22 Year Old Discharged Debt Being Reported
My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Maryland
16 years ago I moved to Tennessee. 22 years ago I had a debt with Mercantile Bank of MD which was bought by PNC Bank several years ago. I have NEVER done businss with PNC Bank. 20 years ago I had to file for bankruptcy.
About 6 months ago, PNC starts reporting to all 3 credit bureaus that I have a current 'bad' debt. I have called numerous times, disputed their report, and have written to them regarding the situation with NO response.
What steps can I take to force them to take this illegally reported debt off my credit reports?
Re: 22 year old discharged debt being reported
Did you dispute the entry with the credit reporting agencies?
If you've reminded them of the discharge in bankruptcy, and they haven't taken corrective action, they can potentially be held in contempt by the bankruptcy court.
Re: 22 Year Old Discharged Debt Being Reported
Yes. They all simply sent me replies stating that PNC says that 'this is a legitimate debt' and unless I can provide documental proof they can do nothing but report what PNC tells them to.
I contacted PNC and requested that if they believe such is the case; then please provide copies of their corroborating documentation. This is when they admitted that they had 'inherited' the account through their purchase of Mercantile Bank. They did say that they would be glad to remove it if I could provide them with copies of my BK discharge documents; which, since it has been over 20 years, I no longer have.
I have also contacted the State of Maryland for these records. Their courts said that without a case number there is no way that they can locate these records.
Re: 22 Year Old Discharged Debt Being Reported
You don't get bankruptcy records from the State of Maryland. You get them from the federal bankruptcy court that granted the discharge.