Awhile back, I started getting a magazine but had never ordered it so I ignored it (I was only 19 or so.) I got bills in the mail and even notices from collection agencies but my stupid self didn't think I could take a hit to my credit if I had never even ordered the service I was being charged for. Anyway, my credit report classifies this magazine subscription as "Seriously past due date / assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department," but it's been well over 2 years, all the mailings have ceased and the account status says "closed," like the other credit cards I've paid off.
However, I think my credit is still suffering because of this. What should I do?
2007-03-19 06:08:03 · 6 answers · asked by rasputina 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Dispute it on your credit report. They'll either prove that you ordered the magazine or they won't.
And yes, it is hurting your credit. File a dispute with Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, whichever one it is and they will contact the collection agency, who will then have to prove it's really yours.
2007-03-19 06:14:02 · answer #1 · answered by Faye H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As it is now, the item is damaging your credit rating.
Write to the reporting agencies, indicating that you never ordered the service in question. The agencies have 30 days to respond. If they do not respond, then you can demand that the item be taken off of your record. By law, the agencies must take off an item that cannot be verified as accurate.
You should also write to the magazine publisher and/or subscription fulfillment service who billed you without authorization. Demand that they retract this debt, and if they do not, you will sue them.
2007-03-19 06:19:11 · answer #2 · answered by Jack Chedeville 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most negative marks can stay on your credit history for 7 years!
since you didn't order the magazines you need to contact the company and the credit bureaus to dispute the account.
it takes 30 days for all disputed accounts to be removed from your record, so the sooner, the better.
these are the addresses of the bureaus:
Equifax- p.o. box 740241
Atlanta,GA 30374
Experian- p.o. box 2104
Allen,TX 75013
Transunion- p.o. box 2000
Chester,PA 19022
2007-03-19 06:45:48 · answer #3 · answered by curious 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way to get it off is to pay it. A blemish on your credit will be on there atleast 7 years, but everytime you correspond with them the time starts over. So if u plan on not paying and just letting it ride, don't answer any letters, phone calls feom them, and definately don't commit to a payment.
2007-03-19 06:22:21 · answer #4 · answered by JC` 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dispute with the credit Bureaus and request the magazine company to prove you ordered it. If they can't prove you ordered it then they can't ding your credit.
They can't use a scam like mail you the mag. and say failure to return it to us constitutes an order.
2007-03-19 06:15:38 · answer #5 · answered by Carp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dispute the collection with all 3 credit reporting comapnies.
Experian, trans union and equifax.
2007-03-19 06:14:04 · answer #6 · answered by golferwhoworks 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋