My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Maryland
My situation is that I opened a credit card account with a certain company in 2008 I believe. I used it infrequently, and through my own fault, fell behind on payments and eventually abandoned it. It was not my proudest moment. I've now gotten my act together, and am in the process of reconstructing my credit and establishing myself.
I receive mail at my parents address in PA (I have lived in MD since 2007ish though have intermittently used my parents' address as while getting set up in MD, stayed with friends/relatives for a while before I found an apartment). I have had leases for 2009-11, and 2011-current, in Maryland, though never changed my license over to MD as I left my vehicle with my parents and seldom drive here. I don't know if this creates a problem in which state I am a "resident" or which state's statute takes precedent.
Last Christmas, my parents dropped off mail while visiting, including a letter from a certain collection agency (I assume I should not name them explicitly here) indicating I owed them a debt. I did not respond, and a month or two ago began receiving phone calls from "unknown" once or twice a day. They got annoying enough that I eventually answered one, and offered to pay the debt in full in exchange for them removing their entry onto my credit report- not the original charge-off from credit card co.- just the collection agency's new entry on my credit report. They declined, and I persisted, and it was escalated to a supervisor, with whom I had the same conversation. She tried to paint me into a corner, using language to imply that I was "refusing to pay". I reiterated clearly several times that I would pay in full if they would make this agreement in writing to remove their mark on my credit report. She continued to inform me that this indicates a refusal to pay on my part, as she had told me that they would not remove it even if I paid in full. She told me the conversation was done and they would move onto further action.
I'm now concerned about getting a lawsuit on my hands. The debt is less than 1k (for now, although they see fit to accrue an incredible interest rate on the debt monthly).
As far as I can see from my credit report, the last "late" mark from credit card co. was 120-day-late, in March 2009. After this, it appears as "no data" each month, with intermittent "KD"s ("Key Derogatory") once in a while. Then, in February 2011, there is an "OK" (although I did not pay them in February, 2011) and that is where the reporting ends.
Enter the collection agency, who appears on my credit report as of February 2012 (one year later), with each month (except for one or two) all showing "KD" from them.
Can anyone help me figure out how I establish:
1. Did I "re-age" my debt by offering to pay in exchange for removal of their mark on my credit? I have been reading about the concept of "re-aging" but I am unsure exactly how it works, and if it is a federal concept or state-by-state.
2. Which state the statute of limitations applies to? (They appear to have my Pennsylvania address on file, but should I update with them to Maryland or leave as-is)?
My understanding is that the Statute of Limitations clock starts at the date of the last payment on the debt to the original creditor- so by the 120-day-late mark, it would seem that was November, 2008. By that logic, I would be outside of the SOL (for Maryland...and possibly PA?) and be able to have more leverage to offer them a payment in exchange for them removing it from my credit. Or...did I "re-age" the debt and open myself up for a lawsuit just by talking to them on the phone and inadvertently "validating" the debt?
I'm sorry if I've not provided enough information (or too much). As far as I know, I have not received any further contact from them, but would like to know how to proceed (and at this point think I would make a settlement even though it would not help my credit, if the other option is legal action...unless I have any legal footing here).
Thank you for anyone who responds. I feel terrible asking- this is my own mess, from my own issues of disorganization- and I am not trying to get away with anything. I just want to know how to proceed and what my options are in terms of fighting for "a better deal".
BTW, I don't know if there is any "thank" or payment system here, but I would be happy to offer free design services in exchange for some thorough advice on this.

