consumercreditinfo.org

Tiremax Livingston, TX (Get it while it's hot!)

2012-01-20T09:46:00.005-06:00

It's been a while since I had a good consumer adventure that I had to do battle over, but it's good to know that my sword is still sharp.

I'll post the full story later, but suffice it for now to say: They took my money for merchandise, which I never accepted or received, failed or refused a refund, so I filed a consumer complaint and mymymy looky here... the CEO sends me private emails threatening to sue me for exercising my first amendment right to let other consumers know of this rip off. That folks, would be called a SLAPP, and it might come under the guise of another form of litigation. As of the time I am writing this, they claim to have processed my refund nearly a week ago, and more than two weeks after the "purchase" BUT it still has not shown up in my account. So the big bad guy can huff and puff all he wants tom but that's the truth and I am not afraid of the truth. Are you? Why is the CEO of Tiremax afraid of the truth? hmmm.

Would you do business with a company that coerces it's online customer reviews by silencing dissent by litigation? Do they really think they can shut me up? hahaha. Nobody has succeeded in shutting me up yet. Ever. And the more he threatens me and tries to intimidate me the more I want to talk about it.

He just doesn't "get" that if they had refunded my money during one of my first three trips to the store to obtain a refund that I never would have had a complaint in the first place.

He writes "We will defend our brand." Cool. Why don't you try defending your brand with excellent customer service instead of coercive tactics?

(I'll be back later with more.)

Complaint ID#: 8018329 Business Name: Adventure RV Center

2009-05-09T00:13:00.002-06:00

Complaint ID#: 8018329
Business Name: Adventure RV Center

Thank you for contacting the BBB of Greater East Tennessee. Your complaint was received by the Bureau on May 7, 2009 and has been assigned case# 8018329in our files. Please make a note of this number for future reference.

Your complaint has been applied to the following business:
Adventure RV Center
2910 Newport Highway
Sevierville, TN 37876

The case has been reviewed and has now been forwarded to the business for their response. This business has until May 22, 2009 to respond to your complaint. You may contact our office after May 22, 2009 to check the status of your complaint.

Complaint filed against: Adventure RV Center
Business Info
NAME:

Adventure RV Center
BBB MEMBER:
NO

CONTACT:

ADDRESS:

2910 Newport Highway
Sevierville, TN 37876
PHONE:

865 429-3698
FAX:

--None--
Website:

http://www.adventurerv.net
(Less)
Complaint status: Inform Business of Complaint (More)
Activity
Date

Activity

Description
05/07/2009 Inform Business of Complaint
05/07/2009 Send Acknowledgement to Consumer
05/07/2009 Complaint Validated by BBB Operator
05/07/2009 Complaint Received by BBB
(Less)
Case Description: Paid on Apr-15-09 via PayPal

FANTASTIC FAN-TASTIC RV CAMPER POWER ROOF VENT 4000
eBay item number 400043255718 -

Subtotal:
US $118.19
Shipping & handling:
US $19.75
Total:
US $137.94

Item has not been received. Seller claims to have shipped the item twice and said the item has been refused and returned twice. This is simply not true. The item was not received here. Period. Bottom line, the seller has my money AND the merchandise and I want my money back.
Category: Delivery Issues
Case opened date: 05/07/2009
Case closed date:
Desired Resolution: US $137.94 refunded to my PayPal account immediately....

Dopey actions on the part of a CRA

2009-02-14T18:24:00.002-06:00

The Experian decision perhaps complies with the letter of the law, but I daresay many in here and elsewhere are of the opinion it's not in compliance with the spirit of the law.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcrajump.shtm
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcradoc.pdf

Rather than attempting to examine the FCRA in a lawyerly fashion, I daresay the most immediately productive action would be to contact one's Congressional rep, two U.S. Senators, and file a complaint with the FTC. Let their attornies bang on this and let's see what's shakes out.

Dopey actions on the part of a CRA might bring about Congressional sanctions on the CRAs, Experian in particular. That wouldn't be an entirely bad thing, now would it?

Here's a few places where you can complain.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/
http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/contact.shtml
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/08/01/eveningnews/main15216.shtml
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3068843
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/

Experian won’t tell consumers their credit

2009-02-14T10:50:00.003-06:00

Squabble with creator of popular scoring model leads to a lawsuit and lack of information.

Effective Saturday – Valentine’s Day – you will no longer be able to get your FICO credit score from Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus.

The company notified Fair Isaac Corp., the firm that created the credit-scoring model most used by lenders, that it is terminating its relationship with myFICO.com, a Web site that sold FICO credit scores and other information directly to consumers. This means generally that Experian customers will not be able to see the FICO scores lenders are using in determining their credit levels.

Although there are a number of credit-scoring models available, it’s the Fair Isaac technology that is most used by lenders to make millions of credit decisions each year. According to data from Fair Isaac, more than 90 of the 100 largest financial institutions use FICO scores. The 25 largest card issuers use it, as do the 25 largest auto lenders.

Credit-scoring models apply a mathematical formula to a consumer’s credit history. For the most part they all use the same range of factors – most importantly, late payments and the amount of debt owed – to produce a three-digit score that is supposed to judge a person’s likelihood of repaying debt.

This issue isn’t about which scoring model is better. It comes down to consumers having access to what most lenders are using to grade them – and that is usually a FICO score.

“Experian’s Valentine’s Day present to 200 million American adults is to make sure they have no access at all to any Experianbased credit score that is widely used by lenders,” said Craig Watts, public relations director for Fair Isaac. “Goodbye, transparency.”

Consumers will still be able to obtain FICO scores based on data from their files at Equifax or TransUnion, the other legs of the Big Three credit bureaus.

The squabble between Experian and Fair Isaac follows a lawsuit Fair Isaac filed in 2006 against Experian, Equifax and TransUnion after the three developed a competing model called VantageScore, which uses a different scale than FICO.

VantageScore’s scale ranges from a low of 501 to a high of 990. In the case of the FICO score, it runs from a low of 300 to a high of 850.

Since filing the lawsuit, Fair Isaac has dropped Equifax from the litigation. The suit is still ongoing, alleging that the VantageScore joint venture created unfair competition and violated antitrust laws.

“We were working hard to develop a positive business relationship with Fair Isaac and the litigation has not helped in that effort,” said Experian spokesperson Susan Henson.

In defending Experian’s decision, Henson said consumers will still be able to buy credit scores from Experian based on information in their Experian credit file. In addition to offering VantageScore, the agency sells its own proprietary PLUS score, which ranges from 330 (higher credit risk) to 830 (lower credit risk).

“We did not feel this will harm consumers in the least,” she said. “There is no one credit score that all financial institutions use to make decisions and there is also no one credit score that consumers must use to help them understand and manage their credit. All of these credit scores provide prediction of a consumer’s credit risk.”

Henson’s right. The various credit-scoring models can give you an idea of how you’re viewed credit-wise. But if the other models were so great and just as useful, why did Experian renew its contract with Fair Isaac to continue selling FICO scores to its business customers?

“We value our client relationship,” Henson said. “There are clients that have Fair Isaac’s FICO built into their underwriting system and that is the score they are using.”

This only leaves me to conclude that Experian doesn’t value its individual consumers enough to work out its differences with Fair Isaac to continue allowing the same valuable access to their individual FICO scores.

So where does this all leave Experian customers?

You may still be able to get a look at your Experian FICO score by simply asking your lender. In some mortgage transactions, you are entitled to the credit score without charge.

You can also complain to the company. And you can complain to Congress, which has in its power to force transparency and make the most widely used credit-scoring system available to the public for free.

Congress has stepped in before. It amended the Fair Credit Reporting Act to open up the credit monitoring process by forcing each bureau to provide all its customers upon request a free credit report once every 12 months. (You can get your reports by calling 877-322-8228 or at www.annualcreditreport.com.)

Here’s how I see this FICO fracas. If the market has widely embraced the FICO credit score, Congress shouldn’t allow business quarrels – not now when credit is hard to get – to result in shutting down access to information that is essential to obtaining the best loan, insurance rate or even a job.

Following the progress on the Verizon case...

2009-02-04T06:21:00.002-06:00

Today my service on both my cell phone and internet access was interrupted. I informed Verizon that this constituted breach of contract. My cell phone bill was undisputed and paid in full on time. My dispute is only with the internet access line, which is a separate line and a separate device.

Within a few hours access was restored.

I received a phone call from Karen Milbrodt and a technician named Josh who want to blame my access overages on outdated VZ Access Manager software. So I complied with their request to install the updated version, which required a download of 17.6 MB at their request. The modified VZ Access Manager conceals from the user the daily and per connection upload and download monitoring. I also learned that Verizon has total access to be able to modify the amount of usage that is displayed, in accordance with whatever suits their billing needs. In my case, I watched as my usage was modified from 1.76MB at 8:05 a.m. to 1.61MB at 5:05 p.m.

Does anybody else see anything wrong with this picture?

Yes, my reflected usage was reduced, but the fact that they can modify the reflected usage at will is a little big brotherish, wouldn't you say? They claim to not be able to monitor the specific sites a user is browsing, but they probably can and do.

Later I would receive the following email:

Your Verizon Wireless Account Number ending with 9485-00001

This email is to confirm that your requested credit/adjustment has been processed. Your current balance is $1547.58, which includes credits/adjustments totaling $190.00.

Thank you for using Verizon Wireless.

I feel like I am winning the battle but losing the war.

Taking Verizon Wireless to Texas Small Claims Court

2009-02-02T23:07:00.009-06:00

When you file a suit on a corporation in Texas, you need to call your Secretary of State office (512-463-5555) or State Comptroller (1-800-252-5555) and find out the name and address of the Registered Agent, President or Vice President of the corporation before you begin your suit. You will be filing suit against the corporation and having the notice or citation served on the officer of the corporation.

This is how I learned that Verizon Wireless is not a corporation in good standing in the State of Texas, and has failed to maintain a registered agent in the State of Texas. Good news is, I can perform service of process on the Secretary of State in Texas and they will handle getting it to the correct registered party/address. Cost: $55.00 + the cost of certified mail to the SOS.

Here is a copy of the demand notice I sent:

Office of the Secretary of State
Statutory Documents Section - Citations Unit
P. O. Box 12079
Austin, Texas 78711-2079

Monday, February 02, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

After due diligence, I have determined that Verizon Wireless has failed to maintain a registered agent within the state of Texas. Therefore, I am serving this demand notice on the Texas Secretary of State Office pursuant to the Texas Business Corporation Act - Article 2.11., paragraph B, Service Of Process On Corporation, which states:

“Whenever a corporation shall fail to appoint or maintain a
registered agent in this State, or whenever its registered agent
cannot with reasonable diligence be found at the registered office,
then the Secretary of State shall be an agent of such corporation
upon whom any such process, notice, or demand may be served.
Service on the Secretary of State of any process, notice, or demand
shall be made by delivering to and leaving with him, or with the
Assistant Secretary of State, or with any clerk having charge of the
corporation department of his office, duplicate copies of such
process, notice, or demand. In the event any such process, notice,
or demand is served on the Secretary of State, he shall immediately
cause one of the copies thereof to be forwarded by registered mail,
addressed to the corporation at its registered office. Any service
so had on the Secretary of State shall be returnable in not less
than thirty (30) days.”

Enclosed you will find my check payable to the Secretary of State in the amount of $55.00 for maintaining a record and for forwarding the demand and for issuance of a Certificate of Service. Duplicate copies of the demand are provided for service upon the known registered office of the defendant corporation.

The Corporation Trust Company
F/B/O Verizon Wireless, LLC and/or D/B/A Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”)
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange St
Wilmington, DE 19801

Regards,

==============================================
==============================================
Follows is a copy of the actual demand letter:

Verizon Communications, Inc. and/or
Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC
D/B/A Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”)
c/o The Corporation Trust Company
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange St
Wilmington, DE 19801

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Reference account number: xxxxxxxxx-00001
Invoice number: xxxxxxxxxx

DEMAND and NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE

To Whom It May Concern,

As you were previously notified, I fully intend to litigate the disputed unpaid balance on this account in my local small claims court. Despite my efforts to work with Karen Milbrodt (Verizon Wireless Executive Relations 1-800-760-4658 x5941) to resolve this matter, it remains unresolved. The “previous unpaid balance” remains disputed, yet now I have received another outrageous bill from Verizon Wireless, and it is starting to look like you think this is some kind of joke.

I am writing to formally dispute the $1,279.20 overcharge for data usage on my broadband service account for the period from 12/27/08 to 01/26/09, as well as late fees ($5.00) and excessive taxes and fees charged corresponding to the disputed amount.

I was arbitrarily billed $1,279.20 for 10,236 megabytes of usage for the billing period when, in fact I only used 1,798.7 megabytes, which is less than the allowance covered by my monthly access fee.

For the period from 11/27/08 through 12/26/08, I was billed $190.00 for 10,427 MB of data usage when in fact I only used 1,447.8 MB of data usage during that time period.

For the period from 10/27/08 through 11/26/08 I was billed $23.50 for 5,214 MB of data usage when in fact I only used 1,331.1 MB of data usage.

I have printed the logs of my account usage from the VZAccess Manager usage meter that proves the amount is an overcharge, and I would appreciate very much if the disputed amount would be credited to my account.

I am prepared to pay the approximate undisputed amount of $140.42 before the due date, however unless you make adjustment to my total bill in the amount of $1,597.16 within the next 10 days, I will simply be forced to litigate this matter in my local small claims court in Polk County, Texas. This is my final demand.

Regards,

Cc: Verizon Wireless
Customer Service Department
Post Office Box 105378
Atlanta, GA 30348

Cc: Lowell C. McAdam, President & CEO
Verizon Wireless - Corporate Office
133 Calkins Road
Rochester, NY 14623

Cc: CT Corporation Systems
For the benefit of Verizon Wireless, LLC
350 N. St Paul St
Dallas, TX. 75201

CC: The Corporation Trust Company (certified mail)
For the benefit of Verizon Wireless, LLC
Corporation Trust Center
1209 Orange St
Wilmington, DE 19801

Cc: Donald Clark, Secretary
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20580

Cc: Kevin J. Martin, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554

(It should be noted that I have an allowance of 5120 MB of data usage under my current $59.99 Data Access plan, and that amount is prepaid monthly on my cell phone bill.)

Click here to get automated online help with your small claims case.

In Control?

2007-09-25T22:06:00.000-06:00

Want to lead a happier, healthier and wealthier life? Start by practicing self-control.
By Robert Kiyosaki
Entrepreneur Magazine - October 2006
(exerpted)

Most of us have heard the phrase “health, wealth and happiness.” But what actually brings health, wealth and happiness? Is it success, and success alone?

So, my thought for you this month: Are you becoming healthy, wealthy and happy? Or are you sacrificing these ideals for success?

Most of us know what to do when it comes to our health and our wealth. Health is primarily about diet and exercise, and wealth is about earning and investing. But happiness is a bit more mysterious. We know to think positively, but thinking positively instead of realistically can have tragic consequences. For example, positive thinking won’t prevent you from going bust if you’re foolish with money, and it won’t reduce your percentage of body fat.

In fact, it’s often the pursuit of happiness that causes the most problems with health and wealth. Many people are obese because they eat and drink to feel happy. And others shop to feel happy, even if it means maxing out credit cards.

Many books discuss the subject of being happy and the factors that affect happiness. One factor in particular helps entrepreneurs lead happier, healthier and wealthier lives: self-control. I’m happier if I have the self-control to do the right things even if I don’t want to do them.

...hopefully, I have the tenacity to do what I know I need to do. That’s the only way we won’t forfeit our health, wealth or happiness in our pursuit of success.

=========

Best-selling author Robert Kiyosaki explains why many commonly held truths about managing money are obsolete. In their place, he offers financial solutions anyone can follow.

=========

Rich Woman $18.95

A book on investing-for women who insist on being financially independent and not depending on a man, family, company or government to take care of them.

==========

Rich Dad Poor Dad $16.95

STILL THE NEW YORK TIMES
#1 BEST-SELLER - OVER 6 YEARS ON THE LIST AND COUNTING!
- October 2006 -

What the rich teach their kids about money that the poor and middle class do not. Learn how to have your money work for you and why you don't need to earn a high income to be rich.

Follow up to some previous posts

2007-06-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

In a previous post I mentioned exercising self-control as a means of acquiring peace and happiness. For me, exercising self-control means not picking up the cutest new stuff at WalMart or eBay. It means not stopping at the thrift shop to pick up some cute handmade fashion item. It means I have to monitor my budget carefully and be careful not give in to the desire for instant gratification in order to meet some longer term savings goals. (This is NOT an easy task when you are also living with Indiana Jones who needs to have the latest gadget in camping and survival gear.)

So. That is what I am working on. I have created a very strict and very do-able family budget. I know you are thinking "budget". UGH! So did I. But it actually became fun, because what I came to realize is that after 2 months of playing catch-up, and really barely having an extra dime to spend on ANYTHING, I actually will very easily be able to start putting some money in the bank for emergencies and regain a sense of security. That seems important to me.

What happened with the California Franchise Tax Board thing? I was beside myself with excitement when I finally got THIS letter in the mail from them...

Click here to view the scanned *.pdf image of the letter I got from the California Franchise Tax Board!! (You'll need the Adobe PDF Reader to view it.)

It was an awesome feeling to be out from under a $3000+ tax lien on my credit report! I would like to be able to say that it was easy. In the end, it really was easy. But for the better part of 2 years, it felt like banging my head against a wall to get this accomplished.

Yes, I AM willing to help other people in similar circumstances, however, I will have to charge $5.00 per question via email.

You can pay the $5.00 here, and then be sure to type your question in the comment box, and be sure that your email address is correct so that I can respond. If you ask more than one question without paying for additional questions, I will only answer the first one.

Please remember, I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV and of course, I cannot guarantee that your results will be the same as mine... I am just an ordinary girl from Texas with a little experience and a lot of common sense.

Chapter 13: Steps and Changes...the continuing saga

2007-06-08T21:39:00.000-06:00

I began this posting here: http://www.squidoo.com/Chapter-13-steps-and-changes/...

Steps That Occur in Filing a
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

When your bankruptcy petition is prepared and signed by you, it is filed with the Bankruptcy Court. You are assigned a case number and a Trustee. Normally, there is only one Chapter 13 Trustee who makes decisions on all Chapter 13’s filed in his/her jurisdiction. In a Chapter 7, there may be more than one Trustee, called an "interim” as well as a “trustee.”

Your attorney or paralegal (or YOU!) will also file a Chapter 13 Plan with your bankruptcy petition that details the amount of your monthly payments and the length of time you are going to be in the Chapter 13 Plan.

This amount you pay each month to the Trustee is determined by the amount of money you currently make and how much money you need to live on each month. A good Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney or his paralegal is skilled at balancing these two figures so you can easily afford the Chapter 13 payment each month. It is not to the advantage of the attorney or paralegal to give you a payment you can’t afford. This would cause problems later down the road. So don’t be afraid that your payment will be too high for you to afford.

*** Personal Note: If you are doing it yourself, keep in mind that your budget and your repayment plan should justify each other, and will be examined by your trustee for fairness to both you and your creditors. They want to see that you are making a good faith effort to contribute ALL of your DISPOSABLE INCOME, but not more than you can realistically afford. For example, if your income/expense schedules show that you have $500 left over at the end of each month, and your repayment plan proposes $200.00 per month to the trustee, the trustee's job is to ask WHY? Conversely if your income/expenses show that you have $200 left over at the end of the month, and your repayment plan proposes $500.00 per month to be paid to the trustee, the trustee is going to ask HOW? ***

The Trustee will send a notice to all the creditors (people/companies you owe money to.) This notice is normally sent 5 days after you file your petition.

The court will normally send you a notice informing you that you are eligible to file bankruptcy. You don’t have to do anything with this notice but keep it in your personal file.

The Trustee will then send all your creditors, including you, a notice informing you of the hearing date when you should appear in court. This hearing is often referred to as the “Meeting of Creditors.”

At your Meeting of Creditors NO judge will be present - but YOU had better be! The Trustee will ask you some of the same questions you answered when you first filled out the paperwork for the attorney or paralegal; or whomever originally prepared your bankruptcy petition.

In actual practice, creditors rarely appear at this hearing because they know they will be getting paid through the Trustee; however, a representative from one of the companies you owe, or a person you owe, may also show up at this meeting, but they normally only appear to ask where the secure item is and if it is insured.

After the Trustee has approved your bankruptcy, you are required to pay your first Chapter 13 payment. Your payment must be in the form of a money order or cashier’s check. No cash is accepted. Usually personal checks are also not accepted. I am not a big fan of Wal-Mart, however, their money orders are usually cheaper than the ones you can buy at the post office.

The Trustee will normally provide you with information on how to contact his/her office with any questions as well as an address where to mail your payments.

At this time, you may want to set up a payroll deduction so you don’t have to worry about writing a check every month. Because a payroll deduction may take 4-6 weeks before it begins, you need to continue making payments to the Trustee on your own until the wage deduction starts. If you get behind in payments, your case could be dismissed and you will have to start all over again.

Finally, a Confirmation Hearing is scheduled but you normally do not appear in court. Your attorney normally appears on your behalf to simply confirm that you are approved to be in the Chapter 13 plan. ***Of course, if you did it yourself, you will have to be there. If your District office uses the VCIS (pronouced "VEE-sis") system, it is easy to call (toll free) 24 hours a day and keep informed of your hearing dates. If you are not able to determine if your district uses VCIS, or, for that matter what district you should file in, you should probably NOT be filing your own bankruptcy.***

Changes in Payments During a
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Nothing stays the same. During the 3-5 years that you are making regular payments to the Chapter 13 Trustee anything could happen. You may lose your job. Your spouse may lose their job. You may have a new baby. You may inherit some money. Your old car may conk out and you have to replace it. A million things can happen, which means your Chapter 13 payment can be lowered or raised depending on the circumstance.

Many people, when something occurs where they cannot make a Chapter 13 payment one month, will simply not pay it. This is a very bad idea. All you have to do is contact your attorney and ask them to file a Motion to Modify the Chapter 13 Plan. You will need to go to the office and supply the attorney with new, updated income and budget information, which explains why you cannot make your normal Chapter 13 payment, but it is well worth the 2 hours of time.

***Note: I budgeted an emergency savings fund into my income/expense statement, which I plan to adhere to religiously. This will be used for such things as emergency car repairs and/or a monthly trustee payment in the event of an unexpected employment crisis. Now, looking at the absolutele feasibility of my new budget, I am kicking myself in the hind end and wondering why didn't I do that SOONER, before I had to file Chapter 13??? Well, the truth is, I had, but then I got sick and unemployed and burned through that savings like kindling in a forest fire. Then, when I had the opportunity, I did not get back on track saving as I should have...NOT because I didn't know better...***

If you need to go into debt and purchase something on credit while you are going through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, your attorney can file a Motion to Incur Debt for you. This will allow you the needed money to purchase the item. (Example: Sell one car and purchase another one.)

The original article source: Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Changes in Payments and Steps That Occur in Filing a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

*** Notes added by puterbug ***

USPS Rant

2007-05-23T12:06:00.000-06:00

This is more a consumer affair issue than a consumer credit issue, but what the heck. It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to.

It amazes me that the United States Postal Service can get away with not only shoddy customer service, but failure to provide the delivery service it was hired to provide when I paid the cost of postage. There seems to be little or no recourse to the consumer when the USPS fails to perform, ZERO accountability on the part of the USPS - - and I don't know what, if anything, can be done about it. It's aggravating.

On May 9, 2007 I mailed a care package of dry goods and clothing to my starving college student son in San Francisco, CA.

I paid $32.82 for Parcel Post, delivery confirmation and insured the box, taped the label real well so it wouldn't tear or smudge and sent it on its way. I was promised 5 to 10 day delivery of the item at the counter.

Now check this out.

Label/Receipt Number: 0307 0020 0002 6114 4660
Detailed Results:

Bullet Enroute, May 22, 2007, 6:37 am, RICHMOND, CA 94804
Bullet Enroute, May 19, 2007, 8:03 pm, DES MOINES, IA 50395
Bullet Enroute, May 16, 2007, 2:27 pm, RICHMOND, CA 94804
Bullet Enroute, May 10, 2007, 1:31 am, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32099
Bullet Acceptance, May 09, 2007, 3:12 pm, SILVER SPRINGS, FL 34488

I sent the following inquiry via usps.com:

05/16/2007 06:27 AM

I am completely dissatisfied with both the online tracking information and the actual progress of the actual shipment of the following item, which has NOT YET BEEN DELIVERED:

Label/Receipt Number: 0307 0020 0002 6114 4660
Detailed Results:

Bullet Enroute, May 10, 2007, 1:31 am, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32099
Bullet Acceptance, May 09, 2007, 3:12 pm, SILVER SPRINGS, FL 34488

It has been a week since this item was mailed. Where is this package?

===========

I got the following response from "Bernard A."

Response (Bernard A) - 05/18/2007 04:47 AM

Thank you for contacting us requesting more information on item number
0307 0020 0002 6114 4660.

I apologize that we do not have any additional information regarding
the status of your item.

Complete tracking information is only available for Express Mail®
items. Services that confirm delivery are designed to be a low cost
alternative to full tracking. Retail rate Delivery Confirmation™, which is
brought into the Post Office™ for mailing, will include an acceptance
scan. It does not include tracking of the package en route.

We will document this issue if your item has not been received within
14 postal business days from the date of mailing. However, I need some
additional information so this can be sent to the correct office and you
can be contacted:

- Your home telephone number
- Full name of the sender
- Address of the sender
- Full name of the recipient
- Address of the recipient
- Type of mail (letter, large envelope, package, large package, or
unknown)
- Class of mail (Express Mail, First Class Mail®, international,
military, Periodicals, Priority Mail®, Bulk Mail, Parcel Post®, Media
Mail®, or none)
- Services added (Certified Mail™, Registered Mail™, Return
Receipt, Merchandise, Insured, C.O.D., Signature Confirmation™, or Delivery
Confirmation)
- Label number
- Location the mail item was sent from (sender’s residence, other
residence / business, Post Office™ ZIP Code™, Collection Box®, or
unknown)
- Time and date the mail item was sent
- Contents of the mail item and value
- Whether you would like to receive a call regarding this issue (There
is no guarantee that further information can be provided via email.)
- If you suspect foul play:
- Do you know who was involved?
- Do you know the name(s) of whom you suspect?
- Was it a Postal employee?
- Do you have a description?

If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please don’t hesitate
to contact me.

Thank you for choosing the United States Postal Service®.

Regards,

Bernard A

(I replied with the information he itemized.)

When I saw that the item was in DES MOINES, IA, I attempted to call the number on the receipt 1-800-222-1811. We finally got a live person by repeating the phrase "Customer Service" about 20 times at each voice prompt rather than entering the tracking number.

The first person we spoke to on 05/21 said we could not file a complaint until the package had been missing 14 days.

I immediately called back and filed complaint reference number CO31963670. I was told an investigation would be initiated as to why the package went to Des Moines, IA and someone would call me back within one business day.

24 hours passed and I did not receive a call back. I called again and filed complaint reference number CO31944256. I was told an investigation would be initiated as to why the package went to Des Moines, IA and someone would call me back within one business day. I told the person I spoke to this is the same information I had been told the previous day, and I wanted to speak to someone who was actually performing the investigation. She said that I could not speak to Consumer Affairs until I had filed three complaints. I told her one email + 2 phone calls = 3.

TJ at Consumer Affairs in North Florida was the most polite and understanding person I spoke to through this entire ordeal. Unfortunately, though, even she was unable to get a response from the Richmond, CA facility as to why the package was shipped to Des Moines, IA. She also got no answer from Des Moines, IA as to why they did not perform customer service and overnight my package back to California immediately.

I have seen that the Office of Consumer Advocacy in 2006 filed interrogatories upon the US Postal Rate Commission regarding concerns about the ability of the Postal Service to determine the number of pieces of mail that is entered into the postal system versus the number that is delivered. I guess that is a good start, but they got their rate increase anyway. It is pretty obvious why they really needed a rate hike in postage. Not because of rising gas costs which is always the scapegoat of choice, but because of blatant inefficiency.

I wonder how much it cost for extra handling fees to send my son's package from Richmond, CA to Des Moines, IA and back to Richmond, CA?

Thinking about insurance?

2007-03-12T17:14:00.000-06:00

Short term disability insurance is something a lot of people don't consider investing in. You should. If you are working, your odds increase of being in a car accident or work related accident that will leave you unable to work for 12 weeks or less. Most Long term disability plans - even the insurance plans you might have signed up for with your credit card companies - only "kick in" after 90 days of unemployment. By that time your entire life can become a financial disaster. A lot of Americans are only ONE paycheck away from being homeless.

It can take between 4 months and 2 years to receive Social Security Disability benefits. In no case will you be eligible to receive benefits until you have been out of work for at least 6 months.

If you were suddenly unable to work due to an accident or illness what would you do? If you are healthy, currently not disabled, make $18,000 per year or more, you may qualify for disability insurance. To Request a Free Quote and Insiders Guide to Disability Insurance Click Here.

While short term and long term disability should definitely be on your "buy" list (the premiums are typically very affordable) you also need to make sure that you understand that the insurance company will NOT be your friend once you make a claim. I'll address that in a different article.

8 Confessions Of A Former Verizon Sales Rep

2007-03-10T12:19:00.000-06:00

This article from the Consumerist got 1672 Diggs so far.

If this interests you, you might also want to check out these related articles on Yahoo.

How to Get Out of Your Current Cell Phone Plan

Eight Cell Phone Sales Tips from a Sales Rep

I have a Sprint CDMA phone. When I wanted to use it as an internet connection using a USB connection to my computer, I was told by Sprint that I could not unless I upgraded to an expensive phone. Sprint lied. It serves very well as a dial up connection when there is no Wi-Fi available and I don't even have a contract with Sprint anymore.

I got the information on how to do it at Lifehacker.com

I bought the software and cable to do it on eBay for 96 cents. The shipping and handling was $4.00. I pay nothing for the internet connection when I use it. The connection speed is about 253kbs. Not broadband by any stretch of the imagination, but it does connect.

Today's Resources

2007-03-05T03:34:00.000-06:00

These are the sources of information I found most useful today in researching credit report issues:

There is a FOURTH credit reporting agency:

Innovis Consumer Assistance
P.O. Box 1358
Columbus, OH 43216-1358
1-800-540-2505

They forget to mention on their web site that they are just as liable as the "Big Three" to provide you with one free copy of your credit report. (Making a note to request mine from them. I forgot to do that today.)
==================

California Franchise Tax Board CRUSHED by Freedom Law School Student Paul Ballmer for $337,000! (Freedom Law School)

==================

Whyspers v. L J Ross & Assoc. -- Whyspers v. Experian and XXX
Proselitigant.net

Whyspers got a nice cash settlement from Experian: http://proselitigant.net/ Don't miss the message board. Representing yourself works especially well in combination with publication.

Most people will be much better off with representation, but when you can't find a lawyer ...

Publish your case.

==================

NCLC Consumer Law Manuals

Highly recommended by Christine Baker.

I love this lady! I think you will find me referencing her often. Her web site Bayhouse is a treasure trove of information and a great jumping off point if you are beginning an odyssey of credit reporting disputes.

This thread on tax liens was not particularly helpful to me today, but might be eventually.

This thread has a complete lawsuit Baker v. Capital One, Equifax, Ameriquest and Target (RNB).

Her 2007 suit is mentioned here. I didn't delve into it.

===================

I found this today. Not sure yet exactly what it is, but I found it cute, kinda interesting, sorta helpful. Willitfly.

Well, interesting anyway.

===================

Several years ago, I actually contributed this information to Christy Welsh's message boards. I am both surprised and flattered that it is still on there in this fashion. I might have to revisit my own stuff and see if what I am looking for is in there. ;-)

===================

Note to self:

Resources by Jurisdiction

===================
'Nuff said for today~

No revelations here...

2007-03-05T01:34:00.000-06:00

I realize I have digressed from one of the purposes of this blog and web site because I haven't really given anyone any good information about how to correct errors on credit reports.

You can find information on how to do this in about 100 different places on the internet. I have had to learn to discern the good information from the bad. In fact, I think I have visited each one of these sources today, and I am going to list them for you in a little bit. Maybe I can help keep someone from wasting a whole lot of time on a fishing expedition just for good information.

Well first you need your credit reports, and it is helpful if you also get your FICO score. (I confess I haven't gotten my own true FICO score yet, but that is because of the small fortune I have to spend on certified mail with return receipts.)

It is also helpful, but not necessary, if you have a recent rejection letter for a credit application with the reasons and the credit reporting agency named. If that is how you learned you have a credit problem, great, keep the letter for your evidence file. But do NOT go out and apply for credit just to get rejected. It will cause a permissible inquiry that will hurt your credit score.

The inaccuracies on my credit report are so bad that I can't even get a copy of my own Trans Union credit report. They don't believe I am who I say I am! I have a "clue" about what some of the inaccuracies are based on some information I got from a 3 in 1 online credit report. And I did not pay for it. The subscription was GIVEN to me by a company who said my personal information may have been compromised from their computers, nearly a year ago.

Today I drafted a letter (for Monday's mailing) to TransUnion disputing an address they are reporting that I have never used or lived at.

I also disputed the following accounts that I have no knowledge of:

Capital One Auto Finance
CBE Group
Medical (suppressed by FACTA, so I don't even know who is reporting it! I am not an attorney, but that smells like estoppel to me.)
Onyx Acceptance Corp
OSI Collect
SST/AIB

With any luck in a month or so I will get a copy of my credit report from TU. I hope they WONDER how I got ahold of it in the first place, since they refused to honor my request for my mandatory free credit report online.

My friend received a letter from the VA stating that his private information had been compromised. Isn't that special?

For my friend, I also prepared a letter to NCAC (Experian) disputing NINE inaccurate aliases that Experian is reporting on his credit report, one address that he has never used or lived at, and the following accounts that he has no knowledge of:

Arrow Financial Services
Cavalry Portfolio Svcs
Credit Control Corp
Credit Protections Assoc
Financial Control Svc
First Premier Bank
Midland Credti Mgmt
Verizon Wireless

None of these are frivolous disputes and are potentially the product of actual identity theft. Let the adventure begin. Copies of all letters are to be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested tomorrow. Then we wait.

What we HAVE NOT DONE, neither of us has filed police reports and we have NOT filed fraud statements with the Credit Reporting Agencies. YET. Not that we won't, but our goal is removal of the negative tradelines. I read somewhere that having the fraud filing can hinder the investigations of the disputes and make the process of removals more difficult.

================
Separate Battles
================

My friend found out that almost a year ago, someone took out a student loan in his name to the tune of $10,000. I know for a fact that he wasn't in school at all. This past week he got a bill stating that it is 60 days past due and offering forbearance. When he asked for documents bearing his signature, Direct Loan Servicing sent him a letter requesting a document bearing his signature. Oh, and they want FOUR SAMPLES. I suppose so they can help his signature make it's way onto loan documents. For this reason, we do NOT sign dispute letters. After all, how many signed responses do you ever receive from collection agencies or credit reporting agencies? (Answer: NONE!)

I found out that the California Franchise Tax Board filed a tax lien against me for the 2003 tax year. I found it reported on Experian and Equifax. I have lived in Texas since May, 2002. On January 18 I had faxed a demand for validation of this alleged debt to the FTB. This past week I received a letter from them entitled "Telephone Contact Request" stating the amount they claim I owe. Nothing offering proof that I lived or worked in California in 2003.

KEY PHRASES I LEARNED TODAY:

There has been no service to notify the party of the action and the court does not have personal jurisdiction over the party not served.

When a party contends that there is no genuine issue of material fact, the burden shifts to the other party to present substantial evidence that the issue exists. Evidence is substantial if it is of "such weight and quality that fair-minded persons in the exercise of impartial judgment can reasonably infer the existence of the fact sought to be proved."

I am a little perplexed. I do not know whether to file suit against the FTB for simple FCRA violations in Texas or if I should get the judgment vacated. And if I do seek to vacate the judgment, do I file motions in Texas or California? Maybe some smart tax attorney will stumble upon this posting and give me an idea of correct procedure before I hurt myself. While I was researching that matter (and haven't yet found the answer) I ran across this article:

http://www.livefreenow.org/victory_balmer.cfm

"March 29, 2001- Los Angles- Paul Ballmer, a graduate of Freedom Law School and a determined and tenacious Freedom Fighter, today got a unanimous JURY VERDICT that the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the biggest, most aggressive and oppressive of all Income Tax Agencies in America (far worse than the IRS) owes Paul Ballmer $250,000 in damages as well as attorney's fees and expenses for violating the law and Ballmer's rights."

Ok some of the ideas these Freedom Fighter guys advocate are a little over the top for me. I do NOT advocate deliberately pissing off the IRS or other taxing entities. I quite dutifully render unto Caeser what is Caeser's. Some time ago I surrendered myself to the idea that yes, Big Brother is probably watching. So what? Honestly, my life is pretty boring. They probably changed the channel.

Anyway, there is no way I can afford the $800+ for their "courses" just now, but hey, maybe if I end up having to sue and manage to win a small claims case or two in the next month or so against TU or one of the creditors I am disputing, then maybe I will. I appreciate knowing that I am not the first or only victim of California FTB's mad scramble to pad it's pockets. (Heck they tried to chase me down for 2 years after I moved to Texas to renew my California vehicle registrations! DOH!)

(ROFL! - Reminds me that I read that John McCain was asking people for suggestions on how to cut wasteful government spending and someone suggested "Sell California!")

How is all of this in keeping with my profound desire to holistically and harmoniously "fix" my life and help others do the same thing? Well. I have become disabled and this project is giving me something to do on the "good days" because I can't work, and I am desperately seeking some meaning. I have always been an advocate for the underdog at heart and angered by bureaucratic injustice. If I had actually gone to law school, most of my work would probably be pro bono. Today, it just so happens, the underdog is me. I have always enjoyed doing legal research. But these days, I also sleep about 12 hours a day, most days I don't leave the house, and some days I can't do a darned thing. Like off and on since Friday, I have had migraines, so I have been doing all this reading and letter writing and blogging in fits and spurts between headaches and naps. I don't plan or hope to be unable to work forever. I see disability and SSI as an opportunity to regroup and hopefully get well or at least get to the point of remission my doctor keeps alluding to. I choose not to feel sorry for me, but to do what I can, work toward my true purpose, and hopefully what I am able to do will be good.

The Secret to You

2007-02-21T21:45:00.000-06:00

The Secret team has created a visualization tool, "The Secret to You", Another wonderful video relating to "The Secret" video. This is more specific to you, and intended to be watched every day...ENJOY!

The Secret has traveled through centuries to reach you.

Interviews with leading authors, philosophers, scientists, with an in-depth discussion of the Law of Attraction. The audience is shown how they can learn and use 'The Secret' in their everyday lives.

The Secret is a feature length movie presentation which reveals The Great Secret of the universe. It has been passed throughout the ages, traveling through centuries... This is The Secret to everything - the secret to unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love, youth: everything you have ever wanted. All the resources you will ever need to understand and live The Secret. The world's leading scientists, authors, and philosophers will reveal The Secret that utterly transformed the lives of every person who ever knew it... Plato, Newton, Carnegie, Beethoven, Shakespeare, Einstein.

After you have read the book or seen the movie, get the The Secret Soundtrack!

FACTA Free Annual Report

2007-02-18T11:00:00.000-06:00

Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) amendments to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you are entitled to a free copy of your consumer report, at your request, once every 12-months, and you can do it online. There is a Site set up by the big three credit reporting agencies in the United States, to furnish free annual credit reports, as required by federal law.
www.annualcreditreport.com/:

A lot of people with credit problems also have bank problems and can't open a checking account. If you have a checking account and want to switch banks, be sure to open the new checking account before you close the old one! That way if you get rejected by the new bank, you won't be stuck without an account. Some people aren't aware that Chexsystems keeps a credit report of sorts about your banking history, or what to do about it.

Your SCAN report is your record of returned check items with merchants and is used by stores to decide whether or not they will let you write a check for your purchases. You'll want to be sure that report is accurate!

You can request a free copy of both your Chexsystems and SCAN report at https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/freereport.htm

TeleCheck also maintains a database of returned checks and instances of fraud. It provides check authorization and verification to member retailers.
Toll-free number: (800) 209-8186.
Web: www.telecheck.com.

Oh you might want to check your FICO score, too, since that is the magic number lenders use to accept or deny your credit applications, and it is used to determine your interest rate when you are accepted for a loan. You can a free estimate of your FICO score from Fair Isaacs at http://www.myfico.com/ based on answering a few questions. I have no idea how accurate it is, but it is free, so what the heck.

||

DId you know...?

2007-02-17T02:03:00.000-06:00

Once you start requesting your credit reports, you should plan to keep organized records in case you possibly have to sue your creditors or the Credit Reporting Agencies. Hopefully you won't have to do that, because it can be stressful, and we don't need more stress do we? But you might run across a situation where a credit reporting agency says a debt is "verified" but the collection agency or the creditor cannot or will not provide you with any proof of the debt. How aggravating!

When that happens the law says you can sue your creditor and the CRA in small claims court for $1000.00 for each violation of the FCRA. And you might get mad enough to want to do just that. But in order to win your case, you will need very detailed and accurate records. Send things by certified mail, file a copy of the correspondence you sent with a copy of the receipt you paid at the post office... and then don't lose those little green signature cards when the post office returns it!

I bought a 20-pocket file folder holder and some beautiful brightly colored folders that slip in and out easily.

Learn to keep organized records! If you think you already know what it takes to get organized, great! But why not give Greg Payette's step-by-step strategies a try and follow the simple rules hundreds of his customers have already used to put an end to clutter and get organized once and for all. You'll have 90 days to see if these strategies really work -- or you get your money back - no questions asked!

Finding Purpose

2007-02-09T06:04:00.000-06:00

What am I supposed to do now?

What was I going to do with my life? I felt empty. What did I want to be when I grew up?

I’ve always looked at life as seasons: a time to work, a time to raise children, and a time to… well, what now exactly? That was the question.

Life has been a wonderful roller coaster ride, but the ride’s coming to a halt. I’m at the other end and find myself searching again.

Getting ready for a new season

What do you do when life throws you for a loop?

It happens to all of us at some point. People divorce, lose jobs, the kids move, we lose loved ones, and life goes on. How do you find your purpose? Here are five tips that helped me through my soul searching and gave me a renewed sense of meaning.

Focus on your gifts ~ Consider what brings you joy. What makes you tick? What are you passionate about? Is there something you can do with that passion to rejuvenate your life? Each of us are gifted in different areas. Tune in and decide how to use your gift to fulfill your life purpose. Work isn’t a hardship when you align your passions with your profession.
Open up to others ~ Don’t be shy. Tell loved ones what you are going through. They know you best and can share your strengths and weaknesses. They can help you discover what to do with your life. Rely on them for advice and guidance.
Research ~ Get online and do career searches. Today’s technology allows you to post a few words in a program and have a list of careers at your fingertips. Use community colleges’ occupation data bases. Sign up for a class that piques your interest. Go to the library. Check out book stores. Wander the aisles until something strikes you and read ferociously.
Get busy ~ Be diligent until you have answers. Work at your future with enthusiasm. You are the one in charge. Make changes. Soul search. You’ll be glad you did!

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day. There are things we wish we could forget...

Seek out an occupation and activities that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life.

So while you are cleaning off all the flat areas in the kitchen...and thinking about what you wanted to be when you grew up, ask yourself this: How does that fit with what you want to be now?

Then, get help.

The 7 Habits

2007-02-09T05:12:00.000-06:00

Product Spotlight: The 7 Habits(R)

FranklinCovey offers a wide array of products based on the timeless principles in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The 7 Habits day planner pages feature unique content from the book along with motivational quotes and are available in ring- and wire-bound formats. Book and audio offerings include Everyday Greatness, a compilation of inspiring stories with commentaries by Dr. Covey, The 8th Habit, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, and The Seven Habits Signature Series audio compilation.