@gettingthere2013 wrote:
I received a letter from Portfolio Recovery about an unpaid utility bill ($59) that I never received because I had moved and the mail was never forwarded to my current address. This was a bill from almost 5 years ago. I get the letter then cross referenced it with my current credit report and don’t see anything on there about a past due bill, I’m excited because I can pay this and it not affect me. I contact the Portfolio and make the payment and think that I’m done with all of this. Fast forward a month later and this item shows up on my credit report showing original balance $59 current balance $0. This infuriates me because I paid the bill as soon as I got it and then they report to the credit agency and I get dinged over something so bogus. What is my recourse with this, I have called and they refuse to have this item removed. In my eyes this seems like it should have never been reported with a $0 balance.
It is definitely bogus, but it is still within their rights to do so and it happens from time to time. As a consumer, the responibility will ultiimately fall back on you to pay the bill. The logic being, if you would have paid the bill 5 years ago, this doesn't happen. I know it's really not fair, but it is just how it is. Had you paid the original bill 5 years ago, it wouldn't be a collection account. I understand you moved and didn't get the bill, but 'forgetting' you owe someone money isn't a defense 5 years later.
Nothing they are reporting is incorrect. If it shows a 0 dollar balance then this is accurate reporting. Pretty crappy for them to do, but your recourse is the same as it would be with any removal at this point. GW letters, or disputing if something is showing as inaccurate.
-scott
Starting FICO Score: October 2010: TU 498 | EQ: 502
Current FICO Scores:: May 2022: TU: 784 | EQ: 770 | EX: 790
