After 7 years, is a bill charged off and what is the best way to clear my credit report?

Question

I have harassing bill collectors trying to collect on 2 accounts (credit cards). One is 10 years old. The other is 15 years old and already paid yet showing on my credit report as unpaid!

Answer 1

you have what is called zombie debt
write a certified return receipt letter like the following

Month Day, 2007


Dear _____________________:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on Month Day, 2007
. Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.

This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:
• What the money you say I owe is for;
• Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
• Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
• Please evidence proof of the alleged debt, including specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature.
• Prove the Statute of Limitations/UCC has not expired on this account
• Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state.
• Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:
• Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Defamation of Character

If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist.

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.

I would also like to request, in writing, that your offices make no telephone contact to me at my residence or my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records; any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.


Reguards,

Answer 2

They cannot collect on accounts over seven years old and don't let them fool you into thinking other wise. What you need to do is get a copy of your credit reports from all three agencys and file a letter of dispute on the one that is paid (send proof of payment if you still have it) and file a letter of dispute on the one they are trying to collect that is over the time limit to collect. Make sure you send a letter to all three agencys so they can all make the change at the same time. It will take about 30 days for them to make the change. Give them the time to do this then request another credit report and see if the changes have been made.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

It should, once the credit reporting agencies get the information. However, the fact that the accounts have been reported delinquent will still remain as a factor in your credit report. This info eventually "fades away," as older information is dropped off. Your score is derived by factoring a lot if things, such as how much you earn, how much you owe, late payments reported, delinquent payments, defaulted payments, bankruptcies, debt to income ratios and many more, including how many credit checks have been run.

Answer 4

after that long, it shouldnt even be on your credit report anyways. but since it is, you should call the credit bureau and let them know that the debt is paid and what do you need to do to get the debt off your credit report.

Answer 5

there are 3 major credit companys you need to request a copy of your credit report then see request a statement from the collectors to see what you owe and where it came from....Sounds like idenity theft to me you need to be very careful

Answer 6

you need to prove they have been paid before they will leave you alone. Someone obviously screwed up!