Why can't I get increased credit limit with Chase?

[Jutz]

I mean, your scores are already high, but I suppose it would be risky to a bank to see an outstanding debt of that amount.  I'm sure it would help your score, though I don't know how much, since once you're over 700 you don't tend to make big moves.

[jandj80]

I would take that PFD! It might not make a huge increase, but that open collections looks ugly to creditors. They figure that could just as easily be them. 

[Anonymous]

I was thinking about sending them a counter for $500.  I wouldn't mind just paying it, but it's not a valid collection.

Years ago, I rented a place in Sacramento and signed a 6-month lease as I ONLY moved to Sacramento to get back to California.  I had taken a 6-month contract position and my goal was to seek employment in San Francisco during that period and be gone after the 6-months.

When I left (as planned) they claimed I had signed a 12-month lease and I was breaking it (total BS) so they came after me trying to collecting money I didn't really owe.  I obviously never paid it...

I've disputed it on my credit, but it won't come off and each time I do, I get a hand written note from the collection agency with a not so nice tone.  This last one was the pay for delete they offered.

[Jutz]

I assume the answer is obvious, but do you still have a copy of the lease?

[Anonymous]

You're correct: no, I don't  :-(

[jandj80]

I would write to the creditor and ask them to send you a copy of the lease that they "claim" you signed for 12 months. They should have the same obligation to prove it to you as you do to them. If they cannot prove you owe it, then why should you have to pay it. I would say something to the effect of "I would like to settle this debt, but the collection agency has been unable to confirm in writing that the debt is owed by me. Please send me a copy of my signed lease agreement with your agency, and I will remit payment once this documentation is recieved. I am forwarding a copy of this request to the collection agency, as well as the three major credit bureaus. I will wait the 30 days allowed by law for you to provide this information. If I do not recieve this verification from your agency, I will consider this debt invalid, and no payment will be made. Thank you for your time in honoring my request." 

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Jandj80... I was thinking about doing something like this but I wasn't sure how to approach it.  From what I understood, since the collection is past the statute of limitations and now passed to a credit agency, they are under no obligation to validate it.  I have no tried validating it with the collection agency, however.