I have a charge-off on my credit report for $1136. It is only being reported (at the moment) by the OC. A couple of weeks ago, I sent the OC a letter trying to get a PFD. They replied back with a letter stating that I need to contact them immediately about the referenced account. The contact info they gave me is actually for a debt collection company named Tate & Kirlin. Anyone ever had to deal with them?
The same day that I got the letter from the OC, I also got a letter from Tate & Kirlin offering me a 75% settlement offer of $852.04. I really don't wish to pay even that much, as the original debt was only for $300. Tate & Kirlin has also started to call me, but I haven't answered yet.
What would be the best course of action with this account? It is still in SOL. The account was charged off 8/2006. Is showing Recent balance of $1136 as of 8/2007, Date of Status 8/2006, Last Reported 8/2007, first date of delinquency 4/2006, $550 written off, and $150 past due on my credit report.
I really appreciate any advice. Thank you
Message Edited by badlyneedsbettercredit on 03-30-2008 06:25 PM
Bnbc, hello and welcome to the forums. If you haven't already done so, you should read credit scoring 101, and some of the other "stickied" threads. I would DV Tate & Kirlin. You need to know how the debt went from $300, to $5500+ written off and still you are $150 past due. You really want to deal with the OC if possible. What was the debt for?
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Starting Score: 469Current Score: 824
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
@Anonymous wrote:"$5510 written off"Sorry, that was a typo. $551 is the amount showing up as written off.When I DV Tate & Kirlin, am I allowed (by law) to ask for records of the original contract and the full payment history? I paid on the account for several years before I defaulted on it, well over the original $300. I would love to know just how much I've paid to the original OC.
Whew! Okay, that's better, but still it's a lot more than the original debt.
Yes, you are allowed ot ask for full media validation. You want the CA out of the picture if at all possible, so that you can get to the OC. Is the OC the only one reporting on your CRs? If so, you can send the OC letter as well. That asks for complete account history, payment history, statements, collection attempts, etc.
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Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
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Keep it simple. I will post a letter in this thread. Someone posted, Lady Scarlet maybe, a formula that she uses to determine how much to pay, depending upon how old. It seems that maybe I read it about a month ago. Do a search on either Lady Scarlet or "how much to pay a collection agency". My mind's a bit fuzzy about this right now.
Anyway, here is the letter. It's a template, so make the necessary changes to fit your situation most closely.
Company
Address
Address
Date
Re: Acct #xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently pulled my credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and noticed this account was listed on each of my reports as a collection I immediately disputed this information with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and the results of the investigation came back as "verified".
Since I have disputed the account with the credit bureaus, and you have verified them, I would like to see what sort of records you have for this alleged account. Under the new FACTA laws, you are required to conduct an investigation on this account, and I am now requesting it.
In order to clear up this matter, I would like to see:
Complete account history, including, all statements, records of all activity, payments, collection attempts, and any charges added for collection activity; In short, any and all documentation pertaining to this account
If you don't respond with the results of the investigation (as is required per the FCRA), I will assume you have no documentation and therefore you were negligent in providing the credit bureaus with accurate information. At this point, you would also be in violation of the FCRA merely for not responding within the 30-day period.
Please send all correspondence to:
Name
Address
Address
Sincerely,
DO NOT SIGN......JUST TYPE NAME
Starting Score: 469
Current Score: 824
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Anyway, here is the letter. It's a template, so make the necessary changes to fit your situation most closely.
Company
Address
Address
Date
Re: Acct #xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently pulled my credit report from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and noticed this account was listed on each of my reports as a collection I immediately disputed this information with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and the results of the investigation came back as "verified".
Since I have disputed the account with the credit bureaus, and you have verified them, I would like to see what sort of records you have for this alleged account. Under the new FACTA laws, you are required to conduct an investigation on this account, and I am now requesting it.
In order to clear up this matter, I would like to see:
Complete account history, including, all statements, records of all activity, payments, collection attempts, and any charges added for collection activity; In short, any and all documentation pertaining to this account
If you don't respond with the results of the investigation (as is required per the FCRA), I will assume you have no documentation and therefore you were negligent in providing the credit bureaus with accurate information. At this point, you would also be in violation of the FCRA merely for not responding within the 30-day period.
Please send all correspondence to:
Name
Address
Address
Sincerely,
DO NOT SIGN......JUST TYPE NAME
Starting Score: 469Current Score: 824
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Yes it is okay to send this. You probably need to adjust the first two paragraphs, but from three on down, you have to know that information.
Starting Score: 469
Current Score: 824
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Starting Score: 469Current Score: 824
Goal Score: 850
Highest Scores: EQ 850 EX 849 TU 850
Take the myFICO Fitness Challenge
Thanks for all of your help. I mailed a letter to the OC a couple of days ago. I'll update my post when/if I hear back from them. 