Please help -- PIF Charge Offs Reporting Incorrectly

[hubbryan]

I had two previous charged off accounts that I paid in full in October of 2023 — one was a personal loan for $12,389 and one was a credit card for $5,504. The credit union was the original creditor, and they never sold the debt. I got a judgement from their law firm, and I sent a wire transfer directly to the credit union. I have the receipt of the wire and acknowledgment form that they received the payoff.

Since October 2023, I’ve disputed these accounts on different occasions, mainly with Equifax and Experian, because of reporting inaccuracies of account status, balance not reporting $0, and no remarks that it was paid in full/was a charge off, etc. I try not to dispute frequently because I read on this forum that it dings your score when they update it.

I recently pulled my three credit reports from annual credit report, and noticed that after the most recent dispute, the credit union has reported widely inaccurate information — payment history is wrong and inconsistent, they report that I have owed a past due balance of the entire charge off amount every month and the most recent update was last month (January 2025), account status still states “charge-off” and not “account paid in full, was a charge off,” reporting my 1st major delinquency as last month (January 2025), not reporting a date closed, among many other things.

The accounts say closed, but they have been reporting as if I still owe the charge off and am currently past due. I had no idea I could look at my Equifax dispute results and see where the creditor enters the information, but when I did, I saw that each time I’ve disputed, they have entered inaccurate information every time—each time worse than the last. The reporting is inconsistent across Equifax, Experian, and Transunion, but they all are reporting this as a current charge off account with a balance owed, balance past due, inaccurate payment history, etc. They have been reporting this for a while, and I never noticed how bad it was until I sat down and took a good look at my reports earlier this week. A majority of the information being reported is just wildly sporadic and inaccurate. They also have my DOFD wrong and later than it should be. I’m also not certain if there should be a $0 beside amount past due, but it’s currently blank across all reports. I tried to request my statements from the CU for further evidence, but they said I would have to go into a branch and pay $2/copy for each month reported on both accounts. I don’t know what steps I should take to correct this — going the dispute route has only ever resulted in even more damage and incorrect reporting, and I’m not sure the best way to get in touch with the original creditor or what I should even say. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

[GZG]

I'd call the CU, ask to speak to the person responsible for credit reporting and simply explain the situation

I have a charge off, it was paid in full on X date, the current reporting says this, it shouldn't because that is inacccurate, can you please correct it? 

if that doesn't work, I'd file a NUCA complaint with the same information: https://complaint.mycreditunion.gov/Complaint/ 

no emotion, no extra details:

this is the situation

this is what's being reported on the tradeline

I have proof that's wrong, and I paid in full on X date, and this is how it should be reported and state you want the CU to fix or delete their inaccurate reporting per FCRA

[JoeRockhead]

The reporting of the charge off isn't going to change. That can, and will remain on your reports until they voluntarily remove it, or it's time barred from being reported based on the DOFD.  However, if it's been paid off it's supposed to be reported as a zero balance.  It's also supposed to stop reporting monthly from the time it was paid off/settled.  Sporadic reporting isn't a violation.  It's not uncommon for lenders to not report every month, nor are they required to report... at all.  But, they are required as per the FCRA to report accurately.

Since you say disputes haven't worked and with your proof ready at hand:  

• Try to reach out to the CU to attempt having a reasonable conversation with someone of authority, or in their legal department to bring attention and hopefully resolve the situation. 
•  Reach out to your State Attorney General's office, and/or your State Senator's office to file a complaint.

Last but not least, does anyone ever really want to hire an attorney? Probably not, but sometimes it's the best thing you can do.  It should cost you little, to nothing for at least a consultation.  You might even luck out and find a local attorney who will have a conversation with you, give you information, and the steps you can take to help yourself... for free (they do exist).   If they feel you have a reasonable case, they will at the very least send the CU a letter informing them of your evidence to contradict their reporting, the FCRA violations, and demand they immediately remedy the situation.  If you can show proof that the ongoing inaccurate reporting has caused you harm, you may also be entitled to monetary damages.  

[AndySoCal]

@hubbryan  I have read your post and I do not see anything to dispute.  The fact the charge off amount is being reported is not wrong because at one time the account was charged off that is not going to change. Depending on who produced the credit report you might have the status of paid charge off which it is. The fact that is showing paid implies that the account is closed . The status that has paid in it and not settled means it was paid in full. You cannot try to hide the fact that accounts were in a negative status. All that said to your credit you did what was right and were able to pay the accounts in full. Keep in mind every time you file a dispute the credit bureaus will update the account as of date you disputed the account.  My advice would be to leave accounts alone and let them fall off credit report in time