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Handling a Dispute With My Credit Card Company - The Bills.com Blog
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Handling a Dispute With My Credit Card Company
Friday, Sep 11, 2009
Question: I have a credit card company who reported me as being 30 days past due. When I calculated the payment which was due May 12, 2008 and was paid June 11, 2008 it only calculates to 28 or 29 days. How does the calculation of days work? I am trying to buy a home and had a paid off Chapter 13 bankruptcy over two years ago and cannot have a late payment at all. I feel I paid it within the 30 days.
Answer: The credit card company made a mistake, and you need to dispute this error. Thirty days is 30 days. First, see if the company has a consumer ombudsman who can help you with your issue. If not, call the customer support number and find who you can send a letter to rectify this mistake. Then write a detailed letter that includes all of the relevant facts to the company. Write the letter clearly as if you were writing it to a child. Then set the letter aside for 24 hours, and reread the letter with fresh eyes. Rewrite the letter. Include copies of statements that provide evidence for your assertions. Then send the letter
to the credit card company.
Next, pull a copy of your credit report. First, you should obtain a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus –- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can request free copies of your reports by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com .
Once you have received copies of your reports, you should carefully review them to make sure that all listings, especially the listings appearing in the "derogatory" category, belong to you and are being reported accurately. Credit reports are notoriously inaccurate, with consumers frequently finding listings of derogatory accounts that never belonged to them or that were paid off years ago. If you find any inaccurate listings, you
Next, pull a copy of your credit report. First, you should obtain a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus –- Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can request free copies of your reports by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com .
Once you have received copies of your reports, you should carefully review them to make sure that all listings, especially the listings appearing in the "derogatory" category, belong to you and are being reported accurately. Credit reports are notoriously inaccurate, with consumers frequently finding listings of derogatory accounts that never belonged to them or that were paid off years ago. If you find any inaccurate listings, you
should dispute them with the appropriate credit bureau.
The Federal Trade Commission provides a comprehensive guide to disputing items on your credit report .
Once you have disputed a listing, the credit bureau will investigate your dispute to determine if the account in question should or should not be appearing on your credit report. Once the bureau has concluded its investigation, it should send you a written copy of its decision along with another copy of your credit report if any changes have been made as a result of your dispute.
For a sample dispute letter, see the Bills.com Self-Help Center .
I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.
Best,
Bill
www.bills.com/blog/
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The Federal Trade Commission provides a comprehensive guide to disputing items on your credit report .
Once you have disputed a listing, the credit bureau will investigate your dispute to determine if the account in question should or should not be appearing on your credit report. Once the bureau has concluded its investigation, it should send you a written copy of its decision along with another copy of your credit report if any changes have been made as a result of your dispute.
For a sample dispute letter, see the Bills.com Self-Help Center .
I hope this information helps you Find. Learn & Save.
Best,
Bill
www.bills.com/blog/
Follow Bill's answers on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/AskBills
Become Friends with Bill @ http://www.facebook.com/AskBill
Also, make sure to get a free financial health check-up with Bills IQ!
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