I am in the process of getting my first mortgage, After a long haul of building my credit, I have ran my credit often and knew that an old phone bill debt was due to come off my credit in 2006, Which it did. It had not appeared at all past three checks,
I got a letter in the mail recently that a new agency has bought this debt and I have thirty days to respond, My question is since the orignal debt was removed from my credit can it re-appear under a new name? I Do not want to make a payment if it is going to hurt me,
Day before receiving this letter it was not on my credit ,
Please help I need a mortgae and have nothing in collections and do not want this

I am in the process of getting my first mortgage, After a long haul of building my credit, I have ran my credit often and knew that an old phone bill debt was due to come off my credit in 2006, Which it did. It had not appeared at all past three checks,
I got a letter in the mail recently that a new agency has bought this debt and i have thirty days to respond, My question is since the orignal debt was removed from my credit can it re-appear under a new name? I Do not want to make a payment if it is going to hurt me,
Day before recieving this letter it was not on my credit ,
please help i need a mortgae and have nothing in collections and do not want this

This is a dirty game that creditors play. Once one company sees that your credit is about to clear up they sell it to a nother company for little of nothing. The new company buys thousands of these hoping to find people in your situation that need good credit to make a major purchase. The sad thing is that no laws are made to protect us from this. The only way to clear yourself is to pay the bill or wait until the time passes.

If the debt is valid, then new activity may reinstate it.

Apparently the new collection agency can put this back on your credit report, this is what Scott was saying. If it's not on your credit right now then apply for the mortgage, the site says the standard is after 180 days this will show as an unpaid debt, you should be moved in by then!

Debt Collections Crash Course - Debt Collection Basics - Credit.com (http://www.credit.com/products/debt/Collections-Crash-Course.jsp)

I am not sure if I am correct, however, a debt is a debt until it is paid. I too am trying to clean up my credit to become a first time home buyer. You need to find a Financial Institution (Bank) that is going to work with you. I know for a fact my daughter high debt is off her report however, they are still hunting her down for payment. My suggestion to you is - you have come to far to end it now - pay the bill if you can and that why you will not have the skeleton in your closet. I know easier said then done, however, I know how you feel and I have a few skeletons in my closet but I am dealing with them head on and winning.