If It Wasn’t In Writing…

Thanks for providing such a great source of information for those of us trying to raise our credit score.  It’s been a great help to me!

Like many others, I’m also having a problem with OriginalCreditor. I have a OriginalCreditor account that was paid three years ago through a collection agency.  However, it is listed on my credit reports as an unpaid collection/chargeoff with a past due balance of $1,500. The collection agency received their money and isn’t interested in doing anything to help me.  I’ve also called OriginalCreditor and have sent them letters by email and fax with no response.

The disputes I’ve sent to the credit reporting agencies are responded to with their typical, “we’ve already investigated this matter…” letter.

What would you suggest as my next course of action? I’ve tried just about everything I can think of.

Susan

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Hi Susan,

As a general rule, if it wasn’t in writing or otherwise documented somehow, then it didn’t happen.  Hopefully, you paid by check and have the check.  Your bank can reproduce the check if applicable. 

Regardless of your documentation or lack thereof, you know the truth and you are free to file a complaint with the collection agency’s regulatory authority [i.e. State A.G., State Collection Agency Licensing Board, and/or the FTC].  Perhaps if the collection agency knew you were at your wits’ end with this, then they would contact the original creditor and right their wrong.

This is yet another case of why I don’t trust collection agencies.

Thanks for the questions and hope this helps.

Paul

This author is not an attorney and this information should not be considered legal advice.  Please consult an attorney for legal advice.