Another one from the inbox

I have a problem. I never knew any of the things that I know now. To make a long story short, the negative items that were on my credit report has been pd in full before I knew anything about negotiating the outcome. I did not know that an item had been posted to my credit report. I received a letter from a collection agency stating that I owed money apparently for a check that had bounced. I had no knowledge of this so I pd the agency as soon as I received the letter & asked them to send me a receipt. They agreed, but now they refuse to remove the item from my report saying that it will stay on my report for 7 yrs. This particular item had been placed on my report since 11/2005.

I know that it can stay on there for that length of time but it does not Have to. I tried explaining my situation to them, letting them know that I had been a victim of domestic violence & was staying @ a safe house for women & children during the time this incident occurred & they were really nasty like oh well, its staying on there for 7 yrs. Is there anything else that I can do to get this resolved? I was trying to purchase a house.

Is there any hope for this item to be removed? If so, can you please send me an email with you suggestions?

My answer:

Hello! Don't know how much help I can be, but glad to give a quick opinion. From what I've seen from other people, there are decent odds you can get it removed, but nothing is 100% certain.

I'd try sending a short letter to the credit agencies, asking them to investigate the negative report, and telling them (truthfully) that your account should be listed as paid in full. Don't lie, don't offer any extra information, just get them to look at it. Equifax takes a little over a month to get back to you, the other two agencies were quicker, last I knew. Write the letters in pencil and paper, and keep a copy for yourself; remember the date you sent 'em in.

If they get back to you and didn't take something off, you can contact the credit card company, and request they mail you written proof that the account in question belongs to you. "Written proof", as near as I could figure, was a copy of the original signed credit card application you sent in to get the card. If they don't have a copy of that, and/or can't provide it in a month, write back to the credit agencies, and explain that you've asked the creditor for proof it was your account, and they aren't able/willing to provide it to you; ask them to investigate whether it's your account. Again, always be extra friendly and polite, as it never hurts.

Basically, you're allowed to keep asking these things. If you ask too often, they're allowed to stamp "nuisance customer" on your file, and ignore stuff from you. But if you don't ask too often, most folks seem to report success on getting negative items removed from their record. I'm not sure what "too often" is, to be honest.

Again, I'm not a professional of any sort, and I don't guarantee the advice, but figure it can't hurt. Again, don't lie, and don't hassle them too much.

That answer any questions?