How can I reach a live person (already have Fraud Alerts BUT:
1. Need to counter stolen ID info (change Mother’s Maiden Name)
2. Change last 4 digits on SS#
3. Give them my Cell Phone Number, so I’m not stuck at home wondering if someone is using my Personal ID (above) and using it to buy/get credit either online or at a store…w/a Cell phone at least if I’m not home (to verify) they can call my Cell phone…
These automated systems (online/telephone) give you ZERO options for the above situations. I mean, they got all my info….scary!
Any tips/ways to get to a live agent at any of the 3 reporting agencies….beware of dell.com everybody, and whatever you do, do not give (as they pass you from one dept. to next, your SS#, mother’s maiden name, your name/address/phone….it’s almost set up for an ID THEFT (particularly if you’re approved over telephone instantly and you haven’t rec’d your "paper" DELL ID# yet.
The investigator said orders were placed to be delivered at addresses across country, from DAY 1, yet, he’s overworked, one investigator w/45 cases and they cut his hours.
I need the FRAUD INFO "ASAP" or rather 2 weeks ago, and he still says, "another 2 weeks", and police won’t take report w/out letter from Dell. No matter what the FTC and their REFERENCE NUMBER claims that it’ll break through the local police. Not at all.
Meanwhile, people can be using and destroying my credit (if not already) but as I type this!
Hence, this is why I need to speak w/live agent even though I alread put in the "3 credit alerts" and got 2 free reports (but w/no fico score).
HOW does a person speak to a living human being when they call either Transunion, Experian or Equifax? Please help me, if you can.
Thanks so much, J
Technorati Tags: 4 digits, address phone, automated systems, cell phone number, dell, Equifax, Experian, fico score, fraud, ftc, live person, maiden name, personal id, reference number, ss, Transunion
Tags: 4 digits, address phone, automated systems, cell phone number, dell, Equifax, Experian, fico score, fraud, ftc, live person, maiden name, personal id, reference number, ss, Transunion
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What are my options for $25000 in credit card debts?
June 15th, 2011 by admin | 6 Comments | Filed in 3 Free Credit ScoresI have about 000 in unsecured credit card debt spread out over 9 credit cards (BofA, Citi, Mrk, WFG, Chase, Dell, Macys, Target). Why this much? I was dumb and stupid and have no sense of money management but was also married and made some bad business investments. I am now divorced. Majority are now at penalty interest rate!!!
OK so I have everything on a payment plan (except WFG that is soon to charge off) but here lies the issue. I have zero savings and my FICO score has already dropped to 475. The home bills (mortgage, utilities & vehicle) takes more than half my monthly income. My biggest concern and fear is that I have my first child coming this December and don’t want her to suffer due to Dad’s mistakes. My girlfriend has her own financial issue with the IRS for almost same amount as my debt, so I do not get help from her and I can’t help her own issues. But I need to start paying the hospital bills from the new baby, and the mom needs come break too.
Please advice:
1) Should I cut and run for the next 3-5 years and settle these debts later? Build a savings right now for the baby and her mom too. I am pretty confident I can take care of it later down the line. Maybe save up then start approaching them one by one (in about 12-15 months) and offer lump settlements.
2) Should I file for chapter 13 and get a court’s help on repayment; thereby reducing some of the outrageous fees and interest?
3) Should I go for those special payment plans with companies you see on TV? I have seen more negative comments than positive regarding this option
Any advice is appreciated and feel free to criticize my past actions. I can only learn going forward. Before I didn’t care but now I have this lady and kid, and they both take priority so I feel I should change the situation fast.
FYI, I am no longer using them for new purchases. Its just I ignored them for a while when I was going through the divorce proceedings and changing jobs which resulted in the high penalties I am facing. I have tried in the last 90 days to put everything on a fixed budget through payment plans but other issues and medical bills keep coming up. So far the medical bills have not been paid and are at 00 total; and the baby is still to arrive in December.
To sophieb & Timothy P,
thanks for the advice, I am reviewing the best option going forward.
Sopheid, a little more details: It is my first child and we are not married yet due to the IRS issue. Yes it was poor planning but I am happy I am having a baby finally; after trying for more than 5 years and divorcing for reasons connected to that.
I will explore the option you mentioned. Current salary is K which I just started last 2 months, about k monthly after taxes. Like I mentioned Mortgage (GF house!) and utilities and transportation is consuming about 00. My GF is helping as much as she can, but she makes less than half my income and has 1 kid already.
My issue is that, regardless of all being on a payment plan except for 1, the debts are not reducing. I feel strongly I need to start saving for medical bills and baby’s arrival and do not have the room currently to do so. This is why I am exploring alternative options.
Technorati Tags: 15 months, bad business, bofa, business investments, changing jobs, chapter 13, credit card debt, divorce proceedings, fico score, hospital bills, irs, macys, money management, mrk, negative comments, outrageous fees, penalty interest rate, target, unsecured credit card, wfg
Tags: 15 months, bad business, bofa, business investments, changing jobs, chapter 13, credit card debt, divorce proceedings, fico score, hospital bills, irs, macys, money management, mrk, negative comments, outrageous fees, penalty interest rate, target, unsecured credit card, wfg