BillMeLater (BML)

[FicoMiko]

The only BML account I have had was opened in 2009 for approximately $1,500 which I'm pretty sure I fully paid off within 24 months but am not positive since it was over a decade ago. The BML website doesn't exist anymore and I have no "proof" I paid it off. Fast forward 10 years, I get a letter a couple days ago from a collection agency called "Convergent" saying they are attempting to collect a Paypal Credit debt of $1,5XX for a BillMeLater Inc. servicer.

Hopefully this is just a scam, but on the off chance I actually DID forgot to pay this off back in 2009, is this going to hurt my credit even though it would be way past 7 yrs of the DoFD? Why has there been zero collections attempts until now and nothing in my credit report at all about this credit line? Will it start to report on my CR?

I'm hoping someone could shed some light, it's taken me a long time to rebuild my credit and I don't want this to destroy my progress.

[Anonymous]

That particular debt collector is well known for buying and trying to collect on zombie debt. There should be something on the letter that states the account is too old to be reported or something similar. If it does, you can just disregard it as long as you are past your state statute of limitations as well. 

[Anonymous]

^^^ yep. Chances are it wasn’t paid, or I don’t know how they would have any way to set up to collect on it, but once it’s out of SOL and the reporting timeframe, you can trash anything they send you.

[FicoMiko]

I'm not seeing anything on it that says it is too old to collect? It is definitely passed the state SOL too. So you're saying they cannot put it on my CR in collections?

[Anonymous]

Depending on when it went delinquent, it may be within the 7.5 year statutory reporting timeframe. That mess as is they can report it, but being set your state’s SOL means they can’t sue, they can only report and hope you’ll pay.

[CreditInspired]

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@Anonymous wrote:

That particular debt collector is well known for buying and trying to collect on zombie debt. There should be something on the letter that states the account is too old to be reported or something similar. If it does, you can just disregard it as long as you are past your state statute of limitations as well. 

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+1

[CreditInspired]

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@FicoMiko wrote:
I'm not seeing anything on it that says it is too old to collect? It is definitely passed the state SOL too. So you're saying they cannot put it on my CR in collections?

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Can you post a copy of the letter (ID crossed out)?

Also, if you're not 100% sure of last payment date, DOFD, or SOL, you can always send a letter by "certified--return receipt mail" denying the debt and requesting dicumentation/verification that the debt is even yours. 

[Anonymous]

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@FicoMiko wrote:
I'm not seeing anything on it that says it is too old to collect? It is definitely passed the state SOL too. So you're saying they cannot put it on my CR in collections?

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Can you post a copy of the letter (ID crossed out)?

Also, if you're not 100% sure of last payment date, DOFD, or SOL, you can always send a letter by "certified--return receipt mail" denying the debt and requesting dicumentation/verification that the debt is even yours. 

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Exactly, do NOT pay, do NOT acknowledge, paying even a penny right now will bring the entire zombie debt back to life and put you in legal bind.

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-with-Zombie-Debt

Send certified letter ask for proof you own the debt. Even if you do, it already pass the date when you are legally bound to pay.

[FicoMiko]

[FicoMiko]

Hopefully the pictures above help! I don't know when the DoFD is but I'm pretty sure the listed debt is much higher than what the original debt was. Meaning, if I didn't pay then I must have not paid since the beginning?