GW Letters

[Anonymous]

In writing GW letters to former creditors, what do you do when you don't the have entire account number for the credit cards you're writing about?  All I have is the account number on the credit reports which has XXXX for the last four digits.  I've shredded the old statements and credit cards a couple of years ago.  Thanks!

[SmartCookie]

Pull from annualcreditreport.com if you can.  Those are your free FACTA reports and they have the full information on them.

The creditor also will be able to locate your account with the info you have and the XXXX as the last 4 digits.  Some people prefer just using that as it is more secure.  Personally with me, if it is a closed account... I put the full account # if I have it or can get it free.  Do not include your SSN or any other info like that along with it though.

[Anonymous]

I just mailed GW letters to several creditors.  I'll report back here what the outcome is.  Does anyone remember how long it usually takes to hear back on GW letters? 

In writing these letters it made me reflect on these debts, and what we were going through two years ago.  It's hard to believe we owed all of these companies.  Carrying the debt was manageable as long as things were smooth, but when health problems started happening, home repairs needed to be taken care of (including replacing the roof), and other unexpected events came up, we started down the dangerous trail of "borrowing from Peter to pay Paul".  Careless money management and spending didn't help either.  I don't know what I was thinking to get myself and my husband in that much trouble.  I don't want to ever go back to being in that dark, miserable valley!!  We by no means have completely recovered yet as we're still have two credit cards on a DMP, but we have hope now.  Thanks! 

[haulingthescoreup]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I just mailed GW letters to several creditors. I'll report back here what the outcome is. Does anyone remember how long it usually takes to hear back on GW letters?

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I don't think that there's any "usually" about it. I've always visualized the reaction of the creditor upon receiving a GW as being like that of one of my cats when something odd falls on the kitchen floor. An initial jump back, then a wary circling, then some sniffing, and then finally they may or may not bite. I've seen posts about getting answers to GW's within a week, and others after 4 weeks, and still others, never.

Congratulations on all the hard work getting to where you want to be! and good luck with the GW's.

[marty56]

I am still a little gun shy about sending a GW letter to BofA.  I want to see what my scores are after I redunce my CC debt to 0 and just charge a snall amount.  I should be there by the Spring.

I may sound supid but Its not the rejection I fear but what else BofA might due to hurt me.  They really burned me 2 years ago and I still feel today that they view a DMP worse then if the account went to collections.  They really did want me to fail.