California --
I'm in the process of looking to buy a house and checked my credit score. I became shocked when I saw the score was 690 and 705 as I usually have over 780. Well I see theres a public record on my file and apparently someone sued me over $300 but I didn't even know about the case. The case apparently was almost 2 years ago. I think the plaintiff must have served me via certified mail to my old PO box (UPS store) of which I had stopped using long ago.
What are the best ways to get the public record off? I understand that if I just pay the $300 it will not be removed but just be listed as "satisfied" and will not really help the credit score much, in fact it may hurt it as it will be updated to today's date!!!.... yikes!
From what I'm reading online, I can file a notice of motion to vacate default judgement based on the fact that I was unaware of the small claims case and we'll have a new trial. I can request a continuous and go into mediation or try to talk to the plaintiff and pay her to drop the suit, then I can forward the case dismissal to the credit bureau to remove the public record judgement?
Is that the best course of action? Please let me know what you would do!
Also, how do I prove that I was not served. I don't even know how the plaintiff served me, maybe it was a lie...
I'm in the process of looking to buy a house and checked my credit score. I became shocked when I saw the score was 690 and 705 as I usually have over 780. Well I see theres a public record on my file and apparently someone sued me over $300 but I didn't even know about the case. The case apparently was almost 2 years ago. I think the plaintiff must have served me via certified mail to my old PO box (UPS store) of which I had stopped using long ago.
What are the best ways to get the public record off? I understand that if I just pay the $300 it will not be removed but just be listed as "satisfied" and will not really help the credit score much, in fact it may hurt it as it will be updated to today's date!!!.... yikes!
From what I'm reading online, I can file a notice of motion to vacate default judgement based on the fact that I was unaware of the small claims case and we'll have a new trial. I can request a continuous and go into mediation or try to talk to the plaintiff and pay her to drop the suit, then I can forward the case dismissal to the credit bureau to remove the public record judgement?
Is that the best course of action? Please let me know what you would do!
Also, how do I prove that I was not served. I don't even know how the plaintiff served me, maybe it was a lie...