I have a collection on my credit report from an apartment I lived in a few years ago. Apparently the office never put my new address in my file after I gave it to them so I never received the final bill from them. My roommate got a bill for $90 and told me she would pay it so I just forgot all about it after that. Years later I find out that she never paid it and it was sent to National Credit Systems. I've never heard anything from them regarding the debt and I've gotten a few other apartments since then with no problem. I just applied for an apartment though and they told me they can't approve me until I can provide proof that I paid it off. I want to pay it so I can get the apartment but I'd also like to have them remove it from my credit report. I've heard that you can offer to pay them if they delete it. Can I just call them and ask them to do that? Would they be able to fax me something agreeing to remove it if I pay them? I know that I need to get something in writing for that because they will just tell you anything on the phone. I just need this done ASAP and I'm hoping that they would work with me on removing it since it's been 4 years and I'm sure they don't even think that they have any chance of collecting it by now. What's the best way to do this?
Sounds like you already know what to do.....the problem is you need it done fast. Unfortunately these kind of issues are usually never fast. Not sure of your situation but I would probably consider an extra month on your current lease to use the 30 days to repair this problem. First I would dispute the debt to the CRA as "Not Mine". If no result then PFD. Then validation. There is no way I would pay and allow this to sit on my credit report. As you said, something this old and for this small amount is probably not worth their time or trouble to collect. Good Luck on the Pay-For-Delete Yes....they should be able to fax the agreement. If they say they can't, but they want you to pay now, definitely don't believe them. You must live where there is a tight apartment market. I would laugh at any complex that denied me because of an old $90 mistake.
I live in Tampa and the apartment market is horrible here now. Every place has waiting lists and they can be as picky as they want with renters. I wouldn't even be moving in until the beginning of September but I have to get a place held for me now. I need it done ASAP because I already gave a deposit and I'm not sure how long she will hold the place for me while I try to take care of this. I think I may need to pay to get the apartment because the reason I was denied is that I owe money to another apartment complex. She won't approve me until I can prove that I paid them what I owe. What exactly should I say to them to get them to agree to let me pay for deletion? I've never had to speak with a collection agency before.
First you need to find out if your deposit is refundable and EXACTLY how long you have to take care of this problem. They have your deposit, you can use that to negotiate. Once you know exactly where you stand you can make a plan of action. If they say one week and the issue is not about the collection but more about paying the $90 you can give the PFD a shot. I don't think you will have much luck considering it is only $90. I would make sure to make no admission of ownership of the debt. Only that you are paying out of necessity. Pay it off and then continously dispute as "Not Mine" and hope they are lazy. If you can negotiate 30 days, then the previous post will be a starting plan. As a sidenote....you may check out some sublease options on Craigslist and other sites. You can get into some great places from people that are relocating, buying etc. And then sign a new lease when the other expires.
how old is the collection? did you try contacting your old apartment complex? i also agree not to just pay the coll agency outright, it could end up sitting on your credit report for 7 more years. maybe you could work it out with your old complex and bypass the collection agency. it might be worth a shot. also working up a pay for deletion with no admission that the debt is yours might work. also since you have a timeline bbb and atty general might have some effect. it's amazing some bs amount like $90 would get you into so much trouble. i had a $15 bank neg on my credit report and it took me 3 years to have it removed. i had to send them 5 iITS letters before it finally came off! good luck
The manager said it was declined only because I owe another apartment complex money, not because I have a collection. She said if I paid it then she would approve my application. I moved out of the place May 2002 and it was put on my credit report October 2002. I haven't tried contacting the apartment complex yet but I'll do that tomorrow. I won't agree to pay the CA unless they agree to delete it from my credit report. Any ideas on what exactly to say to the CA if I have to call them? Should I just say that I've never heard of the place (since it shows on my credit report under a different name from what it was when I lived there)? Or just offer to give them money if they will delete it?
I had the same problem. Happen to me in Clearwater. Call the old apartment complex. They will happily accept the payment. They will fax the receipt to new apartment. And give you a receipt as paid. That's all the new apartment complex wants. It's an apartment company conspiracy. Next, dispute the debt with Credit Reporting Agency as not mine. Which will be true because you don't own the Collection Agency anything. Also, make the Collection Agency validate. If they lie then you would have them on a violation.
