LVNV Deletion Question

[aahghs]

Hello everyone, long time lurker and new member here!  I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that the myFico members provide!  I have a question about the LVNV deletion process.  I filed a complaint with the BBB on July 5th against LVNV regarding two accounts placed for collection.  The basis of my complaint was that one of the accounts was included in an FTC lawsuit and on the other they increased the balance by over $500 in one month.

Complaint Timeline:

July 5th filed complaint

July 8th received notice from BBB that complaint was sent to LVNV

July 15th receieved response from LNVN dated July 12th stating that both accounts have been closed and the tradelines would be deleted within 30-45 days.

August 7th account remarks updated to: "Account information disputed by consumer"

Is it normal for LNVN to update the tradelines and include dispute remarks before deletion?  I know that it can take up to 90 days for deletions to occur but I've read here that most have seen them deleted within a week or two.

Thanks in advance for any insight that you're able to provide

[Anonymous]

Any time an account is disputed they have to notify the CRAs.

But, if they could update to show a dispute status I don't know why they didn't just delete.

I know the process but,  once it gets to the CRAs I am not sure what happens there.  IMO, I think most of the time the fault is with the CRAs and not the creditor when it comes to the time it takes to delete something.  Not sure what all that entails. 

[aahghs]

Thanks for your reply  I suppose that I'll just have to wait it out. 

[RobertEG]

A BBB complaint is not a dispute under the FCRA.  It is an informal business matter between the BBB, consumer, and the business.

There is no basis for them to have notified the CRA that you have filed a direct dispute with them under the FCRA.

Dispute flags are limited to formal disputes under either the FCRA or FCBA.

The actual deletion by the debt collector has no set period for completion, as it is a private matter with you.  No basis for the CRA to intervene and delete based on communication only from you.  You must wait for the debt collector to report.  If they dont, you can pursue by way of breach of contract.

The catch-22 is that you dont want to file an actual dispute over the inaccurate posting of a dispute.  That will result in the accurate posting of a real dispute.

I would send a written "complaint" to the CRA, notifying them that your "dispute" with the furnisher was a private BBB complaint, and not a dispute under the FCRA.

Include a copy of your letter to the BBB as documentation of their incorrect reporting.

If you must resort to a dispute to dispute the incorrect dispute, then carefully monitor the required conclusion of that dispute within the 30 days required by law, and make sure the CRA promptily lifts that "real" dispute flag.

[aahghs]

Thank you for the detailed information, Robert.  I'll be sending written complaints to the CRAs tomorrow.  

[Anonymous]

You never disputed the account?

[aahghs]

With the Credit Bureaus?  No.  Only with the BBB. 

[Anonymous]

That would be a complaint with the BBB and not a dispute so no dispute comment should have been added.

[aahghs]

So should I proceed in mailing the complaint letters to the CRAs or contact LVNV directly?  

[Anonymous]

I would start with the complaint to the CRAs and see if they remove it.  You never disputed it.