Credit nightmare! how do i clean up bad credit that isn't mine?!? Pls. help.?
970359
Ah yes...you are finding out why Identity Theft is such a pain to fix.\n\nIf you follow my advice, I can fix your problems.  If you are confused contact me.\n\nFirst 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!\n\nFrom 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.\n\nIn 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.\n\nI 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!\n\nSend a letter to the creditors. In it, do three things.  \n\n1) Inform them you are a victim of identity theft and they debts are not yours.  Include a copy of the affidavit.  \n\n2) Demand that they validate the debt.  They must prove this is your debt, and supply copies of that proof (contracts, bills, receipts).\n\n3) Immediately stop all collection efforts, and remove any listings that were placed on your credit report.\n\nThey 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!\n\nIf 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.  \n\nI 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.\n\nAfter doing what I mentioned above, I finally sued them in court and won $1200 for my troubles.  I pretend I won the lottery!  \n\nIf 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.
705255
Who have you had a long credit history with and an excellent credit rating? That's the one to call. \n\nGet to a customer service rep on the phone and just tell them what you are trying to accomplish- debt consolidation, lowering interest, etc. They can't help you unless you ask. You might get just enough credit line increase to stay with the one you've got.\n\nYou go shopping around and applying for lots of new accounts and nobody will touch you.\n\nGood luck
1159042
TO be real honest with you. CREDIT REPAIR company are not that good.  The money you give them to help you could be use to pay wha you owe. You would be better off doing it your self.  Please go  to daveramsy.com he has alot of information that can help you and show you how to be debt free
562090
The creditor can remove the bad credit information if they want to...you just have to ask them.  If they won't clean your record, why pay them?  \n\nSend them a letter saying that in exchange for a written promise to delete the negative information, you will pay the debt.  That's the only way you will get your record cleaned up.\n\nThese people who tell you that they will put "paid" on your account and it will look better then an unpaid debt are lying!  It's still a negative report, and it's going to hurt your credit score!
1146659
Living with debt or bad credit can be very stressful, but help is closer than you realize. Improving your credit rating requires that you take positive action and change your attitude toward money. \n \n   \n  Steps:  \n1.   Request a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. If there is an error, write to the bureau and ask it to fix the mistake. It might also help to contact the creditor who reported the error. Some creditors will contact the bureau on your behalf.  \n  \n2.   If the bad marks on your credit report result from outstanding debts, repay them as quickly as possible. Pay off those with the highest interest rates first.  \n  \n3.   If your debts are overwhelming, contact a nonprofit credit-counseling organization to work out a debt-consolidation plan. A counselor will help you consolidate your debts and will contact your debtors on your behalf to reduce or eliminate finance charges. This can reduce your monthly payments by up to 40 percent.  \n  \n4.   Steer clear of any services that offer you credit-repair or debt-consolidation loans. These companies will plunge you further into debt. Be suspicious of any company that advertises aggressively or sends unsolicited mail or e-mail.  \n  \n5.   Close your credit accounts and cut up the cards. Sell valuables or liquidate assets that will help you repay your debts. Buy the bare essentials (food and gas) and use the rest of your earnings to pay off your consolidated debts.  \n  \n6.   Work with your credit counselor to repay all of your debts. Meanwhile, live a life that will help you re-establish good credit. Pay rent and utilities or mortgages promptly, keep the same residence and job, maintain savings and checking accounts, set a budget and stick to it.  \n  \n7.   Once you have repaid your debts, apply for a new credit card to build a good credit history. It might be easier initially to get a department-store or gasoline credit card or one from an employee credit union.  \n  \n8.   Promptly pay off the balance of the credit card monthly to build good credit. Use the card responsibly.  \n  \n9.   If you don't qualify for a regular credit card, apply for a secured one. With a secured credit card, you fund an account up front and then "charge" expenses on it. This card will show up as a credit card on your credit report and, if used responsibly, can help you build a good credit history.  \n  \n  \n  Overall Tips:  \n Get a copy of your credit report once a year even if you think you have good credit. You may find errors that will damage your credit rating.  \n  \n Filing for bankruptcy is always an option, although your credit history will reflect it for 7 to 10 years, making it very difficult for you to get a car or home loan in the future.  \n  \n Creditors agree to reduce or eliminate interest rates under a debt-consolidation plan because it saves them the expense of collection efforts and increases their chances of recouping the balance.  \n  \n Every application you make for a credit card shows up on your credit report, and multiple applications can hurt your credit rating. To avoid this, use an online service that matches you with creditcard companies that will extend credit to you. Search online for "credit card finder" or "credit card search."  \n\nNo matter how bad your credit is, you can take steps that will make it better. \n  \n1.   Pay all of your bills on time. Late payments (payments that are 30 days late or more) have a negative effect on your credit rating.  \n  \n2.   Reduce the number of credit cards you carry. Write to your creditors to request that they close your accounts and report this status change to all three credit-reporting agencies.  \n  \n3.   Avoid bankruptcies, tax liens (a lien for not paying state or federal income taxes or property taxes) and collections. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for up to 10 years. Collection accounts and paid tax liens stay on for seven years, and unpaid tax
639852
Go to Consumer Credit Counseling Service.  They can help.  Be careful if you try other services, some are legit but some will just take your money and go more into debt. CCCS helps you make up a payment plan and calls creditors for you and can get interest lowered.
977076
3 Ways to improve your credit score..............\n\n\nPay off Debt = http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/debt_settlement_service.htm\n\nDispute Negative Items = http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/credit_repair_service.htm \n\nAdd Positive Credit = http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/building_credit.htm \n\n\nWatch your score skyrocket!
977931
Offer a low percentage in writing and make sure you dont pay over the phone.\n \n\nUse the letters in this http://www.expert-credit-advice.com/ free credit repair kit to make the offers, it worked great for me!
1149542
Get copies of your credit reports from all of the major reporting agencies.  Challenge the bankruptcy.\n\nYour lender can also "fast-track" the cleanup process and get your credit re-scored.  There is a small fee for this, typically about $50.00 per item on the credit record.  This is the fastest way to get this cleared.
661279
I barely understand what your saying. \n\nIf someone else ruined your credit, prove that it isn't you. If you bought a car and couldn't make payments, a judge can order your wages garnished. Apparently, the creditor does not trust you to make payments on your own [without being garnished].\n\nThe lawyers you work with -- criminal or not -- should be able to give you advice on how to rectify the situation. Ask them for help.
938453
I highly recommend you call these folks\nhttp://www.cccsintl.org/\nCCCS or Consumer Credit Counseling Service (if you are in the US)\nThey are a non profit credit counseling service that all major credit card, irs, government agencies recommend to help folks with bills.. might even prevent bankruptcy.. They can work with you and help you with contacting your creditors and what to say and help you settle with them, might even negotiate lower payments. etc.. I used to work for a major department store dept collection department and we always referred the worse cases to these folks... goodluck!
345103
What is it you are trying to do?  Remove a past credit listing placed because you were late with car loan payments?\n\nKeep in mind that now the loan is paid off they may not want to cooperte with you on this.  Just ask them politely.  Tell them you have paid off the loan, you are an active credit union menber and would appreciate if they can help you restore your credit.  At least have the listing updated to show the loan is paid in full.\n\nTalk to someone in the collections department.  They know what a letter of deletion is, they are acting stupid!
80332
STOP!\n\nBefore you go to a "Non-Profit" Credit Counseling company, you need to know the facts.\n\nFirst though, why do you want to get credit relief this way.  Are you trying to avoid Bankruptcy?\n\nSecond, Why can't you do it yourself? At least try.\nHeres the rub, if you go to those counseling companies, the creditors put on your credit report, "Handled by a credit counselor" (Or something to that effect)  If you go to try and buy a home at some point, and that shows up, it is the EXACT SAME as a Bankruptcy. \n\nWhat I would do, is call your creditors, and try and negotiate with them, if you can.  Tell them you can pay 50 cents on the dollar as long as they will do a payment plan.  It may not work, but only go to those Credit Counseling Companies if you absolutely have to.\n\nBest Wishes.
465727
First, you need to obtain all three of your credit reports from Equifax, Ecperian, and Trans Union. There is a fourth, somewhat smaller bureau called Innovis (Minneapolis, Minnesota). It would do good to ask for a report from them as well. Set a goal as to the time frame you want to "clear" your credit. Judging from your credit reports, assess which negative reports will be "falling off"(7-10 years, depending on the case), and which ones you need to pay. Before you pay anything, try to do what is called a "debt validation", . This is when you can write letters to creditors requesting proof of what you owe. If they can prove you owe it, then write certified letters to the company(s), and negotiate how much you will actually pay. If not, then request via certified mail that they remove negative listings from your credit report. DO NOT CALL THEM, and if they call you, simply say "no comment", and hang up the phone. MAKE SURE you get any promises in writing, including the promise that they will promptly report to all 3 credit bureaus that you have satisfied your debts. Budget yourself. Save whatever you can, and pay off debt in lump sums. This is a long process, so be patient. It is well worth your time. I have said this time and time again, but this is a great website. It helped me greatly when I was getting my credit together: www.creditinfocenter.com    This site also has some templates for the letter I was just talking about. This stuff works, and you will be using the same steps all these debt consolidation companies use, and get results. The only difference is is that you will be saving yourself some money.
696019
Try calling all three credit bureaus to find out what is going on, maybe they can help. They may have you write a letter disputing these items anyway.\nEquifax: 1-866-798-6598\nExperian: 1-800-734-4617\nTransUnion: 1-800-888-4213\nGood luck to you!
1146737
Well unfortunately credit isn't easy to obtain when you've messed up your credit record. I should know, I also got into a mess.\n\nIn the UK it takes 6 years for the credit reference agencies to 'forget' about your past. Up until then, you are pretty well stuffed unless you can lay your hands on some cash.\n\nTIP1:\nChange your name. This is complex and you need a new address to move to under your new name otherwise the credit agencies will tie you together if you stay at the same address. It's also very longwinded and possibly illegal. Personally I would not recommend this as you could get in trouble.\n\nTIP2:\nIf you are a homeowner, you can get a nice new homeowner loan from many places. Just be sure to keep up your repayments or you might find yourself in a big mess.\n\nTIP3 (This is genious here):\nIf you have £1150 you are sorted.\nGoto your local bank and open a savings account. Put in £1000 and then ask to see the manager about a SHORT-TERM loan. They will refuse until you agree that they can freeze your savings account for security. This means you cannot access your savings. When you are asked why you need the loan, Tell them it is for "Credit repair/Building". This is genuinely recognised reason which they will loan money for.\n\nOnce this is done, take the loaned £1000 and repeat the process another 4 times with different banks. When you leave bank #5, return to the 1st bank with #5's money and pay them off (AND the small amount of interest owing - hence why you need £1150). Take your savings back out and go pay back Bank #2. Take your savings from #2, Repay #3 and so on.\n\nOnce you have repaid bank #5 you have 5 very good, clean positive points on your credit reference score from 5 banks. Suddenly you will find that credit is available to you from practically anywhere and many bank managers will be only too happy to help.\n\nTIP 3 sounds rather longwinded and far fetched, but infact does apparently work very successfully. It is used by people ranging from 1st time property developers to people looking for short term loans. The only snag is you do need just over £1000 to start with - Not easy if you don't have it.\n\nGood luck whatever you decide..
602304
juzme is completely wrong, so ignore that nonsense.\n\nLet me clear up a couple facts about credit reporting.\n\nCredit Reporting Agencies will report (or remove) any negative information that the creditor tells them.\n\nThere is no law preventing a creditor from removing his own credit information...even if it is correctly reporting a late or charged off loan.  All they have to do is tell the Credit Reporting Agency to delete it.  Many times they will try to tell you they can't, or that it's illegal.  Believe me, they can do it.  I've read the law...I've had it done for myself and many other's i've worked with.  They are simply either lying or completely ignorant.\n\nNow, that said, there is the trick.  Once the creditor has your money, you have lost all leverage in getting the creditor to delete the negative report.  So, before you pay them a time, get them IN WRITING to agree to remove the information.  \n\nYou need to sit down and work out a serious budget, and find out how much you disposable income you have to pay down these debts.  Then start contacting your creditors and work out a plan.  Ask to have your balance lowered, freeze the interest and late fee payments, and whatever they will do to help you out.  Most times you will get a cold shoulder, other times they will work with you.  Work on paying the bills that most recently went into default, or to those who are offering to help you with your debt.  Then do the best you can.\n\nIf it helps, defaults that are from a medical charge are reported that way on your credit report.  It still looks ugly, and doesn't help your credit score, but if the creditor is actully looking at your credit report and not your score, it may help your situation a little bit.