Citi Card Decline/CR Dispute

[Vapchez]

I was declined for a Citi PremierPass CC and called today after received receiving my decline letter.  The CSR I spoke to said it was declined because of a charge off account that is less than 2 years old.  They pulled Equifax and, luckily, I'd just pulled my report.  I read my report and it has an old chargeoff that I am waiting to fall off this Fall.  The date of last activity is November 2001 but there is a Status as of date of May 2006 which must be why Citi says it is less than 2 years old.  I want to send a Recon letter to Citi but I don't know if I should send my report with an explanation or dispute this account listing with Equifax first and, if I do so, how should I handle it?  Any advice would be appreciated. 

[FretlessMayhem]

FWIW I tried doing this in the exact same position you are in now and all it got me was another inq on my CR.

You might just want to wait this out. Also, are you aware the PP doesn't report the CL?

[Vapchez]

Yes even though this particular card doesn't report CLs, I know Citi is a good company so I was hoping to get my foot in the door with one of their direct cards.  I already have a HD and Exxonmobil card which they manage.  This card also has a 0% BT until 6/09 so I was hoping to take advantage of that as well.  For your situation, did you dispute with the CRA?  If so, were you able to get them to fix the date?

[Anonymous]

I would not dispute this to EQ unless you want the date to be updated to today.

If you dispute and EQ verifies, it will just bring your score's lower since Fico see's it as a new derog.

(Ask me how I know? )