In a perfect world everybody would follow the rules, play fair and consumers would easily be able to correct errors on their credit reports. Unfortunately, many of you are finding out that’s not the case.

It’s your right as a consumer to fair and accurate credit reporting and you shouldn’t have to be a legal expert or hire a credit repair company to insure you’re being treated fairly. Unfortunately, the credit bureaus aren’t playing fair making it nearly impossible for the average consumer to exercise his or her rights.

While their arsenal of unethical tactics appears to be limitless, recently they seem to favor two stall tactics and its working. As a result consumers are lost because the system isn’t working like the FTC and credit bureaus promise it should.

Proof of identification:
If you’ve recently tried to repair your own credit, then chances are you’ve seen this letter.

“Thank you for contacting Transunion. Our goal is to maintain yada yada
To protect the confidentiality of your credit report, please provide us with your date of birth etc etc –yawn yawn lies lies”

If you’ve read our credit repair blog or forums we’ve stated - ALWAYS provide a copy of your drivers license and social security card with your disputes to avoid this letter.

So why would they send you this letter if you’ve already provided it? Because it’s a sleazy stall tactic and nothing more. The FCRA states if they receive any new information it buys them more time.  Resending these items is enough for them to call it new information and it buys them the precious time they want.

My Advice:
If you sent in the required proof of I.D., I would ignore the letter, sue in small claims and file a complaint with the FTC.

The Credit Bureaus will attempt these stunts as long as they can get away with it.

Ignoring you all together:
This is my favorite move by the credit bureaus. What happens when you don’t send your disputes certified mail? Nothing! No response, no validations, nothing and you have no proof you sent them and the credit bureaus love saying “we didn’t receive them”.

BULL! Never the less, you must play the game. Send all letters certified mail and don’t give these weasels any excuses to not do their job.

Am I surprised by all this, Not at all! The credit bureaus are notorious for not following the law put in place to protect you, but they ignore them because they profit more when you have bad credit which I will explain in another post.

If you've experienced these problems or any others while trying to repair your own credit, please don't hesitate to call us.