I have an old credit card account that was charged off.  It was purchased by a collection agency.  My credit report shows the original account, and the collection agency's listing.  It also shows a second listing from the original creditor with a different account number.
132792
Reports of past credit activity/accounts remain on your report "even after they have been transferred/cancelled/paid off/closed, whatever. The little stars that mark your "on time payments" may even continue to be added until some future date when they decide to remove or settle the older acccounts that no longer have bearing on your credit worthyness. Look at the section in the beginning of the report where it sums up all of the accounts. Make sure that the accounts you mentioned have no negative effect on your credit worthyness. Another thought is that you may have come across a composite report that takes two or three of the major credit bureaus and compiles their data into a "report." This could appear as if accounts are doubled. \n\nBut also be aware, mistakes do happen with credit reporting and sometimes it is a good idea to give them a call for a bit of clarification.
87176
If you will still have those two negative items on your credit report, even if they are paid in full, contact all 3 credit bureaus immediately about those 2 negative accounts.  Tell them that those are the specific accounts that you are disputing and tell them that those accounts are wrong, that they are now paid in full.  \n\nMake sure to include information on the accounts such as the account numbers and the name of the company.  The three credit bureaus will have to investigate and they will find that you did in fact pay the accounts and they will change that on your credit report to showing that they are now paid in full.\n\nWhatever you do, do NOT bother contacting the accounts that you paid in full and asking them to report to the credit bureaus that you paid them.  They will just jerk you around and say "oh well, it says in our records that we did report it" when in fact they don't.  They got your money and they don't give a crap about the rest to take the time to report to the credit bureaus that you paid them.  So you will have to contact the credit bureaus yourself and let them know that it is incorrect.\n\nIf you don't know, the three credit bureaus are Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  The phone number to TransUnion is 800-916-8800, Experian is 888-397-3742, and Equifax is 800-270-3435.  It probably won't be enough to call them to dispute the information, but you can call and ask for their mailing address.  Then you will need to type up a letter to each credit bureau to tell them you are disputing the errors on your credit report.\n\nTo save you some time getting screwed around by the credit bureaus, I recommend you include with your dispute letter a copy of your driver's license, a copy of your social security card, and proof of your current residency such as a copy of your current utility bills with your name on it.\n\nSorry if it sounded like I ever repeated myself, but I am just trying to save you some hastle in the long run.  Because if you don't include all of those things along with the dispute letter right away, the credit bureaus will just screw you around and keep sending you letters requesting more information and it will just take a longer process and you keep having to repeat the information you already sent to them.\n\nIf you haven't guessed, I have gone through this already.  lol  But the upside of this is, the sooner you get this done, the better, and if you have any credit cards or other accounts, just keep them up and try to keep as low of a balance as you can and keep paying.  Your credit score will improve sometimes within 6 months or so.
340019
If it's been 10 years since you made any payments, wait another 6 months and the charged off account will be off your credit report and won't matter anymore.  Some of them may have fallen off after 7 years anyway.
288880
Just to let you know, every reported transaction is going to take you about an hour on the phone. This is going to be a pain in the butt. You need to dispute the accounts, (which you've done) now the angencys are going to need to prove that is infact you. They will do this by matching your DOB and ss# as well as your last 3 previous addresses. If they don't match yours the bill isn't yours, and it will be taken off. It takes some time ( a couple of months) so be paitent. If it isn't resolved in that time, you need to call each agency. Sorry but itentity mixups and theft are hard new.
306770
If the original creditor has no proof of you having a debt they should contact the collection agency to clear this up themselves.There is also a form you can get from the credit bureau to dispute this debt. If you get a letter back from the original creditor send a copy along with the form.But more than likely you won't hear back from them. Most places don't contact you back to say they cleared up the problem. Stay on top of it.It will take awhile they don't do things to fast when it comes to clearing up mistakes, but they can report thing real fast.Check back on your credit report to see if they cleared this up.You can get free credit checks if you are having trouble with creditors.
310087
cancell the card like now...and check if they billed you. If they did report as fraud. Get a new credit card
235534
This is an easy problem to fix, so if you are in need feel free to contact me and I'll guide you through it.\n\nI'm going to bet this is just a screw-up on the credit reporting agency's part.  They put this report into the wrong account.  When they don't have enough accurate information (like date of birth or Social Security number), it can easily be misfiled.\n\nIf you follow my instructions this should be taken care of quickly.  Call the electric company and explain the situation.  Talk to the supervisor, not one of the collection department idiots!  \n\nIMPORTANT!  Tell them that there is a report on your credit history stating you owe them money.  Tell them that it's incorrect, and that it is effecting your ability to rent an apartment or get other credit.  DEMAND that this be removed immediately.\n\nIf the supervisor has half a brain, he/she will realize that you have an excellent lawsuit against them for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and they can be sued for damages resulting from this report.  They will then do a fast investigation and get this removed from your history within a few days.\n\nBut you need to cover your bases.  What happens if they drop the ball, and the listing still doesn't get removed.  \n\nYou need to follow the procedures set by the FCRA to protest this listing.  That involves getting a copy of your credit report from http://www.annualcreditreport.com and then protesting the negative report to each of the agencies.  Also send a "demand to validate" the debt to the electric company.  \n\nThe problem with this method is that it's time consuming, and could easily take a few months to complete.  \n\nSince I'm fairly convinced this is an honest mistake, I think calling them first will work.  But get those letters in the mail anyway.\n\nIf you still can not get these removed promptly, and you can prove they are incorrect, don't be afraid to sue them!  It's easy, and in your case you could easily get several thousand dollars in damages.  \n\nRead the links below.  Don't be afraid to get tough with them.  Contact me if you need help.
618362
I think the collection agencies actually purchase the debt BUT you are right. The company writes it off and your punishment only should then be a negative mark on your credit. \n\nThey end up getting to write it off AND get their money back when the collection agency buys the debt. All the while you are being chased around by collections... \n\nI'm with you bud.
527543
Paying off the card will not clear the negative data from your credit. It will change to show 'paid off' but the missed monthly payments and collection activity will remain reflected on the report and affect your overall credit score. Unless...you are able to make a deal with the card company for a full immediate payoff if they agree to ask the info be removed from your credit report (and get it in writing first). If you need something immediately, it makes no difference anyway. Even if you can make a deal with the card company, it will be 3-6 months before your report is cleared. Myabe you take the high interest loan now and re-finance later?
29403
If you paid with a credit or debit card I would call the institution that supplies that card.  However, since it has been over a year they may not be able to dispute the charges.  You may need to speak to an attorney if the product was worth the value!
88323
At the end of your credit report is a list of phone numbers that reflect who has liens against your credit.  You are going to need to call the people that have this against your credit and have them fax you a letter saying this has been cleared so you have it for your records.  Then they will put through again that it has been cleared to the reporting agency, which will typically take 60 days.  I would also fax the letter they send you directly to the credit agency.
591649
Here is some information on an article I wrote back in December 2005\n\n"How long will collection or other derogatory information stay on your credit report?"\n\nCredit information can and usually stays on a person’s credit report for 7 years. You can use the information below as a reference to guide yourself and figure out how long derogatory information stays on your credit report\n\nGeneral credit information: 7yrs\nCollections: 7yrs from date of last activity\nBankruptcy: 10 yrs\nForeclosure: 12 yrs from the date filed\nGarnishment: 12 yrs from the date or entry or 7 yrs from the date satisfied\nJudgment: 12 yrs from the date or entry or 7 yrs from the date satisfied\nTax lien: 12 yrs from the date or entry or 7 yrs from the date satisfied\nDismissed garnishments, judgments, and tax liens: not reportable\n\nNow that you have this information I’ll give you an example similar to a client. The agent he had worked with before gave him the wrong advice.\n\nLets assume that you had a collection for $1,000 filed against you in December 1998 and you haven’t paid it. It’s now November 2005, so in a few weeks that collection can come off your credit report. (You will probably have to request all three credit bureaus to take it off your credit report). However, you just applied for a loan today and the loan officer tells you that you need to payoff that debt in order to be approved. Since you have the money to pay it off, you do so. Because the date of last activity is now November 2005, the collection will show on your report until November 2012 – another additional 7 years.\n\nNow let assume that this collection was in June 2005 and you pay it off in November 2005 to obtain the loan, this will reduce your credit score. On the other hand if this collection was in September 2005 and you pay it off in November 2005 to obtain the loan, this will actually increase your score. My point is that a collection account that is less than 6 months old and is paid off will be beneficial but if your collection account is more than 6 months old and is paid off this will be detrimental to your credit score.\n\nYou as a consumer can request copies of your credit report from the 3 credit bureaus (although it’s better to get a collective report from all three in one which I can help you with) and dispute information that is incorrect. Incorrect information can be corrected or removed but correct information (good or bad) usually stays on the report for the period allowed. Only the credit grantor (lender/bank) or credit bureau can remove correct information.\n\nIf you find incorrect information on your report, contact the credit grantor obtain an explanation, have them corrected and ask them to contact all three credit bureaus and correct that information on your report. After this you should also contact all three credit with a letter with documented proof of the error on your report and ask them to remove this information. The credit bureaus by law have to respond to your letter and request. Depending on your case they might approve or deny your request but they have to respond to your letter. Following are the addresses for all three credit bureaus.\n\nTrans Union\nPO Box 4000\nChester, PA 19022\n866-887-2673\nhttp://www.transunion.com/\n\nExperian\nPO Box 2002\nAllen, TX 75013\n888-397-3742\nhttp://www.experian.com/\n\nEquifax Credit\nPO Box 740241\nAtlanta, GA 30374\n800-685-1111\nhttp://www.equifax.com/
51068
It's sort of a catch-22.  Most things remain on your credit report for 7 years (such as a late payment).  If it goes to collections (let's say after 3 years) then the 7-years starts over again with that item on your credit report.  However, let's say you realize it after another 2 years, want to stop it from being a negative on your credit report, so you repay it - the collections agency will mark it on your credit report as paid, and it resets for another 7 years!  So, while it helps you to repay it, it hurts you at the same time (if you don't repay it, it will always negatively affect your credit score, even if it doesn't appear on there, and the credit agency can always exercise a lien on any money you make down the road).
438854
You have just stumbled into the trap that I have tried warning people about for months now!\n\nThere are only two ways to get a negative item removed from your credit history.\n\n1) The creditor must remove it\n2) The creditor fails to respond to a credit bureau investigation request.\n\nOnce you have paid the creditor, you are going to find it extremely difficult to get them to cooperate in fixing your credit.  \n\nThat is why I warn people who are going to pay off old debts...make the creditor agree IN WRITING to delete the entry once the bill has been paid off.  Don't pay them a dime unless they agree to do it.\n\nNow you are broke, and you still have bad credit.  Is that fair?\n\nAll you can do now is start the dispute process.  Note that even though you paid off this debt, the creditor is only REQUIRED to show that the debt has been paid off, but it will still show reports of late payments, charge offs and collections.  It will still be a negative report. \n\nBut it at least should show the bill is paid.  Failure of the credit to update your credit history is a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.  If they don't update the listing, you can sue them for $1000 in small claims court.\n\nSend a dispute letter to both the credit bureau and the creditor.  But note that it sometimes takes a couple of months for these updates to show up on your report, so you need to be patient.
458308
Yes, I have disputed and had the negatives removed, but the negatives were inaccurate. Sometimes it is best to "let laying dogs sleep" if the negative is old and accurate. By disputing the claim, you are refreshing the memory that you have an accurate debt with the creditor and since they will be updating the bureaus, your credit score could slightly drop since the account will look like it has had recent activity. Plus, if the creditors start to contact you since you reminded them of the debt, you will have to be careful with what you do so that you don't lengthen the statue of limitations (allowing them to have a chance to sue you for a longer period of time).
150926
Well all of you information will be on your credit report for 7 years.  Charged off accounts impact your account negatively, only when they are paid in full will they bring your score back up.  If it is not listed on your credit report DO NOT worry about it, if you are only worried about your credit score.  Looking at your scenario, it looks like your credit is in the high 500's, low 600's.  I would suggest keep making payments on time, do not close out any accounts that are currently paid to date, and if you have any more questions contact me... :)\n\ngood luck.
439488
Becuase some creditor report to one bureau, some report to two and other report to all three. \n\nWhen your score is calculated using different info, the scores will be different. \n\n\nHere is a great article about credit scores. Will open your eyes: http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/credit_score.htm\n\n\nThe rest of the website has other good solid information as well.