$60 is ruining the score: please help!

[Anonymous]

Dear LadyScarlet and other forum gurus,

I have a collection of $60 (only shows on Equifax report), which was a med. bill "leftover" from 2003 and I paid it in full immediately after I learned I had it (end of 2003). I was assured by the Med. Associates (The Creditor) that it will not appear on my credit report. It sure did... it says it was reported to Equifax in 2004.

Then I called the Creditor again and I was sent to CA for resolution. CA said there is nothing they can do for me. My only option is to wait 10 years until it goes away...

Should I try to send a GW letter? If yes, who should I address it to: the CA or the Creditor? Should I mention that it only shows on Equifax? I've never done this before and I'm about to apply for a mortgage: please help!

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks in advance...

PS: Never missed a payment in my life, but FICA score is 660 now... all because I didn't get that stupid last med bill!

[My_dog_FICO]

If the CA says that it should not be reported, then you should be able to DV the CRA.  When they do their validation, the CA shouldn't respond and therefor it will drop from your CRA.  If the CRA says it's validated, send an MOV, then contact whomever they reply with to see if they can help.

Message Edited by FAKO_Junkie on 11-30-2007 01:18 PM

[Anonymous]

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FAKO_Junkie wrote:

If the CA says that it should not be reported, then you should be able to DV the CRA.  When they do their validation, the CA shouldn't respond and therefor it will drop from your CRA.  If the CRA says it's validated, send an MOV, then contact whomever they reply with to see if they can help.

Message Edited by FAKO_Junkie on 11-30-2007 01:18 PM

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Thanks for reply!

Actually I called CA some time ago begging to remove this record from CRA. They refused and kicked me back to the Creditor. The Creditor said that they don't have any records of me paying those $60 because it was paid to CA and also that they don't own this account anymore therefore I need to contact CA for removal request.

I think since I already "validated" this account with CA, they ARE LIKELY to respond to CRA validation request. MOV might not work since the payment was made to CA (either I was dumb to pay CA and not the Creditor or the Creditor forwarded my payment to CA).

THANKS!!!

Message Edited by jenya on 11-30-2007 11:49 AM

Message Edited by jenya on 11-30-2007 11:56 AM

[Anonymous]

Does anybody have any ideas on how I should proceed?

Thank you in advance!

[Anonymous]

That single collection is probably not having as much effect on your score as you think.

How many GOOD accounts do you have? Revolving accounts used but in good standing?

[Anonymous]

Well, this collection only shows on my Equifax report. My Equifax score is 660.

For comparison, my TU and EX scores are around 746.

All the other information is the same in all 3 agencies. I think this difference is insane for a $60 bill.

(As of Nov 29 2007) 

Total number of:
Accounts 10 
Accounts with balances 4 
Accounts opened in past year 1 
Recent inquiries 3 (btw, I have not appoved any of these...)
Collections 1 
Public Records 0

Message Edited by jenya on 11-30-2007 12:59 PM

[MidnightVoice]

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jenya wrote:

Well, this collection only shows on my Equifax report. My Equifax score is 660.

For comparison, my TU and EX scores are around 746.

All the other information is the same in all 3 agencies. I think this difference is insane for a $60 bill.

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Ok, so I have a 6.75 year old collection ($150, paid as soon as I knew it was in collection), and the effect for me is 90 points

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=ficoscoring&thread.id=10746&view=by_date_as...

MidnightVoice wrote:

I tend to treat my CRs and DWs CRs as one big report, as they broadly similar (nearly everything on our reports and in our life is joint). 

There is only one baddie on any of our reports - a six and a half year old collection (that shouln't be there, but the OC has no record of why it went on - long, long story).  It is on 3 of the 6 reports.

Average score of the reports it is on - 705

Average score of the reports it is off - 797

Just thought I would let you all know.

Message Edited by MidnightVoice on 11-30-2007 03:00 PM

[Anonymous]

I am not really sure if you have read any of my other posts but I was in a pretty similar situation.

I had $58 collection and it was definitely affecting my scores.

I would say start with a dispute with EQ (as inaccurate). If it is that old and paid the CA might not respond and will get removed that way.

If that doesn't work then I would say continue to call the OC and get them to help you out--that worked for me. I have not had good experiences dealing with a CA, go to the OC first. If that doesn't work then vise versa.

I feel your pain. I just had my $58 collection removed today!

[Anonymous]

One more thing when you call back, do not let them transfere you to collections. Tell them you already spoke to them and they couldn't help you. Ask them to transfere you to a manager, not collections.

[Anonymous]

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jaybee wrote:

One more thing when you call back, do not let them transfere you to collections. Tell them you already spoke to them and they couldn't help you. Ask them to transfere you to a manager, not collections.

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I tried both. They point fingers at each other. CA doesn't even want to speak to me and OC tells me that it's not their account and they don't even know if it's paid. BTW, OC refused to transfer me to anyone higher saying that there is ABSOLUTELY nothing they can do for me and that I need to call CA.

I'm not sure, but MAYBE writing will help? Anybody tried writing them? GW letter perhabs? Or you still suggest I claim to CRA that it's not mine?

Please share your experiences! Are there any consumer organizations I can contact about this who might help? Thanks!