I got a letter today from Audit Systems Inc, about a VERY old (4-5 years) Sprint bill ($650.00). It's the usual language offering me a 50% payoff deal, but they also say "protect your credit rating" by making prompt payment. A veiled threat... This is not currently reported on my CR -- I have only 1 negative -- a settled MBNA account. Does anyone have any experience w/these people? Can they report this Sprint bill after so long? Advice on how to handle this? Pay them after they validate? Ignore them? Thanks all--
Hi Susanna, We need to know how old this is and what state you're in. Depending upon what state you're in it may be uncollectable, but it does appear within the 7 year reporting limit. So Yes, they could report it. I'd fax them a val. demand first thing in the morning and then follow up with snail mail, via CRRR.
Hi Butch, I'm in Colorado -- I think the statute of limitations on debt collecting is 3 years and this bill is at least 4 years old. The bill isn't valid -- I argued w/Sprint that my son's calling plan had been changed to reflect more hours included in his plan. They made a clerical error by not changing it and would not credit the account. The total bill should have been $29.95 instead of $650.00. My concern is that if I validate they will come up with this bill, then what? Thanks for your help. Susanna
Susanna, You need to fire off an immediate val demand. This should prevent them from posting to your CR's. Do you have any paper work for this change? I'd fax it today and follow up with CRRR confirm. Time is important.
Thanks, Butch. I called Sprint and asked for the plan change and I was hoping, after I got the big bill, that my call would be in their database, but of course, they have no record of it. I believe their standard procedure is to send a written confirmation. Had I been diligent, I would have been looking for the follow-up paperwork confirming the change. But, with an active household and 3 kids, it slipped past me. That was a learning experience and a mistake that I won't soon repeat. Anyway, I don't want this yahoo CA reporting this to the CRAs. My husband and I are trying to clean up our CRs for a refi after his 18 mos. of unemployment and "mid-range" FICOs (660 and 690). I only have 1 negative -- a settled MBNA -- and I don't need another. I'll send a validation letter by fax and mail. Thanks for all the great advice. Susanna
Butch, I just looked in my files and this is the 3rd CA to contact me about Sprint. Last year I sent a validation ltr to Diversified Adjustment Service and never heard from them again. I assume they sold this to Audit Systems -- when do these guys give up?