Below is a typical email I receive from frustrated consumers forced to deal with credit bureau errors. Margaret is aggravated -and rightfully so! Her checking account continues to be accessed by Experian and she has been unsuccessful in getting them to stop charging her account!
Whenever disputing credit report errors, trying to cancel credit monitoring services, or fix any problems that affect your credit reports, always submit your complaints in writing, send via certified mail and document, document, document!
Here's just one reason why...
Denise: I am having a problem with Experian...Here's a copy of a letter that will explain my situation;
To Experian:
I called a couple of weeks ago to get my yearly FREE credit report and also asked for my score. I was told that would be only $6.00 for my score.
I paid using my debit card which is connected to my checking account.
I also called Equifax and Trans Union. I received both of their credit reports right away.
The only thing I received from Experian was my credit score. I called back Experian to see what had happened to my FREE report and was told that the request was never put in for the report only for my credit score.
The second time I called you, a representative told me "No problem, I will get that right out to you".
I finally received my credit report but when I looked at my bank account I saw that I was charged twice!
So, I called Experian once again and was told by a representative that I would have to write a formal letter requesting a refund.
I was pretty upset at this as this because there was no error on my part.
I asked "Why should I have to take the time out of my busy work day AND pay the postage to write a letter when it is not even my fault"? And then asked for a supervisor and was sent to VOICE MAIL!
I left a message and finally received a call back a day or so later. I was then again told they couldn't detect their errors and I needed to write a letter. Experian should be doing the investigation, not me!
Now to top it off, today I just received yet ANOTHER $6.00 charge on my checking account made by Experian. The grand total now for one credit that was supposed to be $6.00 is now $18.00 and it appears you are continuing to access my account and take more money!
What scares me is you are a credit reporting agency and can't even keep your own records straight. How are you supposed to keep mine straight?
I was told I needed to send in a copy of my checking account statement to prove they made errors! That's insane! What makes you think that I want your representatives, or anyone for that matter to see my personal business?
You certainly wouldn't give me a copy or your checking account statement if I asked for it!! It seems that Experian being such a big company should be able to go back in their own system be able to retrieve records of what they are charging THEIR customers.
All businesses can do that! That's how refunds are given!! At this point I think I should be refunded the entire $18.00 for the enormous frustrations, time spent and horrible way I've been treated. Shame on Experian!! And your zero customer service!
I refuse to send you a copy of my checking account statement. It's personal. I did not make these mistakes. If this is not resolved in a timely fashion I am going straight to my consumer advocate from my local news station, my local newspaper and an attorney!
A Frustrated Consumer,
Margaret ******
Florida
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Margaret will keep us posted!
Her story paints a picture of the enormous frustrations we are forced to deal with when working to clean up someone else's costly mistakes!
It's bad enough that we carry the burden to prove ourselves innocent when dealing with removing fraudulent or inaccurate credit data, but we must constantly work to prove that credit bureaus (and creditors) makes errors!
In order to do so, we often feel like unpaid quality control employees who work for the credit bureaus!
It's remarkable!
First we must purchase their for-profit product (our information), then monitor it, and fix any found defects that could possibly harm us!
What other company can get away with selling a defective and harmful product, and then force consumers to repair it?
Just maybe...
this will explain it!
To get your annual free credit reports, the official toll free automated line is 877-322-8228.
