Hello Everyone, I pulled a 3 & !, and I have an unpaid Bell Atlantic Account ($1700), date opened 04/99, status date 03/00. I am sure they use a CA for collecting. Since I am a newbie, how do I approach getting this removed? Do I get the CA, then send debt validation? Or do I dispute date opened or balance amount with the CRA's? Great info on here, I am really learning alot... UNLV34
A "3 &!" is that a three in one credit report? Was the account for wireless cell phone service? In general I would validate with the Original Creditor (OC) first. Find out if they still own the debt.
I had an account with Bell Atlantic in 1995 that they charged somekind of late or disconnect fee that I didnt know about and it went to collections. They used an agency called Collectech for me. I delat with Bell Atlantic directly and sent them a restrictivly endorsed check for the entire amount. Got the receipt, then a month later sent on the info & dispute to the CRA's poof- gone! Mind you this was an amount of $120 or so it wasnt a big deal to send it in full to get it off my reports.
I would be careful in what you do with this account.They may decide to sue you for the balance & the SOL (statute of Limitations)is not up yet. You should be prepared for this just in case they do validate the account. I would do this: 1)if this has gone to a CA, then send off a validation to the CA. 2)if they don't validate,GREAT!! but if they do,then you may consider these options. -make an offer to pay a certain amount for deletion of the the tradeline on your CR (if you have the $$) -if you don't have the money,offer to make payments with full deletion after it is paid off, the Ca will want a large down payment. 3)if they did not validate, send off the second letter in the validation process. (make sure to keep your records) 4)if they don't respond to either validation letter, dispute on your CR's as not mine , if it comes back verified, then send the CRA's copies of your attempts to validate & request full deletion. Everyone ,Correct me if I am wrong in any of this.There are a lot of helpful people who know a lot more than me so be patient , one will come along to help out......
Hi Lynn112, That is great advice. I will get the name of the CA and send out a validation debt letter this week. This accoount was for home service. I will keep you posted on the developments...
Hi Erik, This Bell Atlantic account was for home phone service. I know it went to collections years ago, but I have to find out the name of the CA and addy they use. I pulled a 3 & 1 credit report, and found it on there... I will keep you posted.
Hey Lynn, Here is an update with Bell Atlantic: I called Bell Atlantic (now Verizon). Spoke with a CSR in accounts, she pulled the old acct, she said the balance was $1725.00, acct closed on 03/22/99. She also preceded to tell me about 3 additional outstanding accts, one for $1700, acct closed on 07/15/98; $2400 acct closed on 09/12/00; and $1985.00 acct closed on 06/20/00. The only one that is currently showing on my CR is the one for $1725.00 (EQ, TU). My Question is, do I send them a val debt letter and open a can of worms with the other "outstanding" debts listed in their system? Do I offer settlement with them (however, the CSR told me that Verizon does not accept settlement on past accts) ? These acct were for home service, not a mobile acct. ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS GREATLY APPREICATED!!!!! Thanks in Advance, UNLV34 (still a newbie but is learning from the best on here)
Lynn, Here is the SOL for MD (my state)... STATE: MARYLAND INTEREST RATE Legal: 6% Judgment: 10% or contractual STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS (IN YEARS) Open Acct.: 3 UCC: 4 Specialty: 12 (contract under seal) Written Contract: 3 Domestic Judgment: 12 Foreign Judgment: 12 BAD CHECK LAWS (CIVIL PENALTY) After 30 day written notice, amount due, $25 fee, twice check amount up to $1000. (At the discretion of the court.) Applies to COD sales only. GENERAL GARNISHMENT EXEMPTIONS Greater of 75% or amount = to $145 x no. of wks. in which wages due were earned; except in Caroline, Worchester, Kent & Queen Anne's Counties, see federal law. Exemption is up to $3,000 in cash and/or property for non-wage property exemption. COLLECTION AGENCY BOND & LICENSE Bond: $5000 License: Yes Fee: $200 each office I hope all info that was provided would be helpful in a positive resolution "In the trenches with you" ... UNLV34
are all those accts really yours? I thought I was bad, LOL,, how did you cont,, keep getting a new line while having the accts closed? but anyway,, I pray you didnt open a can of worms by calling them,, I have never been able to have anyone tell me, including lawyers, what is a landline phone bill, as far as SOL,written ( no I just picked the phone up gave SSnr, and got the number) or open? or Oral agreement? but in your case Maryland only has 3yrs for written and open,, so if they sued you the 1998 and 1999 are out of SOL,, but those 2000 scare me,, lay low,, I can only see you settling on those 2000s, but if you attempt to do anything with the one on your report,,, they are gonna want all,, OH PS,, the entry on your reports,, its not a CA right? is it Bell itself,,,, what type of acct does it say? installment,,,,,,, all CA entries regardless of OC type are on reports as installment,,,, what does your bell say? thanks,,,,
Hey Lilgong, To answer your questions, YES they were my accounts, I moved a couple of times and had 1 teen at home with his own line to make things more complicated. So, as a result, I have 4 outstanding bills... I will take your advice and agree with you. I am in the "Credit Dog House" with this until atleast 09/30/03... The funny thing is the CSR told me Bell doesn't accept settlements on past accts. Maybe I should send a letter to a Supervisor or someone higher. It is reported on EQ and TU as "Installment Loan" and this is from Bell itself (Actually, they are Verizon now). Any other advice? UNLV34
I have an outstanding with SNET, and I will tell you, They do not negotiate, I repeat they said the will not negotiate. "WE WANT ALL OUR MONEY" I then proceed to think why must our SOL be 6 years
