about a year and a half ago i found out there were a few things on my credit that wasn't mine, of course bad things, credit cards i never had cause i've never had one and wrong middle name and addresses on my credit report. i got in touch with all 3 credit co's and put a watch for the 90days allowed, filed disputes with all, filed a police report even called phone numbers that belonged to addresses on my report. thought things were cleared up but recently i just received a letter from one of the same collection agencies for the same s*** after over a year of hearing nothing. so, WHAT CAN I DO TO REALLY FIX THIS? DO I HIRE AN ATTORNEY AND IF SO WHAT KIND? thanks!
2006-11-07 09:41:09 · 7 answers · asked by em 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Ah yes...you are finding out why Identity Theft is such a pain to fix.
If you follow my advice, I can fix your problems. If you are confused contact me.
First my battle cry! You are about to go to war! Knowledge of the law is your only weapon! You need to arm yourself, so take the time to read the links below. The creditors know these laws by heart, you need to also!
From now on you MUST keep accurate records. Keep logs of time, date, and who you talk to. Send all letters by certified mail/return receipt.
In the FTC's link, there is an affidavit form. Fill it out, get it notarized and have several copies. Many of your creditors may ask for one before they believe you are a victim.
I assume you have already sent a dispute letter to the credit reporting agencies. If not, do it now! And send it certified so you can prove they got it!
Send a letter to the creditors. In it, do three things.
1) Inform them you are a victim of identity theft and they debts are not yours. Include a copy of the affidavit.
2) Demand that they validate the debt. They must prove this is your debt, and supply copies of that proof (contracts, bills, receipts).
3) Immediately stop all collection efforts, and remove any listings that were placed on your credit report.
They have 30 days to respond to this. If they fail to do so, send them one last demand letter. You can waste time by calling them, but if this problem is not resolved (as you are now finding) how are you going to prove anything? Letters are very important!
If this problem is not resolved, then you have fullfilled the requirements in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. You can now sue them in small claims court for $1000, and you will easily win.
I was an ID Theft victim a couple years ago. Most of my problems were handled, but one was with Hollywood Video over some unreturned tapes! The store was in Chicago and I live 300 miles away in Michigan! But they insisted this was my debt.
After doing what I mentioned above, I finally sued them in court and won $1200 for my troubles. I pretend I won the lottery!
If these people do not want to help you fix your credit, then take them to court. You do NOT need a lawyer. You just need to know and understand the law. So check out the links below.
2006-11-07 10:41:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to keep a chronological list of who you spoke to, what day and what the purpose of each call was. Save copies of written correspondence and send notices certified with delivery confirmation. If something appears on your personal credit report and it is not yours, you must give written notice of the dispute and the creditor has 30 days to respond from the date they receive notice from the credit reporting agency, if after that time you have not been contacted by the credit reporting agency regarding the status of your request for removal the item must be removed. It cannot be added later on again and again, no it must be resolved. If you have all your paper work in order and you have exhausted your resources, then yes you should seek legal counsel but it is a shame that you have to resort to that. The credit reporting agencies are regulated and they make every effort to report accurately with the information provided to them. I would be contacting the creditors who are reporting this also in addition to the credit reporting agencies.
2006-11-07 09:51:20 · answer #2 · answered by S T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no easy fix. The burden lies with getting the reporting creditors to acknowledge the inaccuracy and issue you a letter of proof which you in turn submit to the bureaus that are showing this information. This is what you need to remove inaccurate items. Accurate items are much more difficult and can require an attorney familiar with the game of give and take...or more like kick and gouge.
For more info on managing credit scores check my blog.
2006-11-07 13:11:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were you given any sourt of paperwork stating that you are not responsible for the debt these people are trying to collect? If you did, mail a copy of it the the creditor. Sometimes their computers just automatically send things out and maybe it was a mistake.
2006-11-07 09:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
besides the undeniable fact that they say everybody has their personal credit and credit status, you'll locate as time is going by that as quickly because it contains figuring out to purchase belongings you want and favor they have a way of creating use of your spouses credit adverse to, its an similar with driving information if one spouses has a good number of issues they carry it adverse to the different !
2016-11-28 21:40:50 · answer #5 · answered by lemmer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
credit issues credit issues, check with NHBS, Inc dearie
http://www.newhorizon.org/
I got assistance from them too
take care
2006-11-07 09:52:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋