Anyone know about fixing your credit?

[OnionPatch]

I didn't know where to post this so I hope the lounge is ok.
We recently got reported to a credit bureau for the first time in my life!! What happened was this: Apparently they didn't receive the mortgage check two months ago. It's a long story, but the check really must have been lost because I have the carbon copy though they did not receive it. Part of the problem was my fault for not looking closely at the statement and just mailing in the payment for two months without realizing anything was wrong but I feel part was also theirs because they really didn't try very hard to get in touch with us. Now they've turned us in to some credit bureau even though I explained it was all just a mistake. It was all paid up as soon as we found out what happened. Now our auto insurance went up like crazy!! They saw a non-payment or late-payment on our record!
I am so clueless as to what I should do or is there even anything we can do? Should I call and explain anything to anyone or do we just have to wait until some time period is over before this black mark is gone from our record? Should I call the credit bureau and give them my side of the story or does that matter any at all? I looked at some web sites trying to get some info on all this stuff but it was confusing and some of it seemed like a scam. Is there somewhere I can get good info on this sort of thing? I've never had this happen to me and it's a nightmare. All for an honest mistake.

[Floogeldy]

1. My advice to you is to start drinking heavily

Check was lost in the mail, eh?

[OnionPatch]

2. I know, I know

it sounds like such a lame excuse, doesn't it?
Also, I'm already drinking heavily. Any other advice?

[Sgent]

4. Get a copy of your credit report

one 30 day late payment shouldn't affect your insurance rates, or credit score, by that much. There maybe other issues that you are not aware of.

As for the mortgage company, they are technically in the right; however, they often will eliminate it if you ask nicely, this is the first time, and you do other business (checking account, etc.).

Good luck

[OnionPatch]

5. We did ask them!

We explained it all very nicely and they were pricks. "Sorry." they said. What bastards! And we've always had excellent credit!

As for it being only one month, they counted it as three months because the missed payment was three months back even though I paid the months in between right on time!

[2Design]

3. make copies go to bank - talk to someone - ask them to

talk to credit bureau - call credit bureau and tell them it is paid up and was right away and you would like them to take it off your record - they will say they have to call the complaintant (sp) - takes lots of phone calls and talking -

I had someone put something on my record - I had never received the bill - once I got call - I paid - a year later I called credit bureaus - the people answering phones are just workers - one was nasty but followed through - the other said sure they would follow through - they took it off the list

[OnionPatch]

6. Thanks, I will call them

If it helps even a tiny bit, I'll call. Our car insurance went up a few hundred dollars over this!!!!!!!!!!

[rwenos]

7. Get Money

Pay the bills off, then keep $10,000 or more in a bank all the time. You'll have NO credit problems.

[Dr.Phool]

8. Contest it with the reporting agency

I had a tax lien against me a few years ago, that was wrong. The state actually owed me money, and I had a letter to prove it was removed.

I went to the reporting agency's office, prepared to battle to the death with a faceless bureaucrat. Was I ever surprised when I was treated in a highly professional manner, and it was taken care of in minutes.

[Sgent]

9. A 90 day late

will ruin your credit (almost as bad as a collection agency).

You may need to get a little more aggressive. Get a copy of your CR, then dispute the charge (and give the reason you just gave the thread). This would be your first step.

Lastly, you could file a small claims suite against the mortgage company for slander & violation of the FTCA if needed.