Question about lates....

[nballe23]

So back in 2013 I signed up with a credit counseling agency to pay down all of my credit card debts faster and with lower interest rates. CK is showing that after signing up, they made late payments to 2 different accounts. About 4 total. I have called them and they say to call the card issuer directly to see if they can remove them. One of the card issuers says they can't do anything and I haven't tried the other.... I know these are hurting my scores as they are the only late payments in a couple years- any tips on how to fix this? Thanks in advance!

[hyschmied]

That is a risk with a credit counseling service. I would keep gently trying the card issuers.

[TomBos]

Goodwill letter to card issuer explaining the situation.

[cv91915]

So back in 2013 I signed up with a credit counseling agency to pay down all of my credit card debts faster and with lower interest rates. CK is showing that after signing up, they made late payments to 2 different accounts. About 4 total. I have called them and they say to call the card issuer directly to see if they can remove them. One of the card issuers says they can't do anything and I haven't tried the other.... I know these are hurting my scores as they are the only late payments in a couple years- any tips on how to fix this? Thanks in advance!

 

What do your actual, paid credit reports obtained directly from the bureaus via USPS show?

[nballe23]

Ordering those reports is on my "to do asap" list, CV. is the report from CK not an accurate report? (Sorry if that's a dumb question!)

 

 

Learning a little (sometimes a lot...) more every day! On my road to 850!

[nballe23]

Also, for some reason, the thought of GW letters has me feeling like a deer in headlights..... I'm afraid I'm going to mess something up!

 

 

Learning a little (sometimes a lot...) more every day! On my road to 850!

[cv91915]

Ordering those reports is on my "to do asap" list, CV. is the report from CK not an accurate report? (Sorry if that's a dumb question!)

 

 

Learning a little (sometimes a lot...) more every day! On my road to 850!

 

Relying on info in your CK "report" is a dubious way to get started. Your hard copy reports contain the most complete and accurate info. Getting these hard copy reports is one of the first three steps prescribed for every newbie. Please don't try to shortcut this.

 

There's a reason for the last line of my signature.

[nballe23]

I'm on mobile so I don't see siggy's. I will order those. Thanks!

[cv91915]

I'm on mobile so I don't see siggy's. I will order those. Thanks!

 

Nothing useful ever follows "According to Credit Karma..."

[nballe23]

 

 

Learning a little (sometimes a lot...) more every day! On my road to 850!

[VintageWillow]

Calling to get the 3 paper reports is automated. Don't make the assumption (as I did) that you have to wait for business hours to get them

[JayB27]

OP, keep posting your steps and questions here, you will get the help you need. If you're following the guidance provided, the sky is the limit.

 

Not everything always works, but nothing will work if you don't try it.

 

Get those paper reports, and triage them.

Edited March 8, 2015 by JayB27

[tweak]

Calling to get the 3 paper reports is automated. Don't make the assumption (as I did) that you have to wait for business hours to get them

 

EX 888-397-3742, EQ 800-997-2493, TU 800-888-4213

 

Just order the reports for ~$11/ea. Don't buy any other scores or products they offer.

[nballe23]

Thanks guys, just ordered! Paid for both EQ and EX but TU didn't even give me the option to pay for the report- will that one not be complete if it's just the free version?

[JewelsoJoy]

 

Calling to get the 3 paper reports is automated. Don't make the assumption (as I did) that you have to wait for business hours to get them

 

EX 888-397-3742, EQ 800-997-2493, TU 800-888-4213

 

Just order the reports for ~$11/ea. Don't buy any other scores or products they offer.

 

I was relying on my CK and Cap1 reports too. I did order them over the phone yesterday from all three but I did NOT pay, I selected the option for having been denied credit and they were free from each. Hopefully I didn't just make another mistake.

[nballe23]

It's my understanding that as far as disputing goes, you need to use the paid reports. I could be incorrect, though.

[tweak]

It's my understanding that as far as disputing goes, you need to use the paid reports. I could be incorrect, though.

 

For disputing, the important thing is to use official reports from EX, TU, and EQ.

The paper reports are best - they have more info - but official reports obtained online are sufficient.

annualcreditreport.com also provides real official reports.

 

Paid/unpaid does not matter.

What matters is that annualcreditreport.com (FACT Act) reports give the CRAs 45 days to investigate.

All other official reports give the CRAs 30 days to investigate.

 

So a free report due to adverse action (denied credit) is fine to dispute from, and the CRAs will have 30 days to investigate.

Free reports allowed by some state laws are also fine - and 30 day investigations.

 

Paid reports mailed to you are usually recommended here because:

- paper reports have more info

- these reports allow only 30 days for CRA investigations

- they are available to everyone

 

Never dispute from credit monitoring products (including those sold by the CRAs).

Don't buy a score from the CRAs with your reports - most scores are worthless FAKOs.

[JayB27]

A method I used, and it worked very well is:

 

Start disputing from free reports, old addresses. When you dispute old addresses name variations, phone numbers...you can request an updated copy of your reports, which they are NOT likely required to provide, but they always have.

 

Then you have a copy, JUST LIKE the paid copies, for free.

 

This is just one little way to do it. I would not consider having free copies, the end of the world.

 

This method works best for someone just starting their clean-up after not looking at their credit reports in some time.

 

It is said that free reports provide the CRAs 45 days to respond to disputes although I have never experienced that. As I said, most new clean-ups start with disputing old identifying info.

[breeze]

 

It is said that free reports provide the CRAs 45 days to respond to disputes although I have never experienced that. As I said, most new clean-ups start with disputing old identifying info.

 

 

Like somebody made that up? It is said by the same law that gave us the free annual reports.

[JayB27]

Yes, it is said.

 

I've never had it happen, have you?

[parisamour]

Each time I would dispute with the CRAs I would include in my dispute letter this verbiage - upon completion of this dispute , please send an updated copy of my credit report.

 

 

This kept me in free monthly reports for nearly a year and a half( I had a TON of baddies , name variations, and outdated addresses!)