Question: I have a question on settling a debt with a bank from 2008. I ordered a report from Chexsystem and I hadn’t realized that I owed HSBC $130 from 2009 and I have been on the Chexsystem for that long. I would like to approach HSBC on paying this debt and getting removed from [...]

Only the original creditor can report you as 30, 60, 90 or even 120 days late, a collection agency should not be reporting late payments on your credit report.

More frequently debt collectors are bringing old debt back to life and going after consumers for payment but there are ways to fight back.

Court judgments can remain on your credit report for 7 years or longer if unpaid and can increase as long as it remains unpaid.

Can debt validation be used to dispute debt due to fraud and identity theft.

Debt validation is a useful tool for consumers but it only applies to debt collectors, not original creditors.

If a credit bureau refuses to correct inaccurate information consumers have several options to pursue including filing a lawsuit.

Can a case get dismissed if the collection agency validates the wrong student loan debt

Most landlords do not have the capacity to report tenants to the major credit bureaus but if they transfer or sale the account to a collection agency any unpaid debt can end up on your credit reports for up to 7 years.

When settling accounts for less make sure to get the agreement in writing and have the creditor sign the agreement.

Business owners can build business credit without a personal guarantee but it is a process in which every step must be followed correctly in order to avoid using your personal credit history.

Telecheck is a consumer reporting agency subject to the FRCA which means you can dispute the information in your Telecheck report

There is no law that says you must cooperate or allow a debt collector to contact you, learn how to stop a debt collector from contacting you

When deciding to settle a debt with a collection agency save money by offering less and negotiate a deletion of the account from your credit reports.

A third-party such as an attorney can conduct collection activities for a debt collector under the FDCPA but they will be subject to the laws governing debt collectors just like the debt collector.

Getting a collection account deleted from your credit reports may do wonders for your credit score and a pay for delete may be well worth the money.

When a case is “dismissed with prejudice” you have won the case, you no longer owe the debt and the account should be deleted from your credit reports.

If debt validation is requested within the 30-day time period, a debt collector cannot serve you with a summons without having validated or verified the debt.

Most original creditors cease updating charge-off accounts at some time; however, Capital One does not and it is perfectly legal.

Debt collector has not proved you owe the debt, they only verified the amount of the debt and the original creditor.