I feel productive, yet frustrated today. I wrote letters to 2 'old' creditors of Nic's trying to figure 2 different situations out. I mailed him the letters so he can sign them and send them along.
One was with Military Star - a Government Credit Card when he was in the Army. We paid the balance in full, yet they 'seized' $176 from his $250 one-time stimulus payment this year. I'm annoyed about that, but more annoyed with myself because I normally keep every stub and mark it as 'paid'. I have the last cancelled check, but I can't seem to find the statement they sent us telling us the last balance remaining so I can prove I paid it on time. Even if I were a few weeks late - would there be a $176 charge on a $660 balance? It seems unlikely. I am asking for a statement, proof that any extra debt exists, and if not a refund for the total that they 'seized'. We paid the remaining balance only 2 months ago. If it had been a year and we were a few dollars short then I might be able to understand $176 in late charges and interest.
The next was about a loan that Nic took out over 4 years ago which is stilling showing up on his credit report. It had a 25 month repayment plan, but we took out another loan 2 years ago from the same company and they paid off the older loan first with that money so we would only have 1 account with them instead of 2. It was only $250 remaining. So for the past 2 years it has remained as a $250 balance, and remains 'current'. It has not budged. I've called the company to talk to them, but they say to 'wait a few more months'. Why? We've waited 2 years. If it hasn't been updated and marked as 'paid in full' yet, it never will unless I squeak my wheel. So I wrote a letter to them explaining how upsetting it is to see a balance when we have paid off ALL of our debts. We are debt free - yet it shows on his credit report that the account opened over 4 years ago still holds a balance on a 25 month loan. Nic just needs to sign it and mail it off.
I'm hoping the issues are resolved.
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Comments: 6
Good luck! Dealing with creditors is very stressful and time consuming.
Hope it gets resolved. That is frustrating!
Hopefully it will all be cleared up soon
Good luck!
I've heard about all kinds of problems with the Star cards. I'm just glad my husband couldn't get one before we got married (he was 20 when we got married, and had opened his first line of credit at 19), and we had no desire to get one afterward! :)
Also, you can send letters to Equifax, Transunion and any other credit reporting agencies to report that the second situation was taken care of over 2 years ago and because of that your credit report has false information on it. They are required to remove it and make company that hasn't correctly reported it prove that you either still owe the money or admit that yes, you have paid it. Also I would write a letter to that loan company that you want any and all accounts that have a zero balance to be closed and that you want a letter in return that states that this has happened.
And, you are right... the squeaky wheel gets the grease!