How do you dispute debts?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2004
How do you dispute debts?
4
Sun, 01-09-2005 - 9:57pm

DH is a 2nd generation with the same name, and there are a some marks on his credit report that are his dad's.

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Avatar for busywith5kids
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 5:14pm

Delurking to answer this......If you dispute something on a credit report, you can report it to the reporting agency and they have to check into it. Somewhere on the credit report should be the "rules" for disputing things. I once had to dispute some things that were on my report but were actually my ex's. I just wrote the credit reporting agency and they apparently checked into it because the things were taken off my report.


I would try this route instead of dealing directly with the creditors. I'm unclear from your post if your dh contacted the creditors or the reporting agency. If he hasn't contacted the reporting agency, I'd definitely try that. If they come back to you asking for more info or unable to resolve it, your dh has the right to have an explanation attached to the disputed items.


Also, what kind of proof do the companies want? Proof that dh's father passed away? Get a copy of the death certificate and send it to them. Or are they wanting proof that the debt the father's and not your dh's? Not sure what to tell you about that, other than someone's SSN should be in their info. Anyway, I'd first try disputing through the credit report agency and see where that gets you. HTH.

Kelly

cl-busywith5kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 5:53pm
We've actually had the same exact thing happen, and you absolutely have to dispute it with Equifax, Experian, and um, the other agency I can't think of right now because it is *their* mistake. Ours was cleared up pretty quickly. It happens more often then you think...how many "John Smith"s are in the world??? Don't waste your time with the individual creditors...all you'll get from that is a headache!! Heather
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Tue, 01-11-2005 - 1:01am

I have that problem-sort of. My DMIL & I have the same name. Really! Different middle names, but the initials are the same. This summer when I pulled my credit report, I found that basically our reports had been merged. Let me tell you-we could have done some SERIOUS damage with all the open credit between the 2 of us! :D

Anyhow, since I had gotten the reports online, I could also dispute it online. Most everything was taken care of on the first go-round. There are some things that I will have to send letters, etc. saying that "No, really. We're NOT the same person!!!!"

My thought for you would be to send a certified letter along with a copy of your DH's father's death certificate. Bombard them with their 'proof'!

Stick with it-it's better to slog through now and get it all cleaned up than to have it come back and bite you in the rear later on!

Lisa (who's been there done that, lol)

Avatar for cl_beckymk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 01-11-2005 - 10:11am

I agree with everyone else here!!