Don't file a dispute without knowing what you're doing!!!

[Anonymous]

I have an Amex that was closed in 2014. I forgot that I had a small (very small) charge on the account, and they ended up closing it. I spoke with them, apologized profusely, and they said that they understood the situation and would mark it as pays_as_agreed, closed due to inactivity. It would not be a derogitory.

Two months ago, I reviewed my experian report and saw that it was indicating that the account was derogitory, with the phrasing, "paid, closed". I disputed without providing much information in the dispute - very dumb, in retrospect - and now it says "credit line closed / not paying as agreed"!!! Experian FICO is now 707 vs 731 TU (Anyone know how I can get EQ free/cheap?)

At first I felt frustrated and a bit defeated. I wasn't sure that Amex would help me fix this, and I wondered if it was too risky to try... I have new accounts with them now that are in good standing, and wasn't sure if I could leverage those for new discussions with Amex, or if I should distance myself from the old account...

I finally mustered the courage to call Amex today and see if they could help. I asked if they could change the report to reflect our current good relationship (fishing for them to remove the 30 and 60 days) and they said that they couldn't because they can only go back two years with edits like that. I asked if I could re-open the account, and they said they can only do that within 90 days of closing. Then I asked if they could help me adjust the phrasing with experian, which doesn't seem to match what they had told me and what transunion and equifax are reporting. They said they could help with that, and could send me a letter confirming that the account was "pays as agreed, closed due to inactivity". I then called experian, and told them that I wanted that change to be made, and that Amex could provide confirmation. They said they would file the dispute and reach out to amex. Fingers crossed!

Does it seem like I'm heading in the right direction with the process this time? I don't want to make another dumb mistake..

And a lesson for others like me: Don't casually file disputes!! It can go very wrong...

[newmomnewme]

I hope that this goes well for you. I need to hear a success story! 

You just have to catch the right person on the right day. 

I just disputed the following tradelines on TU today and I am hoping that I selected the right reasons... 

• NCA - Paid Collection - Creditor agreed to delete 
• NCA - Paid Collection - Creditor agreed to delete 
• NFCU - 8/18 30 day late - Inaccurate payment status/information reported
• Macys - 6/15 30 day late - No knowledge of account (this is a duplicate tradeline; maybe for furniture special?) 
• PSECU - 7/17 30 day late - Inaccurate payment status/information reported (auto loan, car totaled, insurance paid late) 

I send several GW letters already...I still haven't found the right person to talk to yet. 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, definitely seems like it's a bit of a matter of luck and phrasing. Best of luck to you!