Hello All.
I'm continuing to rebuild my long neglected credit and have hit something of an annoying roadblock with Experian. Allow me to fully explain.
I have been keeping an eye on my Fico score with score watch and have seen an increase from under 600 credit score on Equifax in December of this year to yesterdays latest increase to 661. I had 1 inaccuracy on all the reports and some closed accounts that should have fallen off but hadn't and 1 public record that I thought was my fathers (I'm a Jr.). I disputed these.......not sure now that was the best idea after much reading on rebuilding credit. In any case the public record was a Federal Tax Lien placed on my credit for Rhode Island Child Support. Ironically, these payments were being deducted from my paycheck automatically but there was a problem with where my company was sending the money and I got screwed basically. Nonetheless, the lien was satisfied and only Experian hasn't removed it. I've twice disputed it and the reply is that it was verified and I'd need to contact the initiator. That's funny.......just trying to contact a HUMAN at Child Support Enforcement is difficult enough never mind figuring out how to do something about the Lien removal. In any case, yesterday my score watch detected an increase in my score to aforementioned 661 on Equifax. Coincidentally, and I'm not sure if this actually gets reported, but my Capital One card (first ever credit card and unsecured at that) credit limit went from $300 to $1800 yesterday as well. I also got, at the recommendation of Webster Bank Mortgage Manager an secured credit card with a $500 line/limit a little more then a month ago. When I received the confirmation of my Secured card approval they also sent me my TransUnion score which they used as an indicator and it was 671. I use a personally set limit of 29% of my Credit Limit. So today I decided to see what the deal is on my Experian and TransUnion reports. So again, the roadblock is Experian and them not removing the satisfied Lien. The report shows the following:
Type [?]Court number [?]Date filed [?]Status date [?]Amount [?]Account Designator [?]
| Federal tax lien released |
| ********* |
| Feb. 26, 2007 |
| 6/2010 |
| $12,712 |
| Individual |
So since I'm having a hell of a time getting anywhere with Experian and navigating the RI. Enforcement Automated System I would like to know if the 7yr 1 month rule applies to the "Date filed" or the "Status Date" above? Also, I had a settlement come through and last week final payment of $37,900 was made on the same child support case, paying this off in full. (Been paying on this for nearly 20yrs mostly, save for a few months of deferment due to unemployment 11yrs ago....it was originally 65K due to a long story). This support case is listed in the accounts section and because of numerous instances where my company apparently took too long sending the payment to the Enforcement agency the following entries under the Seven year payment history:
30 days late60 days late90+ days late
| 4 times (Apr 2010, Jan 2010, Dec 2009, Nov 2009) |
| 7 times (Feb 2010, Oct 2009, Sep 2009, Jul 2009, May 2009) |
19 times (Mar 2010, Aug 2009, Jun 2009, Apr 2009, Mar 2009, Feb 2009, Jan 2009, Dec 2008, Nov 2008, Oct 2008, Sep 2008, Aug 2008, Jul 2008, Jun 2008, May 2008) |
Obviously, this is also affecting my score. Since this was satisfied in full can I get this account removed? Should i?
Lastly, Experian shows to small Medical Bills in collections that I guess I overlooked. However TransUnion and Equifax both show these AND two additional ones. I know the Moral Police will jump on this one too and I truly understand but I'm 42 and FINALLY getting my life and credit in shape and don't feel like such a dummy who hides his head in shame at the mention of credit. Based on the following entries, is it better CREDIT SCORE wise to pay or not pay these (trying to get a mortgage soon...I will deal with the guilty conscience part later if the answer is don't pay)?
Experian Reports
Collection on debt to:
The collection agency "XXXXX M.D." was hired to collect a debt of $265 on account number"XXXXXX".
Collection agency [?]Original balance [?]Current balance [?]Date assigned [?]Account number [?]Account holder [?]
| XXXXX M.D. |
| $265 |
| $140 |
| Jun 03, 2010 |
| XXXXXX |
| Individual |
Collection on debt to:
The collection agency "." was hired to collect a debt of $250 on account number"XXXXXXX".
Collection agency [?]Original balance [?]Current balance [?]Date assigned [?]Account number [?]Account holder [?]
| XXXXXX Inc. |
| $250 |
| $250 |
| Nov 04, 2011 |
| XXXXXXX |
| Individual |
Equifax and TransUnion show the above plus the following:
Collection on debt to: Collection
The collection agency "Collection" was hired to collect a debt of $51 originally owed to "Collection" on account number "XXXXXXX".
Collection agency [?]Original balance [?]Current balance [?]Date assigned [?]Original lender [?]Account number [?]Account holder [?]Account descriptions [?]
| Collection |
| $51 |
| $51 |
| Apr 28, 2007 |
| Collection |
| XXXXXXX |
| Individual |
| Placed for collection |
Collection on debt to: Collection
The collection agency "Collection" was hired to collect a debt of $222 originally owed to "Collection" on account number "XXXXXXX".
Collection agency [?]Original balance [?]Current balance [?]Date assigned [?]Original lender [?]Account number [?]Account holder [?]Account descriptions [?]
| Collection |
| $222 |
| $222 |
| Apr 28, 2007 |
| Collection |
| XXXXXXX |
| Individual |
| Placed for collection |
Remember, Morally I know what I SHOULD do but I'm working extremely hard to get my score up as high as possible and pay every bill ahead of time now. I pay credit cards 2+ weeks before the due date, in full. Besides these above mentioned bills I have no outstanding bills. I have a 17K student loan that is on time every month. I'm really proud of where I've come since December. I appreciate any answers I receive and hope to someday be able to pay along what I've learned.
Sincerely,
Roger
