What to do about old charge-off??

[Anonymous]

In 1995, I opened up a mobile phone account in my name for my soon to be husband who had poor credit. Long story short: he ran up an $883.00 bill and they terminated the service. Hubby promised to pay the bill but never did. I forgot about it over the years and assumed they had, too. In fact, the charge off does not appear on any of my credit reports. However, in January and July of 2006, I received a letter from a collections agency who purchased the old charge off account and is attempting to collect the debt.

If I settle with the agency and pay off the balance, will it then appear on my credit report as a charge off that has been settled? And will it stay there for 7 years? I've spent the last few years cleaning up my credit and finally have the scores I've always wanted...

[fused]

---

lola99 wrote:
In 1995, I opened up a mobile phone account in my name for my soon to be husband who had poor credit. Long story short: he ran up an $883.00 bill and they terminated the service. Hubby promised to pay the bill but never did. I forgot about it over the years and assumed they had, too. In fact, the charge off does not appear on any of my credit reports. However, in January and July of 2006, I received a letter from a collections agency who purchased the old charge off account and is attempting to collect the debt.

If I settle with the agency and pay off the balance, will it then appear on my credit report as a charge off that has been settled? And will it stay there for 7 years? I've spent the last few years cleaning up my credit and finally have the scores I've always wanted...

---

This has happened to me a few times back in March and April of this year. I simply ignored them. They can try and collect all they want but they can't sue you because your out from under the SOL (I assume you are, this account is 12 years old) and they cannot report it either. Just to be safe read the SOL thread below.

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I checked out the link....I think I'm off the hook with the statute of limitations! Who knew? I certainly didn't!

[Anonymous]

If you tell them to stop calling you, they have to do it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the scoop, Michael. Luckily they don't have my number and it's unpublished....

[Anonymous]

unpublshed number -

I remember when that worked  -

Now you PAY to be unlisted and it is still availible if someone really wants it...

Sorry - way off topic -

FOAD letter -----

---

lola99 wrote:
Thanks for the scoop, Michael. Luckily they don't have my number and it's unpublished....

---

[sl]

The way to get around the phone issue to have your name spelled differently in the phone book.  I did and it works.  Also you know when the advertisement comes it comes from the phone book.