(by credit report, I mean a 3-in-1 by TrueCredit.com)
On 10/31, I received a copy of my credit report which showed a collection account for Palisades Collection. Actually, it showed; TU (Open, Derogatory, Placed for Collection; Reported 10/17) EXP: (Derogatory, Reported 10/23; Collection); EQU: (Derogatory, Late 120 Days, Installment Account; Reported 10).
Since I had never received a dunning letter, this was a surprise to me. I immediately called Palisades, who told me that the account was now being handled by their lawyers (Bradley J Rephen -NYC). I asked why it went to lawyer and they said because I did not respond to the dunning letter.
So I called the lawyers office to ask the standard questions; they informed me that I owed $107 plus ($5 V/MC processing Fees) for an AT&T Wireless account. Knowing that I had at one time a AT&T Wireless phone, I paid the amount they requested and asked for a Fax about the payment.
On 11/10/05 I received a fax from the lawyer, it stated "we'll report this account as settled in full to our client". At the time I took no notice of this wording. I faxed that notice along with a request to update my credit report to reflect paid.
On 11/29 when I pulled my report again, it showed the same as above (2 collections, 1 Installment) but now showed a remark of "Account legally paid in full for less then full amount" on all three CRB's. TU (Paid, Settled - less than full balance; Reported 11/01) EXP: (Paid, Account Legally paid for in full for less than full amount, Reported 11/17); EQU: (Closed, Paid, Late 120 Days, Installment Account; Reported 11).
I contacted the lawyers office the next day to have this incorrect statement clarified.
On 12/1/05 The lawyers office provided me with a fax that states "account paid in full". I faxed a letter along with the updated status fax to Palisades. I request two things in my letter; 1) fix the pay status to "Paid in Full" and 2) Correct the '120 Day Late Installment Account' to a 'Paid Collection Account'.
I received a phone call several days later saying they can accommodate my request once they verify the pay status. I agreed to wait a few extra days.
On 12/21/05 I pulled my credit report again only to find that nothing has changed. I called Palisades and explained the situation to a clerk; I explained I already paid the account and that its being incorrectly reported on my credit report. He said he couldn't help me but he could transfer me to a supervisor. I spoke with a C. Rivera and explained the entire situation again. She said it was still trying to be verified and that I should speak with the lawyer.
I called the lawyers office and informed them of the situation. I explained what was going on and what Palisades was waiting for, they told me right over the phone that they can see my payment as cleared and they told me they report their payments on weekly basis and this should have been cleared up. They instructed me to tell Palisades to call them for verification.
I called Palisades again and asked to speak with C. Rivera again. Explaining that I talked with the lawyers and that they need to call them and verify the payment. C. Rivera said she needed to contact a separate department at Palisades for verification. I agreed.
On 12/28/05 I pulled another credit report to check the progress of my request. The report had the following; TU (Open, Unpaid, Placed for Collection; Reported 12/14) EXP: (Paid, Account legally paid in full for less then full balance; Reported 11/17); EQU: (Closed, Paid, Late 120 Days, Installment Account; Reported 11).
On 12/30, I called C. Rivera and expressed my dismay at Palisades and their reporting; she told me that she'll fax the data that which was reported to the CRB's and that she'd resubmit the data. I received the fax with data from 12/27 and told her I would wait a few more days again.
On 1/6/06 I pulled my credit report again; this time the following was reflected: TU (Open, Derogatory, Placed for Collection; Reported 12/26) EXP: (Closed, Paid, Account legally paid in full for less then full balance; Reported 12/27); EQU: (Closed, Paid, Late 120 Days, Installment Account). I faxed new letter to C. Rivera stating that the CBRs are now reporting many different things - I asked that in an effort to save wasted time and that they cant report it correctly - that it be removed from the reports.
I did not hear back from C. Rivera and a review of my credit report on 1/12 show no change.
On 1/12/06 I placed a dispute with Experian, TransUnion and Equifax: TU - Paid Account, EXP - Remove Statement, EQU - Change to Collection Account and Remove 120 Days Late.
On 2/7/06 I received a investigation results summary from Experian; report showed that the pay status is "Paid in Settlement' and creditors statement is ' Account Legally paid in full for less than full balance'.
On 2/9/06 I faxed a new letter to C. Rivera telling her of what Experian found along with a copy of what Experian found. An hour later, I called Palisades and asked for her; but was told she was not at her desk and I should leave a message.
Dylan
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
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