Which Online Credit Reports Are Best?

[roccomyheart]

What is the name of your state? California

I am going to file for bankruptcy. I am trying to gather up my credit reports and would like to know if the Experian 3-in-1 plus is the best to get online which I am under the impression contains the 3 main reporting agencies. Is online actually best or is it more thorough to order them individually.

Also, I am going to try to do it myself because I can't afford an attorney. My understanding is that it costs around $1,000 for an attorney not including the filing fee. I heard the filing fee is $200, but I'm not sure if it is. I ordered the Nolo Press BK book.

Does anyone have experience in doing BK themselves? I heard there are online paralegals that you send your paperwork to and they help. Does anyone have experience in this. Do you know which one is best to use and how much it costs and how long it takes?

I thank you one and all if you could help with this.

 

[cyana]

In my personal opinion you should avoid all-in-ones. You can order one credit report with scores from each of the credit bureaus. I paid $14.95 for my Experian + Score (not a FICO), and $12.95 each for my Transunion and Equifax plus their FICO scores. That was by ordering them directly from their websites. What you get from any merged 3 in 1 reports is not a true FICO score. Of course if you not interested in scores the max you should pay without scores is $9/report. You should include everything that's on your credit reports in your filing because some of your debts might not show up on all three of your reports, nor do all of your positive tradelines. Also include any CA's that have called in the last several months, if any, because those will not necessarily show up on your reports unless you have accounts that have been turned over to CA's around three months ago.

I went through a lawyer to file my bk. I've heard (from this board) some people have used ZIINET, but ZIINET doesn't necessarily explain things very well so this board recommends the NOLO book to explain things. Some folks just use the NOLO book only without significant problems. I am not acquainted with anyone who has used a paralegal service to file their paperwork. And yes, the current filing fee is $200.

Good luck with your filing.

 

[MidnightSwinga]

Another hint, you can get your TransUnion score for free through their website if you've been denied credit or a job within the last 30 days. You simply indicated that you were denied and by who and they'll give you your report online. The nice thing is they don't verify this. I've put down I was denied a job by Big Bird and I got my report.

 

[roccomyheart]

Cyana, thank you so much for taking the time to help me. If I understood you correctly, even if I get them individually, they still may not reflect all the bills that I owe? I have a couple of old medical bills that I've lost track of. So then if that is the case, I won't have all the info I need for BK....then those bills won't be covered in my BK?

Also, I don't know what CA means sorry...I'm just learning the lingo. May I ask what your lawyer charged?

And, I'm wondering what is going to happen this month when I don't make my payments for the first time. It's pretty scary. Anyone out there who can contribute info, I would be very gratefuly.

Thank you again Cyana and everyone.

 

[roccomyheart]

Midnight Swinga, thank you also so very much. You really made me laugh with your story about Big Bird! I sure could use a chuckle, too, as I've been at my wits end lately. Thank you again for your help! I appreciate it very much. Any other ideas please let me know if you can.

 

[cyana]

I didn't mean to imply that your credit reports (individual, not merged) wouldn't show all your debts, just that certain creditors may only report to two out of three Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA). That's why it's important that you have all three when you go to prepare your list of creditors; this list, along with the creditor mailing addresses (I used the ones from my Experian report, that's my only on-line report that had *all* my creditors and their addresses listed, will serve as what will become your "creditor mailing matrix". Chances are those old medical bills have been already turned over to CA's (CA = Collection Agency). If these bills have not you will need addresses of the hospitals at the very least. You can also "amend" your "creditor matrix" after you file in case you have forgotten to include a creditor. And yes, not paying your first credit card bill does give one a sick feeling. I know it made me feel ill.

My lawyer charged me $1000; $800 for him and $200 for the filing fee. It was worth every penny. I highly recommend that you call around for lawyer fees for a no asset Chapter 7 in your area. Depending on what your monthly credit card minimum payments are you could potentially have the money for a lawyer saved in three to four months. Come back to this board or read other posts (there's lots of them - use the search function for "collection calls") about what to do if creditor calls become troublesome.

Good luck on whatever route (pro se or with a lawyer) you choose.

 

[roccomyheart]

Cyana, Bless you and thank you for your good advice which I will take. It's so nice to know others understand the "sick" feeling ;(