topic Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this... in Rebuilding Your Credit

I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 06:44:44 GMT

First, I would to wish everyone here a happy new years as some of us are making it a priority to rebuild our credit score as part of the "new years resolution."

As the title says, ever since I discovered this amazing community a few weeks ago, all I've done is read, read and read. Learning a whole lot of things that I never knew were possible. Such as disputing things on a credit report. I just recently took the first step in rebuilding credit and that was to take out a copy of all three reports. Man was I shocked!!! There are three accounts that I have no idea where they came from. One is a collection for $19.00 from some radiology office that I never visited. The second one is a Sprint Account for $249.00 which I never owned. I've been with AT&T for quite some time now. The third is a T-Mobile Account for $507.00 which was opened in 2012. After reading many of the threads here, I have prepared three letters to send out to those collection agencies, hoping to get them removed as soon as possible.

(Feel free to make suggestions on the above matter)

This is what I really need your help with:

In my TransUnion & Experian reports, my address is wrong. TransUnion still has my mom's address back in NJ from 2003!

When it comes to disputing, can the fact that they have the wrong address affect my score? I just recently purchased the great services that myFICO offers and was able to get a 507 FICO Score. I would like to fix my credit for 2014 and start a new life with responsibilities, opportunities and a better financial future. That is why I need you guys to throw me the towel here to see what my next step should be.

I've also taken these steps as part of my mission to rebuild credit

AU: CAPITAL ONE

$500 SECURED LOAD: CREDIT UNION

Just to give you an idea, my credit report goes:

EF:507

TU: 495

EXP: 535

Thanks in advance!

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:06:18 GMT

No, an incorrect address does not affect your score. But, you can write the CRA and give them your correct address and ask them to delete the other.

If those accounts are not yours, the best way to handle it is by filling out an FTC Fraud Affidavit http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0094-identity-theft-affidavit.pdf and a police report. Send them both to the CRAs reporting the accounts and tell them to block them. They have to do it within 5 business days and you do not need to prove fraud.

Then send the same forms to the CAs and tell them those are not your accounts and you would like all documents pertaining to those accounts. Hopefully, they will delete without a hassle.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:25:46 GMT

I'm going to start doing that right now. Is there a template that I could follow for that letter?

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:24:48 GMT

The Fraud Affidavit and police report should be enough. But, just say something along the lines of the listed account is not mine and I have no knowledge of it. Please provide all contracts, agreements, payment history, etc that you have for this account, showing my signature.

They may or may not send it. And it could take a bit of arguing with them.

Here is a good process to follow from someone who dealt with it Victim of Identity Theft?? What To Do to Protect ..

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

irrational — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:26:12 GMT

Congrats on taking this on! It's a huge step, but you'll feel so much better after it's over.

FWIW I started my journey in mI'd-2010 with a TU FICO of 487, and wrapped up my rebuilding efforts in early 2013 when the last major baddie fell off and I was able to buy my first home. So, I say that to say; we've all been through exactly what you're going through, and more than happy to help.

In regards to things; do you also have any late payments reporting? Rebuilding your credit is going to take some time, so you might as well hit it from every direction at the same time. So, something as simple as trying to GW a 30-day off (while working on other items) can have a noticeable impact.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

RobertEG — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:27:32 GMT

The required elements to obtain blocking of information supported by an identity theft/fraud affidavit are that you must include a copy of the ideintity theft/police report, along with proof of your identity and a statement asserting that you never authorized any such account or transactions.

Include those elements along with the statement that "This is a request under ther provisions of FCRA 605A for block of the information identified in the attachments from my credit reoort."

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:30:30 GMT

Did you get your reports from annualcreditreport.com? That is the place to get your free report once a year from each CRA. They are much more accurate and detailed than those from a 3rd party.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

irrational — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:33:11 GMT

Also, one more thing I'll throw out there;

Life has a funny way of making you forget things. That radiology visit might not be legit, or it could be the case of having visited a hospital and not fully remembering/knowing who they outsourced their lab work to. Plus, places change names all the time.

I know that was difficult for me.

I'd spend some time reflecting over what I'd done over the past X years, dig through old emails/letters and see if (just maybe) I'd forget about something.

Heck, I can barely remember what I did last week, let alone 5 years ago... Lol.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:48:49 GMT

I have written a Pay For Delete Letter for the $19.00 account in order to save me all the hassle. The Sprint & TMobile I'm willing to go all the way with...

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

ezdriver — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 18:10:18 GMT

@irrational wrote:
Also, one more thing I'll throw out there;

Life has a funny way of making you forget things. That radiology visit might not be legit, or it could be the case of having visited a hospital and not fully remembering/knowing who they outsourced their lab work to. Plus, places change names all the time.

I know that was difficult for me.

I'd spend some time reflecting over what I'd done over the past X years, dig through old emails/letters and see if (just maybe) I'd forget about something.

Heck, I can barely remember what I did last week, let alone 5 years ago... Lol.

Just send a request for your activity log to the NSA! lol

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:01:14 GMT

Does anyone recommend calling TMOBILE directly and attempt to get this fixed?

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:12:07 GMT

Sure, you can contact any of the OC directly and ask if they have an account in your name, under your SSN, etc.

If they don't see if they will send you a letter.

Is it a CA reporting?

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:18:08 GMT

Yes it is The Collection Agency is Midland Funding. I figured I can dispute this on the phone directly with TMOBILE and have them fix it but there will be no paper trail of any agreeement made if they decide to go ahead with "deleting" it.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:23:44 GMT

They cannot delete the CA reporting.

What needs to happen is they say you have never had an account with them before and that needs to go to the CA. It would be better for the OC to send it but if you have to, I would.

I would not dispute it. They will turn around and put a dispute comment on your CR which can cause other issues.

If it is not your account you still may need to do the fraud affidavit and police report. Verizon is hard to work with at times and no telling what they may require.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:41:38 GMT

I just went ahead and filed a police report online with the Orange County Sheriff Dept and also printed the form you guys provided to send out. Now, do I send this to the Bureau, collection agency or TMobile themselves?

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 19:58:53 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I just went ahead and filed a police report online with the Orange County Sheriff Dept and also printed the form you guys provided to send out. Now, do I send this to the Bureau, collection agency or TMobile themselves?

Send them to the CRA along with, proof of your identity and a statement asserting that you never authorized any such account or transactions.

Send the same forms to the CA and T Mobile also.

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Lasardo — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 22:34:46 GMT

You are on exactly the right tract, getting the ccrds as an AU and a secured card will boost your score within 6 months that is if you actually USE THEM.. Don't let them sit, use for gas or a small purchase and pay it off at the end of the month.
Just for reference: started 12/11 at 554 went to 728 by 12/12 and I actually close on my first house Monday!
Yup yup
Also: please look into "Credit Builder" accounts on this website, I've outlined what it is exactly on another post. This has been my saving grace. It gave me my down payment while building credit. Good luck!

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 23:06:10 GMT

WOWWWW!!!! That is awesome!!! Congratulations! that is one of my all time dreams... to own a home!

Re: I usually just read the threads here but now I need your help with this...

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 19:42:37 GMT

QUICK UPDATE:

Just received a call from TMOBILE's Corporate Offices stating that they have received my complaint with the BBB and they are so sorry that this happened () They asked to fax them the police report I filed along with the FTC report as well. The lady seemed very nice and assured me that they were going to have their Risk Management team look into it and maybe....MAYBE buy back the account from Midland to have it GONE!

:::fingers crossed:::