Before embarking on the dispute process, you must get a clear idea of what was noted by Allied Account Services National Grid on your credit report.
Allied Account Services is a debt-collecting agency for National Grid, a utility. So, if you owe any money to the National Grid, the company could assign Allied Account Services to collect the money owed. Negative remarks are entered once the collection agency sends your account to the credit bureaus. Such derogatory remarks will affect your credit and make the process of securing new credit or loans far more difficult. Collection accounts will show on your credit report as derogatory and can stay for up to seven years even if they have been paid or settled.
Given that, you must act in reference to disputing the account as soon as you believe the entry is in error or is not up-to-date-for example, where the entry refers to an account not having anything to do with you, balances being wrong, and obsolete information. These are basically common errors subject to a dispute with various credit bureaus. Immediately on spotting issues such as these, you need to act and have them rectified.
How Allied Account Services Affect Your Credit Health
Allied Account Services National Grid signals an adverse message about your creditworthiness in your report. Although this may vary widely according to your overall credit profile, collection accounts are generally seen as rather significant derogatory marks. A large drop in scores especially hits a collection; so you need to be aware if one shows up early in your whole suite of difficult credit experiences.
Also of concern is that should you pay off the debt, the account may still appear on your record as a paid-off past due account. That can make things tougher for you when you are applying for credit in future on any lending terms. The dispute process offers that avenue, so that you can make sure your credit report is accurate to take control of your credit health.
How to Start the Dispute Process with Credit Bureaus
Once you have verified that the Allied Account Services National Grid entry on your credit report is an error or out-of-date, the next step is to dispute with the credit bureaus. These bureaus are performing two functions in regard to your credit history and report - how they operate disputes and how they correct any errors on your report. Start the dispute process by filing a formal complaint with each of the credit bureaus.
Steps that follow are the stages to start this process:
Review Your Credit Report Carefully
The review of your credit report should be thorough before filing for dispute. Identify all necessary information about the said entry from Allied Account Services National Grid: Account number, the balance reported, any other relevant information like wrong balances, dates, mispaid payments, etc. List your beliefs about who the debtor really is, and any other facts for that matter.
File a Dispute with the Credit Bureau
After reviewing your credit report details regarding the issue, you need to file a dispute with each credit bureau. This can normally be done online on their websites. You will need to include details about the error and why you think it might be wrong.
If Allied Account Services National Grid's information is erroneous, then a dispute should be filed to state that the entry is invalid. Each credit bureau will undertake an investigation regarding the issue and liaise with the creditors to check the authenticity of the information provided. If it is found that the information is inaccurate, then it shall be corrected or deleted.
Keep Details About the Dispute
While the dispute is pending, retain detailed records concerning days of communications and any supporting documentation. This will be very important in case an inquiry or further action is needed. Filing a dispute is a time-consuming process with no assurance it will be corrected physically. However, proper steps and following up increases the likelihood of a successful resolution.
The Role of CreditSage in Filing Your Dispute
We can take care of the entire dispute process on your behalf at CreditSage. If you do not have the time or resources to deal with the credit bureaus yourself, we take on the responsibility of submitting your dispute and follow up on your behalf. We have a team working on processing these for you to make your credit report accurate and current.
Common Reasons for Disputing Allied Account Services National Grid
An entry from Allied Account Services National Grid might be in dispute on account of a number of reasons. Several common examples of such reasons include, but are not limited to:
- If an account is listed on your name and it really does not belong to you - The entry might be disputed on your credit report if you had no account with National Grid or have been a victim of identity theft. In such cases, it is recommended that you report the fraud to both the credit bureaus and the utility company.
- The debt is paid or settled - Another common reason for disputing a collection account is that the debt has already been paid or settled. If you have settled the debt through full payment or negotiated a settlement with Allied Account Services National Grid but the account still shows as outstanding on your credit report, you have every right to file a dispute. Send proof of payment or settlement along with your dispute.
- The information is old - After a debt has gone unpaid, a collection account can exist on your credit report for up to seven years. If the debt is older than seven years and still shows as active, you may dispute it since it is no longer valid and should be deleted.
- Incorrect balance or reporting - If either the balance reported by Allied Account Services National Grid is inaccurate, or the agency failed to update the account after you made payment, this is an additional valid reason to file a dispute. When disputing this type of error, keep a record of your payments and any correspondence exchanged with the collection agency.
How CreditSage Can Help
If you go with CreditSage, our help will be in isolating the distinct reason for your dispute and seeing that you have all necessary documentation to support your case. Our team handles all communication with the credit bureau and collection agency, so that you have the best outcome possible.
The Credit Bureau Investigation Process
Once you have filed your dispute with the credit bureau, the bureau will contact the creditor involved by Allied Account Services National Grid. This generally gives them 30 days to conduct an investigation and arrive at an answer. They will take this time to contact the creditor and seek verification of the disputed credit entry. If the creditor does not respond or if they refuse to provide proof to substantiate their claim, it is likely that the credit bureau will be required to remove the collection account from the report. However, if the creditor does provide evidence to support their claim, that entry will remain on your credit report.
What Happens During the Investigation?
During the credit bureau investigation, you can expect the following processes to be performed:
- Communication with creditors - The credit bureau will contact Allied Account Services National Grid for verification of disputed information.
- Verification of documents - If you pass along supporting documentation to the bureau, such as proof of payment or settlement, they will assess these items during their investigation.
- Final decision - The credit bureau will return the results of the investigation. If your dispute has been resolved in your favor, the incorrect entry will be removed or corrected.
How long will the entire investigation process take?
The standard time frame for an investigation could linger not longer than 30 days, all the while being transparent and allowing the credit bureau significant time to determine your concern. In the instance where the bureau cannot determine the outcome within the allotted time frame, they will contact you with the extensions stated. The final decision will have you feeling one-tiered above the other, should you disagree with the findings leading to further inquiries and possibly file appeal for more thorough investigations.
CreditSage: We Manage the Investigation for You
CreditSage manages the entire process of dispute or investigation. We ensure appropriate documentation, processing of the investigation, continuous follow-ups with the credit bureaus when necessary. All these responsibilities undertaken by CreditSage save you time and also increase the speed with which your credit report is corrected.
What Happens After a Dispute: Retrieving Your Credit Report
So when the dispute process is ended, it is important for you to survey your credit history from time to time just to see if the error was indeed deleted or rectified. The credit bureaus will send you copies of the updated report so you may verify any potential discrepancies regarding the information about the Allied Account Services National Grid.
Keep an Eye on Your Credit Regularly
A successful dispute isn't where it ends; it is crucial also to continue monitoring your credit records. For this, simply check your reports from each of the three major credit bureaus to ensure the disputes about the inaccuracies have been resolved and there are no further errors. Credit monitoring services out there can help you stay on top of your credit report. They will alert you if any new collection accounts appear or if changes have been made to existing accounts.
Protect Your Credit From Future Errors
To avoid having your credit report tainted further, be diligent in following up on your finances and monitoring every payment that comes in your way. Always pay your bills on time and check your accounts for signs of fraudulent or unauthorized activity.
How CreditSage Can Support Long-Term
At CreditSage, we don't just help you dispute errors on your credit report and wish you luck; we intend to be your partners in long-term support to ensure that you still have an accurate and updated credit report. Our team will guide you through future disputes to ensure your credit report remains strong. These steps will help you dispute Allied Account Services National Grid on your report and take control of your credit health.
It takes effort - whether you try it yourself or you get along with a team of CreditSage specialists. The bottom line is it's all in your game and you must keep your credit report intact.