I have read alot about trying to keep accounts from going to charge-off (or being sold to third partys if thats the same) in order to get better settlements. However, it seems to me that if a creditor "sells" the debt to a third party, then they can claim a loss, but CANNOT send you a 1099 since they haven't relieved you of the debt. The third party CANNOT send you a 1099 since they didn't really incur this debt (account). Does this make sense and/or is it true. If so, it seems that it may be better to settle with a third party than with CA even at a slightly higher %...