Credit Issues

Date: Mon, 12/28/2009 - 09:19

Submitted by anonymous
on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 09:19

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 2

I am having an issue. Back in 2004, i applied for an apartment in Jacksonville, Al. I traveled up and completed an application and paid the app fee of 20.00. I received a phone call from them stating I had qualified to get the apartment. I told them that I was no longer interested in moving and she said ok. Within a year, I received my free credit report and saw the debt. Originally 4,000plus and now its 2400 they are willing to accept. I never lived there or signed a lease. I disputed this debt and it can back legitimate. Do i need to just pay for a personal lawyer or what? I have not been in contact with this collection agency in a long time. They never mailed me letters or anything. I do not know if i have any rights since the dispute can back legitimate. What steps should be taken now since its almost 2010. I want to make this right because it is ruining my credit. HELP ME PLEASE!!!

i would first call the origional person that you spoke with if p

i would first call the origional person that you spoke with if possible or atleast the same office if possible were you filled out the application and see what they have to say. it may be some type of mix up or something and maybe you can get it removed. if not im not real sure were you would go from there you really cant fix the credit rate scince the damage has already been done unless it is removed completely. by posting here it will bump the thread up and hopefully someone else can tell you which other steps to take. you may wish to contact a attorney if possible alot of them have free consultations, the laws are so tricky now when it comes to this kind of stuff it may be in your best interest if possible find out what your rights are and if you will be required to pay the debt which i dont see why or how you would be required to pay for something if you never signed a lease but like i said im not sure maybe someone else can tell you were to go after you try the contacting the origional creditor or debtor

lrhall41

Submitted by love_my_things on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 12:53

( Posts: 1434 | Credits: )

Filling out an application and paying their application fee does

Filling out an application and paying their application fee does not constitute a lease/rental agreement. If you never actually signed a lease, then there's no way they can hold you to an agreement you never executed.

Before you get an attorney involved....

1) Write a letter to the property manager who took your application (and/or whoever is actually reporting the debt). Explain that you never signed a lease, and they are incorrectly reporting a debt that you in fact do not owe. Give them 30 days to respond. Send your letter certified, return receipt requested.

2) If you don't receive a response, or if they respond negatively, send a more threatening letter stating that you will seek to enforce your rights and the Fair Credit Reporting Act by filing suit against them in a US District Court. They will be subject to theirs and your attorney fees if you win.

3) Ultimately if they still refuse, you can get an attorney and sue them. It is, after all, a violation of the FCRA to report inacurate information (which includes reporting a debt that they know doesn't exist).

lrhall41

Submitted by DebtCruncher on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 17:25

( Posts: 2293 | Credits: )