OMG NOOOOOOO :-( 11/24/2015 UPDATE

[icyhot]

"We are unable to verify your information to complete the request online. Please fax your dispute with a copy of your drivers license" phooey

[FinStar]

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@icyhot wrote:
"We are unable to verify your information to complete the request online. Please fax your dispute with a copy of your drivers license" phooey

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Scan it, make a copy and start dialing sister!  No time to waste!

[fury1995]

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@icyhot wrote:
"We are unable to verify your information to complete the request online. Please fax your dispute with a copy of your drivers license" phooey

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What's the amount of the collection?

Collections under $100 are ignored by FICO 08.

Score changes get attention on AR's

Disputing the account will remove it from scoring but current creditors will see an active dispute and potential creditors will defintely if you are applying for credit.

The dispute narrative on the account may generate more attention than less, which is the reverse of what you are trying to do.

Get a letter from the OC and CA right away stating the collection was made in error. Send that to the CRA's asap.

[UncleB]

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@fury1995 wrote:

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@icyhot wrote:
"We are unable to verify your information to complete the requestonline. Please fax your dispute with a copy of your drivers license" phooey

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What's the amount of the collection?

Collections under $100 are ignored by FICO 08.

Score changes get attention on AR's

Disputing the account will remove it from scoring but current creditors will see an active dispute and potential creditors will defintely if you are applying for credit.

The dispute narrative on the account may generate more attention than less, which is the reverse of what you are trying to do.

Get a letter from the OC and CA right away stating the collection was made in error. Send that to the CRA's asap.

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I agree that it is a score change that will get the attention of current lenders on ARs, which is exactly why I wouldn't be concerned with the "Streisand effect" kicking in from disputing the accounts.  Disputing the information won't cause any more attention than the account would get anyway from just being present, and in the event there is a manual review (however unlikely) at least the 'human' will see that something's 'amiss' with the account.

I agree with getting a letter from the OC and CA... that will go a long way in having the account removed via the dispute process if the CA doesn't get it removed first.

[Anonymous]

OMG, I'm so sorry that hapened to you! But DO NOT alert your creditors. Personally, I'd dispute immediately myself. That way, not only does it cut the deletion time down to no more than 30 days (just don't dispute from a freen annual report; then they have 45 days), but it also shows any lookie-loo ARs that you dispute this.

And call back and ask for a supervisor, or manager, or owner. Be gracious but insistent that this is damaging your good credit through no fault of your own. And you expect this to be expedited. Tell them your in the mortgage process or something. Build a fire under them! That 30-60 days crap is their internal snail's pace. Your disputing is a pre-emptive strike and forces their internal systems to respond in the legally required time period at minimum. But likely immediately.

[MaisCher]

This exact thing happened to me in March. The doctors office emailed me a confirmation that it was an error and they would remove it immediately. I took that email and disputed it with the bureaus. They removed if within a week. I will say I got an alert that the collection agency reported it again 4 months later but they almost immediately removed it. Not sure what happened but I was so upset that they had the ability to randomly ruin my credit at will. I'd watch my reports closely for the next few months!

[icyhot]

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@fury1995 wrote:

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@icyhot wrote:
"We are unable to verify your information to complete the request online. Please fax your dispute with a copy of your drivers license" phooey

---

What's the amount of the collection?

Collections under $100 are ignored by FICO 08.

Score changes get attention on AR's

Disputing the account will remove it from scoring but current creditors will see an active dispute and potential creditors will defintely if you are applying for credit.

The dispute narrative on the account may generate more attention than less, which is the reverse of what you are trying to do.

Get a letter from the OC and CA right away stating the collection was made in error. Send that to the CRA's asap.

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It's $172

[icyhot]

How do I send in a paper dispute? Is there a form online? I don't have any documents to support it only the word from the OC

[UncleB]

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@icyhot wrote:
How do I send in a paper dispute? Is there a formonline? I don't have any documents to support it only the word from theOC

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In the past, I would type out a letter with all of my personal info (yep, all of it) including the account info I was disputing.  I would simply type that I was disputing the account XXXXX due to it being on the report in error, and ask them to either remove the information (as in your case) or otherwise verify all data associated with the account (usually the case for me in the past).  Be sure to sign at the bottom.  In the past the 'critical' personal info they wanted on the letter were name, DOB, SS#, address, and of course the information on the account being disputed.  I recall there always being a suggestion to include a phone number, but I never did - I don't want that on my credit report.

It's not required, but I always sent mine via certified mail w/ return receipt (the green postcard).  Since that letter has all the information someone would need to make your life very difficult, I always felt better knowing it got to the right place.  Also, with the 'return receipt' you have proof it got there as well, so you know when legally the 'clock starts'.

If you look around online you might be able to find a generic form letter, but it's not required.  Also, I would get the credit bureau address directly from their own site since you'll want to make sure you have the latest information.

I'm sorry I can't offer you a more 'stream-line' method, but the old "paper and pen" actually used to be quite effective before everything was online, and since the volume is down due to most requests being electronic, I suspect your request will get prompt attention. 

Good luck! 

[Anonymous]

Snail mailing the CRA's, EX and EQ are the fastest.

TU is fastest online.

Name, SSN, Address, DOB, Account to Dispute, Reason to Dispute, Copy of any proof needed - receipts, email, letters, Copy of Driver's License. Sign and Date it.

Certified Mail/Return Receipt. Keep a copy bc like one poster said, never trust that it might not come back to haunt you.

Over $100 Collections are noticed by FICO 08. Sorry.  I'd harrass aggressively suggest they give me some form of writing that they will delete it.