| How to Dispute Student Loans on a Credit Report Posted: 17 Feb 2018 04:00 PM PST If your credit report lists your student loans inaccurately, file a dispute with one of the credit reporting bureaus, which are Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Write a dispute letter, print a copy of your credit report with the errors highlighted, and make copies of documents that support your case. Assemble another packet with these items to send to your lender. Mail both packets, and follow up with the reporting bureau within 30 days. Get fresh copies of your credit report, verify the corrections were made and, if necessary, update anyone who's checked your credit within the last 6 months. EditFiling a Dispute with a Credit Reporting Bureau - Mail a dispute letter instead of filing a form online. While filing online is faster and easier, online forms typically include undesirable terms. For instance, by filing online, you might unintentionally agree to an arbitration clause. This means you won't be able to bring the reporting bureau to court if they don't resolve your dispute. The reporting agencies' mailing addresses are:[1]
- TransUnion Consumer Solutions, P.O. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016.[2]
- Experian, P.O. Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013.[3]
- Equifax, P.O. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374.[4]
- You only need to contact 1 credit reporting bureau. If they determine the error needs to be corrected, they'll notify the other 2 bureaus.
- Get a fresh copy of your credit report. The first step is to verify that an updated copy of your credit report includes the inaccuracy you want to dispute. You're entitled to a free credit report from each of the 3 reporting bureaus per year. You can also get a free report if you were denied a loan, credit card, lease, or job due to your credit in the last 60 days.[5]
- If you can't get a free report, you'll have to purchase one for around $15.
- Highlight the inaccurate information in your report. Check the report for the inaccurate information about your student loans and any other errors. If you have a digital copy, print it. Highlight or circle the errors you want the reporting bureau to correct.[6]
- Write a letter that concisely explains your dispute. Keep the letter simple and brief. Include your name, address, and phone number. Identify the error and the account it's listed under, and explain why it should be removed from your report. Note any documents you've included to make your case.[7]
- Include copies of documents that support your case. Evidence could include payment records or loan statements that verify your account isn't past due. Be sure to send copies instead of original documents.[9]
- For example, if your report shows that you missed student loan payments, include check copies or bank statements to prove that you made the payments in question. If your report lists more loans than you have, provide loan statements that show your actual number of loans.
- Send the packet by certified mail. Put your letter, highlighted credit report, and any supporting documents in an envelope. Send it certified mail, return receipt requested. This will create a paper trail, and you'll be able to prove the reporting bureau received your packet.[10]
EditContacting Your Loan Servicer - Write a letter that concisely explains your case. The letter to your lender will be similar to the one you sent to the reporting bureau. Identify the error, why it needs to be corrected, and inform them that you've filed a dispute with a reporting bureau.[11]
- Provide copies of your credit report and supporting documents. Assemble the same packet of documents that you sent to the reporting bureau. Print a copy of your credit report and highlight the inaccurate entries. Include any documents that support your case, such as payment records or loan statements.[12]
- Send the packet to your servicer by certified mail. Mail the packet to your lender with return receipt requested. Again, you'll create a paper trail that ensures your lender received the packet.[13]
- Check your loan servicer's website or call their customer service line to find the right mailing address.
EditResolving the Dispute - Talk to your loan servicer about a solution. Within a few business days of receiving your packet, your loan servicer should contact you, most likely by telephone. If they determined they made an error, they'll let you know how they're taking steps to correct the problem.[14]
- If they dismiss your dispute, you can still work with the credit reporting bureau to correct the error.
- Even if your loan servicer informs you they've corrected the error, you should still follow up with the credit reporting bureau.
- Follow up with the reporting bureau within 30 days. The credit reporting bureau is required to investigate and act on the dispute within 30 days. If they don't contact you, call their toll free customer service line and ask about your dispute's status.[15]
- They'll either determine that errors need to be corrected or dismiss your dispute.
- Get updated copies of your credit reports. If the reporting bureau determines that errors need to be corrected, they'll make any necessary changes and notify the other bureaus. You're entitled to free credit reports from each bureau. Verify that the information listed on your new reports is correct.[16]
- Ask the reporting bureau to notify anyone who's recently checked your credit. If a company has run an inquiry into your credit history (such as for a loan or job application), have the reporting bureau notify them of the error. You can have the bureau contact anyone who's checked your credit history within the last 6 months.[17]
- If you were denied credit due to an error on your report, let the person or business who checked your credit know about the error. Advise them that you're in the process of filing a dispute and will keep them updated about your case.
- For example, suppose your report erroneously listed 16 student loans when you only have 2. You were then denied a credit card because a bank determined you had too many open lines of credit. The reporting bureau can confirm with the bank that your report contained errors, and you might be approved for the credit card.
- Submit a complaint with the CFPB if you're not satisfied. If the error wasn't corrected or if you don't get a response within 30 days, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protections Bureau (CFPB). Submit your complaint here: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/#credit-reporting. You should get a response within 15 days.
- You'll provide the CFPB with the dates, amounts, companies involved, and other details about your dispute. The complaint form allows you to upload digital copies of any supporting documents. After submitting your complaint, the CFPB will contact you and discuss solutions, such as legal action, within 15 days.[18]
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| How to Recognize Staph Infection Symptoms Posted: 17 Feb 2018 08:00 AM PST Staph infections are caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus and are usually easy to treat. Skin infections are the most common type of staph infection, and often occur when a burn or wound gets contaminated. Fortunately, many infections are minor and heal quickly if you keep the area clean and bandaged. However, you should see a doctor if symptoms worsen or if you develop a fever. While uncommon, staph bacteria can spread to the bloodstream and cause serious medical issues. Prompt treatment can prevent these serious infections from becoming life-threatening.[1] EditDiagnosing and Treating Skin Infections - Look for pimples, boils, or areas of red, swollen skin. Skin infections are the most common type of staph infection. They look like pimples, boils, blisters, or areas of swollen, red skin that feels hot. Sometimes, they ooze pus or other discharge.[2]
- Broken skin is prone to infection. Washing your hands frequently and keeping wounds clean are the best ways to prevent a skin staph infection.
- Check for abscesses, or pockets of pus. Abscesses are swollen pockets of skin that are filled with pus. They feel like they're filled with liquid, rather than a lump of swollen skin, and it usually hurts to touch them. Abscesses that grow increasingly painful and pus seeping from a wound could indicate a bad infection, so call your doctor if you notice these signs.[3]
- Wash your hands before and after touching the area. Wash up thoroughly with soap and hot water before you clean the area or change a bandage. You wouldn't want to risk contaminating it further. After treating the infected skin, wash your hands again to prevent spreading germs.[4]
- Soak a minor infection 3 times per day and keep it bandaged. Minor abscesses and skin infections often go away on their own with proper home care. Wash the infected area thoroughly, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes 3 times a day, and cover it with a sterile bandage. Change the bandage 2 to 3 times daily or whenever it gets wet.[5]
- If you'd like, you can add salt to your warm water soaks. Try soaking the infected area in a solution of of salt and of warm water. Adding salt to your warm water soaks can help soothe your skin. While salt doesn't kill staph bacteria, it could help deter other contaminants.
- Don't attempt to drain an abscess on your own. Avoid touching an infection unless you're treating it. Remember to wash your hands before and after providing treatment. If you have an abscess, leave it alone and don't try to drain or pop it.[6]
- Scratching an infection or popping an abscess could further contaminate the area and spread germs.
- See your doctor promptly if you have signs of a serious skin infection. Minor swelling or redness often go away on their own in a day or two, provided you keep the wound clean. However, if pain, swelling, or abscesses get worse, or if you have a fever, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.[7]
- Only a doctor can accurately diagnose a staph infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
- Keep the area covered with a sterile bandage until you can see a doctor.
EditRecognizing Internal Infections - Get rest and drink plenty of fluids if you have food poisoning. Staph bacteria are a common cause of food poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and, when caused by staph, usually subside in a day or so. Call your doctor if you don't feel better within 24 to 48 hours.[8]
- In the meantime, avoid overexerting yourself and drink plenty of water, sports drinks, or Pedialyte to stay hydrated. Try to keep down plain rice, soup or broth, and other bland foods. Wash your hands frequently to help prevent spreading germs, especially if you're vomiting or have diarrhea.[9]
- See your doctor if you think you might have septic arthritis. Septic arthritis is a joint infection often caused by staph bacteria. Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms such as intense joint pain, redness, swelling, and fever. Infections typically occur in the knees, ankles, or toes and, usually, only one joint is affected.[10]
- Symptoms of septic arthritis develop suddenly. In other forms of arthritis, joint pain and swelling develop gradually, often occur at distinct times during the day, and typically affect more than one joint.
- Your doctor will perform an examination and take a bacterial culture. They'll aspirate the joint, or remove excess fluid to decrease swelling. If they determine you have an infection, they'll inject medication into the joint or prescribe oral antibiotics.[11]
- Seek emergency medical care for signs of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). TSS can occur when staph bacteria spread to the bloodstream and internal organs. Symptoms include fever above , disorientation, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and a red rash on the bottoms of the hands and feet.[12]
- TSS is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. It can result from using a tampon for longer than the recommended amount time or from an infected burn, wound, or surgical site.
- Get immediate help if you have symptoms of sepsis. Sepsis is a serious condition caused by the body's immune response to a widespread bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever above , chills, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Without prompt treatment, sepsis can lead to blood clots, poor blood flow, and organ failure.[13]
- Sepsis is a medical emergency, so you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible if you have an infection that isn't healing and have symptoms of sepsis.[14]
- While anyone can develop sepsis, it's more likely to occur in people with compromised immune systems, infants, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses (such as kidney or liver disease), and after a serious burn or injury.
EditSeeking Medical Treatment - See your doctor if you have serious or worsening symptoms. If a skin infection worsens, doesn't heal, or you develop serious symptoms, such as a fever, seek medical attention. While life-threatening infections are uncommon, even a minor skin infection can lead to major health concerns when not properly treated.[15]
- It's especially important to see a doctor if you have a weakened immune system, a chronic illness, are elderly, or have a severe burn or wound. If your infant or young child has an infection that won't heal or develops a high fever, they need to see a doctor.
- Get a physical exam and bacterial culture. When you see the doctor, they'll perform an exam and ask you how and when your symptoms began. They'll likely order a bacterial culture to identify the specific cause of the infection.[16]
- If you have a skin infection, they'll swab the area or take a sample of tissue or pus.
- For TSS or sepsis, doctors test blood samples for bacteria and take a white blood cell count, but treatment often begins before the results become available. Because these conditions are so serious, antibiotics and IV (intravenous) fluids need to be administered as soon as possible.[17]
- Have any skin lesions or abscesses drained. If you have a skin infection and developed an abscess, your doctor might need to drain it. They'll numb the area, make a small cut to let the pus seep out, then dress it with gauze.[18]
- Follow your doctor's care instructions after having an abscess drained. Clean the area 2 to 3 times daily, apply medicated ointment if your doctor advises, and dress the area with a clean bandage. Change the bandage 2 to 3 times per day or whenever it gets wet.
- Take any prescribed medications as directed. Staph infections that don't heal with home care are treated with antibiotics. Take your medication according to your doctor's instructions, and don't stop taking it even if you feel better. If you stop taking antibiotics prematurely, the infection could come back or worsen.[19]
- Additionally, your doctor might recommend taking a pain reliever to combat swelling, fever, and other related symptoms.
- Tell your doctor if your symptoms don't improve. Staph bacteria can adapt quickly, and many strains have become resistant to some antibiotics. Bacterial cultures help doctors choose the right antibiotics, and you should start to feel better within a couple of days. If you don't, call your doctor and discuss alternative medications.[20]
- They might recommend stronger IV (intravenous) antibiotics.
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| How to Walk Away from a Married Man Posted: 17 Feb 2018 12:00 AM PST Being with a married man might feel exhilarating at first. But, if he fails to end his marriage and commit to you fully, you may need to make the choice to end things. Walking away can be challenging, but you can successfully cut ties by remembering your worth and getting support from someone who loves you. Once you're ready, have the talk with your married lover and let him know that you can't be with him anymore. Then, shake up your routine to stay away from him for good. EditMaking the Decision - Tell yourself you deserve better. However you came to be in a relationship with a married man, you deserve better than to settle for scraps of his attention and affection. Remind yourself of your true value by affirming all the ways you are a great person worthy of healthy love.[1]
- Tell yourself, "I am smart. I am beautiful. I am caring. I deserve someone who loves me and only me. I deserve more."
- Repeat it over and over until you start to shout it more confidently, until you start to actually believe it.
- Even if you don't believe that you deserve better, you do. You can start your statements with something like, "I will find a way to end this dead-end relationship."
- Create a list stating why walking away is a good idea. Build up the courage to leave the affair by listing all the reasons you are unhappy or dissatisfied with the way things are. You might include things like, "I don't like spending holidays alone" or "I want someone I can build a future with."
- Get support from a friend. Go to a friend you can trust and tell them about your situation. Let them know that you want to end things with the married man and ask for support.[2]
- Be specific in requesting support. What can your friend do to make you feel better or help you through this process? Maybe you just want a hug or perhaps you'd like to practice what you'll say to him during the breakup talk.
- You could also make plans to meet with your friend at the times you usually see the married man. This will give you something fun to look forward to instead of seeing him. For example, you could have coffee or dinner with your friend.
- Grieve in whatever way feels right. Undoubtedly, you will feel emotional pain once you come to terms with your decision. Take a few days to be gentle with yourself. Curl up in your bed, watch romantic movies, and cry. Shout your frustrations at the top of your lungs.[3]
- There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a relationship. Do whatever you need to do to release the pain.
- See a therapist if you need help gaining the courage to leave. Starting a relationship with someone who is unavailable may become a pattern for you, so consult with a therapist. This professional can talk to you about destructive habits that may be keeping you from the love you truly deserve.[4]
- A therapist can also coach you on leaving a married man, so that you have the confidence to actually go through with it.
EditHaving the Talk - Make plans to meet in advance. Call up your lover and arrange to meet with him ahead of time. Tell him that the two of you need to talk. Be clear that this meeting is special and different from a typical rendezvous.
- You might call or text and say, "Hey, can we get together on Tuesday. We need to talk about our relationship."
- Meet in public, if possible. Making a face-to-face public meeting will help keep the conversation civil and brief. Try meeting at an out of the way café or on a park bench during less-trafficked hours.[5]
- Don't get intimate with him during the meeting or make him think things are normal. Let him know that you need to have a serious talk.
- If you prefer not to meet face-to-face, write a letter, schedule a phone call, or send an email—just make sure your intentions are clearly stated.
- Focus on your needs, not his. Resist the urge to apologize or attend to his feelings during the conversation. Make this about you and your needs. Boldly tell him that you will not settle for being No. 2 anymore and that you want to end things.[6]
- You might say something like, "I have thought things over and decided that we should stop seeing each other. You can't give me what I need, so I need to move forward and find someone who can."
- Be firm. Your lover might attempt to dissuade you against ending the affair. He might toss out promises that he will leave his spouse and be with you. Don't fall for it. You have made your decision, so stand firm.[7]
- Show confidence in your decision by lifting up your chin and looking him straight in the eye. Don't let there be any doubt about your intentions.
- Repeat again, "It's over, Thomas" if he keeps trying to change your mind.
- Some married lovers are great at stringing women along, and you may not be his first affair. He has already shown that his words are empty, so stay strong in your decision.
- Set boundaries for the future. Before you part ways, be clear about your expectations moving forward. It's best to cut ties completely, so tell him that you do not want to see or hear from him again.[8]
- Say, "George, I'd like you to delete my phone number, email address, and home address. Don't call me or drop by my apartment. Please respect my choice."
- You can also add, "I will not answer my phone or my door."
EditGetting Some Distance - Take a trip to break up your routine. After ending the affair, take some time away for yourself. Plan a solo getaway somewhere you have been dying to visit or take a weekend trip to a nearby city with your best friends. You might also visit friends or relatives with whom you've fallen out of touch.
- Visiting a different place can help you stay grounded and positive after the decision. Plus, if you're around loved ones, you will feel care for and hopeful about the future.
- Make changes to your daily routine. Shake up your daily life by filling the holes where your married man used to be. Set some new goals, such as trying a new fitness activity or redecorating your home. Join a new club so you can connect with new people. Or, try online dating to meet someone new after your initial grieving process is over.[9]
- Switching up some aspects of your routine helps you maintain some distance from the married man. It also helps you build new memories on your own.
- Change your phone number if he won't stop contacting you. To truly cut ties, get a new phone number so he can no longer reach you. When you install your new contacts, be sure his number is not on the list. If you can't get a new number, add his to the block list so you don't get calls or texts from him.[10]
- Delete him on social media. Cut off all contact with the married man by unfollowing or unfriending him on all of your social media platforms. That way, you don't get the urge to reconnect.[11]
- This also helps you move on without punishing yourself. The whole process is hurtful enough without you having to see pics of him and his happy family on your news feed.
- Avoid seeing your ex-lover. Try your best to avoid all the places he frequents, so you don't have to run into him. If you know he spends time in a certain bar on weekends, suggest to your friends that you check out a new place for drinks. Go to a new place for lunch if you typically snuck away to a café downtown.[12]
- If you work with him, see if you can be switched to a different department or a different shift. If not, restrict contact to work-related discussions only.
- Reconnect with others. Help yourself break away from the affair by planning platonic activities with old friends. You may have disappeared or disconnected during your time with your married man, so show them you're back and wanting to reconnect.[13]
- Even if it's been a while, try reaching out with a "Hey, what are you up to this weekend? I miss you, and I'd love to hang out."
- If you have good friends who did not know about the affair, consider telling them about it so you can get some additional support.
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