Collection notice for account reported as Satisfactory/Paid In Full

[TheConstant]

Hi myFICO,

I received a debt collection notice for an apartment that I moved out of in April 2022. The account was reported as Closed - Paid/Never Late in May 2022 and has reported paid on time every month. I never received any notice I owed them anything, and I provided my new address in writing to the apartment management before moving out. The collection amount is very small so it's nothing like a missing rent payment.

My concern is this reporting on my credit report (hasn't shown up yet) because I have a 100% on time payment and all accounts in good standing.

I'll be contacting a lawyer tomorrow, but wanted to get your opinion. do I have a case to make this go away, and if so, how?

[2b2rich]

Was the collection letter from them or a Collection Agency?

If it was a Collection agency, have you contacted the apartment Management to ask what the charge is for? 

Did you receive a reconsiliation of your deposit? If  not, could  it be for something repaired?

They have to send you an itemization of what the charge is for.  They sent you a collection letter, they can send you an itemization of what the charge is for.

[TheConstant]

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@2b2rich wrote:

Was the collection letter from them or a Collection Agency?

If it was a Collection agency, have you contacted the apartment Management to ask what the charge is for? 

Did you receive a reconsiliation of your deposit? If  not, could  it be for something repaired?

They have to send you an itemization of what the charge is for.  They sent you a collection letter, they can send you an itemization of what the charge is for.

---

It was from a collection agency. I have not contacted the apartment management yet because I received this letter late yesterday and I wanted to wait until I spoke with you all here and a lawyer.

I did not have any deposit on this apartment, only move in fees. It could be something repaired after moving out, but I never got a bill. I never was notified of any amount owed to them.

I considered DVing the letter sent by the CA, but is not receiving any bill from the apartment management a valid defense? My new address was reported on the CRAs as well, because I purchased a home and took out a mortgage when I left. When I saw them close my account in the CRA as "Paid-Closed/Never Late", I considered that as reconciling the account as ending in good standing.

[2b2rich]

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@TheConstant wrote:

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@2b2rich wrote:

Was the collection letter from them or a Collection Agency?

If it was a Collection agency, have you contacted the apartment Management to ask what the charge is for? 

Did you receive a reconsiliation of your deposit? If  not, could  it be for something repaired?

They have to send you an itemization of what the charge is for.  They sent you a collection letter, they can send you an itemization of what the charge is for.

---

It was from a collection agency. I have not contacted the apartment management yet because I received this letter late yesterday and I wanted to wait until I spoke with you all here and a lawyer.

I did not have any deposit on this apartment, only move in fees. It could be something repaired after moving out, but I never got a bill. I never was notified of any amount owed to them.

I considered DVing the letter sent by the CA, but is not receiving any bill from the apartment management a valid defense? My new address was reported on the CRAs as well, because I purchased a home and took out a mortgage when I left. When I saw them close my account in the CRA as "Paid-Closed/Never Late", I considered that as reconciling the account as ending in good standing.

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That does seem odd.  I would contact the apartment managemnt tomorrow and find out what is going on.  If it is a valid charge,  most likely you can just pay it to the CA and it will not get reported.  Most CAs won't report it if you take care of it fairly quick after receiving the first notice.  Just confirm with the apartment management that it is legit.

[FireMedic1]

If the CA hasnt placed the collection on your reports yet. Pay it before they do. Then work on asking why did they go about it this way. Cut them off at the pass.