poor credit scores and bad credit?

Question

I have a 3 part question. I am trying to buy a house and move to another state. I ran my credit and found some things that I am not sure about.
1st- a couple of collection agency accounts that are several years old (2-3 years). Is a paid CA account really any better than a non paid CA ? Also, if I pay them do this re-age the 7 yr. clock.
2nd. One debt I don't even think it is mine, so I called the CA and asked him to verify the debt. He was very rude and said it was up to me to prove that it isn't mine, and that he could only send me a bill from them for the debt. I want to see any info. from the orginal debt collector (dish network) which he said he doesn't have and can't provide.
3rd and final. That same debt from above has been turned over to 2 different CA's. One under dish network and 1 under "echostar". Is this legal? I am thinking I should send each of them a verification of debt demand letter.
Thanks so much for any and all help!!
Hutch

I know turning me into a CA is legal, but can 1 bill be turned into 2 different CA's at the same time, same debt?
Thanks

Answer 1

1. Yes, a paid debt is better than a non-paid debt. I don't believe it will re-age the debt if you pay it. It should simply change it's status from unpaid to paid.

Before paying any debts to collectors, make sure you negotiate terms with them in advance to sending them a single cent. Get it in writing. Make sure that when you pay them what you agree to, the debt is to be considered PAID IN FULL. Also make sure you get in writing that they will mark it as paid on your credit report.

2. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the collection agency is required to send you proof that the debt is legitimate. If they are unable to do so, you should demand they remove that item from your credit report. Again, do this in writing with a Certified Letter and Return Receipt. Also, you should actively dispute this debt with each of the credit bureaus. On your credit reports it should say how. Tell them the CA is wrong and this isn't your debt.

3. Yes, send them both a letter stating each one claims the same debt. Tell them to prove they own the debt and that it is legimate. Also tell them that if they can't, they have to remove this from your credit report. Also, dispute them with the credit bureaus. They can't both be right.

Phone calls are fine, but make sure you start a paper trail too, complete with Certified mailing receipts and logs of phone calls you had.

You've got some hard work ahead of you. Good luck.

Answer 2

No collection looks good, but yes, a paid one looks better than a non paid one. Sorry, I dont know about the 7 yr clock reset.

It is your responsibilty to take care of accounts on your report that are not yours. It is easy to do. Just get a credit report (I recommend creditexpert.com for $10 a month you can order as many credit reports as you want and they investigate claims like yours)

You can demand a letter and them turning it in to a collection agency is legal. They only know what their records show. It could be someone with a similar name, etc. I really just recommend getting a credit profile on line. It solved alot of my problems and answered my questions. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes a paid CA is better then a non paid CA but make sure once the payment goes through you tell them to clean up your credit...a lot of them will take your money and forget to clean up ur credit score....

Call the company that sold the debt to a CA and tell them you want verfication that the debt is yours...

Yes it is legal for your debt to be sold...

Answer 4

if you use a membership like this one you'll find it a lot better to answer your questions
there is a credit repair kit
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http://www.wesayes.com