Need help determining next steps

[thornback]

@LJ555:

When was the date of first delinquency (first 30 day non-payment period)? Negative items remain on your report for 7 years + 180 days from the date of first delinquency, not account open date.

Accounts that are charged off / closed may update at anytime, so long as they haven't sold the debt.

You said the original balance line item shows the balance, but the Balance line item is blank - it's possible the original creditor sold the debt in 2016 and instead of showing "0" for that line item, it's blank.

Find out the date of first delinquency so you can determine when it is due to drop off, and your next steps. You may have to get a paper copy if your report to get this info if it does not appear on your online report. You can also find out the drop off date by calling the credit bureaus.

If the debt is still within the statute of limitations for collection, leave it alone since you cannot afford to pay right now.

Pay for Delete will only work if you can manage payment in full.

You can ask Transunion for an early exclusion / delete up to 6 months before the drop off date; Experian is beteeen 1-3 months; Equifax is 1 month.

[LJ555]

Hmm.. ok.  Pretty sure DOFD was in 2000 IIRC.  I would think after 18 years it would be gone.  BUT I just tried to log in to my Experian account (where I'm getting most of this info currently) and botched my login so now I'm locked out for an unspecified window of time.  But I'll check that as soon as I can.

So in between checking here for responses and browsing some of the other threads (ABCD's threads are super helpful) I've done the following:

*Taken advantage of my bank's free tools & services and set up a budget plan, adjusting my goals for certain categories like food, etc.  *Reviewed my spending reports (very enlightening).

*Set up a new savings account with a direct deposit each payday, and a target savings amount set for July 2018 - I figured 6 months was a good short-term savings goal?

*Obtained contact info for the three late pay reports from several years ago - 2 x 30D and 1 x 90D - plan to get started with GW letters

*Obtained contact info for the paid collection on the physical therapy charge - will call both CA and OC to see about getting this removed

*Almost forgot - set up autopays on all 3 cards even though I don't use the one secured card with low limit and I haven't had any late payments.

I also plan to not be a procrastinator this year and file my taxes ASAP.  I would like to use my refund to work on paying some of this stuff off.  It won't be much but it will help.

I think I'm on the right track?

[LJ555]

Me again... talking to myself.

I logged into the NSLDS to see if that loan was listed.  It is NOT.  Therefore, this negative chargeoff from 1999 is NOT a federal loan.  The only two listed in the database are on my CR as being paid and both are current with no lates.

That said.  If it's not a federal loan (not Perkins or... the other one without exclusion), then it should have fallen off my report years ago correct?

[LJ555]

First, I'll say that I've mailed my GW letters.  Fingers crossed.

Second, I'm wondering on that old student loan if the DOFD was more recent because of possible forbearance/deferral?  I had multiple loans, most are paid off - 2 are current and won't take too much longer to pay off.  This one seems to be an outlier and I honestly can't remember if I had this deferred or not - I know, sounds crazy but I thought my only deferrals were for the two I'm currently now paying on. 

So my question is this, and forgive me if this sounds stupid.  I'd like to call the college and ask for more information on this loan, but I'm unsure of my position if I do so.  By calling them, is that going to re-set the process all over again?  Will that establish new dates on record, or new reporting?  Though it's already there sooo... I guess I'd just like some assurance I won't make it worse.  I'd rather talk to someone and know exactly where I stand and what my options are.  If they won't accept payments and will only take payment in full, that will be problematic.  I feel like it never hurts to ask but I want to ensure I'm not missing something important, and want to be aware of what my rights and responsibilities are with that phone call.

[LJ555]

***EXCITING UPDATE!***

Last week I mailed my first GW letter to remove a paid collection.  This morning I logged into Experian to find that they have removed it!  My score has increased 13 points to 640!  WOOT!  Now fingers crossed I have as good luck with the GW letters for late payments from 2015.

So now the only remaining collection is the hospital bill.  What to do.

Also if anyone could answer some of my previous questions about the student loan (which is currently the only negative) that would be great.

Thanks so much for the advice I've already received, and I'm grateful for these forums.  I would have had no idea GW letters were a thing until I started reading about them here.  First success, here's to more!

[LJ555]

+ Another 8.  So 21 point increase since I started this thread.  (where I'm happily talking to myself)