Collection on a utility bill and validation letters
Date: Thu, 06/29/2006 - 06:55
My boyfriend has an unpaid utility bill from 2000 in WA State (I know the SOL has expired, but it's not tooo much and he'd prefer to pay it rather than have it on his record for years to come).
So, back to the situation, he told the collection company that called him (only after pulling his report after 6 years of no contact from them) that I would be his contact regarding this matter. So I call them back to request a validation letter. I asked if it could have the dates that the debt was incurred and they told me all they could do was show the amount due.
Is this right? Shouldn't a validation letter have more info? I know it's just a utility bill - so there is no interest and such - but I want more details. Is this something I'll have to go to the Utility company on even if the CA bought it from them?
If I can fight this I will - it might only be $140, but we're working on paying off credit cards and $140 will go a long way there. However, we do want it off his record because it's the last negative bit of information.
Any advice would be great!
from 2000?? it will be non reportable on his credit report next
from 2000?? it will be non reportable on his credit report next year. Though paying it is the honorable thing to do.I commed him on his integrity in th matter. Maybe he can make a "settlement offer" (though it really inst a settlement, more of a negotiation for favorable terms) that in exchange for paying this bill all negative reports be removed from his Credit report?
If its past the sol and a collection agency has it, DONT PAY IT
If its past the sol and a collection agency has it, DONT PAY IT. If you can pay the utility company directly then go ahead and pay it. Dont give the collection agency a dime ( unless it accually doesnt come off your report)
They DO have the dates of the accounts, they are lying to you. They probably know that they are trying to collect a debt that they are not allowed to collect if its past sol.
This is a rare instance of if you know its a valid debt, and yo
This is a rare instance of if you know its a valid debt, and you really aren't disputing its validity, you want to pay it and they haven't padded it up with excess fees and interest, you may want to just pay it and be done with it. This is probably one fight that just isn't worth it.
I highly recommend however you try to negotiate for favorable terms(as I said before payment in full if they agree, IN WRITING to remove any negative credit reports (yes they CAN do this). The creditor who made a report is the only one who can delete negative information off a credit report.
It isn't that we want to fight it if it's valid - I just want al
It isn't that we want to fight it if it's valid - I just want all details. Since this is the first time we've heard about it (my boyfriend moved away and I suppose he didn't leave a forwarding address so he never got bills... his mistake) we want to make sure it hasn't been padded. I really just wanted to see if they were pulling my leg with not being able to validate dates and such.
Thank you for all of your help!
Ehwin, you might get the details from the utility company if the
Ehwin, you might get the details from the utility company if the debt is not sold. Work out arrangements with them directly. Don't deal with the collection agency if the debt is sold to them. They must validate with complete information first. This is to prevent any negative information put by the collection agency for the time to come. Negative information stay in the credit report for 7 years. Positive information doesn't have any timeframe. They can be reported beyond 7 years. If you pay to the collection agency, they will hit your file and tarnish your credit. Guess, you don't want to hurt your credit in the coming years.
Clay, any suggestions here!! :) I will like to hear your viewpoint.
Well - the debt has been sold to the CA (or so they say when I t
Well - the debt has been sold to the CA (or so they say when I talked to them). So should I just not work with them if they can't send me the information I request and let SOL take it's course since we're looking onto the 7th year after the bill was unpaid?
Is that what you meant? Just trying to clear it up :)
YAY! You can do that way. Make payment only if the collector giv
YAY! You can do that way. Make payment only if the collector gives the complete details or else stay away from them. The account will be removed from your credit report by next year.