How to address "authorized user" Credit Card/late payment & advice with rebuilding.

[RCOH]

Hello,

I'm trying to work on repairing my credit. As for my report I have 3 credit cards listed with late payments that need addressed on all three agencies. One is for Capital One ($89.00) which I plan on paying very soon. The second is Merrick Bank ($266) that will be addressed soon after. The third is a card from First Premier ($449) that I was listed as an authorized user on.

Can/should I dispute the First Premier? It wasn't my card. I don't want to pay the balance unless it's necessary to clear up my reports.

Other than those I have a couple accounts in collection, 2 on Experian ($541), 3 reporting on Transunion ($634) and 4 listed by Equifax ($783).

All three are reporting my previous auto loan 'paid in full' plus my current loan that I took out in February. All payment are listed as on time with the new account. This did help improve my scores after getting another auto loan. It was necessary, I didn't have reliable transportation.

I've also applied for Credit One and was approved  just last week. I received a welcome letter from them yesterday. I don't plan on using this card except to make a small purchase each month then pay in full once it reports each month. I know I should have at least one more if not two additional revolving accounts reporting to help with rebuilding. Capitol One said they would offer me service again once I pay the debit with them.

As for Inquiries they are Experian (3), Equifax (3) plus Transunion with 0.

Any and all advice is appreciated!!

Thanks in advance.

[RobertEG]

"Wasnt my card" is not basis for dispu6ng the accuracy of a reported AU account.

Any AU account is, by definition, not yours.  You consented to having it added to your credit file/report.

You cant accept the reporting of an AU and then cherry-pick by having any derogs reported on the account deleted.

There is no inaccuracy in the reporting.

The option is to have the AU removed if you no longer wish it reported.

[RCOH]

How do I have it removed?

Also, am I understanding that if they don't pay the account then I must to get it corrected?

[RobertEG]

Procedures vary by creditor.

Call the creditor and ask.  Some will require notification from the primary card holder, while others will accept your cancellation.

You also want them to delete prior reporting to the CRA, and not simply discontinue updates.

[RCOH]

Thank you. I'll give them a call.

Any other advice?

[RonM21]

Maybe try to settle the collections or work a PFD deal if possible. These being on your reports sre going to hold your scores down until they fall off.

Also, if Cap 1 said they'd gjve you a chance again, I would try to handle theit debt quickly and take advantage of that. This time handling what they give you much better obviously.

[RCOH]

Thanks for the replies.

I tried contacting First Premier today about the authorized user CC account.  I wasn't able to speak with anyone about the account. I tried every option they offer including customer service. It wouldn't connect me to anyone because the system said the account was closed, It was an automated service. I was able to get the account number from the card holder though.

After doing more research I did find several articles that say you can in fact dispute an authorized user with the Credit Bureaus.  Here is one on Experian, there are several more on the Web. According to everything I have read the CB will remove them, an authorized user isn't liable for AU charges unlike a joint account holder.

I filed a dispute with Transunion but didn't have success with Equifax. The system said it had a problem identifying who I am. I must of answered one of the questions wrong. Equifax instructed me to mail or fax in the dispute. I downloaded the form and plan to fax it tomorrow.

I'll try to get the few collections I have to agree on a PFD. Two are Medical, I may be able to get those taken care of through the Hospital. I know others who have had sucess dealing directly with them.

I didn't intend to have problems in the first place but none of us do. I ran into mediacl problems and was unable to pay all of my account's.

 I'll let you know if/when I get a reply in regards to the authorized user account.

[Anonymous]

My husband had a charge off FPB card (that was paid after the fact in settlement) that I was AU on.  I tried to dispute it through the CRAs but it came back as verified.  I called the number on my credit reports and had myself removed from the account as an AU.  I then disputed the account again with the CRAs as not mine and they came off after that.  

[RCOH]

The only number I found was the one listed on the First Premier site. I didn't look on my reports...

Just found one on my CCT report (605) 357-3440. That isn't the number I called. I'll give it a shot today. I should be able to get in touch before the dispute is investigated with Transunion. I havn't faxed the Equifax dispute yet.

Thanks for the suggestion and reply.

[RCOH]

Tried the other number, got the same automated service.

It said I had to contact Accounts Receivable Management which is a collection agency. I know they can't remove me.

I don't know what else to do other than file a dispute. I can't get in touch with a real person at First Premier. Doesn't matter which option I try (tried them all), they want either a account number or reference number before they will connect you with anyone. The only number I have is the account which get's me no where.