topic Re: Getting Started in Rebuilding Your Credit

Getting Started

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:30:39 GMT

Hello,

I have finally taken a deep breath and had a look at my reports from all 3 CRAs. I have never done this before, which has been a mistake on my part, but lesson learn. I have been looking over this site and forum looking for some real information on how to handle repairing my credit. So let me give you the scenario.

On my reports I have 52 CA accounts and 2 Judgments on my record with all three.

Only a couple of the CA are nearing SOL in my state. (OH).

I understand that these debts are mine and that they belong to me with the exception of one in which default judgment was enacted. I would assume though that it may very well be mine. Almost every one of these are medical debts with the exception of 2. I have never had a credit card but do have student loans currently deferred and in good standing. The student loans make up the majority of my debt, I believe they account for approximately 44,000.

I have recently put myself in a position of employment which now affords me the opportunity to start chipping away at the mess. The student loans still have some time in deferment. I want to start paying off what I can. This is where I am a bit lost. I read tales of sleeping giants awoken with frightful vengeance. Only a few of the CA debts will be difficult to pay off in full without properly saving for them. My intention is to pay as much of it in full if possible. If some are willing to settle and I do not believe I have the funds to pay in full I may take them on their offer. I have received some of these offers already. Those companies have provided me with account numbers that have been verified by the OC.

There are only 5 different CA's on my report, however they have multiple entries. These amounts owed range from $37 to $1,375 and the DoFD Start at 2006 when my health issues began. Of one of these such CA's UBC. I could possibly pay of 8 of 12 entries in full after setting funds aside for 1 month. I am not sure how to approach this particular CA or any others where similar scenarios apply. My hope is that by making 8 of those accounts to 0, I reduce the risk of being sued and showing good faith to begin making payments on the remaining accounts in which the CA would be willing to delete these from my report upon the balances being brought to zero.

So the questions....

Do I need to DV know full well that these debts are mine?

Should I be afraid of submitting PFD's for only the account I can pay when the CA has more that I will owe?

Does making payments and reopening activity on an account cause your score to drop and then recover if payments are on time or paid in full?

They Judgments are being worked on and taken care of with regard to resuming an agreed payment plan. These will also be falling off soon due to SOL but I will continue to pay to completion. We have a very strict budget that allows us to pay bills easily and in an on time manner, while allowing us to put aside some to make payments for outstanding debt. I feel that paying of chunks like the smaller individual accounts will help us to mentally breathe a bit easier.

Now my score :s 590. To be honest I thought it would be way worse than that. While its still not good. It is fixable. We have opened a Secured CC and my wife and I have agreed it is never to be used with out the funds in our checking/savings to cover the payment in full that month. As well never to be used for cash advance.

I would appreciate any advice your community may be able to provide.

Thanks

Re: Getting Started

annielorie — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:46:03 GMT

Welcome to the forums!!! First I hope you are in better health. Now take a deeper breath 1. You should sent letters for DV to all of these CAs because often they are sold Make a spread sheet to keep all your info up to date and easy to do these steps. When you DV send letters short and sweet . Could you list accounts DOFD if you know it amount, what it is for ie: utility/ medical bill/ cc name of CA I am in the middle of waiting for my last two baddies to come off and have some time on my hands, would like to help send more complete info and I can see where you should start.

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:35:32 GMT

Thanks, and yes in much better health. And thank you for your advice.

So to start here is just one of the CA's on my report and the accounts listed

UCB COLLECTIONS

---- All Medical----

DoFD - 07/2011 - $37
DoFD - 12/2010 - $68
DoFD - 06/2010 - $40
DoFD - 06/2010 - $195
DoFD - 06/2010 - $1,375
DoFD - 05/2010 - $54
DoFD - 10/2009 - $170
DoFD - 12/2009 - $60
DoFD - 05/2009 - $1,150
DoFD - 03/2009 - $53
DoFD - 06/2008 - $46
DoFD - 11/2005 - $353

The 2 larger amounts I just do not have the resources for to tackle them at the moment. We can save and take those out fairly quickly. My goal is to completely remove one CA from the account at a time. (or at least have the record show paid in full, satisfied, 0 balance etc...)

Do I need to create a DV for each of these accounts? I've though about contacting the OC's but I am pretty sure this has been written off and they will not be willing to work with me on these. I would like to pay these in full as I know that should they not delete them at least it would be known that I did pay the debt in full.

I was a bit confused about the DV thread. I am not sure whether the text in blue was considered to be examples of what to send or examples of what not to send. I have a filing cabinent, manilla envelopes, scanner, printer, stapler, and my trusty pen. I just need to figure out which way to go. Do I start with the oldest/newest or what I can afford?

Thanks again for any assistance you can offer.

Sincerely

BuckUp - (by the way that was not a way around a derogatory remark - just a nick noting its time to buck up and handle my business )

Re: Getting Started

proudnavymom — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:57:55 GMT

I am in no way an expert...I am just getting serious myself in cleaning up my credit, but in the DV's that I have sent, I have made it short and sweet as suggested in the post you referred to such as:

I pulled my credit report and see that you claim that I owe you a debt. Per the FDCPA, send me validation of the debt. I am also requesting the name, address, and phone number of the original creditor.

I did not know this at first, but I have seen several people suggest not to sign the DV. I just type my name, address, phone number and e-mail address at the bottom.

One thing to consider if you are sending a timely DV..... Once the CA receives your DV, a cease collection bar is put in place until they respond to your DV. Unless you live in Texas, there is no set period in which they must respond, so if you are interested in offering a PFD, your hands are kind of tied until they respond to your DV. However, if it is an untimely DV, I don't think any cease collection bar is in effect. Always send a DV CMRRR. I am keeping a notebook with copies of all DV's, PFD's, GW's that I have sent along with one of those plastic pockets that I put in any green card, post office receipts, certified mail receipts, letters returned because they couldn't be delivered or the addressee never claimed them (I do have one of these). I also file any correspondence that I have received from that particular creditor in the notebook along with the other information. I also place in this notebook any results of disputes that I have initiated with the CRA.

If it was me, I would start with the ones that I could PIF now if need be, and the most recent ones as I think those would be hurting your score more than some of the older ones, but again I could be wrong. If I am, I'm sure someone else will chime in.

Since these are medical, you could try the HIPAA process, but they have to be paid with the OC. We can't outline the steps here, but if you want to know more about it just google it and I'm sure you will find what you need. I have lots of medical debts also, but I'm going to try the DV/PFD route before I try the HIPAA process.

If you have any other questions, just ask and I'm sure someone will be able to help. Good luck!

Re: Getting Started

rckstrscott — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:06:51 GMT

@proudnavymom wrote:

One thing to consider if you are sending a timely DV..... Once the CA receives your DV, a cease collection bar is put in place until they respond to your DV. Unless you live in Texas, there is no set period in which they must respond, so if you are interested in offering a PFD, your hands are kind of tied until they respond to your DV. However, if it is an untimely DV, I don't think any cease collection bar is in effect. Always send a DV CMRRR. I am keeping a notebook with copies of all DV's, PFD's, GW's that I have sent along with one of those plastic pockets that I put in any green card, post office receipts, certified mail receipts, letters returned because they couldn't be delivered or the addressee never claimed them (I do have one of these). I also file any correspondence that I have received from that particular creditor in the notebook along with the other information. I also place in this notebook any results of disputes that I have initiated with the CRA.

This is ONLY true if you are repsonding to a Dunning notification... after which, a DV does not have a cease collection bar, nor do they have to respond.

-scott

Re: Getting Started

rckstrscott — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:15:43 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Thanks, and yes in much better health. And thank you for your advice.

So to start here is just one of the CA's on my report and the accounts listed
UCB COLLECTIONS
---- All Medical----
DoFD - 07/2011 - $37
DoFD - 12/2010 - $68
DoFD - 06/2010 - $40
DoFD - 06/2010 - $195
DoFD - 06/2010 - $1,375
DoFD - 05/2010 - $54
DoFD - 10/2009 - $170
DoFD - 12/2009 - $60
DoFD - 05/2009 - $1,150
DoFD - 03/2009 - $53
DoFD - 06/2008 - $46
DoFD - 11/2005 - $353

The 2 larger amounts I just do not have the resources for to tackle them at the moment. We can save and take those out fairly quickly. My goal is to completely remove one CA from the account at a time. (or at least have the record show paid in full, satisfied, 0 balance etc...)

Do I need to create a DV for each of these accounts? I've though about contacting the OC's but I am pretty sure this has been written off and they will not be willing to work with me on these. I would like to pay these in full as I know that should they not delete them at least it would be known that I did pay the debt in full.

I was a bit confused about the DV thread. I am not sure whether the text in blue was considered to be examples of what to send or examples of what not to send. I have a filing cabinent, manilla envelopes, scanner, printer, stapler, and my trusty pen. I just need to figure out which way to go. Do I start with the oldest/newest or what I can afford?

Thanks again for any assistance you can offer.

Sincerely
BuckUp - (by the way that was not a way around a derogatory remark - just a nick noting its time to buck up and handle my business )

I had a good experience with UCB.. I paid in full, and then sent a GW letter and the account was removed in less than a week..

-scott

Re: Getting Started

proudnavymom — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:21:03 GMT

@rckstrscott wrote:
@proudnavymom wrote:

One thing to consider if you are sending a timely DV..... Once the CA receives your DV, a cease collection bar is put in place until they respond to your DV. Unless you live in Texas, there is no set period in which they must respond, so if you are interested in offering a PFD, your hands are kind of tied until they respond to your DV. However, if it is an untimely DV, I don't think any cease collection bar is in effect. Always send a DV CMRRR. I am keeping a notebook with copies of all DV's, PFD's, GW's that I have sent along with one of those plastic pockets that I put in any green card, post office receipts, certified mail receipts, letters returned because they couldn't be delivered or the addressee never claimed them (I do have one of these). I also file any correspondence that I have received from that particular creditor in the notebook along with the other information. I also place in this notebook any results of disputes that I have initiated with the CRA.

This is ONLY true if you are repsonding to a Dunning notification... after which, a DV does not have a cease collection bar, nor do they have to respond.

-scott

That's what I meant by a timely DV, but I guess I didn't explain it correctly. Thanks for clarifying that.

Re: Getting Started

rckstrscott — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:26:09 GMT

@proudnavymom wrote:
@rckstrscott wrote:
@proudnavymom wrote:

One thing to consider if you are sending a timely DV..... Once the CA receives your DV, a cease collection bar is put in place until they respond to your DV. Unless you live in Texas, there is no set period in which they must respond, so if you are interested in offering a PFD, your hands are kind of tied until they respond to your DV. However, if it is an untimely DV, I don't think any cease collection bar is in effect. Always send a DV CMRRR. I am keeping a notebook with copies of all DV's, PFD's, GW's that I have sent along with one of those plastic pockets that I put in any green card, post office receipts, certified mail receipts, letters returned because they couldn't be delivered or the addressee never claimed them (I do have one of these). I also file any correspondence that I have received from that particular creditor in the notebook along with the other information. I also place in this notebook any results of disputes that I have initiated with the CRA.

This is ONLY true if you are repsonding to a Dunning notification... after which, a DV does not have a cease collection bar, nor do they have to respond.

-scott

That's what I meant by a timely DV, but I guess I didn't explain it correctly. Thanks for clarifying that.

Nah, you clarified it correctly. I just assume if someone is new, they might not understand what 'timely' meant. To me, when i first started, I considered anything I did 'timely' after I discovered the debt, not when they supposedly sent a dunning

-scott

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:00:12 GMT

Since most of these collections are for medical bills, I would highly recommend looking into the HIPAA process. Unfortunately we are not allowed to talk about it on this site, but Google "HIPAA Process" and look at the Why Chat listing. This process takes time and effort, but a lot of people have seen success. I would highly recommend you look into this before you do anything else though because certain actions can preclude you from following this process. Best of luck to you!

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:03:03 GMT

Hello,

Thanks again for the information. I am left a little confused regarding timely versus untimely DV letters. At this point there have been no Dunning Notices that I am aware of.

Today, however, my parents received a call at their house from another agency, Portfolio Recovery Associates. I have never lived at their address, since it was a new home built 3 years ago, nor have I given or used their telephone number with exception on the medical form for emergency contact. The debt with this CA DoFD is 4/05 and the SOL is next month. I acquired their number from my mother and am debating to call them for fear that the conversation may lead to legal action on their part. I would like to pay them but the amount on that particular bill is over 3 grand and I do not have those resources available. I have in the past request through phone conversations with them to submit me documentation regarding the debt. (this is before starting my recent research) I have not once gotten them to comply, but received the comment we have sent you this information before and will not send it again. Not sure what to do here. I have disputed the address last week as not being mine but it has not been removed as of yet. So far only 1 incorrect telephone number has been deleted.

Thanks again.

BuckUp

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:13:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello,

Thanks again for the information. I am left a little confused regarding timely versus untimely DV letters. At this point there have been no Dunning Notices that I am aware of.

Today, however, my parents received a call at their house from another agency, Portfolio Recovery Associates. I have never lived at their address, since it was a new home built 3 years ago, nor have I given or used their telephone number with exception on the medical form for emergency contact. The debt with this CA DoFD is 4/05 and the SOL is next month. I acquired their number from my mother and am debating to call them for fear that the conversation may lead to legal action on their part. I would like to pay them but the amount on that particular bill is over 3 grand and I do not have those resources available. I have in the past request through phone conversations with them to submit me documentation regarding the debt. (this is before starting my recent research) I have not once gotten them to comply, but received the comment we have sent you this information before and will not send it again. Not sure what to do here. I have disputed the address last week as not being mine but it has not been removed as of yet. So far only 1 incorrect telephone number has been deleted.

Thanks again.

BuckUp

With a dunning notice, they are required to send you one within 5 days of first contacting you. Most likely, you should have received this when they first were assigned your account. If you have not, they are not following protocol, although they can easily claim they did mail it. Once you receive a dunning notice, you have 30 days to send a timely DV. This would require that they cease all collection activities until they validate.

If you send it more than 30 days after receiving the dunning notice, they can technically just ignore it. However, I have found many agencies will just treat it as if it were timely anyway.

As for that $3k account, I would probably not contact them at all until the SOL passes if you don't have the money to pay them. Sending them anything may make them more likely to sue. However, if you do get a summons, I would try like hell to get the money. Beg anyone and try to settle as a judgement is the worst thing that can come of it. If you are close to the SOL, just keep an eye out. Once it passes, then you could start contacting them.

Also, the HIPAA process I mentioned does require you to have the money to pay in full to the OC. If you don't have that money yet, start saving as much as you can to follow through with this process.

Re: Getting Started

annielorie — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:29:28 GMT

I know nothing about HIPPA process but search threads and you can find people that do. After looking over your spreedsheet this is what I suggest. The new derogatories hurt you more then the older ones although they still hurt. So I would start like I said and make sure the CA owns the account. Start with the first6 in your list omitting the 1,375 one. THose are all within the last 2 years. Now you didnt list which debt was owed by same company. Negotiating rules start low then come up then before paying PFD request. As for the one that just came on via your parents leave it alone for now, you can always go back to that after main cleanup is done. PM me with the revised list and what company is collecting . It'll make it much more concise.

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:11:03 GMT

So I received a notice today for services that were rendered at yet another hospital. I looked at the date and realized that I had applied for assistance for that time period and it was granted it. I called the hospital to confirm this information and they advised me to forward copies of my paperwork to the OC stating that the services were covered by my HCAP. Basically due to my income + family size I qualified for free assistance. So I contacted the OC and they stated yes please send us that information and we will honor it and pull it back from collections.

Some of these debts were supposed to be covered and the hospital had told us they were behind and not to worry about it. Services would be covered and pulled back from collections. Apparently since there are multiple people billing for different services, not all of them were informed. I was told today that some simply require that I fax a copy of the HCAP form to their office and they will confirm with the hospital and clear the charges. Others require the hospital send this information.

Now this is not HIPAA, but I assume that once the debt with the OC is removed. I can ask them to have the CA remove this from my report. Or do I have to provide documentation to the CB's to have them remove it?

I am hoping the most of these will be covered, but am sure that some will state it is too late, in which case I will need to sweet talk a supervisor or two. I have the copies of my HCAP letters for the past year and a half. I am heading down the the hospital tomorrow to get the previous ones.

The OC I spoke with today currently has 21 negative remarks on my report totaling $9,836! As long as I have documentation showing I was covered during each instance the are willing to clear the accounts to zero and have them pulled back from collections!

I'm assuming this will look favorable on my CR once its removed? Should I see slight jump in my score? These range from 2011 to 2008. I would be happy with just 10 points

Re: Getting Started

Guava — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:23:06 GMT

Any baddies gone from reports is always a good thing!

Assuming the OC removed some bad accounts from your report, and the CA still reporting it, you should contact the CA and/or the OC to have the CA delete it as I believe the credit bureaus only report info provided to them, if the info is valid, they have no reason to remove it.

Re: Getting Started

annielorie — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 06:29:58 GMT

BUCK UP thats great do not let any thing linger get the proof they need let them turn to 0 and pull back collections once that is done send letter to the CAs Im so happy for you!!! I was hoping something good would find its way to you !!!!keep me updated and we'll see if there is anything left from Day ortho or forest

Re: Getting Started

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:48:17 GMT

Went to the hospital to get copies of the documents showing that services were covered on Tuesday. Unfortunately due to remodeling or some other reason I was not able to speak to that department in person. I was however able to get my most recents dates of service. Apparently there was a system change over. They did direct me to the medical records to so that I could get all my dates of services. I filled out the release forms and may have to wait up to 30 days for that information to arrive.

Today I spoke with the Financial department over the phone regarding my HCAP letters. Typically they do not provide copies as far back as I need. I had explained that initially I was told that the services would be covered and not to worry about them. That I hadn't realized so many different services were charged separately. Luckily the person on the phone actually knew me. They were a parent of a friend of my wife and I, and was very willing to assist me.

The HCAPS should have dates of coverage (typically a 3 month period). If I can get that info and cross reference the other dates, I should be in good shape barring any of the OC denying the coverage due to the amount of time that has passed. I know one OC is willing to work with me and that will be a major boost. If I can get Southview to honor them that would be a total of 33 of 52 negative medical based CA's gone from my report.

Re: Getting Started

annielorie — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:06:59 GMT

GOOD now finish it up and see your score rise!!!!as always keep me posted youll get there I have faith!!!