Derogatory account of debt shows up 10 years later

**riverbuff2** · 11-18-2005, 07:04 AM

An item just showed up on my credit report from over 10 years ago. Apperantly I owed Comcast cable $71 from 1995, which I don't even remember. Paying the $71 is not a problem, I just don't want it on my credit report. Is it too late to just pay it? What can I do. Do you think they will work with me and remove it from my report if I pay it? And 10 years???? Are they allowed to wait that long?
Thanks!!!
riverbuff

ops:

**aaron** · 11-18-2005, 10:04 AM

It is strange for a ten-year-old debt to appear on your credit report. What does the entry say?

**riverbuff2** · 11-18-2005, 10:24 AM

Well, It says Date opened was 5/23/2005 and date reported was 10/8/2005. But when I called about it, it was for an account from 1995. But it with a collection agency now and not comcast. Strange ah?

**aaron** · 11-18-2005, 04:12 PM

It sounds like a data entry error. Submit a request for them to correct the entry under the FDCPA, and it will probably drop off your report.

**riverbuff2** · 11-18-2005, 04:46 PM

Thanks Aaron. I'll give it a try and let you know how it turns out. The only thing is that they have never contacted me. But we'll see what happens..

**ladent** · 03-10-2006, 01:48 PM

DO NOT PAY IT without a written agreement from the collection agency to remove it from your report. In fact, what they have done is re-age the account which is illegal. I would send them a letter certified RRR telling them this account is obsolete and that you demand validation of this alleged debt. Tell them they have re-aged tha account and to remove it from your reports. Tell them to only respond to you via US mail. If you pay this the collection agency will update your account as a paid collection and it will now remain 7 more years