Getting started:

Your first rule of thumb: be prepared for a fight! Creditors have a vested interest in you, as long as their computer "says" you owe them money. They will keep your credit report looking bad, even if the debt is not yours! Remember, they are in a money business, and they have to get paid by SOMEONE!

Some of the basics:

• 1. Mail everthing by certified, return receipt mail! This means someone on their end must sign for your correspondence and they will not be able to say they never received your letters.
• 2. Keep detailed records. Make sure you have a calender to keep track of your letter send out dates, keep the originals of all your correspondence and send them a copy, hang on to ALL correspondence from them (even the envelopes) and file everything as neatly as possible.
• 3. Once you have mailed your first letter of dispute, the creditor or CRA has 30 days to respond. Generally, you will get a form letter or a "put off" letter as the initial response. The reporting agency will send you another copy of your credit report, usually with a line stating the debt was "verified" by the creditor. The creditor may simply say you are "in the computer" or they may say they can't locate you in their system; could you please provide them with your date of birth and social security number? DO NOT EVER give them that type of personal information! They can use that to create an account for you! If they can't locate you by your name, you are almost guaranteed the account is not yours!
• 4. If you fail to receive a response within the alloted 30 days, mail a second letter of dispute (see form letters). This is generally all the time Credit Resuscitators will allow a creditor to fail in responding. If, after your second letter, they still fail to respond, it is time to contact the Federal Trade Comission and your local Banking Department. As a courteousy, we usually send a final letter stating we have filed complaints and if the creditor fails to respond we will see them in court. .
• 5. Most states allow for $1,000.00 to claimed by the consumer in small claims court when wilfull non-compliance is proven. If the creditor STILL fails to respond, file in small claims court.
• 6. You can gain a ton of information by contacting your states Banking Department. They maintain licenses for all collection agencies doing business in your state. If they aren't licensed in your state, they can't be trying to collect in your state!


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