topic Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next? in General Credit Topics

dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:12:22 GMT

Hello, Our situation: Boyfriend and I are trying to buy a house together. When we moved in together a little over a year ago, he was errantly charged electricity from the utility company after he had already moved out of his apartment. This is $15.36 we're talking about. We didn't know it existed until we saw it on his credit report. We disputed the charge, and they say they never were notified to disconnect service and that the charge is valid. We have no real proof to say otherwise. Next step, we wrote a PFD. It was denied. Then, we wrote a GW. It was just denied as well. So, we have plenty of money to get the house-- I have credit in the 780s, but because of this "serious delinquency" from the utility company, he Fico score is 630ish. Our mortgage guy wants to see him at least in the 650s. Advice? I'm so frustrated!!

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Tuscani — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:15:11 GMT

What about adding him as an AU? That should boost his score enough to get your home.. Do it now though as the rules are changing.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:19:42 GMT

Hi Tuscani, Thank you for your advice. A few months ago I actually added him on two of my cards with good history (longer than his actually) and high credit limits. I added him as a co-owner (I know that's not the right term.. but you know what I mean) rather than an AU. It seems like it's had no impact at all on his score according to myfico. 630 instead of 628... Anything else you could recommend?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Tuscani — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:20:56 GMT

Can you give me more details about his overall credit picture? Baddies, Accts, Util, Inqs, ect.?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:31:25 GMT

He doesn't have anything negative on his reports except this utility collection. No other late payments or anything. His history isn't very long because he's British, and has only been here a couple of years. (About 20 mo. on the card that only has his name) That's why I thought that adding him to a couple of my longer histories would really help. Also, he only had one cc prior to my putting him on two of mine. So, he currently has 2 ccs and one consumer acct card on his report. Thank you!

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:57:29 GMT

What is the ultilization ratio on the cards?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:15:28 GMT

Hi, The Util rate is under 3-4% on average. The most we have is like $80 on a $1500 card. Any other thoughts? I really appreciate the ideas!

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:17:21 GMT

I also realize I didn't respond to inquiries-- only one hard inq in the last year.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:19:28 GMT

Kosher to bump this?? I need help!! Thanks in advance.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Tuscani — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:35:19 GMT

Mid 600s might be the best you can do with such a young file. Time is your friend.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Platinum25 — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:06:31 GMT

Wouldn't it be worth just paying the $15 to show it as paid on his credit report? That should help out a little bit, no?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:20:29 GMT

From what I understand from reading these forums, a paid collection doesn't help a report very much since it doesn't get the collection deleted. And I think it also has a possibility of re-aging the debt. Is that correct? Tuscani, I see what you mean about waiting this out. I've been searching the forums for what timeline we can maybe expect some bumps up from the collection getting old. Are there any general benchmarks? (We're at one year right now almost exactly... haven't seen anything..) Thanks!

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:50:26 GMT

I dont know if getting rid of that $15 charge will have much impact, but I would PFB at the same time as trying to contact someone higher, more important at the utility company. Just to let them know that you did not know about the charge. I would also let them know that you are indeed trying to improve youor credit to buy a home.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:33:35 GMT

Is it held by the gas company itself or a CA??

Have they sent you a complete bill & doc.like a signiture to prove that it is yours.

Gas company doesn't keep those things here...they dumb. I would think that they would need to .

just giving a bill & saying that its your because you didn't call stinks. maybe you didn't & then maybe you did & they forgot.

takes time to build on new CC.was anyone living there after you left???

Message Edited by NUTZOMOMMY on 07-26-2007 02:33 AM

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:44:46 GMT

It's not held by a CA, just the Gas & Electric Company. I would love it if they had to have a signature, but I disputed it with each of the 3 credit agencies and apparently PG&E had a enough proof for them to consider it valid. We're pretty sure the apartment was empty after he left, hence the $15 just for keeping it open and the apt. complex showing people around. Is it worth it to send another GW to the CEO? If I use PFB, does that go to someone higher up in the food chain?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:59:06 GMT

I would see if you can do a PFD. I think that would work the best.

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 03:52:17 GMT

Hi Powerup, I've already tried a PFD, if you refer to the first post. Is there any reason to do a second one? Thanks

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:41:00 GMT

How about a letter from the buildling complex on their letterhead stating that you did move out on such on such a date and that they were showing the apartment and that you should not be responsible for any payments on energy for that apartment. They can verify that you/ your boyfriend had terminated the lease.

Just a thought.

Does he have a copy of his original lease? Did he get security deposit back? Does he have receipt showing that he got money back on this date, signed by leasing office? Ask the office for a copy of previous lease and lease ending agreement for the apt.

If he was a good tenant the complex might be willing to help him out

Message Edited by myhearts07 on 07-27-2007 06:41 AM

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:37:11 GMT

What happened with your disputes? Any luck?

Re: dispute, pfd, gw, what next?

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:25:20 GMT

I have the same issue, I had left my apartment, paid up to date and PSEG supposedly had sent this outstanding amount to the address contiunualy after I left. It showed up as a collection for the first time since its origination (2002) in May this year - I freaked and paid the CA without negotiating removal of any negative info. (to hastey now after reading these forums !!)

I have had to work backwards now and send GW letters to PSEG & the CA (NCO financial). I also DV'd with all 3 CA's. Currently Equifax are in their investigation mode, Experian intially stated that they could not do anything after reviewing my info but now they have sent a second letter stating that the Collection is deleted. But I have heard that it can be reinstated at any time.

After writing to PSEG customer center, I am now going to write to all the PSEG exec board (based out of Newark, NJ)

Kepp on keeping on and keep me up to date with what happens to you and I will do the same.

Good Luck

RJW