation:

Account history: Charge Off as of Dec 2005. This account is to continue on record until Feb 2011. Creditor’s statement: “Account legally paid in full for less than full balance.” Account closed at consumers request and in dispute under FCRA.” This item was verified and updated on Mar 2007.

It seems as though the employer, who should have paid the full bill on this matter, arranged a “charge off” with a pay-off settlement below the full balance.

Well, with all of that information above (sorry it’s so long) my question is this… I am going to open another dispute for this matter. Should I word the dispute in a special way so as to get the investigators to look into this matter properly? I don’t want them to just send out there normal investigative letters, but rather I want them to look into the facts that settlement payments were made by my previous employer (not by me) and that the account was closed by my employer (not by me). This item just does not belong on my credit report and I really want it off.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

~Z

[ZORG]

Well, the account WAS opened by the corporation, not by me. However, and the part that currently seems to have me screwed, It had my name on it. I even received statements on it directly at my home even though the payments were made from the corporate office.

I was hoping that someone might know how I could 'word' a dispute letter in such a way as to attract attention in the correct direction.

[ZORG]

When I submitted my dispute(s) last year, I gave detailed information.

Did I provide too much information? Should I write letters and just say that the account was not mine and not go into details about the account being opened by the corporation but in my name????

[willingtocope]

Well, here's a complication. Usually, so called "corporate" cards with AMEX and Diners are opened by the company...but...they're actually opened in the name of the employee. The idea is that anything that the company doesn't agree is business related automatically winds up as a personal obligation.

There's a good chance that's what happend here. It really was your account.

[2001Badyear]

Well, here's a complication. Usually, so called "corporate" cards with AMEX and Diners are opened by the company...but...they're actually opened in the name of the employee. The idea is that anything that the company doesn't agree is business related automatically winds up as a personal obligation.

There's a good chance that's what happend here. It really was your account.

Interesting point to be made here, and caught my attention as I too have a company card, in my name, but billing all through corporate. I receive a copy of bills, and rectify online through our LAN. I never pay them myself for this card. I don't see this card on any of my reports, and never have.

My point is did you pay bills or did the company?

If not you, can you get copies of the billing from your old comapny.

Did the card show up on your CRA CR in the past as a "good TL", while not delinquent? If not, that might help you if you have those copies.