topic advice in Rebuilding Your Credit

advice

noquitinme — Sat, 28 May 2011 11:50:32 GMT

Hi everyone,

First time poster in need of some advice. I've been working on cleaning up my credit after waiting a long time after filing for bankruptcy (Chapter 7) in Nov. 2004. It was discharged in Mar. 2005.

The Readers Digest version is at the time I was married and my (then) wife opened up numerous accounts - some in my name and yet others where I was only included as an authorized user. My question is this:

I have 5 negative items left and they're proving to be with creditors that are difficult to deal with. What is the best way to work with these creditors to have these accounts removed from my credit bureau reports. Of the 5 items still left on my Experian report, three of them are accounts I did not open (my ex wife opened them without my knowledge and consent). These accounts are as follows:

E*Trade Credit Card - I was placed on this account as an authorized user

Best Buy/HSBC - she opened this account online using my info

Dell Computer/Web Bank - she opened this account online using my info

On my Equifax report I only have the Dell Computer/Web Bank and the bankruptcy itself showing. I've been successful in getting all negative items removed, including the bankruptcy from Trans Union. I'm primarily working at Experian now. Any advice, suggestions or assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thank you - Enjoy the weekend!

P.S. I understand these items will fall off (or they'll be easier to remove come March of next year but, I'd prefer not to wait if possible. I want my life back and the ability to get after my goals without restriction).

Re: advice

llecs — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:01:23 GMT

Welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest reading the following:

Common Abbreviations

Credit Scoring 101 - great for knowing what is in your credit score and to see how your score is impacted.

What Steps Do I Take - great for learning the repair process.

and Example letters - PFDs, GWs, DVs, etc.

Of the three that were opened without your consent, you'd either have to either own up to them unfortunately or consider getting them removed due to ID theft issues. If you opt for the ID theft route, that would involve contacting the police to get a police report and you can then use that police report to get them removed. If you don't want to go to that extreme on these three, then there are other steps you can take. If indeed BB and Dell are reporting, as opposed to a collection agency, then send each a PFD letter. If they agree in writin, then pay it and they'll delete. For E-Trade, if that's reporting as opposed to a collection agency, then dispute as "not mine" because the account isn't yours. She was the only owner and you happened to be an AU on it. THey should remove it. You may have to do it in writing and highlight the AU portion of your report. You can also try calling E*Trade and talking to them about it. They might be able to do it for you too.

Re: advice

noquitinme — Sun, 29 May 2011 13:07:03 GMT

llecs,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I've contacted all three creditors via phone and I believe in the case of HSBC and E*TRADE that I will be successful in having them removed. As for Dell, I've not had as much success so I think I'll go the dispute route as I didn't sign up for it and if I need to go the fraud route, I certainly will. I've not done so to this point because, frankly, I've assumed all these years there really wasn't anything that could be done about it. After being fed up, and reading about these issues I've learned otherwise. Frustrating to say the least but, encouraged that in talking to real live people at these creditors, there is in fact hope.. well, with the exception of Dell anyway. However, I won't let Dell's snarky operators deter me from my quest.

Again, thank you for the response and the links. They're incredibly informative. Have a great weekend!