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Frequently Asked Questions

  • I see my credit report on Credit Karma, but I can't locate any account numbers?"
    Better tools for credit review and analysis. https://www.smartcredit.com https://www.identityiq.com/ https://www.privacyguard.com/ https://www.creditchecktotal.com/ http://www.myfico.com/ Also remember credit karma only shows you 2 reports.
  • How long do I wait for a response from the credit bureaus?
    The Credit Bureaus have 30 days to postmark you a response from when they received the letters. If you send your letters out and they get them on Jan 1 they have until Jan 31 to mail you a letter. Therefore, it may take a few extra days sometimes to get a response.
  • I see the collector and the creditor on my reports as negative, do I dispute the collector or the creditor?"
    You will have to dispute BOTH the collector and the creditor in your letter with partial account numbers to the credit bureaus.
  • I paid the debt.  Can I still dispute?
    Yes, it’s still possible to dispute unverified accounts or inaccurate information from a collector.
  • Can I dispute student loans?
    Yes.
  • I just received an email from Equifax to do an online dispute after they received my first letter. What should I do?
    Never do disputes online.
  • I'm awaiting my driver's license. I recently lost my wallet. I have an old one that has not expired but has my old address on it.  Can I use that to start or wait for the replacement license?
    Wait for the new one. The credit bureaus look for any reason to deny your request.
  • What if the account just has late payments, how do I remove them?"
    Use Goodwill letters for late payments.
  • How do I increase my score?
    Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit cards. Using credit lines can be a powerful credit builder. Also, once you remove your negative accounts apply for a shopping card like Target or another credit card and pay on time and carrying a minimal balance is not viewed negative.
  • The credit bureaus states, they “verified” or “will not re-investigate” or “Meets FCRA” what do I do?"
    Remember you must send your next round of disputes. They are trying to scare you. You must be vigilant.
  • What about inquiries?
    Inquiries don’t typically affect your score negatively unless there are various account inquiries within a short period of time like mortgage inquiries, car loans, and revolving accounts.
  • Can this remove child support?
    You can, but make sure it’s all paid off or up to date with payments.
  • It’s been 30 days since some of the bureau's responded or some of them didn’t respond or they didn’t get the letters. What do I do?
    Send your next round of letters. Send your next round of disputes. Don’t stop that’s what the credit bureaus want you to do.
  • Where can I get my credit report for free?
    https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action Be careful when answering their security questions to obtain your credit report. If you get answer the security question incorrectly you will have to write the individual CRA for your free credit report.
  • My adverse/negative accounts say “verified” or “meets FCRA” what does that mean?  What do I do?
    Keep disputing. These statements are intentional and are used to scare, confuse, and intimidate you. Did the bureau provide evidence they verified your records? Typically, the credit bureaus fall short of providing verifiable information. The bureau has an obligation to comply with the Fair Reporting Credit Act. Keep disputing.
  • The credit bureaus states, they will not re-investigate unless I send supporting documents.  What can I do?"
    Again, keep disputing. It is the Bureau’s responsibility to verify and validate your credit information for accuracy.
  • Should I pay my old delinquent accounts?
    Having the delinquent account there will not change if you pay the account. If you call the creditor and negotiate a pay for removal first then it will help your FICO score, however, you can remove delinquent accounts using this system without paying a creditor. If the account still falls within the statutes of limitations the creditor may still try to collect on the debt. http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/the-statute-limitations-ran-credit-debt-can-the-collection-agency-still-contact-me.html
  • What is a judgment?
    A judgment is an order entered by a court of law indicating the court’s findings. A judgment gives the creditor the right to use additional collection methods to collect the debt owed to them. For example, if the credit card company proves to the court that you owe $5,000, a court may enter a judgment saying that you owe $5,000 (plus costs and interest). The creditor may then use the additional collection methods to get paid.
  • What's bad credit?
    Bad credit is when you’ve had numerous instances of not paying your bills on time. Bad credit causes numerous problems in your financial life. It’s typically measured by the number of negative listings in credit reports and low credit scores generated by those reports. Anything under a 620 credit score is generally considered bad. 620 is generally considered bad when you’re looking at the credit score range in the credit scoring models for which 850 ranks the highest and 300 ranks the lowest.
  • How does bad credit affect you?
    Bad credit can result in:  New credit being difficult, if not impossible, to be approved for  Higher interest rates and deposits if you are approved for credit  Higher deposits on car rentals  Higher auto insurance premiums  Difficulty qualifying for a house or apartment rental  Difficulty qualifying for a job in which a credit check is required
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