     Michelle Nielson (Michelle) | Tuesday, April 18, 2000 - 01:11 pm 
So my score is the same if I have 1 collection versus 20 collections? Paying them doesn't help? Now I know whose not getting my money.
I recently had a problem with Experian. I challenged 6 different charge accounts all from the same department store. I have been after the department store to show me a signature because it sure isn't mine. They refused. I challenged with Experian, Yesterday I get a letter stating they verified them all and have changed last date of activity to March 2000. The accounts were previously listed as charged off in 1994 and 1995. I am sure this lowered my weak score tremendously. When I called Experian and said there is no way they verified them and asked how the last date of activity was calculated, she told me they verified they were mine and a recent payment was made. When I asked why would I make a payment on something that is not mine and has already been charged off she said "I'm only telling you what they said." I also asked how were they verified to prove they were mine when I have been unable to do this for 5 years. She said "We simply ask them and they said 'Yes" it was yours, thats the only verification we have to do." What am I to do now? She did agree to summit another dispute on the last date of activity and I told her I was going to follow up with a letter to Experian and one to the the Fair Trade Commission. She said go ahead. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Friday, April 21, 2000 - 02:58 pm
Somehow I lost Anonymouse's posting recommending to sue. I agree.
Either that or HIRE someone to do another dispute and have them invoice the department store with their fee. I think $100 to $200 is an appropriate fee if the dispute is resolved after ONE contact. |
| Michelle Nielson (Michelle) | Friday, April 21, 2000 - 05:56 pm
Any advice on who to hire? When I talked with them earlier this week they said they were in the process of verifying the last date of activity. They changed it to 3/2000 it would have fallen off in less than 18 months. Now it wil be there 7 more years. The statue of limitations is up already.
Everything I have ever asked to have verified from Experian has turned into a huge headache. I had a student loan being reported as being late over 90 for 6 months in a row. I contacted the loan originator because it has never gone into repayment. They adviced me to contact all three bureaus to verify and state who I talked with and they would confirm it was never late. The loan originator said this was faster because it takes their system 3 months to update. I wrote all three and included the lady's name. Within a month the other two notified me and supplied me with a copy of my report showing the lates removed. Experian, on the other hand, claimed to have verified it. I got a letter from the originator stating it has never gone into repayment. I sent it to Experian asking how they verified, it took 6 weeks before they sent me a letter back saying they removed the lates. BUT, they will not send me an updated copy of my report, just these form sheets saying they have made the following updates. Likewise, they have an auto loan being reported 4 times, I have repeatedly pointed out that the loan amont, payments and activity dates are all the same, yet they report it four times. It took me 9 months to get it somewhat fixed. It is only showing up 2 times now. |
| Anonymous (Anonymouse) | Friday, April 21, 2000 - 06:31 pm
Each uncorrected instance is a good reason to sue. Have all your other documentation. Who to hire depends on where you live. Personally, I always ask the bar association for a recommendation in what ever state I need representation in. |
| Michelle Nielson (Michelle) | Monday, May 01, 2000 - 01:40 pm
Just received an update from Experian. I had asked for reverification. They have not removed any of the accounts that are not mine, but they have changed the date of last activity back to 1995 (they had changed it to 3/2000)on 5 of the 6 accounts, they maintain I had made a payment on one of the accounts on 3/2000. I again asked for them to reinvestigate. The rep I talked with was very sympathetic. She said if she was me she would sue. I told her I had been in contact with an attorney and if it wasn't rectafied immediately I wouldn't hesitate to sue Experian or the department store. (I haven't talked to an attorney yet, but it seemed like a good line at the time). She said she would personally see to it that it is taken care of. I'll check back in a week to see the progress. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Monday, May 01, 2000 - 04:10 pm
Michelle,
have you checked the link to FCRA Attorneys in the LINK section?
I know it's a pain to have to look for an attorney, I'm going through the same hassle myself.
And thanks for keeping us posted. |
