Can anybody help with a credit report question? (vanity)

Sept 11, 2003 | Me

[geaux]

Here's the situation. I ran a routine credit check on myself a couple of weeks ago and found that my old cell phone company had reported my account as a charge off or delinquent. The account number in the credit report did not match any account number on any old bills I had, and, as far as I knew, I had paid every single bill ever presented to me. I called the company, but did not get any help. They told me that they had made several failed attempts to contact me, and then turned the matter over to a collection agency who was also unable to locate me. I do not understand how this can be, as I regularly received bills at my address until I closed the account and paid them. How is it that they can find me to send bills between the years 1996 - 2002, but not find me after I close my account when they are about to report a delinquent item on my credit report? They had no explanation as to why the account number on the bills I had were different from the account number on the credit report.

So, I disputed the credit report; mailed (certified, return receipt requested) copies to all of the credit agencies and sent a copy to the company. I got a letter confirming the debt from someone in executive relations. I called her today and told her that I did not even know if the alleged debt was mine; it didn't match the account number in all of my bills. Further, if the debt was mine, how is it that they could send bills to me for so many years, but fail to notify me before destroying my credit history. She could confirm that there is a debt all day long, but how am I supposed to (a) know it's even mine when my records indicate otherwise and (b) pay something I don't even know about? The only way I discovered it was through my own efforts during a routine credit check. They knew where I lived when I had an account with them, but for some reason, think I disappeared when I closed the account. I told her I would pay it if the debt is mine, but I want them to notify the credit bureaus that it was their mistake that caused the delinquency, not anything I did. She told me that she cannot do that, and that my credit report will only reflect that I did pay the debt, just really late and after a collection agency wrote me off.

So that's my question. Can a company destroy my credit history when it's their fault that I was not made aware of a debt? They had my current address, but insisted on trying to contact me at my parents' house, where I have not lived for about fifteen years. Who can I talk to to get this corrected? Can I have this item removed from my credit report once I pay it off? I'm not satisfied that the debt is mine, but it's not worth the measly sum to have my credit history ruined; I'd just as soon pay it. Do I need file a claim with some sort of government agency or court? Should I name both the cell phone company and the collection agency? Do I need to get a lawyer and, if so, what kind? I disputed the item, the company told me to stuff it; is that as far as it goes? It just does not seem right that, through absolutely no fault of mine, a company can cause my credit rating to go from nearly perfect to the bottom 30% Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[MissInfraRed]

Thanks for the link. I will definitely check it out.

[paul51]

If the amount is insignificant, pay it.
Add a statement to your credit file explaining that the debt was not yours (wrong account number) but the company refused to relent so you paid just to get it cleared on your report.
Some cell companies (verizon) are so notorious for this sort of thing that most people concerned about your report won't give it a second thought if paid and explained.

[geaux]

Interesting. Verizon is the culprit.

[paul51]

Had a pager with verizon service years ago. One day out of the blue, I got a collection letter from an agency re the account and an amt due. I closed the account years earlier and there was even a credit balance that they never did refund to me. Anyhow, I called the collection people and offered to fax a copy of the final statement with a credit balance and they said not to bother. They told me 'that sort of thing happens all the time' with verizon.