topic Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next? in General Credit Topics

Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 22:35:58 GMT

I sold my house in 2011, in March of this year (2017) I received a bill from Dominion East Ohio Gas dor 1300 dollars. The billing period for this balance was 2015-2016, long after I sold the house. I have called the gas company 3 times, twice I was told they would have a manager call me back, neither time did I receive a call.

Today I again called the company and they stated that the bill was past the statute of limitations and they were going to send me a letter stating that I owe a zero balance. I explained to the girl that that was not sufficient and that the account will still show on my report as a collections account with a zero balance.

I believe what I need them to do is to delete the account totally from my credit report. When I tried explaining this to the girl she hung up on me. I am tired of that one open collection being on my credit report. Any advice on what additional steps I can take to accomplish my goal?

Thanks,

John

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

RobertEG — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 23:26:41 GMT

Events such as payment status of the debt or expiration of SOL do not effect the credit report exclusion date of a collection.

Collections become excluded based solely upon the reported DOFD, with the exlusion period being no later than 7 years plus 180 days from the DOFD.

A letter from them stating it is beyond SOL and no longer being pursued would not be basis for deletion of the collection.

What is needed is their agreement that the debt itself is not valid, and thus there is no default in fact, and thus no basis for any collection.

To obtain a definitive determination of any assertion that the debt itself is not legitimate will require civil action and proof before a court.

Unlear from the post is who has reported to a CRA.

Has the creditor reported, a debt collector, or both?

Credit reporting should first be disputed under the FCRA before filing any civil action asserting inaccurate reporting for any reason. See FCRA 623(c).

Have you filed a formal dispute?

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 02:28:51 GMT

The reporting agency was a collection outfit named "Revenue Group".

I have filed disputes online. TransUnion and Equifax did not remove it, they did add a note that states "Consumer disputes this account information".

Apperently I have not submitted a dispute with Experian.

Is an online dispute not considered a formal dispute? If not do I just write a dispute letter and send documentation to the 3 reporting agencies?

Thank You,

John

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

JVille — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 04:09:54 GMT

You SOLD your home in 2011 and this past Due billing is for a period 2015-2016?? Clear this up, when you sold this home you paid your gas bill SO this bill belongs to a subsequent owner. Is this correct or did you fail to pay a final billing? I’m a bit confused, just clarify.

If this bill is not yours and you cleared your gas bill and closed out the account THEN all you need to do is to provide the final Title Company closing statement on the sale of your home to prove you had sold the home 4 to 5 years earlier. If you can’t find the Final Settlement stmt the Title Co who closed it for you can get you a copy.
You need to not try to clear this up by phone, best to put it in writing. And with the Gas Company, then you can get them to remove the Collection action against you.

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:44:00 GMT

Put it in writing with a copy of deed or closing statement showing sale. Be firm and assertive.

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

RobertEG — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:31:41 GMT

Yes, an online dispute is a formal dispute.

The results of a dispute, which apparently in your case was a verification of accuracy of the reported information, is shown by their required "Notice of Results of Reinvesitigation."

You can, at this point, send a new formal dispute to the CRA, providing you include new information not previously provided in your prior dispute.

However, once you have a Notice of Results of REinvestigation, that permits you to then file your own private civil action and get the matter before a judge. See FCRA 623(c).

Re: Advice for Gas Company Dispute. What next?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 14:01:56 GMT

Thank you for all your replies. I am going to follow advise and will post results when I get them.