How do I challenge my credit score without joining all three credit agencies?
 

Hello all:

It's a long hellish story, but the state of MD has now removed a lien place upon me that they admit should never have been there in the first place.

The problem is that the lien is still showing up as active on my credit report when applying for a loan.

I have a letter from the state of MD clearing me of the faulty lien and want to inform these agencies, but am discovering that the process to do so involves becomming a member of each agency for a fee first which I don't want to do.

Is there a way to simply provide them a copy of this letter without haveing to join first and pay the damn fees?

Thanks!

PS Before this fiasco began three years ago, I had a score in the mid 800's, which is golden. Now it's just over 700. :mad:

You are going to need to show proof to any credit bureau that has this information recorded.
www.transunion.com/
www.experian.com
www.equifax.com

All three have instructions on their web site. If you have this document from the state of MD - it's a pretty cut and dry situation. You do not have to "be a member" of these organizations. Do not trust the state to do it for you - it will drag on for ever or never get done. Buy a stamp or do it online.
Also - you probably can do an online protest which gives the state "x" amount of days to respond or it's removed. Most states do not have the staff to respond regardless of the legitimacy of the lien.

[QUOTE=sfloriII]Hello all:

It's a long hellish story, but the state of MD has now removed a lien place upon me that they admit should never have been there in the first place.

The problem is that the lien is still showing up as active on my credit report when applying for a loan.

I have a letter from the state of MD clearing me of the faulty lien and want to inform these agencies, but am discovering that the process to do so involves becomming a member of each agency for a fee first which I don't want to do.

Is there a way to simply provide them a copy of this letter without haveing to join first and pay the damn fees?

Stefano- Since this was placed in error by the state of MD, it is their responsibility to correct the error and pay for all fees applicable. Depends on how tenacious you are, call them up and ask them to write a letter and pay for all applicable charges therin. They screwed up, they have to fix it.

You're right. They told me to wait 90 days to see if everything's cleared. It'll be 90 days in the beginning of Aug, but I'd like to take care of it ASAP. Fact is, I have no confidence in either the state of MD or the IRS to handle anything properly. If you knew the entire story you'd be sick. Maybe I'll post it, but it'll be a long read.

The fact remains that I've always paid all my taxes (and have all the evidence to prove it), yet I've been getting royaly screwed by both MD and the IRS for about three years now. The problem began in 2002 when one of my clients submitted to the IRS a 1099 belonging to someone else for $6800 with my social security number on it. Both the IRS and MD have been after me ever since to get taxes for that income which I never earned.

'Course, I'm the one that has to prove my innocence, which I've done, but screw ups by both MD and the IRS since then have prevented me from nearly $20,000 in refunds!!! I did finally receive $15,000 of it from the IRS a few weeks ago, but now am fighting for the remaining $5,000.

MD is a whole other story.....:mad: :mad:

I must be slow or something. Each website give you the "runaround". They say it's free to dispute your credit report, but give no information on how to do it without first purchasing a report (you guessed it) through them. I'm in bad enough a mood now (anytime I think about taxes!) that I'm done playing with their websites.

I'll head over to my accountant's on Wednesday with all the paperwork and let him handle it. That's what I pay him for.

Guys/gals, I do appreciate the help, though.

Which one are you having trouble with - guess I don't see what you are.

http://www.transunion.com/content/page.jsp?id=/personalsolutions/general/data/DisputeCreditReport.xml&from=TransUnionHome

DOH! I didn't scroll down to the section I needed. Looks like it'll work. I'll give it another try.

But on one of their sections, in order to download the proper form for my state, when you click to read the form nothing happens. That's when I "suspended" my attempt and went outside to clean my balcony and scrub the siding instead! (good physical activity cleaning is a great mind-mender!)