HELP...Just got hit with an old forgotten debt

[axman]

In 2009 my business took a hit (like a lot of businesses did) and I ended up with a bill from ebay for services rendered. Today, "out of the blue" the bill shows up as a new 2011 unpaid debt on my credit report. To be upfront here, with all the chaos pulling the business out of the mud I put the bill on the back burner until it got forgotten. I got a letter from a collection agency earlier this year and I planned of taking care of it then and it just went under.What I am trying to say is - this was my own fault.

Since I am planning on buying a new house next year I need to do whatever I can to offset this blight. Is there a way to change the date of the debt to the actual date of its occurrence (09.09, not 09.11)? What would an immediate payoff do?

I have been babying my credit and tried to keep it as clean as possible.As an immigrant with only about 4 years of history it just now started to look good. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that I have about 12 month to fix it somehow. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Lian]

Once a debt goes to collection, FCRA 623(a)(5) has VERY specific rules about the accuracy of reporting of your date of first delinquency in order to prevent updates that would extend their date of exclusion from your CR, So it would be illegal for either the creditor or debt collector to report a later date of commencement of the delinquency.

You can pursue a PFD offer to attempt earlier deletion. A payoff without CR deletion wont improve your FICO score, but may become necessary to satisfy the requirements of a mortgage lender.

[axman]

Thanks Lian - I sent you a private message with a few more questions.

I finally had time to go through old emails and check on exact dates. The acct act became past due in Oct 2008 (when the economy tanked) and delinquent in Feb. 2009. As it shows on my report it says opened 4.11 - HUGE difference in my book. Also, the amount on the VR entry is higher then what was stated in my last invoice.

Interestingly enough, invoices (5 or 6 of them) shown after 09.2009 show a 0 balance on my invoice.

Looks like this:

Your monthly eBay invoice for the period from September 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 is now available to view online.


Credit or zero balance: $0.00

Your account is up to date. No payment is required at this time.

To view your invoice and make a payment: blah, blah, blah


So, I am freakin confused....

[axman]

More confusion - this account was suspended in early 2009 - my balance was 0 by June 2009 - yet the old alleged debt is now listed as new charges "not yet invoiced". Something stinks to high heaven.. No collection attempt between 03/2009 and 06/2011 with my last statement 03/10 saying my account was up to date.

I paid off a lot of the debt occurred late 08 and there is a chance I actually paid it. Just don't know and can't find a paper trail.


At least all this should give me leverage. Sorry to unload my frustration here.

Almost ready to call and talk to them but that means putting the cards on the table......