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Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:26 am Subject: Multiple Collection Agencies

I just recently pulled my credit report and have found that on some accounts there are between 2 and 4 different agencies reporting on the same debt. For one there are 3 agencies reporting it AND they each are showing different amounts ranging from $175 to $800! If I report this to each of the three major Credit Bureaus will it help to dismiss some of them? How do I tell which one is legit and which ones are just trying to get money out of me?

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 12:40 pm Subject:

Hi Brooklyn

An account should not be listed under two different agencies. You need to dispute with the credit bureau highlighting this item and request them to run an investigation with your information providers. It is the responsibility of the CRA to present your credit file with accurate figures. They will verify the actual information from the agencies and remove the items that should not remain in your file.

Once the updated copy of your file is sent to your mailing address, call the agency and make payment arrangements with them. Your credit file will improve after the accounts are paid and reported to the bureaus.

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 5:22 pm Subject:

Hi Brooklyn Girl! My husband had a debt that was reported twice on his report and I pointed it out to the bureaus and one was removed. ALL you have to do is point it out to them, they will investigate it and adjust according. shirley

Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2006 7:30 pm Subject:

Uh oh, I have a couple "double" accounts as well. I'm going to get on that right now!

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:52 am Subject:

Jessica,

One important step of achieving a high credit score is keeping your credit record error free. Obviously it needs a regular monitoring for this purpose. People often ignore it and when the mistake is arrested, score comes down by few points. Review your credit report frequently; make it a habit, so that the mistakes are fixed ASAP. Best of luck Very Happy

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:17 am Subject: Thank you

Thank you all so much for your help, I appreciate the advice and have indeed begun asking any companies who call if they can send me proof that they do indeed own the collection account. Next is to go over each Credit report with a fine tooth comb to see which ones are duplicated and by whom. Hopefully I can get most of this mess cleared up in a couple of months and have an accurate reading of my credit report. PS Can someone tell me how to set myself up to accept donation points? Thanks again!

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:13 am Subject:

Brooklyn Girl, you don't have to do anything to set yourself up for points. Theres a 'donate' button under your name, you just can't see it under your own name, but can see it under everyone elses. Its there, I see it. Very Happy

shirley

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 11:26 am Subject:

Brooklyn Girl,

It seems that you have already started working with your credit. Go ahead and remember you have FDCPA and FCRA with you. Also you have this board to stand by you whenever you are in stress. So feel free to ask your queries in forums because more you interact, more you learn.

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 3:28 pm Subject:

Sorry I have been gone so long. Lots going on here and credit of course has been one of them. My credit score went up then boom down again. I still have multiple entries even though I brought it to their attention. I am going to be going through everything again and resubmit it. I had 3 items which were supposed to drop off in August and didn't. I also have multiple entries with no information, just an amount and I am really getting annoyed with these people. I have the triple credit checks for which I pay every month but for the third time now it won't let me access my information saying my password is wrong and when I try to use my Secret password and give them my name and ss# it says I can't be verified! WTH is that all about? Argh - this weekend coming up I will be spending alot of time trying to get this all straightened out - or at least get the ball rolling.

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:16 pm Subject:

Hi Brooklyn Girl,

Welcome back to the forums. Have you contacted the collection agencies that are listed on your credit reports? This may be your next step.

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:25 pm Subject:

No, not yet. I will make sure that that is on my list of steps to follow. I am so crazed because half of the letters I get in the mail don't even say what account they are claiming I owe money on, others have switched hand 3 or more times and like I said, some of them shouldn't even have the account they claim they do. I am so frustrated right now argh lol. Thanks!

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:35 pm Subject:

Brooklyn -

Welcome back! I'm sure you see lots of new faces here, since your last visit!

You're on the right track to getting your credit report straightened out. Make sure you follow up on the disputes that you file, within the next 30 days or so, to be sure action was taken by the credit bureaus.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:15 am Subject:

I just got two bill from two different collection agencies for the same account! The kicker is that they came on the same day AND they each have a different amount due. This accounts is already past the seven years and is still listed on my credit (as of two months ago) The same thing with an old voluntary repossession that I had. the original credit grantor has me listed still - although they were paid by another company - as well as someone else trying to get the money from me. I have already contacted the credit agencies on this months ago and they have it listed now as verfied! They are still double posted on my credit report. What do you do when even the credit agencies don't do the right thing? There are at least 4 items similar to this which I have been fighting and losing on and I am really frustreated over this. I am heading over to check my credit reports now again to see what has happened since. It seems like we will never get out of this. I have been out of work (outside the home) for over a year and a half now and my b/f got let go (from the same company) in August and yet we have been scrambling to make sure everything is paid in full and on time and yet still we have to fight these crazy things. ARGH sorry... frustrated.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 11:27 am Subject:

Brooklyn, you have to file a formal dispute with the credit bureau and request the item to be investigated with the collection agency. It might take at least 15 - 30 days before the updates take place. They cannot report inaccurate information in your file. You have the rights to ask for the results of the investigation from the bureau if they continue to report the item.

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:00 pm Subject:

OK I just went through each of the three reports quickly and I see that alot of the duplicates have been removed. (I couldn't afford to pay for the scores so I don't know how much my score has improved now) BUT there are now a bunch of stupid little charges and I believe only 1 duplicate (which is new) remaining. There also seems to be 2 items on my reports which are not only past the 7 year mark but have been listed as being reported starting only last year??? Now how do I get them to take that off? One of them even went so far as to put in that I had made a payment toward it last year which is NOT true. I have already printed them out and will be going over them tonight with a highlighter and making notes. What do I do when say Experian and Transunion have the same account listed but different information? What about a company that has since closed? Does that stay on my report or should it fall off? Also, I have an item on my report (my car) which shows two late payments but it has since been brought current and it is listed under negative reports. In 3 years it was the only late payment does it really belong in the negative area? Thanks in advance for your help Wink

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