Can a CA and OC be one in the same?

[Bostonian]

I have a collection on my Experian credit report (it does not show up on my Equifax or Transunion credit rerports) that I would like to remove.

The collection is due to a short move I made from San Jose to San Diego where I rented a house for 1.5 months. Unfortunately, somehow the bill from local utility (San Diego Gas & Electric) didn't get forwarded, or somehow it got lost. Thus, the account went to collection.

On my credit report, the status is listed as "Paid, Closed. $118 written off". The account history says "Charge Off as of Jan 2008, 180 days past due as of Mar 2008".

I have a few questions I'm hoping someone might be able to help with:

1. When the status is listed as "Paid, Closed. $118 written off", does that mean the debt has actually been paid? To be honest, I can't recall if I paid this ... it was a while back and so much has happened since then. But I think I was contacted by mail from the utility and responded right away.

2. I've learned that large utilities have a "closing/bill collection unit". Does anyone know if these are actual departments of the company? Or they are instead external collection agencies?

3. If they are internal departments, does this mean the collection agency and original creditor are one in the same?

4. If the the collection agency and original creditor are one in the same, does that effect the 1-2 punch and/or the process of debt validation?

I'm thinking of trying the 1-2 punch, figuring with the upcoming holidays this would be the perfect time of year to crunch them.

Thanks for your help.

[chane]

1. Yes, that means it's been paid.

2. I think some are internal, others are external.

3. Yea, basically.

4. I would probably just dispute it. If it says "charge off" it's usually the OC that is listing it. If there is not a second account, then their collections dept. is internal, so it's not really a collection account...or is it? You mentioned that it is. Are you sure it is?

[Bostonian]

Originally Posted by chane

4. I would probably just dispute it. If it says "charge off" it's usually the OC that is listing it. If there is not a second account, then their collections dept. is internal, so it's not really a collection account...or is it? You mentioned that it is. Are you sure it is?

Thanks for the feedback.

Here's what it says on the Experian CR:

Status:
Paid,Closed. $118 written off.

Account History:
Charge Off as of Jan 2008
180 days past due as of Mar 2008

I went back through my bank statements and found an electronic payment for $118 dated on 2/29/08. The amount was paid to City Treasurer. I'm just about positive this payment was for this past due account, but I'm getting info from my bank to verify.

To answer your question, I think SDG&E has their own internal CA. I called them and asked for the collection unit - and they transferred me to rep that answered questions on whether they do a 'pay for delete'. They said no, but they'd mark the bill as "paid" on the CR. I actually asked to speak with a supervisor to verify ... who also said they never request the credit bureaus to remove "Charge-offs" or "Collections" from the CR. So I think that's evidence that it's an internal CA group within SDG&E.

That wouldn't surprise me, the utility in the Bay area (Pacific Gas & Electric) also has their own CA.

Anyways I can dispute with Experian (because they are the only bureau showing it on my CR), but first, two final questions:

- The last credit reports I have (which shows this paid collection account with SDG&E) were generated by the free annual credit reports website in April 2010. Because I did not find this info out from a paid report, does still that mean the CRA has 45 days to respond to the dispute?

- Should I try the 1-2 punch instead of dispute? If so, does it matter that the OC and CA are one in the same? Meaning, is the OC still held to the same laws as a CA? And should I use registered mail with RRR?

Again, thank you for all your help.

[chane]

Yes, it means they have 45 days.

If the collection department is internal and listed as the same company, then it's not a collection account, it's a charge off. A collection account is from a third party collection agency. So, the 1-2 punch is not an option.

I would just dispute it. I've never used RRRs for CRA disputes and have never had a problem. They are a must for DV, but not for disputes.