Dear TAK,Not only is it legal, it is exactly what should happen to accurately show the history of the debt.
Your credit report represents a history of your credit accounts. That history begins with the original account and its payment history. If it is sent to collections, the account continues with the agency or agencies that then own the account.
Each entry, beginning with the original account will show a status for that entry. The original account will show that it became late, eventually was charged off as a loss and then was sold or sent to collections. The status of the account entry will change through its life on your credit report.
It will begin as current, never late. Eventually, that status typically will go through 30, 60, 90 and 120 days late, and then will change to charged off and sold to collections. “Charged off” and “sold to collections” are both considered a final status. A final status shows that the account is no longer active, but it appears on the credit report as part of the complete history of the debt.
A new collection account will then be added to your credit history. It will show that the debt was bought or transferred from the original account holder. Its status will show that it is now the active account for the debt. If the debt is sold again to another collection agency, the status of the first collection account will be changed to show that it was sold or transferred. Again, that final status shows that the first collection account is no longer active, but it will continue to appear as part of the account’s history. (emphasis mine)
All of the accounts – the original account and any subsequent collection accounts – will be deleted at the same time, which is seven years from the original delinquency date. That date is the first time the original account was reported as late, and after which is was never again current.
Thanks for asking.
http://www.experian.com/ask_max/max100307b.html
Starting Score: 469
Thanks for clarifying that for me Fused.