Advice on duplicate TL

[hahayepyep]

Hello all!

I have a question about two baddies on my TU from the same CA.  They're showing up consecutively on my report and are for the same account.  I contacted the OC who said they no longer had record of the account other than it was for $98 and sent to collections in 11/2010 (which the second TL shows).  They confirmed it was sent to the CA listed and said to take up any issues I have with them.  There are no TL from the OC.  I'm really confused about the duplicate TL and the differing dates.  

Anyone able to provide any insight?

Collection on debt to: 11 Charter Communications

The collection agency "Credit Mgmt" was hired to collect a debt of $98 originally owed to "11 Charter Communications" on account number "XXXXXXXX".

Collection agency: Credit Mgmt
Original balance: $98
Current balance: $98
Date assigned : Jul 19, 2012
Original lender: 11 Charter Communications 
Account number: XXXXXXXX
Account holder: Individual
Account descriptions: Placed for collection

Collection on debt to: 11 Charter Communications Mnne

The collection agency "Credit Mgmt" was hired to collect a debt of $98 originally owed to "11 Charter Communications Mnne" on account number "XXXXXXXX".
Collection agency: Credit Mgmt
Original balance: $98
Current balance: $98
Date assigned : Nov 14, 2010
Original lender: 11 Charter Communications Mnne
Account number: XXXXXXXX
Account holder: Individual
Account descriptions: Placed for collection

EDIT: Fixed the date I originally had as 09/2010, correct date was 11/2010.

[Anonymous]

It looks like it is the same debt with different dates assigned to the CA.

Not sure how that would be possible unless it was sent back to the OC after the first go and the OC sold it to them the second time.

Either way, only one should be reporting as it is from the same CA, same OC and same debt.

Contact the CRA and see if they will remove one of them without a dispute.

[NWintellectual]

For utility-like bills like this, I would say your first contact would be Charter (the OC) directly. See what information they have on the account(s) and if they would be willing to accept payment right there in return for recalling the debt. I've had good luck doing this with Comcast in the past. I know it's not Charter but if you search the forums, you will see similar stories from most cable companies. To be honest they just want you to square your past obligations and become a potential new customer.

I'm guessing the reason for two TLs is that the item may have passed from one CA to another with the first company neglecting to update their reporting. Again, just a guess. But the best advice I can offer is to call Charter and see what they can do for you directly.

[Anonymous]

OP already contacted them and I believe it was sold.

It is the same CA repoting, which is odd.

[hahayepyep]

Thanks for the replies!

I called TU and asked about the duplicate.  They said that if the OC had verified the account being sent to collection in 11/2010, the newer of the two should be disputed as a duplicate.  I initiated that process today and will wait for the results before I move forward with anything else.

I still have no idea what this bill is for.  If memory serves, I paid my final bill and canceled service when I moved in 10/2010.  I don't recall being contacted about an outstanding bill and hope I can resolve this without it continuing to negatively impact my credit.  Charter mentioned that charges like this are often for "unreturned equipment" (though said he can't confirm this in my case because of how old the account is).  I know I never had thier equipment in the first place as I owned my own modem and router.  I have NO IDEA how I'm supposed to proove that, though.  Hoping I can PFD with the CA and just be done with it since it's under $100.  Considering I have some legitimate debts for which I'm responsible and trying to clean up, the last thing I need is this one bringing me down.

[hahayepyep]

UPDATE:  TU removed the newer of the two TL.  I got a CreditKarma alert before I got the actual letter from TU confirming the removal.  I wasn't expecting anything, but I'm a little surprised that the removal of a negative TL / open collection didn't up my CreditKarma FAKO.

As I mentioned before, Charter was unable to tell me what the bill is for, but said they'd send me my last three billing statements in 5-7 business days.  Today is the 7th day and I haven't seen it yet.  Hopefully it comes soon so I know how to proceed.