topic Re: Cavalry in Rebuilding Your Credit

Cavalry

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:41:51 GMT

Ok, long story but I seriously need some help.

In early 2020, I was sued by Cavalry for an old Synchrony account. The case was supposed to go to court in March but was canceled due to Covid, well in August 2020, I noticed a collection was placed on my credit report for $2746 from Cavalry. I had been expecting that so I didn't freak. Until the next month, September 2020, when the collection all of a sudden turned into $10,100. I disputed with the credit bureaus thinking that it was a mistake and that it would be fixed. Nope, Cavalry verified it with them all. Then sent me a letter with a copy of a judgment from July 2020 for $2746, but nothing about $10k. I was never served for the July court date but I can't really prove that because I was in the process of moving and am just now dealing with this.

Anyway, I know I waited a long time to deal with this but I have disputed this a few times with the credit bureaus trying to explain that they sent me a verification letter for $2746 but the letter they sent doesn't have an amount listed just the judgment does. And I couldn't exactly send a copy of the judgment to the credit bureaus. I am assuming that would be bad and end up in a judgment listed on my credit report.

They even just sent me a letter this week demanding $10,214. So, they obviously are going full in on this amount now which I have no idea where that is coming from. It just appeared overnight.

What do I do here? They are obviously lying and probably breaking some laws because of it and verifying this false info with credit bureaus. They even removed the accounts from my reports and then added them again which tanked my scores even lower.

I am so lost and upset about all this. Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Cavalry

mycreditscoreisfair — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:49:22 GMT

Have you contacted them and asked?

$7,000+ seems like a lot for added interest and fees but since the amount continues to rise, it would seem that's perhaps what they're tacking on.

If I were you, I'd stop running from it and contact them.

Re: Cavalry

collics — Thu, 20 May 2021 18:54:14 GMT

Wow. I'd file a complaint with the CFPB.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:00:25 GMT

I will write them a letter but they were awarded a judgment of $2746 in July 2020 and that is what they reported to the credit bureaus until August 2020 when they suddenly started reporting an amount over $10k. I don't think they can add $7500 in fees overnight, unless I'm wrong. I don't know much about this stuff.

I'm so confused.

Re: Cavalry

mycreditscoreisfair — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:05:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I will write them a letter but they were awarded a judgment of $2746 in July 2020 and that is what they reported to the credit bureaus until August 2020 when they suddenly started reporting an amount over $10k. I don't think they can add $7500 in fees overnight, unless I'm wrong. I don't know much about this stuff.
I'm so confused.

Certainly seems like a lot. But we don't know the age of the debt and it's impossible to say what fees, interest, etc can be added without knowing the agreement which you entered into.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:12:58 GMT

Certainly seems like a lot. But we don't know the age of the debt and it's impossible to say what fees, interest, etc can be added without knowing the agreement which you entered into.

I see what you are saying. They can add on past fees even after getting a judgment for $2746? I mean it was 1 month they got the judgment and the next month they added $7500. Why wouldn't they have just sued for the $10k then?

Sorry, I am just trying to understand the way this stuff works. The collection is due to fall off this time next year. I am not sure if it is worth attacking this now or if I should just move on. Thanks for the help.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:17:03 GMT

@collics wrote:
Wow. I'd file a complaint with the CFPB.

I am considering all options at this point. This whole thing feels so off to me. Never had to deal with anything quite like this before.

Re: Cavalry

mycreditscoreisfair — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:23:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Certainly seems like a lot. But we don't know the age of the debt and it's impossible to say what fees, interest, etc can be added without knowing the agreement which you entered into.

I see what you are saying. They can add on past fees even after getting a judgment for $2746? I mean it was 1 month they got the judgment and the next month they added $7500. Why wouldn't they have just sued for the $10k then?

Sorry, I am just trying to understand the way this stuff works. The collection is due to fall off this time next year. I am not sure if it is worth attacking this now or if I should just move on. Thanks for the help.

Yes, depending on your agreement. They could also possibly be adding costs they incurred while trying to collect the debt, or they could petition a court to have you pay those fees. Not enough info to really tell.

Based on what's in this thread, I think you'll have a hard time moving on without taking care of this one way or the other. The collection may fall off in a year, but the judgement will remain for 10 years and could lead to bigger issues, and it can be renewed should it expire. I would think about trying to settle this and be done with it if you're able to.

Re: Cavalry

gdale6 — Thu, 20 May 2021 21:53:19 GMT

What can be added to a judgment is controlled by your states laws, you need to look them up and see what they are. This sounds highly suspect to me as far as the 10K. Typically they would have added the costs of collection to the lawsuit and after judgment is granted there may be statuatory interest that can be added and any enforcment cost actions taken.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Thu, 20 May 2021 22:11:29 GMT

@gdale6 wrote:
What can be added to a judgment is controlled by your states laws, you need to look them up and see what they are. This sounds highly suspect to me as far as the 10K. Typically they would have added the costs of collection to the lawsuit and after judgment is granted there may be statuatory interest that can be added and any enforcment cost actions taken.

Thank you. I will try to find that info. I am in Michigan.

Can they send you verification of the debt and just send the copy of the judgment of $2700 even if they are reporting $10k to the credit bureaus? I would assume they would have to verify the amount they are reporting but I don't know how that works? I will try and find info about that online.

Thanks for your help.

Re: Cavalry

vntrsc — Fri, 21 May 2021 12:50:32 GMT

You can get a copy of the judgment from the court in which the judgment was rendered. It should state exactly what the court awarded to the plaintiff. If the awarded judgment is less than the amount being reported to the CRAs, a consumer attorney could advise you as to state statutory interest, etc. allowed to be added to the judgment amount.

In regard to verification, the FCRA makes no requirement that the furnisher of information send documentation to you in order to verify what it is reporting.

Re: Cavalry

House2021 — Sat, 22 May 2021 04:28:56 GMT

I would do a dispute with the credit bureau and let them validate it then I would send correspondence via the Better Business Bureau. I had disputed a 5 year old account past SOL with Experian. In response, they sent verification of debt to me including a statement from original creditor clearly showing an amount around $30 less than Cavalry was trying to claim, the debt was around 2000. I submitted a letter stating the discrepancy that it was very obvious they were reporting a number to bureaus higher than I actually owed per their own records, I requested they either delete the collection or pay me the $1000 fine for violation fair credit laws, they responded with a letter saying they would delete it. Try it worst case s enario they say no, then go to CFPB and then contact an attorney, I had two attorneys willing to take this case pro Bono.

Re: Cavalry

vntrsc — Sat, 22 May 2021 10:58:56 GMT

@House2021 wrote:
I would do a dispute with the credit bureau and let them validate it then I would send correspondence via the Better Business Bureau. I had disputed a 5 year old account past SOL with Experian. In response, they sent verification of debt to me including a statement from original creditor clearly showing an amount around $30 less than Cavalry was trying to claim, the debt was around 2000. I submitted a letter stating the discrepancy that it was very obvious they were reporting a number to bureaus higher than I actually owed per their own records, I requested they either delete the collection or pay me the $1000 fine for violation fair credit laws, they responded with a letter saying they would delete it. Try it worst case s enario they say no, then go to CFPB and then contact an attorney, I had two attorneys willing to take this case pro Bono.

The OP already disputed with the credit bureaus. He needs to find out exactly how much the court awarded in the judgment. Until he gets facts, disputes and letters will be based upon supposition. Even an attorney the OP might contact would need facts.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Sat, 22 May 2021 13:09:25 GMT

@vntrsc wrote:
@House2021 wrote:
I would do a dispute with the credit bureau and let them validate it then I would send correspondence via the Better Business Bureau. I had disputed a 5 year old account past SOL with Experian. In response, they sent verification of debt to me including a statement from original creditor clearly showing an amount around $30 less than Cavalry was trying to claim, the debt was around 2000. I submitted a letter stating the discrepancy that it was very obvious they were reporting a number to bureaus higher than I actually owed per their own records, I requested they either delete the collection or pay me the $1000 fine for violation fair credit laws, they responded with a letter saying they would delete it. Try it worst case s enario they say no, then go to CFPB and then contact an attorney, I had two attorneys willing to take this case pro Bono.
The OP already disputed with the credit bureaus. He needs to find out exactly how much the court awarded in the judgment. Until he gets facts, disputes and letters will be based upon supposition. Even an attorney the OP might contact would need facts.

I already have a copy of the judgment. Cavalry sent it to me in the verification letter they sent me. I've disputed twice with credit bureaus. Cavalry verified the amount with all 3 bureaus. The amount they were awarded was $2746 in July 2020, which included the original damages, court fees, and lawyer fees. It was a sum certain default judgment (because i wasn't served) in the state of Michigan. They reported $2746 to all 3 credit bureaus in July 2020. August 2020 they started report the $10k amount.

I hope this clears everything up.

I have sent a letter to Cavalry about this. I will see if they respond and then go from there. Thanks.

Re: Cavalry

Anonymous — Sat, 22 May 2021 13:10:41 GMT

@House2021 wrote:
I would do a dispute with the credit bureau and let them validate it then I would send correspondence via the Better Business Bureau. I had disputed a 5 year old account past SOL with Experian. In response, they sent verification of debt to me including a statement from original creditor clearly showing an amount around $30 less than Cavalry was trying to claim, the debt was around 2000. I submitted a letter stating the discrepancy that it was very obvious they were reporting a number to bureaus higher than I actually owed per their own records, I requested they either delete the collection or pay me the $1000 fine for violation fair credit laws, they responded with a letter saying they would delete it. Try it worst case s enario they say no, then go to CFPB and then contact an attorney, I had two attorneys willing to take this case pro Bono.

Thanks for this info. This will be my next step if they don't remove it or at least fix the issue.