topic Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice. in General Credit Topics

Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

pmdevin — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:40:54 GMT

I already disputed this what are my chances of getting a delete? Both entries are for the same debt is this legal?

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:50:02 GMT

They will delete the extra account , my cr had 3 different ca trying to collect on the same debt.

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:55:33 GMT

i had sears & LVNV entries on my reports for the same account. I disputed both of them and the original sears was deleted.

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

pmdevin — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:06:58 GMT

Sounds promising, Thanks for the info. Did your score go up?

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 22:14:11 GMT

These same accounts are reported twice on mine, too. I've always wondered if I should dispute them...I also have an old HSBC and Midland reported for the same account. I have a pending DV with LVNV, the HSBC has been paid through Midland. So, disputing will result in the original TL being deleted then?

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:58:59 GMT

Update-

I disputed both accounts, so far Equifax has validated both, stating that since LVNV is collecting for Sears, it is necessary to have both listed. Waiting for word from the other 2 bureaus...is there anything else that I can do?

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:29:38 GMT

Hi Irvin... Newbie here. I did a search for this same issue on the forum and low and behold I found your entry. I, too, have Sears and LVNV account reported twice on all of my reports for the same account grrr.

I have a GW letter written up for LVNV which I paid in full 09-06 asking for a delete (wish I would have known about the PFD letters at the time) . Adding to the damage, Sears is still reporting the balance due, messin up my utilization. On my Transunion report it is also still reported as open? Which it is not. Having had a cc with Sears for 9 yrs prior to the lates and subsequent collection I was going to attempt a GW with them, as well, asking for removal of the lates. Any advice from you or any of you fico wizards on what the best course of action would be? I am a bit concerned that disputing the validity of the Sears entry with the CRA's will result in it being verified as i did indeed have this account with them for 9+ yrs (won't be hard for them to verify this acct existed). This will in turn not put Sears in a very good mood to deal with me on a GW attempt.

Irvin you said you disputed the double entries with the CRA's and the Sears account was deleted...YEAY! What did you dispute? If you don't mind sharing what your wording was, a sample letter or what you requested? Would Sears not merely update my credit reports as paid/closed by creditor, balance to $0? They would not delete the whole acct just for not updating it paid in a timely manner? Do you think maybe Sears never responded to CRA and that is how it was deleted? I may be missing something here ..ha

Ugh... Sorry for the wordiness. I am frustrated and not sure how this all works yet. Thank you so much for any insight/input you might be able to offer!

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:10:07 GMT

It is legal to have 1 OC and 1 CA reporting on the same account!!!

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:56:30 GMT

Thanks for clarification HappyDays .. I thought I read in one of these other threads that an OC and CA can both report same acct. but it is all a bit confusing. So that is not a valid dispute. Would only be disputable if more than one CA was reporting same info. Think I got it

Do you think my best option would be to GW both CA and OC at this point and hope for the best? Also, advising Sears that they are still reporting a balance on the account which was paid in full to the CA? Should I dispute this balance to the CRA's as well?

Any input would be much appreciated

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Junejer — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:04:34 GMT

Sam, what's your state's SOL? Also, I would DV LVNV if you are either out of SOL or not close to it. If you believe it warrants a DV, send this one for full media validation. Send it CMRRR and do not sign your name, just type it. Do not talk to CA on the phone, just keep everything in writing.

CERTIFIED MAIL #: _______________________________________________________
Your Name
Your Address
YourTown,, State ZipCode

Debt Collection Company Name
Their address
Town, State ZipCode

Date:

Re: Debt Collection Company Name; Acct # Debt Collection Company #; Original Creditor Name; OC Acct #

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you as you are reporting on my personal credit report. Be advised that this is a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.

This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for FULL MEDIA VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that (a) the account is valid, (b) the amount allegedly owed is accurate, and (c) I have a contractual obligation to pay Debt Collection Company Name for this alleged debt.

All of the following MUST be provided to adequately validate the authenticity of the alleged debt AND provide proof of my contractual obligation to Debt Collection Company Name for this alleged debt:

• Signed credit application between myself and the original creditor
• Copies of all signed vouchers from the date account was opened until default
• Copies of all statements from the date account opened until default
• Proof of the statute of limitations
• Proof of agreement that you were hired by the Original creditor (creditor as defined by the FDCPA) or
• A copy of the contract Debt Collection Company Name purchased the alleged debt.
• If the alleged debt was purchased, provide a copy of an agreement between Debt Collection Company Name and myself, signed by me, stating that I have a contractual responsibility to Debt Collection Company Name for the alleged debt
• Provide proof that Debt Collection Company Name is bonded/Licensed for debt collecting in the State of Your State

Be advised that failing to provide ALL of the media requested to validate the alleged debt will invalidate any and all claims Debt Collection Company Name is asserting regarding this alleged debt. If Debt Collection Company Name can NOT provide all of the validation media requested above, ALL collection efforts MUST be stopped and the account MUST be DELETED from the Debt Collection Company Name. If you can NOT validate your claim, you can NOT, by law, collect on it, or SELL it to another collection agency. Also, reporting a debt to the credit reporting agencies that can not be validated is a violation of the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), and carries a $2500 fine to be paid to me. I have two years to decide if I want to pursue this matter. PLEASE GIVE THIS MATTER THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.

If your offices are able to provide all of the validating media as requested, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information, and during such time, all collection activity must cease and desist.

I am also stating, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment, and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by United States Postal Service.

Best Regards,

Your Name

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:45:34 GMT

Thank you for your response ByrdMan...

The LVNV collection I already paid in full. It was for my Sears account which was closed, although still showing a balance. So the DV, would not be useful for that account at this point. Am I correct in thinking a GW letter to both? I know fat chance on the CA. Hopefully, Sears will remove all /some of the lates leading up to the closure and collection and correctly report my account as not having a balance. That is really hurting my utilization.

I may use the DV letter for 2 medical accounts showing collection with CA's and not paid that are small balances I believe were my ex husbands. The only other collection is a Sprint collection for $211 also with a CA. That account (if it is mine at all) I am sure I paid in full when canceling with them (although I do not have that in writing assuming it was closed).

All 3 collections are within the last 3 years so I am sure SOL still applies. I am prepared to pay all 3 with a PFD letter if they come back as verified because they are small and I want them gone!! I am preparing to buy a home next year and really can not let them sit there until SOL applies.

In your opinion, should I dispute the 3 collections with CRA's first to see if they drop off first? Then if verified PFD them? Also, any thoughts on PFD'ing the 3 accts and dispute with CRA's at the same time?

Thank you again for all your help and any input you might have!

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Junejer — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:12:04 GMT

SAM, I understood that the account was closed, but the CA is reporting a balance correct? If that is the case, then you need to DV them to make sure that they have the right to collect this money from you. Just my very humble opinion. Is Sears reporting the same balance, or just old past dues?

I would be very careful about a DV if it is close to SOL. You want that to be out of SOL or not close (to hedge against a lawsuit). Also, as HappyDays just mentioned in another thread that some states do not have SOL for medical. Be sure that you know what the case is for your state.

I would not do the blanket dispute, as that is an unstable method to use. You might get something deleted from one report, but not the other two and then you have to try to GW or PFD. I think they get mad when you dispute and then try to ask for a favor.

Message Edited by ByrdMan on 02-21-2008 01:12 PM

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 01:59:17 GMT

I have had this same problem with lnlv and sears for almost a year now. i have gw both sears and lnlv with no results, not even so much as an answer from either company. this is also hurting my utilization as well. last week i wrote a letter to sears via planet feed back but have not heard anything back from them. when i sent a gw to lnlv several months ago they took the " legally settled for less than full amount" notation off of my credit report and replaced it with consumer disputes this account. this really pissed me off because now it doesnt even look like i paid them at all. i really want sears to delete this account but they refuse to even change the amount owed to zero as it should be since they sent it to a collection agency. If anyone has any suggestions i would be interested as well. if i dispute this sears entry do i dispute it because the info reported is inaccurate, or is there another reason that we should use?

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:54:16 GMT

Good luck w/this, but go after LVNV if you can - they are very sneaky and will report false info forever! Changing your reporting to say you are 90 days late is the latest one they did to me, and I"m going after them for that...never in my life have they rec'd anything but a dispute (to which NO answer).

Yes, the OC and CA can report - OC reports a 0 balance. I'll bet a million of someone's money that LVNV "bought" the account - watch ANY/ALL communication closely for your case!

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:01:54 GMT

Thank you ByrdMan and all who responded. Ok I will attempt GW letters with LVNV and Sears although beach123 entry about LVNV changing status to disputed scares me. Yikes

The info that I owe a balance on Sears is downright incorrect. They sold to LVNV which I naively paid in full without PFD and shows on my CR. How and who do we address that with? Beach123 can you continue to report any progress or helpful info you obtain reference this as we seem to be in the same boat here. I will do the same. Good Luck!

ByrdMan on the 2 medical accts, they total about 300.00. I am willing to pay in full but would obviously prefer a delete from my CR's. I want to obtain financing for a home next year, if possible and do not want to show unpaid collections on my report. Any advice? Wondering if I should take this approach a) dispute through CRA's b) if verified DV them directly c) if verified PFD them d) if denied pay them and be done with it.

Any advice or opinions on the matter would be greatly appreciated... I need to take some action here

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:15:48 GMT

Hey Sam!

I will keep you posted! It's a tricky situation right now, my lender doesn't want me to get into any legal action until I close on a house, so I figure I'll start with the conciliation court docs for EQ first since it's a no-brainer, no payment has ever been made, they just accept whatever LVNV says...

Re: Sears & LVNV same Account reported twice.

Anonymous — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 21:24:32 GMT

Yeay Irvin! Confirming you had an LVNV acct that was paid and a Sears showing the same amount still due with a balance? Making sure our situation is the same.

Can you please advise if your dispute was through the 3 CRA's and what your reason and wording was for disputing? Did you just say same debt reported twice? Or give a longer explanation? My concern is they will see one is the OC and one is a CA and say they can both report...verified grrr

My issue is the CA has been paid in full for this debt already so how can Sears be showing an account with a balance due for the same debt?? Also had you ever contacted these companies in addition to your cra dispute.

Ideally I would like the Sears account deleted as well... Help so that I can word my dispute correctly or in a fashion they will understand what the issue is and i have a fighting chance.

Thank you for taking the time to help us... and congrats!!