Collection Account Just Sold to another collector, need advice!

[Anonymous]

Hello, I have a collection account from BellSouth service in 2006 which was first reported by Ommnium Worldwide Collections late last year. I tried validation through the web but am sure they didn't thoroughly do this. Initially I contacted Ommnium by phone and got no where with them. I now know that certified mail and not phone is the way to go.

Three days ago I received a letter from a NEW collection agency, Franklin Collection Services so I guess the account has been sold. While I will dispute this with BellSouth, time is not on my side as I plan to sell my home and get another in about 4 months. The debt is ~ $210 so I'd rather pay it now and and start cleaning up ASAP. I don't think Franklin is reporting on my CR yet, they have just sent me the first notice asking me for dispute/response within 30 days. Ommnium is still reporting however. I've seen some posts stating that both will be reported on my CR and then others saying the old collector, Ommnium should delete their account from my CR since it was sold to Franklin. Does anyone have a definitive answer? In a matter of days I've gone from trying to get this removed, to trying to not have it be on my CR twice and damage me further.

Since Franklin is not reporting yet, will they just go away if I pay them ASAP, or will they then report to the credit bureaus as a paid collection account leaving me with paid status but still the negativity of having two collections on my file? A best case scenario for me would be for Ommnium to delete since they sold the collection, and I pay in full with Franklin and therefore they never report to the credit bureaus. I don't want my FICO score to be damaged twice for the same "debt". Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[CreditDrama85]

pay the acct asap with the new agency and have them assure you they will not report. keep your records.

then, dispute the old agency reporting with all credit reporting agencies and even include proof of payment with the new agency if you wish. simply state, the debt was reassigned and you paid it before it went into collections. they must then delete the old collection

[Anonymous]

I am hopeing someone will help you with this.....as i have the same question about the old and new collections.  I would love to think the old has to go,  i am just reading and learning ...... come on someone.....help us out here...lol.....ok....please.....??!!

[Anonymous]

whoa creditdrama.....you must have been typing at the same time, just faster with the submit key ! 

Thanks too for the answer.  I had an acct with midland credit sent to an attorney.  I paid the attorney, because it was that or else!   So then i disputed that midland credit was paid, with  Experian -- came back verified and valid.  I just faxed receipts to them today and we'll see if that helps to get it deleted.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info CreditDrama85. So then should I forego contacting the new collector via certified letter and call them instead since that would be quick? Most advice says always use mail but I want to get this done ASAP before they report to the credit bureaus. If phone contact is reasonable I would request something in writing by fax before payment maybe? The initial contact from the new collector states I have 30 days but I want this taken care of before anything else has a chance of getting out of hand. The letter also states that I should make my check out to Bellsouth rather than to Franklin Collections. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

So today Franklin called me and left a message via an auto-dialer. They didn't say it was them but the number they left to dial is theirs. Should I call them back or do this over certified mail? I know to request written confirmation from them but wouldn't it be better to request the written notice by phone so we can settle this before they end up reporting it on my CR? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The confusing part: http://www.experian.com/ask_max/max012506c.html This article says: The collection agency may then sell the account to another collection agency. The first collection account then would be reported as sold or transferred, and the new, active collection account would be added to the credit history.

[Anonymous]

One last try to get some advice before I am fed to the wolves tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

send PVD to new CA   CMRRR only  do not talk they lie!!!   In you letter tell them that you will have certified check for & $210 (whatever amount) sent to them within 10 days of receiving PFD from them.

When you get an answer come in here & post the letter. People will tell you if what they send you is written correct. They usually try & reword it & where it says they might delete...you don't want that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Happy, OK, I'll forget the call and send the certified letter tomorrow. But what do I do about the Collection Agency Ommnium which appears to have sold the account to the Franklin collection agency. The way it looks, they'll still be reporting this on my credit report. Thanks again!

Message Edited by tlh1005 on 11-21-2007 07:41 PM