Regarding calling CRA's

[zooyork]

Hello - I've introduced myself here before. I am a frequent lurker, credit worrier but today I've decided to start the process of credit repair.

I want to start the credit repair process however I do not have documentation for most of my collection accounts. I have credit reports from 2003, 2005-2008 and I am also enrolled in TrueCredit so I can monitor my process going forward. The old credit reports haven't been much help in establishing when my accounts went delinquent - more what is in collections.

So I plan to call the CRA's to get the DOFD for all collection accounts. I want to make sure that I ask for the proper date. If I ask for the "date of first delinquency" am I going to get the FINAL date the account went delinquent before going into collections or the first delinquent date in the accounts history? I know - this probably sounds like a game of semantics but I dont want to make a silly mistake.

When I speak to the CRA am I able to verify other information about the account? As in the address listed on the account, the amount owed, were there other people on the account, etc? I would like to get as much information about the account as possible. Any other details I should get?

By obtaining the collection account details I am not formally "disputing" or "acknowledging" the debt, right? Do CRA's make note of account inquiries and/or can anything I say while getting account details be used against me later if I decide to dispute?

I have two collection accounts on my credit report and no creditor is listed? How is that possible?

I have a somewhat recent collection account and I would like to call and pay it off but I would like to get a delete for doing so. How should I go about asking for a PFD?

Finally, I have 5 collection accounts with collection agencies. The original creditors are no longer reporting these accounts. Is it possible for a CA to report something an OC isn't?

Thanks in advance for answering all my crazy questions!

[momof5]

Hello - I've introduced myself here before. I am a frequent lurker, credit worrier but today I've decided to start the process of credit repair.

I want to start the credit repair process however I do not have documentation for most of my collection accounts. I have credit reports from 2003, 2005-2008 and I am also enrolled in TrueCredit so I can monitor my process going forward. The old credit reports haven't been much help in establishing when my accounts went delinquent - more what is in collections.

So I plan to call the CRA's to get the DOFD for all collection accounts. I want to make sure that I ask for the proper date. If I ask for the "date of first delinquency" am I going to get the FINAL date the account went delinquent before going into collections or the first delinquent date in the accounts history? I know - this probably sounds like a game of semantics but I dont want to make a silly mistake.

The problem with calling the CRAs is that most now send you to a call center in India and they don't understand JACK about our FCRA/FDCPA so they probably won't understand what you mean by DOFD. You might get lucky. According to FACTA, the CA must state what is the DOFD of the OC when reporting his TL....but that doesn't always happen.

When I speak to the CRA am I able to verify other information about the account? As in the address listed on the account, the amount owed, were there other people on the account, etc? I would like to get as much information about the account as possible. Any other details I should get?

CRA won't have that information. They will have your addy, the addy of the CA or OC and the amount reported. Even if it is a joint account, they won't have the joint account holder's information. You have to get that from the OC or CA.

By obtaining the collection account details I am not formally "disputing" or "acknowledging" the debt, right? Do CRA's make note of account inquiries and/or can anything I say while getting account details be used against me later if I decide to dispute?

When you write the CA, you start the letter that you are not acknowledging this debt nor refusing to pay...you are asking for validation. Who is the OC? When did the debt go into default? Who was the person responsible and why do they believe that it is you? What gave them the right to collect (is it assigned or was it sold)?

I have two collection accounts on my credit report and no creditor is listed? How is that possible?

On TC I have seen this with medical collections. If you pull from the CRA's own site, you will see the OC.

I have a somewhat recent collection account and I would like to call and pay it off but I would like to get a delete for doing so. How should I go about asking for a PFD?

DV them first. For me, I have a success with a sob story included with my request for a PFD. My PFD success is usually with medical accounts and I have usually gotten the OC to pull the account back from the CA and then I pay them. If the debt has been SOLD, the OC can't pull it back.

Finally, I have 5 collection accounts with collection agencies. The original creditors are no longer reporting these accounts. Is it possible for a CA to report something an OC isn't?

Yes. Some OCs will delete their TL once they sell the debt to a JDB. Not always the case, but some do. Also, it is also possible that the 7 yr reporting period has run it's course so the OC can no longer report, but the JDB has re-aged the account and has illegally reported the debt to the CRA.

Thanks in advance for answering all my crazy questions!

You're welcome!

[Ahntara]

"...If I ask..."

Ask for the final date the account went delinquent before going into collections. Even a CRA monkey should be able to identify that date. If they give you any problems, have FCRA 1681s, Subsection 623 ready to quote them.

"...am I able to verify other information..."

I'd ask for all the information THEY have, just in case they have access to something not listed on your CR.

"...can anything I say...be used against me..."

Who knows? They may insert comments while speaking with you or maybe they just stumble through their workday. Be safe and don't volunteer anything, just obtain the data you need.

[zooyork]

Thanks for the helpful information and quick responses, momof5 and Ahntara! I plan to contact the CRA's Monday morning to get the account details then devise a plan accordingly.