Can 2 Collection Companys Go After The Same Account?

Asked by: Ms. Prof. Dr. Sophie Smith B.A. | Last update: May 25, 2022
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Unpaid collection accounts can get sold from debt collector to another, leaving your credit report with multiple collection accounts for one debt. It is up to you to review your credit reports to make sure you do not have multiple debt collectors reporting for the same debt.

Can multiple collection agencies report the same debt?

If the new collector re-ages the account, you can dispute the date with the credit bureaus. And if the same account is being reported by multiple collection agencies, that's a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and you can dispute the accounts listed by the agencies that no longer own the debt, too.

Can the same debt be listed twice on your credit report?

If the same debt is listed multiple times (possibly with different names) you should dispute the multiple listings with the credit reporting agency and the original creditor or furnisher that provided the information to the credit reporting agency. A multiple listing is not a harmless error.

Can one collection agency sell to another collection agency?

If a collection agency has been unable to recover money from you, it can resell the debt to another collection agency. However, the debt will retain the original date of the delinquency. Therefore, the collection agency cannot report old debt as new debt.

Can a charge off be reported twice?

The charge-off will only appear on credit reports from credit bureaus the lender or creditor reports to -- some may report to only two, one or none at all.

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17 related questions found

Why do I have 2 collections from the same company?

It's not unusual to have more than one debt collector on credit reports for the same debt. Sometimes, a creditor will place a debt with a collector, and if that agency doesn't collect the debt within a certain amount of time, it goes back to the creditor, either to be placed with another agency or sold off entirely.

How many times can a debt be resold?

Answer: An unpaid collection account can be sold and re-purchased over and over again by junk debt buyers. Often, a junk debt buyer will purchase a collection account, attempt collection for a few months, then re-sale the account to a new junk debt buyer. This can occur repeatedly until the debt is paid.

Can I pay the original creditor instead of the collection agency?

Unfortunately, you're still obligated to pay a debt even if the original creditor sells it to a collection agency. As long as you legally consented to repay your loan in the first place, it doesn't matter who owns it. You may be able to pay less than you actually owe, though.

How often can a collection agency flag your account?

Collections agencies can report to all three of the credit bureaus almost as soon as they purchase the debt. They can then report monthly on the status of the debt for seven years and 180 days from the date they took the account.

Can a collection agency reopen a closed account?

Debt collectors can restart the clock on old debt if you: Admit the debt is yours. Make a partial payment. Agree to make a payment (even if you can't) or accept a settlement.

How can I get a collection removed without paying?

There are 3 ways to remove collections without paying: 1) Write and mail a Goodwill letter asking for forgiveness, 2) study the FCRA and FDCPA and craft dispute letters to challenge the collection, and 3) Have a collections removal expert delete it for you.

How do you get out of collections without paying?

Request a Goodwill Deletion. Dispute the Collection. Request Debt Validation. Negotiate a Pay-for-Delete.

What should you not say to debt collectors?

3 Things You Should NEVER Say To A Debt Collector Additional Phone Numbers (other than what they already have) Email Addresses. Mailing Address (unless you intend on coming to a payment agreement) Employer or Past Employers. Family Information (ex. Bank Account Information. Credit Card Number. Social Security Number. .

Can collection agencies remove charge-offs?

First, creditors aren't obligated to honor your request and remove charge-offs from your credit. So while you can ask for a pay-for-delete, there's no guarantee that a creditor or debt collector will agree to it. Second, if they do agree, you'll likely need to pay the account in full.

Are charge-offs and collections the same?

In short, debt collection happens after your account has already been charged-off. “Debt collections differ from charge-offs in that the original lender has sold the debt to a third-party agency to collect the debt from the borrower,” says Annette Harris, founder of Harris Financial Coaching.

Can account have multiple charge-offs?

It's possible to have several charged-off accounts listed on your report for the same account. The reason is that debt collection agencies often sell bad debt to a debt buyer, leaving a trail of negative accounts on your credit report in their wake.

What does has flagged your account as collections mean?

When an account becomes seriously past due, the creditor may decide to turn the account over to an internal collection department or to sell the debt to a collection agency. Once an account is sold to a collection agency, the collection account can then be reported as a separate account on your credit report.

How do I get duplicates removed from my credit report?

Make copies of your credit reports, highlighting the duplicates. Send a dispute letter requesting removal of the duplicate account name, account number and balance. Send the letter and copy of your report to the bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — that have reported the duplicates.

Can collection agency keeps updating credit report?

The short answer is yes, a collection agency can continue to update the account on your credit reports. When you dispute an item, the Date of Last Activity (DOLA) can be updated. The date of last activity can change anytime there is new activity on your account. That could be a credit dispute or a payment.

How do I pay off old debt in collections?

Contact the agency and make payments. Pay in full. If you owe the money and have the money, you should pay the money. Negotiate a payment plan using your pro rata plan. Let them know you can pay something each month and show them how. Ask to settle the account. .

Does disputing a collection reset the clock?

' This means the clock resets and a new statute of limitations period begins. It also often means the collector can sue you to collect the full amount of the debt, which may include additional interest and fees.”.

Should I pay off a 2 year old collection?

If you have a collection account that's less than seven years old, you should still pay it off if it's within the statute of limitations. First, a creditor can bring legal action against you, including garnishing your salary or your bank account, at least until the statute of limitations expires.