Need to start somewhere

[newplannow]

OK. I am a new member here and have been reading a lot of stuff all over the net on how to fix my credit. my credit score is about 568. Long story short been through job loss divorce etc and credit went to the left. Now I have a job and am trying to get back. Here is my situation and need advise on where to start as I am confused on the best strategy to start.

1. Collections account on old utilities. I paid it and I remember them telling me that it will be deleted but it is on my report. Unfortunately I don't have a letter from them on the deletion promise. What can I do here.

2. I did do a short sale and it never went to Foreclosure. It says on the report that settled for less amount and then foreclosure is added. Can get that removed?

3. I settled on a credit card and it was a charge off but it still shows that I owe amount due but it also says charged off.

4. About three charged off accounts.

5. An old Home depot credit card account that shows it is open but in reality it is not.

6. Late payments on auto loan few years back and credit cards.

I have been current on all payments for about a year now but I do have late mortgage payments that resulted in short sale of the house.

Any advise on how to start. Thank you all.

[Trish]

Hi and welcome
You should start by reading here:

Basic Step by Step Beginner's Guide to Credit Repair

I will also try to answer some of your questions

1. On a paid collection (without the agreement in writing)... what I would do is keep disputing it and keep hounding the CA. If you have to call, write or email them on a daily basis....do it (stay polite of course ). They already have your money.... you are really not "worth" their time and they may delete it just to be rid of you.

2. If it's reporting inaccurately, definitely dispute it. I believe, score-wise, a short sale is equally as damaging as a foreclosure...... but you should still dispute it and hopefully you can just have it completely removed......but at the very least get it reporting accurately. Dispute first and then if that doesn't work, send the OC a debt verification letter.

3. An OC can still report a balance even though it has been charged off. The debt is still owed.....but if they sell/transfer the debt to a CA, they must report it as zero balance...... but be prepared that the CA will probably pop up on your CRs reporting the balance.

4. Make sure they are reporting accurately. If you see any inaccuracies... dispute them.

5. Is it reporting as a positive acct? If so, just leave it alone.

6. Goodwill letters are your best bet for late notations. You can also try disputing as never late.

HTH

Let me know if you have any more questions

[newplannow]

Thanks Trish. I am so busy that I am now thinking that maybe I should use (at least initially) Lexington law. What do you think about those guys?

[Hrach]

Originally Posted by newplannow

Thanks Trish. I am so busy that I am now thinking that maybe I should use (at least initially) Lexington law. What do you think about those guys?

Hello newplannow,

I just signed up with Lexington Law myself and am in the same boat as you. Can you update with your status to this day on the short sale items on your credit.

Thanks
(i hope you have good things to say )

[dogtown01]

hi bud lexi law is awesome from what i hear from people, but why pay some one do it for you when you can do it your self for way cheaper. check out trish link there already letters made for you and everything all ya got to do is add your name to it hope this helps.

[chane]

If you already signed up with them, don't try it on your own though. That will sabotage their efforts. Do one or the other.

[Hrach]

No i will just be sitting back and tracking the progress online. They have a very user friendly website that lists items disputed and progress. I don't know so far so good. fingers crossed