How to fix this credit report quagmire?

Question

I decided to check out my credit report via annualcreditreport.com because I haven't checked my report out in a couple of years. I took a look at Experian and saw "AT T"(I'm assuming it's AT&T) sent a $200 fee to collections in July, The only problem is that I've never had an account with AT&T. I then see that under my information there is an address and phone number listed that isn't mine.

I look up my name with the zip code from the report on www.whitepages.com and find someone with my exact name, including middle initial, living about 3 miles from the mystery address listed on my report, it isn't the exact same phone number or address though.

I disputed the phone number but when I tried to dispute the address online it wouldn't allow me. Should I call up the collection agency at all? Should I just send in the required paper work disputing the address, phone number, and collection item and hope that they fix it? It seems like someone just mixed up our names, but who knows

Answer 1

First, dispute the AT&T collection and the other erroneous information with Experian. Within 45 days the will respond. Hopefully, this will clear it all up.

However, if it doesn't you should contact (certified mail, return receipt requested) the collection agent and demand he provide proof this debt is yours.

This sounds like a collection agency bought up some real old debt and did some skip tracing to find a similar name. They put it on your credit report and just wait till you are trying to buy a house or something and need the negative gone. Most folks pay rather than fight it out to get it removed.

Answer 2

Of course, always pay bills on time. 1. Consolidate debt into one or two credit card accounts, if possible, and close any accounts that you don't need. The fewer open credit card accounts you have, the better. 2. Order copies of your credit report from all the credit reporting agencies. Scrutinize the report and report any inaccuracies you may find. I've seen many times where information was reported incorrectly, and once reported, it will be verified and removed from the report. This will have an almost immediate impact on your score. 3. Try to pay down your debts as much as possible. The lower your debt is, the better your score will be. You get a boost in your credit score when you pay off debt; credit issuers like to see debts paid off, so aside from paying on time, try to pay off what you can. 4. Again, pay all of your bills on time.... it will take a while to build up a good history, but if you pay on time, then eventually your credit score will go up.

Answer 3

AT&T is a major company and disputing a claim might be a little difficult. I have had similar problems, although not on my credit report thank God, with a girl I grew up with about 1 mile from me. She and I shared first and last names and went to the same high school. Once I was even called into detention when it was her that was in trouble! Twice we banked at the same place. I started using my middle initial (and I still do today) to differentiate myself from her.

You might need to consult a credit expert (in other words a credit attorney). Lexington Law is a good company to contact. They are owned and run by lawyers and have specialized in the credit repair/solution field for over 15 years. Here's a link to them if you want it:

http://bytemgdd.com/clk.aspx?l=2817&c=3909&s=

You can always gather all your information together PROVING that it's not you that AT&T is after and submit it by hand to the creditors. But resolution could take time, and even if they remove the one ding, what if AT&T submits a second bad ding (because the real guy is a flake)?

You don't always need legal help, but in this instance I would consider it! Give Lexington Law a call.

Answer 4

I had a friend who's name was Jody Reese. She had a roommate who's name was Jody Reed (bizarre, I know, but true). Jody "Reed" had the telephone in her name at the apartment they shared. Jody "Reese" moved out and a collection popped up months later for a bill that her former room mate didn't pay. The telephone company thought she was full of crap because there was no way two people could live together with such similar names. She provided a SS# which didn't match the account so it was removed.

I've seen this in the case of parents/kids with a SR. or JR. Like John Smith Sr. and his kid have combined credit. You should just call up the original creditor (AT&T) and dispute it with them. They have the account holders social security number on file. Fax them a copy of your SS card and that should clear it up.

If you want to make some money off this I suggest you sue them in small claims court. You'll definitely win when you show up and show the judge your SSN which doesn't match the record with AT&T. Just tell them this has prevented you from obtaining credit or you had to pay higher interest rates for financing, blah blah, blah. Should be good for about $1500 in your pocket.

Answer 5

It sounds like your identity was stolen.

First, you need to call the police and get a police report, which you can send to AT&T and to the credit bureaus. Also put fraud alerts on all of your reports.

Then call and bug AT&T and Experian and insist the account is not yours, and your identity was stolen to open the account. Get the original contract that the thief signed to compare signatures, find out where the account was opened, etc.

Answer 6

I would contact the credit bearu and dispute the claim. This happened to my mom a woman with the same name, drove the same car who lived only a few minutes away. They can take it off your report.