I'm about to go postal on TU

[PrincessAmy]

I'm so sick of dealing with my split file and them doing nothing about it

I've sent 3 letters, talked to a CSR on the phone, and still nothing. I've been denied credit because my positive TL's are on the "suppressed" report.

I don't know what to do. I want to contact some higher ups, but don't know how to go about doing that. I also considered filing complaints with the PA AG and BBB, but wonder if that will help at all...

Can someone please help me out with some guidance?

[swirlgirl]

Well Amy, if you believe in your position and you have whatever evidence is needed to prove your position, then I suggest doing the BBB and AG complaints and possibly file a suit. It sounds like you need to get their attention. Nothing does that better than a summons.

I'm not one of those that believe in suing for every little thing, but some things are so cut and dry. If you can prove that you've lost credit because of the problem, you can possibly make a case of actual damages.

[LeslieR]

I agree. Not sure why you've had so much trouble with this - mine was fixed so easily. I think you are really going to have to step it up a notch. Start with AG and BBB.

[PrincessAmy]

Yup, I have a Target denial because I have no recent revolving credit, but my CJ account is on the suppressed report.

I just hate having to go the litigious route, but if it comes to that, it comes to that. I just didn't know if anyone had any higher up names or email addresses.

I'll start with a BBB and AG complaint this week.

[lovebug5]

I fully agree with the two other ladies who have replied to you already...None of us are the lawsuit bandwagon type, so it says a great deal that all three of us are pretty much telling you to push forward.

Good luck with them.

[PrincessAmy]

Hmm, after doing some googling, I found this

If you haven't been able to solve your TransUnion credit report problems through normal channels, you can escalate your issue to their executive customer service team. Here's the info.

Try this number first:

Cindy Hennessey, assistant to David Wolff

(312) 985-2000, press 2, dial extension 3802

David Wolff, VP of Consumer Services

Call 312-985-2000, press 3 to reach the names directory, dial Wolff David

Fax: (312) 347-5770

And their corporate headquarters

555 W Adams St Fl 6,

Chicago, IL 60661-3719

You think I should fire off my letters to all of them?

[LeslieR]

mmmm you can try, but I think that unless that info was posted on a TU website (official) - I'd just go to the BBB/AG. I don't like to use addresses/contacts which aren't available through legitimate public channels. But that's just me. Unless you are passed to those exec services numbers through regular channels, I think they'll blow you off.

[PrincessAmy]

Okay, I wasn't sure where exactly to go..this is all so new! I just got a fresh report from TU in the mail today - still split!! Only 10 TL's showing on the non-suppressed report. Everything else (31 TL's) is on the suppressed report.

I have 41 TL's total - most are collection accounts, but why should I have a split file because of this? I got a ton of deletions today (16 total), most from this stupid CA reporting 42 medical TL's out of Colorado. I 623'd them and got the green cards back today.

So, this weekend, I'll get my complaints to the PA AG and BBB along with the MI AG (my homestate) fired off.

[PrincessAmy]

Okay, so I have a dumb question...

I only have 9 TL's on the non-suppressed file now. Those are the one's showing up on True Credit. I can't see the suppressed file. It's not even enough to give me a FAKO now (I've gone from 22 on the non-suppresed to 9..not bad!)

So, in a perfect world, if I were to get all 9 of those deleted (they're all collection accounts), would that merge my file together by default? Or if I get new stuff, would it start splitting again?

[LeslieR]

Hard to say. I doubt I'd let it rest in your case.

[PrincessAmy]

oh, I agree, I won't let this rest. But it's just one of those what if questions. One of them should go within the next week (I paid the OC on a medical bill, they have no reason to report it now), and the rest I 623'd them. We shall see! AG complaints are already filed!

[Bigwoodystyl]

Messing with the addresses on your report can sometimes remove a split file automatically.

Dispute off an old address and/or change the current address and then have them change it back. It could work... It couldn't hurt..

[PrincessAmy]

All my old addresses have already been removed and my correct address (well, except for the apartment number they falsely have tacked on) is reporting. SO no go there.

[Bigwoodystyl]

Hmm... Are the addresses, DOB, SSN, phone# the same on both reports?

If so, that's pretty unusual.. the most common reason for a split is different DFs furnishing different information for different TL...

[PrincessAmy]

Yup, they're the same on both reports, although they put a #9 after my address, and there is no such thing. I live in a house

File #1 says I've been on file since 4/1995 (which is right). File #2 (which has more correct info) says I've been on file since 3/2003. But my file hasn't been split since then, since I have a report from 2006 that is merged.

SS# is correct on both, I don't have my phone number listed, and occupation as a full time student is on both DOB is correct on both.

[Bigwoodystyl]

Yup, they're the same on both reports, although they put a #9 after my address, and there is no such thing. I live in a house

File #1 says I've been on file since 4/1995 (which is right). File #2 (which has more correct info) says I've been on file since 3/2003. But my file hasn't been split since then, since I have a report from 2006 that is merged.

SS# is correct on both, I don't have my phone number listed, and occupation as a full time student is on both DOB is correct on both.

Maybe you should get the #9 off? (Not that it should make a big difference, and certainly there are bigger fish to fry)

the thing is:

Each TL that gets reported to a CRA reports name, address, SSN, (sometimes phone # and DOB)... in addition to all of the information you can see on your file.

Well, the DOB, SSN, etc., never change, so as you could probably infer, the two most common reasons for split files are:

1. Consumers moving and not updating the address with their creditors, resulting in TL getting reported to the CRA with several different addressses...

2. Data entry mistakes by the OC/DF (or clerical errors by the consumer), resulting in TL getting reported to the CRA with different SSN, DOB, addy, etc...

If these weren't collection accounts, updating your address and information with the DF and ensuring all of that information was correct might be worth the effort. I don't think I would do that with a CA, though...

The perplexing thing is: it's really not hard to fix. That is why it's surprising they haven't yet fixed yours.

To get a tiny bit technical, it would look something like:

a=1234568;

// file number1

b=3456789;

// file number 2

CBXR (a,;

//"cross reference" file 1 and file 2

Then select all the tradelines to merge by their reference number, and follow similar commands to merge the two accounts. (Of course, they will get lazy and simply merge the entire file1 and file2, b/c it's easier, resulting in any prior deletions reappearing on the new merged file which is a whole 'nother ball of wax)

in practice, it looks a lot more like modified SQL than C++, but it's the same idea as outlined above, and it's hard to overstate how easy this is for them to do.

I don't know if that will help you, but maybe it will give you perspective on what you're trying to do... Just don't take no for an answer, as this is an easy fix.

Also, they know it is an outstanding issue, b/c this happens from time-to-time, so the real point is: they should have fixed this for you already!

[PrincessAmy]

Most of my reports are collection accounts - 97% are medical that I'm trying to sort out. I have 1 positive TL - my CJ account and will have a Kohl's account starting Oct 1st and am getting a BoA secured card.

And I had a OMG moment - I pulled my TC and low and behold it's pulling ALL my TU accounts!!! :shock:

I'm wondering if my AG and BBB complaints had something to do with this, or if it's a fluke....Either way, I hope it sticks. I know that TC had a fluke and pulled both files about a month and a half ago.

*crosses fingers*