IMPORTANT INFORMATION
HOW TO REPAIR YOUR CREDIT
The Federal Trade Commission governs the law relating to your credit. You can have CRA's remove anything you dispute successfully. You have rights under the Federal Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA). This act was put into place to protect consumers from being judged unfairly because of inaccurate or outdated information. You can learn more about this at www.FTC.gov.
You can find the complete text of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681-1681u, at the Federal Trade Commission's web site by going to http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcrajump.htm.
Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain all three credit bureau reports. If you don't have internet access, send your letter of request to each of the following organizations:
Equifax:
Equifax Information Services LLC
PO Box 74025656
Atlanta, GA 30374
(Tel: 800-797-6987)
Experian:
Experian Post Office Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
(Tel: 800-397-3742)
Trans-Union:
Trans-Union Post Office Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022
(Tel: 800-888-4213)
Maryland residents are entitled to one free report from these three agencies every twelve months upon request. Call them for quicker results. You can also receive a free report if you certify that (1) you are unemployed and plan to seek employment within 60 days, (2) you are on welfare, or (3) your report is inaccurate due to fraud. Otherwise, a CRA may charge you up to $9.50 for each report.
Additional Resources:
Hagerstown Home Store
21 E. Franklin St., Hagerstown 301-797-0900
A Nonprofit organization that offers free housing counseling, including credit counseling and housing affordability analysis.
Crown Financial Ministrieswww.crown.org
Crown Financial Ministries is a Christ-centered, Bible-based ministry whose core values include recognition of God’s ownership of all things, the need to pray about everything, and the desire to equip and serve others with excellence while teaching in ways understood by all cultures and generations. Their mission is to equip people worldwide to learn, apply, and teach God’s financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission.
Federal Trade Commission-Consumer Response Center-FCRA
Washington, DC
1-877-FTC-HELP
www.ftc.gov
Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580
1-877-ID-THEFT
www.ftc.gov/idtheft
DISPUTE LETTER TRACKING FORM
Date / Sent to: / Item/Letter # / Result / Action / Result5/25/13 / Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other / Letter #1 / Received Good Report / Need to dispute
Ford Motor Credit
6/30/13 / Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other / Ford Motor Credit Letter #3 / No Reply, ignored / Follow-Up letter sent 7/2/13 / Deleted
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
DISPUTE LETTER TRACKING FORM
Date / Sent to: / Item/Letter # / Result / Action / ResultExperian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
Experian
Trans-Union
Equifax
Other
REPAIR CHECKLIST
□ I have obtained my credit reports from all three credit bureaus. Experian, Equifax, and Trans Union
□ I have identified all negative items I want to dispute
□ I have prepared a dispute letter for each negative item with each credit bureau and made a copy of each letter sent
□ I have made a folder for each credit bureau and have filed a copy of each letter sent
□ I have logged the date for each letter sent in my Dispute Letter Tracking Form
□ I have waited for 30 days for a response for the credit bureaus to respond
□ I have sent a Reminder to Respond Letter to the credit bureaus that have not responded
□ I have sent a final demand letter to the creditors that have not provided proof that the items were inaccurate or outdated and could not be verified
□ I have attempted to dispute each negative or outdated items at least 3 times
□ I have attempted to delete or merge inquiries that were unauthorized or reported more than once
□ I have paid or settled any debts that could not be deleted by dispute
□ I have disputed the debts that could not be deleted by dispute after I have paid or settled each account
□ I have followed the necessary steps to add positive credit history to my credit report
Financial Peace University Information (Dave Ramsey)
http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu
These life-changing classes are taught by Dave Ramsey and the FPU teaching team on video and coordinated by local churches/organizations in n Hagerstown, MD. They help participants achieve financial goals by showing you how to eliminate debt, save for the future, and give like never before. You will be challenged and motivated to make a plan for your money and change your family tree forever.
Upcoming Classes:
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Trinity Lutheran Church
15 Randolph Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Class Contact: Jena Staley
301-733-2878
Class Meets: Sunday at 6:00 PM
Class Begins: Jul 28, 2013
Maranatha Brethren Church
19835 Scott Hill Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Class Contact: Bev Stitely
(301) 733-1717
Class Meets: Wednesday at 7:00 PM
Class Begins: Jun 19, 2013
Class Preview: May 29, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Child Care provided for all ages
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There are costs associated with taking these classes. If you do not have the funds, make sure you ask if they provide scholarships for those who qualify. Classes are typically held 1x per week for nine weeks.
Additional rights/responsibilities under the FFDCPA
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm
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· Collectors may only call after 8am and no later than 9pm
· If you have a power of attorney or representative working for you, the Creditors must only contact them and not you
· Collectors may not contact your place of employment
· Collectors may not communicate with any person other than you, unless you give your permission This include other family members
· Collectors may not use threat of violence or other criminal means
· Collectors may not use profanity
· Collectors may not continuously call, annoy, abuse or harass you
· Collectors may not use any false or misleading representations
· Collectors may not threaten to take any action that cannot legally be taken
· Collectors may not give or threaten to give out false credit info
· Collectors may not distribute any falsely written communication simulating any document authorized, issued or approved by any court, official or agency of the US or any states
· Collectors may not use any name other than the true name of their business or organization
· Collectors may not use unfair/unconscionable means to collect/attempt to collect any debt
· Collectors cannot accept a check or other payment from you that is post dated by more than five days
· Collectors can't ask for any postdated check for the purpose of threatening or instituting criminal prosecution
· Collectors may not charge you for any charge/price of communication
· Collectors can't threaten to take any of your possessions or property without a court order
· Collectors may not use any language or symbol other than the collector's address/name on any mail sent to you
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