Here's my problem.

I am currently in Credit Counseling (not CCCS, another company).. and after 4 years of this I'm nearing pay off on my last bill - early next year. I know, I know.. I should have filed BK right from the start.. I was trying to do what was best for my situation.

Conveniently, this last creditor is not reporting my account as "Consumber Credit Counseling," as so many of the others have. (That's one of the reasons I left them for last).

The problem is with all the others. There are a bunch of completely paid-off accounts ($0 balance, closed accounts) that STILL note "Consumer Credit Counseling" Even though the other notations say "Pays/paid as agreed" I'm still getting punished.

Can I do anything to remove the CCCS notation? I suppose the creditors could just say.. "You paid off the account in Credit Counseling, so the notation stays - tough."

On the other hand, I could tell them (as far as they're concerned) that I'm done with Counseling and would like the notation removed, please?

Any suggestions on how to approach this?

Also, short of having a department store card and one secured card from FCNB, any suggestions on building my credit again? Should I get another secured card (like Sterling, etc.?). My FICO is currently 616 (it's been worse, trust me). I don't want to incur too many inquiries, as I need to refinance my house in Spring of 2002.

P.S.

Do I risk any penalty in trying to "leave" credit counseling and pay off this last creditor on my own? I already have a big break on interest, and they're not reporting me as CCCS to the bureaus - so I figure I might as well stay in and get it paid off at a low interest rate.

You might as well take advantage of the low rate and continue on the plan, since they are not reporting as "credit counseling."

The notations on the paid accounts

I would first dispute with the bureaus and see what happens. "No longer in consumer credit counseling."

They should take it off, if not, post here again.

While you're disputing, be sure you also dispute any late payments that are reported.

Get new accounts? Refi in spring next year.

I really can't say without seeing all your reports. It depends on the number of accounts reported on EACH report, the history, how they are reported, the type of accounts, etc.

If you had over 12 months to your refi, I'd probably recommend a few more accounts.

Do your disputes ASAP, then get ALL 3 FAIR ISAAC scores (Beacon, Empirica and FICO) and see how you're doing.

Make sure you don't get Experian's CreditXpert score instead, it's worthless until FNMA/FHLMC and the secondary mortgage markets accept it.

FREE credit analysis and disputes for the first person to

allow me to post their credit report with the "credit counseling" notations in the Evidence section -- obviously without personal data such as name/address/ss# and without the account numbers.

Thanks once again Christine.

First, I'd be happy to provide evidence to you, if for no other reason than I'd value your analysis of my report(s). I recently pulled my report (Equifax) on myFICO. Do you need the other 2 pulled recently? If so, I can do. Most recent reports from the others were a while ago - all showing notations for CCCS.

My disputes are under way. One question: how should I dispute a late payment? Just say, "I have never made any late payments on this account?" Or is there better language to use?

Diver, great, you can fax your report to 206-202-4653.

I highly recommend you get me all three, but you might want to wait with TU and Experian until you get the updated ones in response to your disputes.

Prior to my frequent Small Claims suits I'd do my own disputes simply by writing on the reports, no cover letter, nothing. I'd circle what was wrong, and write next to it "no lates."

Or "NOT my account," etc.

For my clients I do that, and I include a cover letter, doing my numbered list, explaining everything twice. So they have the comprehensive listing, as well as the copies of the report, with the proposed corrections highlighted.

The results are exactly the same. In my experience, it makes NO difference what you put in a cover letter and you might as well omit it. The only reason why I continue to do the cover letter is because it definitely helps my clients figure out what they disputed. And of course it's nice to have it for court.

While YOU obviously know how to write, a lot of people don't and I cannot emphasize enough that it does NOT matter how you spell words or how businesslike the letter is. These dispute letters don't have to look "professional."

It's important though to make it easy for the CRA employees to see WHAT your problem is. KEEP IT SIMPLE.

The scanned disputed bankruptcy report contains everything you need.

Also, I like the Equifax online disputes, and from what I read, Experian's online disputes work well too. All you need to do is is click on check boxes. You have limited choices, but it works great for the choices you have.

Thanks for the advice, I'll be doing that soon and keep you posted on the results.
DD.

Christine, sorry I've been out of town, I will collect my reports and fax to you asap.

For the scanned report with the credit counseling notations and links to the relevant discussions check out the new http://www.bayhouse.com/credit-counseling.shtml

Be especially careful with those debt negotiators spamming the net. Read the contract and the fine print, the fees can be excessive!