Hey everyone. I am looking for some advice on where to go next. To start, I had Ch7 BK in March 2012 after a horrible divorce leaving me with so much debt that my ex had racked up using my name unknowingly. I got a bunch removed prior by providing proof I was not present when said transactions occurred and BK was the only option left after that.
Immediately following my BK discharge, I got a secured CC (Capital One - $300). This card closed due to inactivity and they took my secure funds to pay it off. I have since gotten another secured CC (NFCU - $500) and it is still open. It is the only CC I have.
I had attempted to reaffirm my vehicle but my lender (Santander) failed to complete this process prior to discharge. I was able to keep the vehicle as long as I made the payments but they would not report to my credit. So after about 6 months, I decided to give up the vehicle (no action due to being included in BK and not reaffirmed) and get a new auto loan. Fast forward 2 years and I get out of the military and have a hard time finding work and lose said vehicle. So it is now a collection (Jefferson Capital - $8,211). I have children so I have to have a car. So before it shows as a repo (which it never did, just an unpaid balance), I rush out to get another auto loan. Because of BK being so recent and report still showing prior vehicle as current at the time, I was unable to finance through most lenders and ended up with a subprime lender (Bridgecrest). I have done well with this loan though with minor exceptions thanks to COVID but am current (<5 lates).
March 1, 2022 I pulled my reports and (THANKFULLY) my BK was gone from all 3. I know I have set myself back and really want to get on track to rebuilding my credit. Below are the current collections (these differ based on CRAs) on my reports along with their fall off dates (these differ based on CRA) and current status. I live in GA and the SOL is 4 years for debt collections so my question is what order would you take care of these?
IC System $663 4/2025 or 6/2025 - DISPUTED not my account
Credit Bureau Assoc of GA or Merchants & Medical Adj $1414 Feb 2023 - DISPUTED not responsible belongs to homeowner have proof
Resurgent Capital Services/LVNV Funding $330 7/2024 or 9/2024 - DISPUTED not my account
Jefferson Capital $8211 4/2023 or 6/2023 - COLLECTION (Auto Loan)
Caine & Weiner $311 1/2025 - DISPUTED secured capital one CC they kept the secured funds for the balance which was $179 at closing
ProCollect $4232 11/2022 - COLLECTION (Broken Rental Lease)
CBV Collections $152 4/2022 - COLLECTION (Medical/Unsure why insurance didn't cover)
Penn Credit Corp $102 6/2027 - COLLECTION (Utility/Considering disputing as they told me at disconnect I owed $0 and they actually owe me money for overcharging for 3 years and are actively investigating)
I also have a bunch of student loans ($64,332) but am in the process of PSLF and am not sure how much they factor in as long as they are current anyway. Anyways, I don't want to ramble or make this extremely long, but I just need directional guidance. Pay off these items? PFD? DV? Dispute? CC Apps? Any help is GREATLY appreciated! This forum has been a lifesaver in getting to this point and I feel like the only left to do is put my own situation out there for opinions. If there is any information I have left out that would help, let me know and I will add it. Thanks!
IC System $663 4/2025 or 6/2025 - DISPUTED not my account
Credit Bureau Assoc of GA or Merchants & Medical Adj $1414 Feb 2023 - DISPUTED not responsible belongs to homeowner have proof
Resurgent Capital Services/LVNV Funding $330 7/2024 or 9/2024 - DISPUTED not my account
Jefferson Capital $8211 4/2023 or 6/2023 - COLLECTION (Auto Loan)
Caine & Weiner $311 1/2025 - DISPUTED secured capital one CC they kept the secured funds for the balance which was $179 at closing
ProCollect $4232 11/2022 - COLLECTION (Broken Rental Lease)
CBV Collections $152 4/2022 - COLLECTION (Medical/Unsure why insurance didn't cover)
Penn Credit Corp $102 6/2027 - COLLECTION (Utility/Considering disputing as they told me at disconnect I owed $0 and they actually owe me money for overcharging for 3 years and are actively investigating)
Ones in red will PFD if settled or paid. Thing is. Some of these have aged so much. It may be "not my account" now. But it should have been taken care of once they hit your reports. Might be a thin line for removal. Pro Collect hasnt been spoken about on here for yrs. Back in 2017 one instance of PFD after talking to as mgr. So thats in the plan to call and see. But you could try Cap1 pre-qual site and see if you can get the Plat. No QS1 at all.
On the medical debt: I would contact your insurance company and see why they didnt cover it, if they will then the collectors will have to remove their TL once the OC receives their payment, this is now law. If they wont or say you have to contact the OC about it then:
1. Call the OC and see if insurance can be billed, (or-rebilled), collections ultimately paid by insurance get removed per new rules that came from CRAs settlement with 22 state AGs. If not then
2. see if you qualify for Charity Care, if not then
3. ask that they recall the collection in exchange for full payment
4. Send the reporting CA a PFD offer
5. Google the HIPAA Process and contact its creator for help, this process cannot be discussed in any forum of myFico.
Thank you. I have reached out to those you mentioned in regards to a PFD. As for trying the pre-qual with Cap1, I did it and it came back with 3 offers: Platinum, QS1, and SavorOne. In hindsight I shouldn't have becuase it was super risky, but I tried for the SavorOne even though I have seen so many denied, but to my complete surprise I was approved - $2000SL. I am still in complete and utter shock. Hopefully I can get these PFDs taken care of and the combo will boost me up.
I didn't know that about medical collections. I have reached out to the OC and they have since been bought out and agreed to a recall from the CA because they have no record of the debt. I would have never thought to do this. Thank you for that info it was SUPER helpful!
Congrats on your approval! Get them CA's off the reports. Pay the rest. And. Stop disputing. Each time they come back verified. FICO thinks they're new and trash your scores. GW Letters work better once paid.