Equifax reporting bad debts

[ecredit]

I recently signed up for a cell phone and was turned down due to something on my credit file. I was stumped! I left the booth and headed directly to equafax. I asked for a copy of my report and got it. There were two bad debts on it. I didn't even know they were there!
One states it went to third party for collection and was unable to locate: balance reported as 0 revolving R9. past due R5, past due R4.
I asked why I was never notified about the debt and really was unable to remember it. It says a year ago. It was with a dept. store financed by wells fargo, I recently found out wells fargo cancelled business with that particular store or vice versa. No one got in touch with me! Is there anything I can do to have this removed from my report? Equafax says it will remain for 6 years and it is illegal for them to remove it!
Number two is another dept. store which I made a purchase from in Feb. 2009 and they claim I made it in July 2008. it was for a mere $49 bucks and as soon as I found out it was outstanding I immediately went to the store and paid them. What can I do to have these removed? I have so much good credit that this is affecting everything, even my ability to gain employment!
I can't belive it!

[Trish]

Hi ecredit. Welcome

This will probably help answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
Basic Step by Step Beginner's Guide to Credit Repair
Let us know if you have any more questions.

[ecredit]

Trish, thank you. I think I have found somewhere to begin.