@Pikaboo-icu wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Sort of a Important Update here... I just now called AmeX Normal 1-800 number New Credit Dept, to ask ALOT of questions of my situation. Apparantly Amex have VERY GOOD HARD DRives, and a memory like an Elephant... after 45 minutes talking with the gal and explaining my situation, she called another Section/department of Amex to the Aka Collections Dept. Of Amex, AND they FOUND, And STILL see my account there... I mean it's NOT A collection Agency, But the AKA Amex collection/default Department... Phone # 800-700-7619 9a 9p Eastern time their open, and she's NOT that dept But she said they said they "STILL SEE" my account in that Dept, nearly 30 years later !!!! And they asked her to ask ME, would I "Like" to pay that off... She couldn't give me a amount, I would have to call that Department and see, and confirm, it's really me etc etc etc... A 3-4k balance from back then 1989-1990, I'm sure it should/would be $30k+ maybe with interest/penalties and etc.... I may call 2nite to look into more info n see... Look back for further developments here... Hmmm Very Interesting for sure.... My Post is true how it works, Play by Play... Stay tuned....
Uh Oh.. You poked the bear..
I've never heard of such an old debt coming back to life like that. Yikes..
I think I would've just app'd and not mentioned it..
That's what I was thinking. I have no idea how Amex handles this, but to me, it was like, "hey, can you check everywhere in your database if I owe you any money? Thanks!"
Hey OP, can you go try the pre qual site again? I'm curious if they flagged you in the system. If the offers disappeared, you may not be able to apply anymore. It would be a valuable data point if you did apply for my blacklist thread. If you apply and get a card, youre good. If they blacklisted you, it doesnt hurt your credit because they won't pull your report.
Anyways, back to your situation. If they won't approve you now until you pay, ask about the optima oasis card. Basically, once you pay them back, they'll give you the oasis with a limit of 33% of what you paid them. You have to use it for a year, but you'll be back in with them at that point. You have to ask about the card before you start paying them. They won't give it to you after the fact.
@Jeffhacker wrote:i think that after 30 years, they can't collect anything; any "legal" attempt to do so would be barred by a long-expired Statute of Limitations.
They can try to collect as long as they want, legally you owe them money, they just can't sue you once the statute of limitations runs out. Navient is a good example. If they were unable to collect before SOL ran out, you'll still get letters from them trying to collect, but there is wording on the paperwork that they will not try to sue you over it. You can send a cease and desist to stop those letters.
They may send you offers to refinance your house to get money to pay them back, but that's about it. I dont think they would have their collections company start calling you. I feel that amex doesn't really worry about it because they believe their products will bring those people back. And for the most part, they're right. Like I said earlier, the only way you'll know if you're blacklisted is if you apply and get an auto denial with no pull of your credit.