Spouse's old account

[Anonymous]

My spouse had a balance at a dentist office for $550 back from 1995-1998.  I used this same dentist several years ago and they have since added her balance to my account and report this to the credit agencies.  What, if anything, can I do about this?  And if I can get this remove, will it be added to her credit?

[Anonymous]

I do not believe that is legal without your permission. The old bill was far past SOL and would, by law, have been charged off and the account closed.

[Momof5]

Contact the dentist office and inform them that it is illegal to report that debt (the one from the 90s) to the credit bureaus.  Also inform them that the debt is SOL.  Were you in a community property state when you were married?  Did you have her insured on your policy?

[Anonymous]

What is SOL? We married in 2007 and at that time I was added to her insurance. We did not even know each other in the 90s.

[Shokk]

SOL = statute of limitations, but that's not what's important here.  That would be CRTP, credit reporting time period.  The CRTP is 7 years, so there's no way it should be on anyone's CR since the debt is from the 90's.  This doesn't make the debt go away, but they are not allowed to report it.  Especially on your report when its her debt.

[Anonymous]

I would call them up and ask them flat out if they want to be sued for their illegal debt collection practices. Tell them if they don't they had better remove the derogatory item they illegally placed on your credit. Tell them the next phone call you make is going to be to a NACA consumer advocate attorney for advice.