Hard Question for an expert (Credit Rpt)
I bought a car in 1995 with a girlfriend. I was stupid
And young. We broke up in DEC 1996. She kept the car and it got
Repoed and it was put on my credit as a charge off(1997). In 1998 it fell
Off my credit. I am sure of times because I checked my credit report
Every six months since 1997. I had no clue why it wasn't there. There
Wasn't even a record of the finaince company at all on my report!! I
Figured she paid the account. I just found out 2 days ago that the
Finiance company went bankrupt. Someone else bought the account and is
Trying to collect it from me. $12,000. Can they report this to the credit
Bureaus? If they do (its not on there now, just checked) will it be
There another 7 years, like it should have the first time? Does the time
That it was there get subtracted from the 7 years. Its been about
Seven years since they reported the first time, but it was not there after
A year. Does this mean they can't report it again?
Also I now hold a sensitive gov't job and this can hurt my security
Clearance if it shows up on my report.
As of this moment my credit is very good.
Any advice is appreciated.
Re: Hard Question for an expert (Credit Rpt)
Sounds like your statute of limitations may have expired.
There are two debt clocks:
Credit Report
And
Debt Owed
Credit Report started 6 months after the last day you were past due. The clock is seven years. They may try to re-age the account by listing a new date, which is illegal - and grounds for suit and deletion! Tell me what the report says.
Debt Owed started the last day you fail to pay. That clock depends on your state and contract type - 2 to 8 years. Where are you? I suspect it is expired.
The good news: Payments of repossession of collateral do NOT reset either debt clock, regardless of what they will tell you!
If your Debt Owed clock has expired, yet to be determined, you need to send them a cease and desist collection demand stating that the statute of limiations has expired, you will not pay, and that suits will be easily dismissed 'by your attrorney.'
Remind them that it was either fraud or negligence to demand payment on an expired debt, and give them the date you last missed a payment AND when the clock expired.
Need details? Buzz me.
Jon
[email protected]
The preceding is not legal advice, is not from a licensed debt counselor, and is not provided to persons from states which providing such information requires a license.
Re: Hard Question for an expert (Credit Rpt)
The collection is not on my report at all as of right now. I received a letter of someone trying to collect the debt about 2 months ago. Haven't heard of anything since.
My state of residence is Indiana.
BTW, Thank you for your help. Very informative.
Re: Hard Question for an expert (Credit Rpt)
Ask them in if:
1) They are the assignee (owner) or collection agent
2) Tell them to verify (prove) the debt is owed.
I am thinking if it is old enough to be off your report, it's expired. Most of them add it immediately if they can report it.
Indiana appears to be:
STATE: INDIANA
INTEREST RATE
Legal: 8%
Judgment: 8%
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS)
Open Acct.: 6
Written Contract for payment of money
(executed before 9/l/82): 10
(executed after 8/31/82): 6
Written Contract (other than payment of money): 10
Written Contract for sale of goods: 4
Domestic Judgment:
10 on real estate
20 against the person
Foreign Judgment: 10
BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY)
Triple check amount up to $500 over check amount, + attorney fees & interest up to 18% per annum or triple check amount + attorney fees and interest at 8% per annum.
GENERAL WAGE GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS
75% of disposable earnings for work week or the amount of 30 x fed. min. hourly wage, whichever is greater.
COLLECTION AGENCY BOND & LICENSE
Bond: $5000 each office
License: Yes
Fee:
$100 plus $5 per annum, each unlicenced employee
$30 branch office
$80 - Renewal
Exemption for out-of-state collectors: Out-of-state collectors are exempt from licensing if [1] collecting for a non-resident creditor; and [2] collection activities limited to interstate communications (phone, fax, mail).
Suggest it would be 6 years, unless you have a contract that is NOT based on lending money. Sounds like if the last payment was made 6 years ago + 30 days, it's all over - you should send a cease & desist/Statute Expired letter if they validate the debt. Mark all correspondence NOT AN ADMISSION OF INDEBTEDNESS OR OFFER TO PAY... They will try to stretch the law to say your reply means you want to pay, and therefore is owed again.
Sorry for prior buzzkills on your replies to other's questions. No hard feelings on your part, I hope.
Jon
[email protected]
The preceding is not legal advice, is not from a licensed debt counselor, and is not provided to persons from states which providing such information requires a license.