out-charged debt

The steps you should do after getting calls from a collection are: -

1. Ask them for which debt they are calling for.

2. Check whether the concerned debt has passed it's statute of limitation. If it has then send a cease and desist letter to the collection agency and ask the credit bureau to remove the wrong listing of the debt from your credit report.

3. If the debt hasn't passed its SOL then get name of the original creditor. Contact them directly and inquire about the same. If the debt is genuine and you want to settle it then it is better to settle it with the original creditor.

4. If the original creditor declines to settle with you then send a debt verification letter to the collection agency.

5. If they verify the debt correctly and you're satisfied by the verification then you can settle that debt with them by negotiation.

In case, they fail to verify the debt, then send a cease and desist letter to stop harassing you.

6. Dispute the false marking on your credit card with the credit bureaus.

thank you! That is extremely useful and detailed information.

I believe the statute of limitations is up. The debt was incurred in April 2004 in CA and the SOL is four years for written contracts in CA. I will be sending the Cease and Desist promptly:)

thanks again!