Credit: A work in progress. . .

[certifiedmommy]

Hello CB , newbie here. After reading, researching, and information overload — I have decided it would be in my best interest to document my journey in one place. This is the best place since I spend most of my free time scouring these threads. For referencing purposes, I’ll be posting everything I’ve learned and including links to them here. This is mainly for me to keep record, but you all are more than welcomed to give advice. Or, correct any outdated or incorrect info, although I hope not to come across any.

 

Current FICO scores (as of 08/15):

EQ: 530

TU: 579

EX: 525

 

Current COs (as of 08/15): Amount DOFD Paid/Unpaid Notes

Enhanced Recovery: T-Mobi. $166 01/14 U

AT&T $304 11/12 U

National Credit System (Apt) $1273 07/09 U Disputed

I C System: Uverse $664 01/13 U

Procollect (Apt) $3494 07/09 U Disputed

Unique Natl Coll. $104 U ?

Credit Protection Assoc. $172 10/12 U

Medicredit $200 03/15 U Why Chat*

North American: Suntrust $255 04/12 P reporting unpaid,will dispute

Medical $549 04/14 U Why Chat*

 

Revolving COs??

BofA CC P

Scana Energy $315 04/13 U revolving?

Scana Energy $65 06/09 U “

Scana Energy $170 02/10 U “

National Recovery: Verizon $1524 05/13 U “

 

Accounts in Good standing (revol. & instal.)

USAA Secured Master 0% Never late/paid as agrees

USAA Secured Amex 0% “

Student Loan 97% “

 

*Initiated Why Chat’s Program 08/15

 

These amounts are so small in comparison to what I see others dealing with . I feel like a fool for ever allowing my credit to get like this. Ignorance isn’t bliss. But what is done is done, moving forward.

[parisamour]

Hi!! I see you typed it back up .. Welcome , lots of helpful people here to guide you.

I see you're doing medical first , using Whychats method. Don't start any other disputes while you're going through his program..

Good luck fellow CBer !!

[tobettercredit]

Good luck.

[New School]

Welcome and good luck!

[certifiedmommy]

Hi!! I see you typed it back up .. Welcome , lots of helpful people here to guide you.

I see you're doing medical first , using Whychats method. Don't start any other disputes while you're going through his program..

Good luck fellow CBer !!

Lol, yes but this time I typed it in word first. Ok, I will strictly focus on the medical until those are complete. And thank you

Good luck.

Thanks ☺️

[certifiedmommy]

Welcome and good luck!

Thank you 😊

Edited September 7, 2015 by certifiedmommy

[VintageWillow]

Welcome

[certifiedmommy]

Welcome

Thank you

[certifiedmommy]

Score Update: EX 525 541

Not sure what caused the increase but

[cv91915]

Score Update: EX 525 541

Not sure what caused the increase but

 

Welcome.

 

It's always great to see a score bump.

 

On your way to credit purity, there will be a lot of score bumps (and falls) that may or may not have an immediate, obvious explanation. As long as you have a single major derogatory reporting, though, major victories like removing an entire negative tradeline probably won't translate into large score increases.

 

For the foreseeable future I would advise tracking your success by the number of dragons (major derogs) that you slay, compared to how many you started with, rather than by your scores. The closer you get to 14 out of 14 removed the more your results will translate into meaningful score movements.

 

From a score perspective, you might consider monitoring your progress at six month intervals to avoid the enormous disappointment that can follow weeks of hard work (and results) followed by an unmoving (or in some cases, decreasing) score. This game is about more than scores, especially at your stage.

 

There's lots of help here. Stay focused and you'll win.

Edited September 9, 2015 by cv91915

[certifiedmommy]

 

Score Update: EX 525 541

Not sure what caused the increase but

 

Welcome.

 

It's always great to see a score bump.

 

On your way to credit purity, there will be a lot of score bumps (and falls) that may or may not have an immediate, obvious explanation. As long as you have a single major derogatory reporting, though, major victories like removing an entire negative tradeline probably won't translate into large score increases.

 

For the foreseeable future I would advise tracking your success by the number of dragons (major derogs) that you slay, compared to how many you started with, rather than by your scores. The closer you get to 14 out of 14 removed the more your results will translate into meaningful score movements.

 

From a score perspective, you might consider monitoring your progress at six month intervals to avoid the enormous disappointment that can follow weeks of hard work (and results) followed by an unmoving (or in some cases, decreasing) score. This game is about more than scores, especially at your stage.

 

There's lots of help here. Stay focused and you'll win.

 

 

 

Haha, I've already experiencd the emotional rollercoster you speak of, and it's only been a few weeks since I have actively been at this. I will definitely monitor my score in six months intervals to keep my sanity in check. It's so easy to fall into the trap of using your score as a progress tracker at the beginner stage, however, I definitely see the disadvantage of doing so. Thank you so much for stopping by.

 

ETA: Based on your siggy, you are my hero!

Edited September 9, 2015 by certifiedmommy

[certifiedmommy]

Update: So, as you can see above, I had one CO that was paid for before it went to collections. Well, for quite some time now I've been having a feeling that I should have had a document or some proof that it was paid. While on a mission to find one, I found several confirmation letters in my old accordian folder from a lot of the accounts above that clearly state the balances were $0. Yaaaaaay me! I am so glad I always asked for those and kept them! I felt that there were multiple errors, just didn't think I had proof.

 

Now I just have to wait until I am finished with the two medical accounts. It's going to be so much fun disputing those CAs

[certifiedmommy]

Hello CB , newbie here. After reading, researching, and information overload — I have decided it would be in my best interest to document my journey in one place. This is the best place since I spend most of my free time scouring these threads. For referencing purposes, I’ll be posting everything I’ve learned and including links to them here. This is mainly for me to keep record, but you all are more than welcomed to give advice. Or, correct any outdated or incorrect info, although I hope not to come across any.

 

Current FICO scores (as of 08/15):

EQ: 530

TU: 579

EX: 525

 

Current COs (as of 08/15): Amount DOFD Paid/Unpaid Notes

Enhanced Recovery: T-Mobi. $166 01/14 U

AT&T $304 11/12 U

National Credit System (Apt) $1273 07/09 U Disputed

I C System: Uverse $664 01/13 U

Procollect (Apt) $3494 07/09 U Disputed

Unique Natl Coll. $104 U ?

Credit Protection Assoc. $172 10/12 U

Medicredit $200 03/15 U Why Chat*

North American: Suntrust $255 04/12 P reporting unpaid,will dispute

Medical $549 04/14 U Why Chat*

 

Revolving COs??

BofA CC P

Scana Energy $315 04/13 U revolving?

Scana Energy $65 06/09 U “

Scana Energy $170 02/10 U “

National Recovery: Verizon $1524 05/13 U “

 

Accounts in Good standing (revol. & instal.)

USAA Secured Master 0% Never late/paid as agrees

USAA Secured Amex 0% “

Student Loan 97% “

Capital One Secured Master 0% "

 

*Initiated Why Chat’s Program 08/15 10/20/15(delayed due to personal events and weird EQ dispute )

 

These amounts are so small in comparison to what I see others dealing with . I feel like a fool for ever allowing my credit to get like this. Ignorance isn’t bliss. But what is done is done, moving forward.

Update: So, the accounts listed above in red were removed from EQ. I was about to start Why CHat's HIPAA program when I noticed that a dispute was in progress(never received any notice of a dispute being in progress). I also noticed that all my reports have fraud alerts on them, via backdoors, also not initiated by me. The only thing I intiated(online) was a freeze on EQ because a dealership I applied for a loan at, continued to pull my report days after I had left. I already had far too may inquiries and didn't need any more.

 

I am very curious about how all of this happened but since I've started the HIPAA program, I am hesitant to inquire. Plus I'm not sure there is any need to. I have been a victim of ID theft/fraud before but that alert expired last year, although, I highly doubt there is any relation.

 

Whatever happened, I'm happy. However, I do wonder if I can use EQ's removals as basis for the other to remove (not planning on doing anything about it until I've complete the HIPAA program, just wondering)?

Edited October 20, 2015 by certifiedmommy

[certifiedmommy]

 

Hello CB , newbie here. After reading, researching, and information overload — I have decided it would be in my best interest to document my journey in one place. This is the best place since I spend most of my free time scouring these threads. For referencing purposes, I’ll be posting everything I’ve learned and including links to them here. This is mainly for me to keep record, but you all are more than welcomed to give advice. Or, correct any outdated or incorrect info, although I hope not to come across any.

 

Current FICO scores (as of 08/15):

EQ: 530

TU: 579

EX: 525

 

Current COs (as of 08/15): Amount DOFD Paid/Unpaid Notes

Enhanced Recovery: T-Mobi. $166 01/14 U

AT&T $304 11/12 U

National Credit System (Apt) $1273 07/09 U Disputed

I C System: Uverse $664 01/13 U

Procollect (Apt) $3494 07/09 U Disputed

Unique Natl Coll. $104 U ?

Credit Protection Assoc. $172 10/12 U

Medicredit $200 03/15 U Why Chat*

North American: Suntrust $255 04/12 P reporting unpaid,will dispute

Medical $549 04/14 U Why Chat*

 

Revolving COs??

BofA CC P

Scana Energy $315 04/13 U revolving?

Scana Energy $65 06/09 U “

Scana Energy $170 02/10 U “

National Recovery: Verizon $1524 05/13 U “

 

Accounts in Good standing (revol. & instal.)

USAA Secured Master 0% Never late/paid as agrees

USAA Secured Amex 0% “

Student Loan 97% “

Capital One Secured Master 0% "

 

*Initiated Why Chat’s Program 08/15 10/20/15(delayed due to personal events and weird EQ dispute )

 

These amounts are so small in comparison to what I see others dealing with . I feel like a fool for ever allowing my credit to get like this. Ignorance isn’t bliss. But what is done is done, moving forward.

Update: So, the accounts listed above in red were removed from EQ. I was about to start Why CHat's HIPAA program when I noticed that a dispute was in progress(never received any notice of a dispute being in progress). I also noticed that all my reports have fraud alerts on them, via backdoors, also not initiated by me. The only thing I intiated(online) was a freeze on EQ because a dealership I applied for a loan at, continued to pull my report days after I had left. I already had far too may inquiries and didn't need any more.

 

I am very curious about how all of this happened but since I've started the HIPAA program, I am hesitant to inquire. Plus I'm not sure there is any need to. I have been a victim of ID theft/fraud before but that alert expired last year, although, I highly doubt there is any relation.

 

Whatever happened, I'm happy. However, I do wonder if I can use EQ's removals as basis for the other to remove (not planning on doing anything about it until I've complete the HIPAA program, just wondering)?

 

 

Hello CB , newbie here. After reading, researching, and information overload — I have decided it would be in my best interest to document my journey in one place. This is the best place since I spend most of my free time scouring these threads. For referencing purposes, I’ll be posting everything I’ve learned and including links to them here. This is mainly for me to keep record, but you all are more than welcomed to give advice. Or, correct any outdated or incorrect info, although I hope not to come across any.

 

Current FICO scores (as of 08/15):

EQ: 530

TU: 579

EX: 525

 

Current COs (as of 08/15): Amount DOFD Paid/Unpaid Notes

Enhanced Recovery: T-Mobi. $166 01/14 U

AT&T $304 11/12 U

National Credit System (Apt) $1273 07/09 U Disputed

I C System: Uverse $664 01/13 U

Procollect (Apt) $3494 07/09 U Disputed

Unique Natl Coll. $104 U ?

Credit Protection Assoc. $172 10/12 U

Medicredit $200 03/15 U Why Chat*

North American: Suntrust $255 04/12 P reporting unpaid,will dispute

Medical $549 04/14 U Why Chat*

 

Revolving COs??

BofA CC P

Scana Energy $315 04/13 U

Scana Energy $65 06/09 U

Scana Energy $170 02/10 U

National Recovery: Verizon $1524 05/13 U

 

Accounts in Good standing (revol. & instal.)

USAA Secured Master 0% Never late/paid as agrees

USAA Secured Amex 0% “

Student Loan 97% “

Capital One 0% "

Auto loan 0%

 

*Initiated Why Chat’s Program 08/15

 

These amounts are so small in comparison to what I see others dealing with . I feel like a fool for ever allowing my credit to get like this. Ignorance isn’t bliss. But what is done is done, moving forward.

7 down, 3 to go . Thank you CB! HUGE thank you to Why Chat As a result, I purchased my first car, actually my first auto loan. I have purchased all my previous cars with cash, which in my case turned out not to be the best option. My family now has the space to travel together in one vehicle and save on extra gas and maintenance. But most importantly, I can take our youngest son to all of his post-op appointments with out having to share one car. I just can't thank you all enough, those who have helped directly and indirectly.

[certifiedmommy]

Deleted/PFD accounts in RED

 

Current collections (as of 12/15): Amount DOFD Paid/Unpaid Notes

 

Enhanced Recovery: T-Mobi. $166 01/14 U

AT&T $304 11/12 U

National Credit System (Apt) $1273 07/09 U Disputed

I C System: Uverse $664 01/13 U

Procollect (Apt) $3494 07/09 U Disputed

Unique Natl Coll. $104 U ?

Credit Protection Assoc. $172 10/12 U

Medicredit $200 03/15 U Why Chat*

North American: Suntrust $255 04/12 P reporting unpaid,will dispute

Medical $549 04/14 U Why Chat*

 

Revolving COs??

BofA CC P begin GW requests

Scana Energy $315 04/13 U will offer PFD

Scana Energy $65 06/09 U

Scana Energy $170 02/10 U

National Recovery: Verizon $1524 05/13 U “

 

Accounts in Good standing (revol. & instal.)

USAA Secured Master (added 08/15) 0% Never late/paid as agrees

USAA Secured Amex (added 08/15) 0% "

Student Loans 97% "

Capital One (added 10/15) 0% "

Auto loan (added 11/9/15) "

 

*Initiated Why Chat’s Program 08/15 10/20/15 Successful completion 11/16/15

Edited December 19, 2015 by certifiedmommy

[certifiedmommy]

Links to some of my accomplishments closing out 2015:

 

12/30- TU early deletions

 

12/31- This one was pretty epic for me, Navy instant approval 5K!

 

My goals for 2016:

 

Garden the accounts that I currently have: 4 CCs, 1 AL, and a crap ton of inquiries which I will not dislcose the amount as it was before I came here and learned better.

PIF, of course

Request CLIs on that Navy, let's see if I can get it up to 25K

Pay down my SL

Get rid of the last of my baddies

And get these darned scores up, FICOs currently: EQ 577 TU 580 EX 564 (gained some points over the past couple of days, no reasons given) to the mid-high 600s

Avoid lates like the plague

 

If anyone has anything to add, please do.

[C316]

Awesome work so far!

 

What do you have left on your reports? For me anyway, kinda hard to decipher what is still showing and what is deleted.It looks like only BOFA and Scana Energy are still reporting? How are they reporting?

 

A lot (not all) utilities will PFD if you get in contact with the right people. Keep trying until you find the right one.

 

I have no experience dealing with a CO from BofA. I know they had something go against them fairly recently in the courts with BK's and CO's. Not sure if it applies or you can use it to your advantage or not.

 

Best of luck going forward.

[certifiedmommy]

Awesome work so far!

 

What do you have left on your reports? For me anyway, kinda hard to decipher what is still showing and what is deleted.It looks like only BOFA and Scana Energy are still reporting? How are they reporting?

 

A lot (not all) utilities will PFD if you get in contact with the right people. Keep trying until you find the right one.

 

I have no experience dealing with a CO from BofA. I know they had something go against them fairly recently in the courts with BK's and CO's. Not sure if it applies or you can use it to your advantage or not.

 

Best of luck going forward.

Thank you.

 

You are correct for the most part. BofA, Scana, and Jeff Cap are what I have left.

 

My plans:

 

BofA- Get back in once my credit imporves more, then goodwill. In the past, they reported two checking accts and once I PIF and opened new accounts, I notice that they deleted both. I am going to research the BK/CO court situation you mentioned, that would really help if I could use it to my advantage. Thanks for that tid bit.

 

Scana will likely deleted after I PIF. But I will make sure before I do.

 

Jeff Cap is reporting different DOFDs on all three. One date is several months prior to VZWs dated (VZW has deleted from all three already). I plan to do a 1-2 punch and BBB complaint at the same time. I've researched their BBB complaints and they folded on all of the VZW accts. I was really tempted to do this one recently because it the most recent and it kept coming up in question whenever I applied for anything. But since NfCU showed me major love and it's still within SOL, I'll wait.

[certifiedmommy]

Update:

1/2016: EQ- 577 TU- 580 EX- 564

2/2016: EQ- 614 TU-620 EX-606

 

2016 is still looking good.

 

I think the biggest challenge will be gardening. I have frozen all reports and will be staying away from the Master Approvals Thread. Not being able to thaw my reports via any automated system will surely help and I'll keep telling myself that calling in is too much of a hassle. Wish me luck! And THANK YOU CB!!!

 

 

ETA: I have NEVER seen my scores in the 600s. I'm sure they were at some point but it was probably the time someone stole my identity and had a mortgage and several high limit cards in my name

Edited February 1, 2016 by certifiedmommy