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I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

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Anonymous
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I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

Long story short, I was in 3 car accidents (not at fault, just terrible luck apparently) within a year and a half. The last one totaled my car. This has left my credit totally trashed because I was unable to work and keep up with payments. 

I keep getting tempted to pay someone like a credit repair place to help me because it just seems so overwhelming with a full time job working overnights and 3 kids. I really want to start digging myself out of this hole so I am able to buy a house next January.

 

I guess my question is - where do I start? I have a few accounts in collections. One is 6 years old so I'm not sure if it's worth bothering with at this point. Is paying collections worth it? How do I go about doing so? Will it make a difference in being able to buy a house? 

Also when my vehicle was totaled in 2019, my car loan was through BBVA. My credit report shows this loan as derogatory and the balance not paid off even though USAA paid BBVA and I had gap insurance for the remaining amount. I have called USAA several times to confirm and when I call BBVA they give me the runaround. They keep me on hold for hours and continue to transfer me to different people. Is there any advice on how to handle this especially? 

Any advice is welcome! I am completely lost and have no idea what I am doing. I have recently gotten 2 secured credit cards as well in hopes that can help.

 

Message 1 of 14
13 REPLIES 13
mycreditscoreisfair
Frequent Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

The first step is to figure out exactly what you owe, and to who. I would pull your reports from annual credit report and list all of your debts so you have something to work from going forward. I would also obtain your FICO scores so you know where you currently stand.

 

I would stay away from credit repair services. There's nothing they can do for you that you can't do for yourself. Many times, they will hurt your credit in the short term.

 

Paying collections are worth it. For one, if they're still within the statute of limitations, you can be sued. For two, paying then will improve your credit score; especially if they are deleted from your credit report. And for three, many traditional mortgage lenders won't underwrite a mortgage if you have unpaid debts such as collections or charge offs.

 

If you list the companies and/or collection agencies you're dealing with, you'll likely get some more insight.

Starting score (January 2020): 454 (TU)
First goal (December 2020): 580 (TU)
Second goal (August 2021): 670 (TU)
Current scores: 679 (TU), 665 (EQ), 658 (EX)
Current goal: All three bureaus over 670

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Message 2 of 14
OmarGB9
Community Leader
Super Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

In order to best help you, please list out all debts, including open and closed loans, credit cards, charge offs, collections, etc. including balances and who the debts are with. Paying a collection is most beneficial when you can get it deleted altogether after payment, which not all CAs do. But several do. As for a mortgage, you may have to pay off all outstanding collections anyway as part of the deal to get approval.


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Message 3 of 14
satio
Frequent Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

We've all been there.

 

The first step is seeking advice from those that have achieved or are in the process of achieving the same positive steps you are wishing to accomplish yourself. You've done that by reaching out to the community here so Kudos for taking the first step!

 

As suggested by the replies before me, if you will give us a lay of the land for what your current credit reporting footprint looks like, the membership here will be glad to chime in and offer suggestions for accomplishing the desired end result.

 

We look forward to your reply and to the opportunity to be of assistance in your credit repair journey.

 



Message 4 of 14
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

I have 3 accounts in collections. They are:

 

  • LVNV Funding (originally credit one) from 2019. $727
  • Portfolio credit recovery (originally capital one) from 2016. $708
  • National credit systems.This was one is from breaking a lease in 2014/2015 and for $1,549. On the experian report it said it would fall off in October of 2021. So I'm not sure if this one is worth messing with?

 

I have 5/6 accounts that say charge offs, but one I know for sure is innaccurate and I am going to be calling later today. These are all more recent and from 2018/2019 when I had all of my accidents and I couldn't keep up with payments.

  • Discover - $1,864
  • First premier - $661
  • Indigo - this one says $0 so I'm not sure how to proceed. I know I didn't pay it.
  • Kay Jewelers - $1,724
  • BBVA - $38,711, but this is the one I am sure is not accurate since insurance paid $30k of it and I filed gap insurance for the remainder.
  • First investors - which was a voluntary surrender (I just couldn't make the payments and gave up) and says $0 so I'm not sure how to figure out how to fix that.

 

I also have $10k worth of student loans that have 2 late payments from 2019, but other than that those are current. 

 

I am able to pay off all of my collections and charge offs ASAP (except BBVA, because I am adamant that one is removed since insurance paid), but I guess I need to know the best way to go about it.

Message 5 of 14
simplegirl
Valued Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

Welcome to the forums. Also i know for sure portfolio recovery does PFD and i think LVNV does to so once those are paid they should fall off. As far the one falling off on 10/2021 i wouldn't worry about it until the very end or let it fall off and pay it afterwards. For the indigo card they could have sold it to a collection agency which would add a new one with a potential score drop once that one is added. So for indigo i would figure out if they did or didn't so you don't have a new collection come out of nowhere. Good Luck on your rebuild.








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Message 6 of 14
gdale6
Moderator Emeritus

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!


@Anonymous wrote:
  • BBVA - $38,711, but this is the one I am sure is not accurate since insurance paid $30k of it and I filed gap insurance for the remainder.
  • First investors - which was a voluntary surrender (I just couldn't make the payments and gave up) and says $0 so I'm not sure how to figure out how to fix that.

If insurance has actually paid 30K they must update the balance to show it, to continue to report the full amount is against the law, if a creditor reports anything it must be accurate information. A CFPB complaint would be in order to induce them if they refuse to do so. Keep all your paperwork on it as evidence the entire time it can be reported.

 

 

 

Message 7 of 14
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

The insurance has paid that amount. I will have to dig through everything to see if I have any documentation, but I have confirmed with the insurance and I do have the claim #. Every time I call BBVA they place me on hold for over an hour. I will call them on my next day off so I can dedicate the day if need be.

 

For pay to delete - do I need to send them a letter? Do I pay the full amount or do I try to get it lower? 

And how do I handle the charge offs? Do I just call and pay them or do I need send them a letter as well?

Message 8 of 14
simplegirl
Valued Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

For Portfolio and LVNV you don't have to send a letter they delete automatically. As far as the charge offs you just have to pay them rather in a settlement or in full then send out goodwill letters the companies with hope that they will delete the negative information. Original creditors don't usually do pay for deletes. Also i know for portfolio they will delete even if you settle so no need to pay that one in full and for LVNV once if you speak to them you can see if they will delete even if you settle they may but in my opinion if any collection agency will delete even if you settle i would settle. The charge offs if you don't plan on getting another card with them in the future just call and settle with them too but if you want to do businesss with them again call & pay in full.








Starting Score: 494 503 521
Current Score: 503 507 507 2/19
Goal Score: 680


Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge





Goals:

Get First Home in Summer 2025
Message 9 of 14
mycreditscoreisfair
Frequent Contributor

Re: I have no idea how to begin fixing my credit! Please help!

Good advice given above. I just want to add, if you settle your debt/charge-offs for less than the amount owed, you'll likely receive a 1099-C next year and have to pay taxes on the forgiven amount. If you want to reestablish a relationship with the creditors, it may be best to pay them in full if you're able to do so.

Starting score (January 2020): 454 (TU)
First goal (December 2020): 580 (TU)
Second goal (August 2021): 670 (TU)
Current scores: 679 (TU), 665 (EQ), 658 (EX)
Current goal: All three bureaus over 670

Declined credit cards: First Premier Bank, Verve, Self, Credit One, Today Smiley Happy
Message 10 of 14
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