Mediation Recovery Center up to no good!

[Anonymous]

Today I get a letter from these bums trying to collect on a debt that defaulted back in 2001. The debt was originally for a Discover card that fell off my credit in 2008. They claim I owe them $12,800 but that they are willing to settle for $480. I have been working really hard to fix my credit and the last thing I need is a fresh baddie showing up. What should I do?

[Anonymous]

Anyone?

[sphinx313]

I would assume that if the debt was already on your credit report and fell off, AND the original debt is obviously long past the SOL, they can probably add it by whatever means but it can be instantly disputed and dropped again due to the reporting date. The date would show 2001 which has no business here in 2011.

The thing to remember is, If you did in fact owe someone $12,000, just because it fell off your credit report does not mean you don't owe the debt. They can "harass" you to the legal limit every day between 8 am and 9 pm until you pay but they cannot sue you or damage your credit, that was already done.

[Anonymous]

I googled their web site to pay my account and ran into this link. I did have an old account with them and they did settle with me for a fraction of what I originally owed. It has been off my credit and really it was an account that my wife and I shared but we went through a divorce and she has supposed to pay the debt but she didn’t do what she said she was going to do. (which is not a first for her). So I just paid it and it was listed as a charged off  account under in my credit history. So anyway you sound like my ex.-- pay the bill if you owe it and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

I located their website Mediationrecoverycenter.com

[llecs]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I googled their web site to pay my account and ran into this link. I did have an old account with them and they did settle with me for a fraction of what I originally owed. It has been off my credit and really it was an account that my wife and I shared but we went through a divorce and she has supposed to pay the debt but she didn’t do what she said she was going to do. (which is not a first for her). So I just paid it and it was listed as a charged off  account under in my credit history. So anyway you sound like my ex.-- pay the bill if you owe it and be done with it.

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You definitely got the raw end on this one. Not only were you stuck with a debt but now you have a CA reporting (will not be seen as a CO through your lenders or FICO) and your score won't ever go up. Hopefully you got it in writing. Companies like these (JDBs) will scam you. This is definitely a questionable company you are dealing with.

[MarineVietVet]

I have to agree with llecs on this one. This company did not do you any favors.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 3/11 pulled by lender- 835, EQ - 2/11-816, TU - 2/11-782

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

[Anonymous]

They never told me it was on my credit. I asked them if it was on my credit and they said no. I found it on my credit listed by the Providian as a chargeoff from 2004. I talked  to a guy named Lee and asked if they didnt report it then why is it showing as a chargeoff and he said that would have been  from providian. He said they do not report t because they dont report at all to the credit people. I then asked if it would help my fico score and he said "no"  because they have nothing to do with credit reporting. I decided to pay because i did have the card and call me dumb but I think if you have a bill you should pay it. I cant stand watching people make the decisions of just walking away from their debt and think since it wont help credit wize then why pay it. My friend for example was a boat load upside down on his house so he decided to walk away and not take the loss. Nothing in his life changed except he felt like he was getting screwed because his house lost so much value. The mortgage payment never changed and he even got a raise at work so why didnt he continue to pay what he agreed to? It was because of a finaciual adviser told him he would be better off to walk away. Just watch and I bet forclosures are going to go through the roof because others are also getting the advice to walk away or buy a rental and move to the rental then foreclose on your first home. (that was the advice given to him) I think that is fraud. I think the company was completly honest with me about my account  and if I am a fool for paying my bill then I would rather be a fool then someone who works the system to get out of paying.

[Anonymous]

Since we were talking about credit and how to improve it. Do you think a credit repair place is worth the money or is it better to do it yourself.  I was thinking Lexington Law or credit Biz

[p-]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Since we were talking about credit and how to improve it. Do you think a credit repair place is worth the money or is it better to do it yourself.  I was thinking Lexington Law or credit Biz

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First off, to the OP if it is past SOL an dpast the reporting period, there's not much they can legally do to you.  Send them a typed unsigned letter requesting no phone calls (CMRR) if they are harrassing you on the phone.

If you really owe the money and feel morally obligated, you can pay, but make sure you get validation in writing that it will be considered paid in full.  

Fastcredit, you might consider starting your own post to answer that question.  IMHO, the non-profits are helpful, but anyone that wants you to pay them to fix your credit is not someone I would trust.

Here you will find advice on how to remove false information, negotiate to improve true information, and habits to help you do better going forward.  Anyone who promises to remove legitimate items from your file or negotiate settlements could actually make things worse.  Many of these just mob the CB's with dispute letters, which you could just as easily do on your own.  If you read up here, that's just one weapon in the credit fix arsenal, and only right for certain jobs.  

Save your money.  Read up here and take action on your own.  Or, if it's too much, see a non-profit credit counselor.