topic Re: Can't Use Score Products? in General Credit Topics

Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:44:19 GMT

Hi, I'm fairly new to this forum (posting) but not reading. I've recently decided to get my financial house in order. I ordered a credit report last night from Experian, and it showed a score of 566. There is a car loan on my credit report that I've never applied for, and I will be working on getting that off, because one I never applied in Miami, and I don't know how to drive, nor do I have a state licence. I also have inquiries from auto finance companies. I'm not sure if I need to do more, because I got free reports from Transunion (I have to wait in the mail because my address didn't match, so I faxed my NY State ID), and Equifax only has legal NY State tax liens (3) which I just paid today in full, and more than likely won't come-off because they only give letters saying it's paid. Hey better than nothing. Anyways I tried to purchase the Score monitor product on here, but it's saying I basically have no credit with Equifax, I'm basically confused. It say I had to have accounts, etc. I'm like why does Experian have all these old accounts from 1996 and 1998 on my report but not the other two? Experian still shows my Amex which was closed by me and always paid on time. They have the 2 liens (not 3), and they show this auto finance crap that's not mines, Equifax is empty, besides the 3 tax liens, and Transunion I'll know in about a week or so via the mail. Anyone have an idea of how I can still use a score service, or am I like starting all over again? I'm currently back in college and just want to clear all my finances up for the future.I'm much wiser, and have lived for the past 3 years on my cash, and cash alone. I really did think I had ruined all my credit from college, but all seems to have dropped off. Sorry it's so long, perhaps one of you very nice and wise people can help me navigate this convoluted mess.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

SmartCookie — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 23:00:19 GMT

Welcome aboard!

myfico is having some sorts of issues with EQ so give it a few days and try again. Keep an eye on the products forum and see if Barry has any updates.

Don't dispute off of free reports... the company has more time to investigate before they must update or delete.

The auto loan stuff is a bit unnerving and you need to find out if this was a reporting error or identity theft. You need to also dispute all of the INQs that are not yours.

If you have no open credit cards, hold off on applying until you do some repair of all of this stuff on your reports. Search the boards though on the BoA secured and 99/500 cards. That's the only card you should bother with right now in my opinion.

Sorry if I didn't hit all the points here but I'm sure you'll get lots more input from the fellow forumites.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:59:45 GMT

Thank you so much for your reply.

Yes, I've learned from reading here that it's better to write them to dispute incorrect information, etc rather than online - so I'll be doing that tomorrow.

I also won't be trying to get any "new" credit cards that are unsecured, but I have been thinking about getting a secured card to start to rebuild my credit. I'll look into the info you gave.

I'll also wait and retry to see if I can use these scoring products, I'd love to and loathe the idea that says I can't

I'm going to work on this car thing tomorrow, sadly there is no phone number for this company in the report, and I've googled them and the address and nothing. I will definitely get those inquiries off that are not ones I authorized, which is all the ones for an car - again I don't drive, never learned, don't have a license, so why would I attempt to buy a car. It's also unsettling to me, because it means either incorrect data was reported, or someone stole my identity - and the real bummer is for all these years I kept saying my credit was irreparable, meanwhile it looks like someone thought differently.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:28:15 GMT

Quick update:

I have found this company with a ton of googling and caching, that checked my credit and claims to be a auto finance company, they deal with used cars which might explain why they show a balance of $7300 originally. They have several numbers and names, and it's now looking very much like my identity was stolen. I'm not sure if I should call them or just go the NYC police department, or just let the CRA handle it all with me formally asking them to remove it? I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record, but all of this makes me very nervous and upset.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

SmartCookie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:31:49 GMT

Hey braz... I'm a NYer too!

I've got to run but will be back later.

PLEASE get a police report now. No thinking about it, you need it. You might have to go in... and you don't need to get over there now unless it's across the street, but go tomorrow at the latest.

Be back.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:25:42 GMT

Cool, two New Yawkers is better than one lol!

I called my local precent and will go tomorrow to file a report. I'm still thinking should I mail my letter to the CRA, which is only Experian which shows this account now, or should I fax it.

Also, those tax liens are going to be the death of me, although I paid them off. I still have 3 more to pay - I know me and taxes woah lol. Seriously the last 3 aren't filed yet, but I am going to call the NYS tax department tomorrow and just find a way to pay them all off in 60 days, because goodness knows I don't want anymore liens for taxes.

Other than that after I get the fraud auto account off, pay off one sprint bill, and remove those false inquiries I'll think my score with Experian will go lower, because it will be like new credit or new and deliquent credit lol. I'm going to definitely apply for a secured card, and build, build, build. I'm going to pay for my next semester with financial aid, and my own hard earned savings, and hopefully by 2009 I can go for a student loan without a high interest rate, etc - IF I need too. It's not the route I'd like to take, but just in case I do need to get a student loan, at least I won't have to suffer my education for horrible credit.

I'm still baffled by someone actually getting a car loan with one my credit (the company claims to give sub-prime car loans), and two well again I don't drive, never had a license and I've NEVER received a letter from these people. I can't wait to get to the bottom of all of this.

You've been so helpful Smartcookie, thanks so much for responding.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

SmartCookie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:43:41 GMT

And they say NYers are not friendly!

Good work on the police issue. Have you pulled any reports at annualcreditreport.com? If not, pull all 3 and make hard copies of everything. Also make hard copies of any reports that you were able to pull...whatever you have been looking at.

Read this info on identity theft. http://www.myfico.com/Downloads/Files/myFICO_IDTheft_Booklet.pdf Also, each of the 3 CRAs will have related info to read. At the minimum you're going to need a Fraud Alert on your files. In NY we are also able to get Security Freezes, which are more iron-clad. Again, each CRA has it's own education section on all of this to peruse. http://www.experian.com/consumer/help/states/ny.html

Once you have a FA or SF on your CRAs, it's a lil inconvenient to apply for credit but you still can. So... you may want to slap these on ASAP or wait depending on what your gut says. I'd probably try to get a few things taken care of before putting on a SF. BTW... there are many other types of credit reports that may have bad stuff on them... there is a huge list on the forum somewhere. Put that on the to do list!

With the police report and Identity Theft issue you'll be able to get all that stuff wiped off easy. Any INQ you did not make needs to come off hard or soft. You should contact the SSA to see if anyone has used your SSN for employment.

I'm not a lien pro... so search the boards to make sure you are taking care of it in the most effective way. Before paying Sprint, offer a PFD if the account is closed and fairly negative.

We'll get you fixed up here! Enough for now, I don't want to overwhelm. One thing at a time... 3 annual credit reports printed (EQ should work there), new reports printed, police report and complaint number (ask if you need to report it to FL police yourself or if they do). Then have a slice and recharge... and get the Identity Issue stuff mailed to the 3 CRAs. PM me if you need... I'm sometimes around when it's late and dead here if you have any problems and no one is around.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:59:24 GMT

Oh my goodness thank you for all of that!

I did contact the finance company let me tell you what a big fat crazy person I looked like to these people. Turns-out it's not an auto loan, and no one stole my identity (new yawkers are so paranoid), what it turns out to be is a very old account that was purchased by this new company, which in some round about way does auto loans and purchases portfolios etc. That's how they got mines. The man I spoke with was nice, and claimed he was the owner of the company and that he sometimes answers the phone, after much chatting I remembered who the original creditor was BUT here is the kicker he's showing 1998 as when I got the loan, and the loan maturing in 2007 since it said something about 48 months on my credit report. I'm like NOOOO, I got the loan to pay off medical bills (it was only for medical doctors) but it wasn't a loan it was like a credit card, but just for that doctor. Anyway this was in 1996, as I called the doctor and had his receptionist confirm, they even have a copy of the paperwork. Before I had my proof I explained to the man I was talking too, that this was not 1998 but 1996 and there is absolutely no way this thing should STILL be on my credit report etc. He said he was going to pull my records from his archives, give him 30 days, he claims if they can't find my records or it takes longer than 30 days it they will send me a letter saying they'll delete the account from my credit report, but if he does get the paperwork and it shows the loan from 1998 he will send me a copy of it, etc. I did express my willing to work with him, and that I wasn't trying to hide, but I dispute the dates, etc.

I truly do not believe and now I know for a fact based on what my doctors office faxed me that this loan is from 1996, not 1998, he claims it matured in 2001 and won't come off my report until 1998, again I'm looking at the application and approval letter, and it says nothing about it being any kind of loan, but rather a credit account for medical services etc and it's clear as day July of 2006 is when I applied and got approved, with a co-signer mind you.

I'm sorry for originally misstating the facts, I was so confused by the auto loan info on my credit report, and it just looked bogus. I also asked the man why he pulled my credit back in August he was like because you owed money, and I explained to him but why does it say Auto finance etc. He was at a loss for words, I asked him didn't he have to have permission etc, he said he didn't know - again it's such a weird company. But he said he purchased my account from Citifinancial which took over the company I originally got the account with.

Now, all I can do is wait and see what he tells me, and keep on top of it. I guess if he comes back with this 1998 stuff then I'd have to worry, which again I have proof on my end that counters, all this 48 months crap is not anywhere on the paperwork my doctors office had.

Should I do anything else? I'm going to wait to dispute it because I want to see what he has in his records, but if he comes back with more bogus stuff then I'm going to dispute it with my proof etc.

Thanks so much for allowing me to figure all this out, and Smart Cookie --- you sure are my fico friend!!

Sadly, I still can't use FICO products because this Equifax has NOTHING on my credit report besides those liens, but no accounts etc.

Should I still try to get the BOA secured card? I mean what if they pull that Experian and it shows me late etc?

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:16:10 GMT

You are being WAY too nice.

Tell him to remove or be sued for non-pp access to your credit report and "malice or willful intent to injure"

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:33:07 GMT

Really? I'm so freaking confused, again I know this is from 1996, not 1998 and he claims it matured in 2001 (sorry I think I mistyped 2007), based on it from 1998. He seems more than willing to delete it, saying it's their policy if it takes them more than 30 days to get to my archived records, again the company sounds bogus but he claims if I dispute it with Experian, they'll just respond back saying it's a real account etc, so that's why I asked for the proof before I dispute it, because I did threaten to take him to court, based on the records I have etc. I loathe this because now I feel like I'm stalled at trying to repair my credit. I need to start now not later.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

SmartCookie — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:12:18 GMT

I'm baaaack!

Oooh glad Timothy is on board here.

Yeah while I think it's decent of the guy to offer to 'investigate', it means nothing as far as counting on anything being accurate or not in violation. Don't talk to the company again... keep it to writing if need be.

Now, where are you at with everything? You got your EX and TU reports and FICOs this week but still can't get your EQ from here, right? You should be able to get it at equifax.com so that you can dispute EQ if anything is there. I would not wait for myfico to do the EQ fix (if it even is the reason you could not get the report). But... had to tried to get the free annual EQ from https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp ?

Even though everything appears that it is beyond SOL, the DOFD/DOLA dates on these accounts are something that needs to be looked at.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:01:37 GMT

Thanks to the both of you.

I did order my reports from annualcredit, the only one printed was the Experian one, the TU I had to order via fax with my ID, they claim I missed one of the security questions, but they also told me they didn't have my current address, so I faxed to them to get a free copy. Equifax had nothing, and I tried to get back on to view it as it said I had 30 days BUT I can't, and when I call the 800# it tells me I need to pay $10, so I will just do it tomorrow. I don't know why Equifax wouldn't print, but if my memory serves me right they only had the tax liens, no other accounts, which would explain why I couldn't use myfico's scoring products, if they're using Equifax only.

I'm just trying to figure out when I should apply for a secured card, because it seems this is the only way to start getting my scores etc, since most of the things on my CR have dropped off, due to laws etc. Any suggestions either one of you?

I'm not calling that idiot man again, either he takes it off or I will fight tooth and nail with my own proof, and force the CRA (Experian, the only that shows it as of now) to investigate and take it off.

My plans are to pay off the Sprint account with a PFD letter. And can you believe it Experian also is the only one that shows $59 from my eye- doctor? I can't believe he sent me to collections for this, when I never ever received a bill. I go to him annually, so I plan on going in and speaking with the billing manager, maybe I can get them to get the company they used to PFD? I dunno but how odd. I have health insurance and they paid them, so I'm clueless on why they did this BUT the account is from 2001, so should I even bother or let it drop off?

My biggest concern now is I will have no score if and when this stuff drops off, as in I'm new but need to start from point A all over again. I felt with a 566 I could go up with that, but with nothing, well it begets nothing lol.

I can't do anything about the tax liens, but a friend of mines just said to rebuild, and as long as they show as paid MAYBE they won't count too badly against me.

OK sorry for the long windish books I'm writing here.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:16:39 GMT

I just looked at my Experian CR again

I hope this isn't too much info as it's very basic, but if it is mods feel free to edit.

From the shady man it says

Date Opened 6/1998

Reported Since
12/2005

Date of Status
12/2005

Last Reported
10/2007

Type

Installment

Terms
48 months

180 days as of Jan 2007 etc to October 2007, Aug 2006 to Nov 2006, Feb 2006 to Jun 2006,Dec 2005

This is total and utter bs and I can't believe I'm just seeing exactly what he did. He purchased the loan in 2005, and just lied about the important dates so he could report to the CRA's and of course pull my CR. Again this account was opened in July 1996, I have proof in hand.

No wonder Timothy is telling me I'm being too nice. So my next step should be what? How do I dispute this or with who do I dispute it?

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

haulingthescoreup — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:26:30 GMT

There are businesses that buy collection accounts that everyone else has given up on, and they will say and do anything if they think that they will get money out of you. As much as I would like to believe that you found the one nice CA employee on the planet, I think that this was just round one, meant to sucker you in.

They really, honestly don't care if it's a legitimate debt. They just buy old debts in giant bundles, and anything that they can get money on is a profit for them. They are called "junk debt buyers."

Good for you for trying to do the right thing, but bending over and coughing for people like this might not be where you want to be going...

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:31:48 GMT

Still trying to figure out when -
It First went delinquent - and when/if it was paid off.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:09:37 GMT

I agree with you, I think I was just duped, but I will fight this. I'm assuming my dispute needs to be that I know where the claim comes from but the actual dates etc.

The info I just posted is all that's listed on my CR, by Experian. When I talked to this man he claimed my account went into default in 2002 or something thereafter and said it wouldn't come off my report until 2009. He got nervous when I said I actually had proof of when this loan happened. I also called the co-signer on the loan and he has OLD CR reports from all 3 agencies showing 1996, and his dropped off already. So this guy is totally lying, no other way to cut it from our end. He told me that he would be more than happy to help me get this company/guy etc, its my god-father. They say the orginal balance was 7300 which I cant deny, but now they claim the balance is 4500, and this is about right, because I paid them for a while, but the dates are NOT correct.

I also figured he was a "junk loan collector" because again they have several different names, even websites. I can give you the links via PM if you like that I found, perhaps you'd have better luck at finding out exactly how shady they are etc, but just by the sheer amount of bogus websites, and then several numbers that go to the same voicemail.

Like I said I told him I'd sue period, for me it's nothing because I'm a firm believer in fighting for what I know is right. I hate that I told him that if he showed 1998 I would try to work something out with him, but hey whatever, I have my proof, the doctors office even told me to come get the original copy they have, and they'd just keep a copy in my charts for their records. The application was in carbon copy form, and is in perfect condition.

I just want to take the proper steps. I'm all for cleaning my credit up, and I will be willing to pay anyone who isn't trying to lie about when the loan or CC originated or orginally went into collections. I can tell you this I have never received any mail from this man, why because he kept talking about an address I lived at when I first got the loan that I haven't lived at for 10 years. He was clueless, I gave him my correct address, again I'm not trying to hide, but don't try to shaft me with bogus claims.

Thanks Timothy and SmartCookie, without you too I would be lost. I am working hard to clear my credit, and honestly just want to do it right, which is why I paid those liens and accept that they'll be there for a while. Which is why I'll pay Sprint, and my doctors office, and which is why I'll work extra hard to get this bogus loan off my CR.

I have a headache, but I'm also that much smarter by listening to what you who know have to say.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:41:50 GMT

So I didn't want to start a new topic, but I am wondering if I should still just sit and see what Mr. Shady does about the DOFD was reported, or should I fight this with EX? It's only the EX report none of the others have it, all the others dropped it off.

I just want it off, because again I have proof this is from 1996, the original loan, and I defaulted perhaps in 2000.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

SmartCookie — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:45:11 GMT

braznyc wrote:
So I didn't want to start a new topic, but I am wondering if I should still just sit and see what Mr. Shady does about the DOFD was reported, or should I fight this with EX? It's only the EX report none of the others have it, all the others dropped it off.

I just want it off, because again I have proof this is from 1996, the original loan, and I defaulted perhaps in 2000.

DV and dispute for sure. CA might not even be able to collect in NYC. Do not wait to hear back from him... phrase the DV as a follow up for your original conversation on xx/xx/xxxx date and reiterate his acknowledgement that you are disputing and that he said he would attempt to validate. CMRRR! Soon as he gets it, get that dispute in.

Re: Can't Use Score Products?

braznyc — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:36:15 GMT

Ok I will be doing that tonight! I also spoke with one of the law professors at my school and he agrees with you 100%! He will be giving me a letter tomorrow to use as well, he said the guy re-aged my account illegally, just like you said. He was very happy to help me and one of his students who is basically ending law school offered to help me if I sued, he was very serious lol, as all those law students are but very helpful, both said it's 6 SOL for ny in my case, I showed them the copy of the original loan paperwork.