Hi, I've been lurking for about a week now and I'me eager to get the show on the road! I posted on another board but no one responded! Here's the situation: In 11/2000 I moved from the US to the UK. I had an auto loan and a credit card with PFCU. I tried to sell the car before I left but it wouldn't sell. I voluntarily turned it in before I left. They never sent me any collection requests for the auto loan. I also tried to pay the credit card each month but being in another country this was very difficult because I could not get US currency checks and they wouldn't take checks in a foreign currency. I tried to resolve this with them but I just left it after it became too complicated. Just recently returned from overseas; received credit report. 4 negative items: A collection account from Southwestern Bell claiming I owe $240. Date of collection account is 4/2002. A collection account from SBC (Southwestern Bell's new name) claiming I owe $240 with a date of 8/2002. Both of these are "automated accounts". *PFCU auto loan $4200 charge off--delinquency date of 2/2003 **PFCU credit card $2200 charge off--delinquency date of 2/2003. *(the balance after PFCU sold car at auction) **the "delinquency date" on both of these accounts is listed as 2/2003 when in actuality it should be 12/2000. 1. All these accounts were opened in my maiden name and thus are listed as such with the CRAs. Should I get the CRAs to change my name on my report to my married name? Will they leave my maiden name on the report? Also, can I (legally and truthfully) have my previous address deleted? 2. The Southwestern Bell collection account is listed twice. I think I can get one of them deleted as a duplicate. Should I ask SBC to validate the debt? If they do validate but I can prove that I was out of the country and thus did not make these calls will I be in a good position to have it dismissed? 3. PFCU charge offs... not sure what to do about these. As they are just over two years old there is still almost 2 years left on the SOL (TX). Don't want to awaken a sleeping giant. Should I start by disputing with PFCU and asking for validation? I can't figure out if OCs have to "validate"? What do they have to provide me as proof? After 2+ years what would be a good settlement? None of these accounts have been assigned or sold to CAs. What is my best strategy? Can I use it to my benefit that I have been out of the country yet they have been reporting current accounts? Please help!
I would dispute these as not mine to start with, since you say it is impossible for them to be yours, maybe they will come off easily. Both of these are "automated accounts". My maiden name is still on my report, as well as my first married name from 15 years ago. I can't get rid of them...ugh You might want to do some research here. I just recently learned what "tolling" of the SOL is, and I believe being out of the country is one of them. From what I understand, the SOL clock may have not been counting while you were in the UK - but doublecheck definitely don't take my word on that! You verified this with the OC's? Some CA may be sitting on it, waiting for the right moment - like finding out you are back, to pounce on you. When you were having all the currency exchange problem on the credit cards did you happen to communicate this in writing? Finally, what report are you looking at? You say the delinquency date is 2/03, and I am not trying to insult you, but are you sure you aren't looking at the last reported date?
Yes the "date of prior delinquency" is listed as 02-2003 which is not true. I don't think I have the currency exchange thing in writing. I just remember phone calls back and forth. oops. They just kept sending my checks back. I did sent them a letter stating I was returning the car. But after two overseas moves I have lost this.I have lost all the documentation for these debts. This tolling thing doesn't sound good. While I was out of the country I did keep a current address here in the US. I'll have to look into it.
