Posted in the general credit forum and realized I should have probably posted here first.

Here's the gist -

Long story short - have a new house being built and should be closing again in the next 30 days. I've been watching my reports like a hawk as I've gotten some debris removed.

Today I pull CCT and new derog shows up on Experian. It's a CA named Account Control Technologies" for what appears to be something related to college tuition. It could be for a dropped class or who knows what. It's only $256 so I could certainly pay it. I haven't attended classes in more than 10 years, but this is now showing as

Date Opened:
10/2008
Reported Since:
09/2008
Date of Status:
09/2008
Last Reported:
11/2008

It didn't report in September. It looks to me like they've somehow reaged it. I've moved a few times and don't recall ever getting anything in the mail regarding this.

Question is - how do I approach this? Fax a PFD letter to Account Control? I've already disputed online with Experian. I know this is not recommended, but with the new house I wanted to get something going ASAP.

Should I send Account Control a Certified letter with intent to sue for illegally reaging?

I'm going to call the school tomorrow morning, but any other suggestions would be more than appreciated. I'm in full panic mode with the house close to being done.


And note the above date info is from a direct Experian report and not a tri-merge.

Thanks

Personally I wouldnt fart around with the mail at this time of year and especially with your deadline. Call and get it resolved. Email or fax might be a better option. A lot of collectors take off the christmas to new years period and your letter will sit around in a pile.

Thanks, Lynn.

I'm going to call the school first and see what they say. If they tell me to contact the CA I'll call them as well.

Since you're one of the resident experts on student loans and college collections, does it appear that it's been illegally reaged? As I mentioned it's been well over 10 years since I attended any classes.

Also, does SOL apply since it was not a student loan? Is it legal for them to insert this on my report after 10 years?

Thanks again.

Credit reporting is not my forte. Collectors have absolutely nothing to do with credit reporting and nor can they change anything.
What I know about credit reporting has been learned on the side.

Tuition/student accounts from public and non profit school have no sol....they can be collected indefinately.

Collection SOL is indefinite, but the reporting SOL is still only 7 years from DOFD.

As far as the dates listed by OP, I'd say those dates are the dates the CA opened the account and have nothing to do with DOFD. If those are the dates the collector bought/was assigned the account, then the reporting is accurate. Unfortunately, you'll need your hard copy reports or a proper DV response from the CA to know the full story on the debt.

I contacted the school's Bursar's Office this morning. While the lady wasn't able to tell me what the balance was for, she was able to give me the current balance.

She told me to write to the school's collection office for more detailed information on the account. She also informed me of how to pay the balance online on the school's site.

I'm about to pay the balance and send a letter with a copy of the receipt along with request that it be recalled from Account Control and removed from reports. I'm going to send the letter overnight as timing is crucial with the house being done soon and I know the school will be closing for the holidays mid-week next week.

Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks again to all.

How do they attempt to collect or even continue to report a debt that has been paid to the original creditor?

If you pay the school, they will send a pay direct the CA. The account will be closed, paid collection account.

Do you recommend paying the CA instead? And how good are the CA's at validating a debt? I could pay the school, DV the CA and see what happens.

I'm praying the Experian dispute doesn't verify and they delete it. I know it's wishful thinking, but one can hope. If the house wasn't so close to being done, I'd have more patience with it.

And IF it doesn't show up on the other two CRAs it may not be as big of a deal as Experian is the lowest of my three scores anyway.

Thanks again, Lynn.

With a third party collection account where the school has already told you that the CA is collecting on the debt, DV'ing is a waste of time and energy. All the school has to do is send the CA a copy of your unpaid student account. (Have you tried looking at your student account?) Again you are fighting against time.