Credit Card Collections for non-US Citizen not living in US

[Anonymous]

Hello All,

I am a non-US Citizen and was in US last year for work purpose. I had to left US urgently due to family emergency and therefore was unable to pay rent for my leasing which required 60 day notice period. I informed the leasing office in writing for the reason I had to left US. Now, the total amount of $2480 has gone to collection agency. Since I won't be coming back to US, what will happen if I don't pay the amount? Will it affect my credit score? What actions can be taken against me in this case? Can I pay to them if I return to US? Do they charge interest if I don't pay? Can I negotiate the amount since paying this much amount is impossible for me.

Please help

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Would really appreciate of some inputs

[sccredit]

You can certainly negotiate with them.  I'd asssume that interest is accruing.  While they cannot serve you in person in some jurisdictions a lawsuit can be served via publication.  At minimum you leaving the US tolls the SOL on the debt and they clock picks up when you return, or in your case the clock would start.

[Anonymous]

When you say about negotiating, with whom I should negotiate - creditor or with the collection agency? What is SOL?

[Anonymous]

Once it's with collections, it means that debt is sold to collection agency. Hence you need to negotiate with collection agency. 

Also while negotiating make sure collection record will be deleted from credit bureaus once you complete your payment.

[newhis]

Yes your score will drop. I hope you can pay it and be removed from your reports. Good luck.

[longtimelurker]

I wasn't clear if you will be returning at some stage?  If you don't plan to return to the US, then obviously the (US) credit score doesn't matter.   

[Anonymous]

How to make sure that the collection record will be deleted from credit bureaus? Also, do they have any agent associated with the record with whom I can talk to and negotitate?

[Anonymous]

in how much time one has to pay before the score drops? I am not sure about the score drop since this is the first time that the record has been posted to collection agency hence asking this type of questions

[sccredit]

it depends on whether the debt is still OWNED by the original creditor or by the collection agency.  If the OC still owns the debt you negotiate with them for a PFD.  If the CA owns it you negotiate a PFD with them.