Let the journey begin (My road to "perfect" credit)

[Daphne954]

Hey CBers,

 

So I'm a seasoned newbie on the board, and have been perusing the board in my credit repair journey. I have had some hiccups along the way, but I have had some progress. Now I'm stuck, and a tad bit confused. So I will be restarting my journey to continue and get the baddies off my report. So for more of an accountability factor, I will be posting my journey and also will be updating as I make progress. I would love advice, and feedback on making better choices as well. So lets get it started.

 

GOOD TLs

1. Honda Auto Loan - Opened May 2013 and got approved. Full on time payments. Got this before I had to voluntarily surrender another car from Santander.
2. CareCredit - Opened March 2014 for a dental procedure that I needed. First credit card approval in a looonng time. $800 limit. CLI in January 2015 to $1800. (Looking to transfer balance if possible)
3. NCFU Cash Rewards Card - Opened 11/2014. $5k limit.

 

Onto the baddies...

 

Equifax (FROZEN) - 5 Baddies Total

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged OFF
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged OFF -- disputed; came back verified
3. Macys -- DOFD: 07/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
4. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified
5. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This is a new one on EQ. I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.)

• 15 INQs

Experian (FROZEN) - 7 baddies total

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged off
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; came back verified
3. Cap1 -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $1108 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; information came back "updated"
4. Credence Resource Management (AT&T) -- $1135 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This account was opened under my dads name, I paid the bill, but never applied for it with my social. Disputed with AT&T and they sent last statement with a balance and MY name instead of my dads name) FALL OFF DATE: 7/2019
5. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This is a new one on EX. I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.) FALL OFF DATE: 5/2016
6. Macys -- DOFD: 09/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
7. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified -- disputed; according to EX, "Account information disputed by consumer (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act). " FALL OFF DATE: 5/2016

• 4 INQs

TransUnion (NOT FROZEN) - 5 baddies

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged off
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; came back verified (TU not showing disputed status)
3. Macys -- DOFD: 7/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
4. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.)
5. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified

• 7 INQs

Will be posting my plan tomorrow, but I'm more than open for advice. Thanks.

[Sidewinder]

You seem pretty well oriented already for a "newbie."

 

When did you dispute the BofA, Macy's, and Cap1 TL's? I hope it was a while ago; I wouldn't waste time disputing anything this close to fall-off.

[AnnMichele]

Dispute both BOA and Macy's as obsolete with TU. They will delete as early as 6 months early. You can do this online.

 

You might also have some luck with EQ with getting them deleted early since you're pretty close to the fall off date.

 

Check this thread The Master Obsolete Delete Time Frame Thread for more clarification on EQ and EX.

[Daphne954]

So far this is my plan of course to begin, and plan on work once these bad boys are gone since they are the easiest.

 

Good TLs

• #3 (NFCU) - Request CLI in May 2015. Most likely at the end of the month.
• #2 (CareCredit) Do a balance transfer to NFCU if approved.

Equifax

• #2 (BofA) - Dispute as obsolete via online first. If that gets denied, I will send a fax dispute. If that gets denied, I will call them.
• #3 (Macys) - Dispute as obsolete via online. If that gets denied, I will send a fax dispute. If that gets denied, I will call them.

Experian

• #2 (BofA) - Dispute as obsolete (Not sure which route to take with them. Advice?)
• #3 (Cap1) - Dispute as obsolete (Not sure which route to take with them. Advice?)
• #6 (Macys) - Dispute as obsolete (Not sure which route to take with them. Advice?)

TransUnion

• #2 (BofA) - Dispute as obsolete via online
• #3 (Macys) - Dispute as obsolete via online

[Daphne954]

You seem pretty well oriented already for a "newbie."

 

When did you dispute the BofA, Macy's, and Cap1 TL's? I hope it was a while ago; I wouldn't waste time disputing anything this close to fall-off.

 

aww shucks. Thats why I said seasoned. Can't call myself a pro just yet. I disputed those TLs April 2014. So it's been almost a whole year. I think that's enough time to start over again.

[Daphne954]

 

Dispute both BOA and Macy's as obsolete with TU. They will delete as early as 6 months early. You can do this online.

 

You might also have some luck with EQ with getting them deleted early since you're pretty close to the fall off date.

 

Check this thread The Master Obsolete Delete Time Frame Thread for more clarification on EQ and EX.

 

 

I disputed with TU online. I checked out the Obsolete Delete Frame. I have that topic bookmarked and go through it all the time. There are so many pages, but I went to the last page and read up from newest to oldest. Not all of it though. I have read some success with EQ, using online, telephone, and fax disputes which I think is the route I'm gonna take. I didn't really see too much about EX, other than that they are the harder one. Any advice on that?

[AnnMichele]

Did you just dispute them online or had you before and it wasn't deleted.

 

I do not have any experience or advice on the whole obsolete deletion as I was fortunate enough to have my collection removed from both TU and EQ a year early last month without doing anything. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the members here but nateinva was able to get his BK deleted from TU early and is in the process of disputing it on his EQ report. I think that EX keeps things until the bitter end but you could always ask him for some advice and I'm sure he'd be glad to help. He has a running thread and you could ask him there or pm him.

[Daphne954]

Did you just dispute them online or had you before and it wasn't deleted.

 

I do not have any experience or advice on the whole obsolete deletion as I was fortunate enough to have my collection removed from both TU and EQ a year early last month without doing anything. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the members here but nateinva was able to get his BK deleted from TU early and is in the process of disputing it on his EQ report. I think that EX keeps things until the bitter end but you could always ask him for some advice and I'm sure he'd be glad to help. He has a running thread and you could ask him there or pm him.

 

This is gonna be my first time disputing obsoletes. I disputed EQ and TU online. I haven't done anything with EX yet. I've noticed that EQ and TU have dropped Cap1, so hopefully EX will follow suit at least on that one TL. I will reach out to nateinva and see if he can guide me through EX.

[Daphne954]

App update. I did the prequal search on Discovers website, and they gave me an offer for the Discover IT card. So I applied, and got denied. (Rookie mistake) . Got my letter in the mail, and stated denial because delinquency, length of time accounts have been established, too many accounts with balances, amounts past due on accounts, and number of inquires of credit bureau. On the other note, my FICO EQ score is 642. (Finally something to add to my sign) So gotta keep on pushing

Edited April 13, 2015 by Daphne954

[Daphne954]

Got an offer in my email today to do a balance transfer on a new card. Not sure if I should go ahead and do it, if they they say yes to transfer my CareCredit balance. What are the chances of getting approved and transferring?

[VintageWillow]

Is it a pre-approval with the opt-out language? Are you currently paying interest on the Care Credit, or not going to be able to pay it off before the interest kicks in?

[Daphne954]

This is the verbiage.

 

 

Transfer Your Existing Balance. There has never been a better time to consolidate your high rate balance—you can now get a 0% fixed intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months. After that, a variable rate between 7.99% APR and 18% APR applies.*

*Currently, rates range from 7.99% APR - 18% APR, are based on creditworthiness and product type, and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per overseas transaction. Foreign transaction fees: 0.80% of transaction amount if in U.S. dollars, 1% of transaction amount if must convert to U.S. dollars. Foreign transaction fees do not apply to Visa Signature^® Flagship Rewards and GO REWARDS^®. $49 annual fee for Visa Signature Flagship Rewards. Balance transfer offer: Application must be submitted by 4/30/2015. If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your credit card unless your purchases have a 0% APR, or you pay the entire balance (including any transferred balances) in full each month by the payment due date. Offer valid for balances transferred from other card-issuer accounts requested at the time of application. No reward points or cash back on balance transfers. Navy Federal reserves the right to refuse duplicate balance transfer requests. Maximum total transfer amount is limited to your approved credit line and cannot exceed $30,000. Balance transfers using convenience checks are excluded from this offer. Excludes Navy Federal Business credit cards and Home EquityLine Visa^® Platinum credit cards.

UPDATE:

 

TU Deleted BofA and Macys TLs.

[Daphne954]

After reading, http://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=542686, I will be sending a validation letter to ERC, and get that TL removed, if that fails, I will dispute with CRA. If that fails, I will file complaint with CFPB.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Daphne954

[parisamour]

ERC generally disappears after a well worded DV letter.

Good luck!!

[Daphne954]

Definitely gonna start my craftsmanship.

[AnnMichele]

App update. I did the prequal search on Discovers website, and they gave me an offer for the Discover IT card. So I applied, and got denied. (Rookie mistake) . Got my letter in the mail, and stated denial because delinquency, length of time accounts have been established, too many accounts with balances, amounts past due on accounts, and number of inquires of credit bureau. On the other note, my FICO EQ score is 642. (Finally something to add to my sign) So gotta keep on pushing

I wouldn't say it was a rookie mistake.

 

They showed me that I was pre-qualified so I apped them to only be declined as well. I am still update about it

It happens. I tried to recon but that didn't work for me. Doesn't mean it might not work for you though. In my signature are some backdoor numbers try calling and seeing if they'll recon your app.

 

 

UPDATE:

 

TU Deleted BofA and Macys TLs.

good for you!! Told you they would delete them early! Now don't be surprised if you see your score go down, it's possible if you're re-bucketed. It might not change or it might go up but just want to prepare you should it go down.

[Daphne954]

I was already prepared for it to go down because those were my oldest TLs and I knew my AAOA would drop. What do you mean by re-bucketed? I'm familiar with that one.

So I started the online dispute for EX TL, and I got an error message saying, "You have previously disputed this item. Pursuant to Section 611(a)(3)(A) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, we will not process a duplicative dispute. If you have new or different information that is relevant to your dispute, you can upload supporting documents by using the button below. Alternatively, you can add a statement to this item or cancel your request below. You may also wish to contact the data furnisher of this information regarding your dispute.".

 

Should I type up a statement stating that the TL is past reporting period and upload it to the dispute, or should I go ahead and just fax the dispute?

 

[AnnMichele]

Are you actually disputing this right now? If so, you cannot do it again until they're done with their investigation.

[Daphne954]

I disputed BofA, Macys, and Cap1 April of 2014.

 

The status details on the report for BofA says, This item remained unchanged from our processing of your dispute in Apr 2014. Comment says, "Purchased by another lender."

 

The status details for Macys says, "This item was updated from our processing of your dispute in Apr 2014. and the comments for this TL says, Account closed at credit grantor's request. Account information disputed by consumer. (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act)

 

The status details for Cap1 says, "This item was updated from our processing of your dispute in Apr 2014." Comments says, "Purchased by another lender. Account previously in dispute - investigation complete, reported by data furnisher."

[Daphne954]

UPDATE

 

Equifax (FROZEN) - 5 Baddies Total

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged OFF
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged OFF -- disputed; came back verified
3. Macys -- DOFD: 07/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
4. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified
5. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This is a new one on EQ. I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.)

• 15 INQs

Experian (FROZEN) - 7 baddies total

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged off
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; came back verified
3. Cap1 -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $1108 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; information came back "updated"
4. Credence Resource Management (AT&T) -- $1135 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This account was opened under my dads name, I paid the bill, but never applied for it with my social. Disputed with AT&T and they sent last statement with a balance and MY name instead of my dads name) FALL OFF DATE: 7/2019
5. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (This is a new one on EX. I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.) FALL OFF DATE: 5/2016
6. Macys -- DOFD: 09/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
7. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified -- disputed; according to EX, "Account information disputed by consumer (Meets requirement of the Fair Credit Reporting Act). " FALL OFF DATE: 5/2016

• 4 INQs

TransUnion (NOT FROZEN) - 5 baddies

1. Santander -- DOFD: 06/2013 -- $10682 balance -- Charged off
2. BofA -- DOFD: 06/2008 -- $943 balance -- Charged off -- disputed; came back verified (TU not showing disputed status)
3. Macys -- DOFD: 7/2008 -- $293 -- Charged OFF (Never sent to collections. Called Macys to reconcile account and keep TL, but no account could be located) - disputed; came back verified
4. Enhanced Recovery Services (DirecTV) -- DOFD: 08/2009 -- $187 balance -- COLLECTIONS (I disputed this with TU when I first started as it was owned by another company, and it was removed. Seems like it was sold to ERC and reinserted.)
5. Midland (TMobile) -- DOFD: 08/2009 (however date opened says 10/2011 -- Date of Major Delinquency: 01/2012 -- $807 balance -- disputed; came back verified

• 7 INQs

[Daphne954]

Next step, firing off DV Letter to ERC to remove this nagging TL. Looking for advice on what to do about Credence on my EXP. The account was for my dad, and opened in his name, his SSN, and bill was in his name. Long story short, I passed off the line and he defaulted. I made the payments for the duration of my contract. Now, the information is on my credit file. I first disputed this account when it was with AFNI, and their response to my DV was a copy of a bill with MY NAME on it instead of his. Which none of the bills were EVER in my name to begin with. Advice?

[Jason14]

Next step, firing off DV Letter to ERC to remove this nagging TL. Looking for advice on what to do about Credence on my EXP. The account was for my dad, and opened in his name, his SSN, and bill was in his name. Long story short, I passed off the line and he defaulted. I made the payments for the duration of my contract. Now, the information is on my credit file. I first disputed this account when it was with AFNI, and their response to my DV was a copy of a bill with MY NAME on it instead of his. Which none of the bills were EVER in my name to begin with. Advice?

how did it go with AFNI ? Im stuck with a collection from em on my reports..

[Daphne954]

I haven't started my process with AFNI. Still dealing with ERC.

[kforde]

my recommendation with the tmobile, file a FCC and Attorney General Complaint. I had a $4k verizon collection tried for months of disputing and dealing with them...the FCC complaint got their attention but it was the AG complaint that lead to an apology, removal of debt from their system, removal of inquiries, and removal of the collection from all 3 reports. Be as detailed as possible, and I would suggest if you are a big social media person to make the comment such as "had to file FCC and AG complaint against @tmobile today because of ____" public attention is never something they want. Good luck and great progress!

[Daphne954]

Need help with this TL.

 

Santander has sold the debt to NCB Management and now they are calling me a million times and everybody and their mama. Lol. I have a question about the DOFD to calculate when to start disputing without getting sued. SOL for Written contracts in FL is 5 years.

 

The very first DOFD that happened was March 2012. Then I kept bringing the account current and what not. In June 2013, I was able to get another loan through Honda, which has been paid on time. I called Santander and told them to come get their car which they did.

 

The NCB collection hasn't popped up on my reports. The collector was offering a settlement k was not happy with. I will be settling for about 10% of the balance which is about 900 and get it deleted as my negotiation offer. However if that doesn't happen, what would my true DOFD be? Would it be March 2012 or June 2013?