Couple questions before I start

[grn910]

I signed up for all 3 CRA free trials online & could only access EXP online so I cancelled them. If I pay for them now do they use 30 or 45 days for the response process?

What are TL's or tradelines?

Im confused as to which is better to dispute items with, CRA or CA?

Just an example: My real name is "Michelle" but Ive always went by "Shelley". I have both of these listed as names on my reports. An old friend of mine started getting locked up for stealing & she would give the police my name but she only knew me as "Shelley". She had no idea my real name was "Michelle". I heard she is locked up & when her family writes her they have to write my name first aka her real name. I also think some of the medical bills on my report are from her. Should I leave both names in my personal info to match anything she has in my name? Or erase everything but"Michelle"? What personal info should I leave, delete, or could hurt me later?


I dispute first then when they come back validated is when I send the validation letter, correct? Can I start this process while Im pulling public records on my judgments?

Whats the laws on renewing debts? I heard they can renew
any debt or judgment & the 7yrs starts over?

Sorry so many questions. But this is without a doubt, (& I hate an @sskisser)
the most helpful, informative, non biased, website I've seen ever. & Im not just talking about credit sites. ALL SITES. Thank You in Advance.

[Trish]

I signed up for all 3 CRA free trials online & could only access EXP online so I cancelled them. If I pay for them now do they use 30 or 45 days for the response process?

It's only the free reports that allow 45 days for investigation. If you buy them, the CRAs will get 30 days.

What are TL's or tradelines?

A TL (tradeline) is just another name for a debt or acct listed on your CR.

Im confused as to which is better to dispute items with, CRA or CA?

Always start by disputing with the CRAs first (unless you are doing a 1 2 punch). Then the accts from CAs that are more difficult to get deleted.......are the ones you will probably have to send DV letters to.

Just an example: My real name is "Michelle" but Ive always went by "Shelley". I have both of these listed as names on my reports. An old friend of mine started getting locked up for stealing & she would give the police my name but she only knew me as "Shelley". She had no idea my real name was "Michelle". I heard she is locked up & when her family writes her they have to write my name first aka her real name. I also think some of the medical bills on my report are from her. Should I leave both names in my personal info to match anything she has in my name? Or erase everything but"Michelle"? What personal info should I leave, delete, or could hurt me later?

Delete AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. What would be ideal is if all you have on there is one name (no variations), and one address. But good luck, that's hard to do. So just get as much removed as possible. And I know you probably don't want to get your friend in trouble........but that's FRAUD. And it can be damaging your reports/scores. You need to get to the bottom of those and make sure if they are not truly yours, you get them resolved and removed.
*One thing that I always do for personal info, is call the CRAs (but that's really the ONLY time you should call them). It will get taken care of more quickly........plus they will let you know if something cannot be deleted and why.

I dispute first then when they come back validated is when I send the validation letter, correct? Can I start this process while Im pulling public records on my judgments?

When/If you dispute and it comes back verified(CRAs don't validate)....then it really depends......on what type of debt it is, if it's within SOL, etc. And....I'm not understanding what you mean by "pulling public records on my judgment". Please elaborate.

Whats the laws on renewing debts? I heard they can renew
any debt or judgment & the 7yrs starts over?

No. That's not true. Reaging on debts is illegal. Some believe if you pay on a debt, it will reage and the SOL clock restarts. Also not true. It will stay on your CR for 7 years from the date of first delinquency. Judgments are different. They are court ordered and they can be renewed depending on your state laws. Here is a link that can tell you that:
Why Chat's Credit Confusion - State SOL Information

I normally don't answer questions like this........but I had to break it up and hope it made sense.lol

This thread will probably be moved, but just so you know (no big deal), the beginner's section is mainly for posting information and references. Like this post would have been better being posted in the "credit repair" section. It will just make it easier to find (and easier to get answers) and easier to search for.......in the future if someone were to be looking for a similar issue.

Well, I hope that helps....
It does seem a bit overwhelming at first but keep reading.......it will start to make sense. And if it doesn't.......just ask.

[grn910]

Hi, I am so sorry for everything. It is a little overwhelming at first & I want to make sure I do everything in order. & I promise this is the last time I put a response in the wrong thread.

I think I worded it wrong about the girl using my name. We grew up (still there) in a tight neighborhood where everyone knows each other & played together as kids. She got into drugs when she was about 20yrs old & has been scamming, stealing,& getting locked up ever since. We're both 34yrs now. I've seen her around but definately are not friends. I thought leaving "Shelley" on the CR would make it easier to prove they were her bills, & part of her scams to get care. & in turn make it harder to verify the items on there, mine or not. I have no problem getting her in trouble.

& I thought I read in the judgement section to first go online or to the courthouse & actually pull anything under RECORDED JUDGEMENTS & make sure it matches the CR's b/c even though its on the CR it may not be filed w/ the courts. Therefore needs to be deleted.

I just got the FREE CR's this week online(actually only Experian worked). Im getting ready to buy them w/in the hour. If I dispute something, how do I know they wont say I'm disputing something from the free CR & try to use the 45days?
Thanks so much. I appreciate your time. I understand how the site & the different forums work now. I apologize for any inconvenience.

[Trish]

No.no......it's no inconvenience!
I didn't tell you to make you feel bad. I was just explaining that it's easier to search for and for YOU to get answers. This isn't a huge forum so it's really no biggie. I just wanted to let you know that's why the previous 2 threads you posted were moved. No worries ok?

Leaving Shelley on your CRs would make it easier to link YOU to the medical bills. So, you need to try your best to get any name variations off of there.

AH......about the judgments.......I understand now (doah - slaps forehead). It won't affect your disputes if you are pulling records or getting info from the courts. The only thing that will affect a dispute is if you currently already have a dispute pending. In other words, you never want to have disputes overlapping. Make sure the investigation is over and you have your results before submitting a new dispute to the CRAs.

Ok, regarding buying the CRs.......where are you going to be getting them? It is best when first starting out to purchase each CR from each CRA individually. Then you will get a "paid CR #" and you can dispute with those. Just use the free one for your reference but don't dispute with the # on the free CR. Know what I mean?

[grn910]

You couldnt have explained it any better. This site is amazing & I believe the recognition goes to the excellent customer service & the amount of useful information. I cant thank you enough for your time & effort.

[Trish]

Good!
Glad I could help.