Need Advice!!
Date: Tue, 01/05/2010 - 01:10
I'm a newbie to this stuff & on info overload, so please bear with me. I need some advice on how to handle this situation! This is long, but I just need a place where I can get it all out. A little background.
I checked my credit on free credit report . com 2 years ago. It checked back fine, no collection accounts and a decent score. I hadn't checked it since. Just last month I applied for a job, got interviewed, and they had to run a credit check since its a financial company. I then get a call back from the lady telling me I have 3 bills in collections. Embarrassing! I have never been contacted by anyone!!
I looked up my credit report again. Low and behold, I have 3.
#1 - I know what it is, a $99 bill from when I lived in Alaska in 06.
#2 - is for $1, I have no idea what it is
#3 - $623 that I think is a medical bill from 4 years ago that I later found out my insurance didn't cover. Both the second and third collection accounts are w/the same agency, Sentry Credit.
I called up Sentry just to see what this $1 is. Turns out, it was for an energy bill that I already paid to the energy company and the $1 supposedly was for interest. The guy on the phone actually told me it shouldn't be on there and that he'd take it off. I later realized I didn't get that in writing and called back. I talked to some lady this time who just went off on me and told me I had to file with the bureau and they can't take it off my credit. So I went online and filed a dispute for the $1 collection account. This is where I need the advice.
While filing the dispute with Experian, I noticed something. Experian showed the 3 accounts, under #1 under status, it said "This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jul 2013. This item was verified on Jul 2007 and remained unchanged"
However, under #2 & #3, the two from Sentry, all it says is "collections account". It doesn't mention anything about it being verified. Now, I was going to try and Negotiate the $623 one down and try and get them to take it off because I need this off my credit to get this job (which I know not to tell them). But now I'm wondering, should I do a debt validation letter? Even if I'm pretty positive that this debt is legit? Cause I need this stuff gone ASAP.
What happens if I do a debt validation letter certified mail receipt requested, and I don't hear back from the collection agency? How long do I have to wait for them?
And one last question, for #1, should I do a paid to delete letter? Apparently after interest its now at $144, original amount was $99. I was thinking of sending a Paid to Delete letter for $99.
Sorry this is soooo freaking long, but again, I'm on info overload. I've read so much the last week I'm starting to forget it all and just wanted one forum where I could get it all out. Thank you for any and all advice and help.
-J
I checked my credit on free credit report . com 2 years ago. It checked back fine, no collection accounts and a decent score. I hadn't checked it since. Just last month I applied for a job, got interviewed, and they had to run a credit check since its a financial company. I then get a call back from the lady telling me I have 3 bills in collections. Embarrassing! I have never been contacted by anyone!!
I looked up my credit report again. Low and behold, I have 3.
#1 - I know what it is, a $99 bill from when I lived in Alaska in 06.
#2 - is for $1, I have no idea what it is
#3 - $623 that I think is a medical bill from 4 years ago that I later found out my insurance didn't cover. Both the second and third collection accounts are w/the same agency, Sentry Credit.
I called up Sentry just to see what this $1 is. Turns out, it was for an energy bill that I already paid to the energy company and the $1 supposedly was for interest. The guy on the phone actually told me it shouldn't be on there and that he'd take it off. I later realized I didn't get that in writing and called back. I talked to some lady this time who just went off on me and told me I had to file with the bureau and they can't take it off my credit. So I went online and filed a dispute for the $1 collection account. This is where I need the advice.
While filing the dispute with Experian, I noticed something. Experian showed the 3 accounts, under #1 under status, it said "This account is scheduled to continue on record until Jul 2013. This item was verified on Jul 2007 and remained unchanged"
However, under #2 & #3, the two from Sentry, all it says is "collections account". It doesn't mention anything about it being verified. Now, I was going to try and Negotiate the $623 one down and try and get them to take it off because I need this off my credit to get this job (which I know not to tell them). But now I'm wondering, should I do a debt validation letter? Even if I'm pretty positive that this debt is legit? Cause I need this stuff gone ASAP.
What happens if I do a debt validation letter certified mail receipt requested, and I don't hear back from the collection agency? How long do I have to wait for them?
And one last question, for #1, should I do a paid to delete letter? Apparently after interest its now at $144, original amount was $99. I was thinking of sending a Paid to Delete letter for $99.
Sorry this is soooo freaking long, but again, I'm on info overload. I've read so much the last week I'm starting to forget it all and just wanted one forum where I could get it all out. Thank you for any and all advice and help.
-J
if you're sure about owing the amount then you can skip the DV p
if you're sure about owing the amount then you can skip the DV part. But make sure to receive everything in writing.
Regarding DV, there is no time limit for the collection agency to reply to the mail. However, they should ensure not to pursue any collection activity till they validate it. If they don't reply back to your first DV you can send another one after say 30 days. If even the second validation letter goes unanswered, you can then get it removed by disputing with the credit bureaus.
Quote:
And one last question, for #1, should I do a paid to delete letter? Apparently after interest its now at $144, original amount was $99. I was thinking of sending a Paid to Delete letter for $99. |
