How do I fix my Credit Report?

[justint]

I have had an ongoing problem with Cox Communications and my old cable modem service. I PURCHASEd the modem from them rather than renting it, but after I moved they sent me a letter billing me for $300+ for the modem that I had bought. I called them several times about the issue and each time they assured me that the problem had been corrected in thier records. I recently pulled my credit report and found that Cox had forwarded this collection to a collection agency which had placed a listing in my credit report. I am pissed.

Since talking to Cox seems to be useless, how to I get this fradulent listing off my report?

 

[bmacd]

call the credit bureau that gave you the report and ask them.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: justint
I have had an ongoing problem with Cox Communications and my old cable modem service. I PURCHASEd the modem from them rather than renting it, but after I moved they sent me a letter billing me for $300+ for the modem that I had bought. I called them several times about the issue and each time they assured me that the problem had been corrected in thier records. I recently pulled my credit report and found that Cox had forwarded this collection to a collection agency which had placed a listing in my credit report. I am pissed.

Since talking to Cox seems to be useless, how to I get this fradulent listing off my report?

Get your report from all three agencies. Then follow their instructions to the letter to contest ALL the negative information you find. Cox and/or the collection agency (and any other company you have bad info from) have thirty days to respond. If they fail to respond, or tell the agencies the info is incorrect, the agencies will remove the info. If they verify the info it remains on your report. You must then deal with Cox and have them call off the dogs. If that is the case, get a lawyer.

Then, after Cox has promised (IN WRITING!) they no longer have your default on their records, go to the agencies again and contest the info again.

Either way, the info will remain until you contest it. Cox cannot have it removed. You have a great lawsuit if Cox refuses to stop verifying the info when you contest it.

 

[RossMAN]

I agree with Amused.

1) First order a copy of your credit report from all 3 major credit bureaus, EquiFax, TransUnion and Experian.
2) Dispute the incorrect info with the credit bureau in WRITING.

Do everything in writing and I'd go as far as sending it via USPS with delivery confirmation or signature confirmation.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
I agree with Amused.

1) First order a copy of your credit report from all 3 major credit bureaus, EquiFax, TransUnion and Experian.
2) Dispute the incorrect info with the credit bureau in WRITING.

Do everything in writing and I'd go as far as sending it via USPS with delivery confirmation or signature confirmation.

Eh, just do it the easy way: Get your report online at the three agencies, and contest the info using their online systems... then print it out.

 

[Vic]

When a collection account is opened against you, the collection agency by law has to notify you in writing and give you 30 days to contest the collection. Believe it or not, this is just as much for their protection as for yours. Collections agencies buy accounts from the original creditor (in your case, Cox) and this 30 day period protects them for trying to collect on accounts that have already been paid and/or are fraudulent.
Did you not receive the original letter informing you of the collection account? Did you not read where it informed you of your 30 day right to contest the account? Have there been no active attempts at collection?
Anyway, TCI (now ATTBI soon to be Comcast ) tried to do something similar to me roughly 3 years ago, except I didn't own the box. I moved and they insisted I return the cable box and that they would give me a new one at my new residence. I gave them the old one and took a receipt for it from the install tech. A month later, I get a bill for $480 bucks for not returning the box. Naturally, I was pissed. Thankfully, I kept the receipt for returning it and gleefully ripped some very rude TCI CSR's some new assholes and the matter was dropped.

Like Amused said, contest the collection, both to the bureaus and to the collections agency that purchased it. They have 30 days to prove that the collection is valid. Removal from your report may take up to 90 days to show. Hopefully, you kept your records. I would also file a complaint with the BBB and your state's attorney general.