Expert: Barnette Law Offices, LLC - 10/12/2008

Question
I cosigned for my sisters cell phone plan years ago and had the statements sent to her address. Every payment was made on time. She recently removed my name from the account and now has a $45 balance from the old account I co-signed that is charged off. After learning of the 100+ point drop in my credit score (My score was 805 prior to this) I called the cell phone co. and they said they had sent multiple letters but no letters or calls came to me. What can I do to get this corrected on my report? Shouldn't they have to try contacting me before charging off an account that is under my name? Is this something I can dispute?

Answer
Kim:

   Unfortunately, no, they don't have to contact you before dinging your reports.  However, I would suggest that you dispute the account tradeline through the credit reporting agencies and contact the cell provider directly under the FACTA amendments to the FCRA.  Ask them for verification of the amount.  As for the CRA's, dispute the amount in controversy, the date of last activity or any data field which is blank.

   If you're in TN, contact Barnette Law Offices, LLC or me personally, Jason Barnette, at the number below.

          Jason Wade Barnette, Esq.
          Barnette Law Offices, LLC
          http://www.barnettelawoffices.com
          615-585-3885