collection agency in Houston (credit report, debt, pay, apartment)

[XodoX]

Hello, to make a long story short:

I moved out of an apartment last June. Management claimed I owed 143 Dollars to them ( supposedly carpet needed to be replaced). I had proof that the carpet was clean. Manager said I do not owe any additional money.
Today it showed up on my credit report. I NEVER got anything in the mail. This was like a shock to me.

Moderator cut: business name removed

They are after me now. They are here in Houston. I need your advise - what am I supposed to do? Now it's on my report and screwed up my credit bad.
The manager works somewhere else now. But I am trying to hunt her down.
If I pay it, don't I admit basically my "fault" ? I do want it to be removed off my report. Paying it right now would limit the damage, but I do not know if I can still dispute it once I pay it.

I really do need some help. I took good care of my credit all these years. I never had a negative entry. I can't put it in words how I feel.

[Beto]

I would dispute the claim and by paying you are only resolving the debt and not the negative entry. Send the collection agency a dispute letter and if all fails try again. Hope that helps.

[ajzjmsmom]

Good advise from Beto, contact the collection agency with a letter of dispute. Send the proof along with your letter of dispute and then present the proof to the collection agency.

[XodoX]

Well, the thing is I only had proof that the carpet was clean. But I don't have much proof that the manager said I don't owe any more money. I was able to locate her and tried to contact her.

Should I consider paying it so that at least the account will be closed until I can resolve this?

[XodoX]

Ok, I just found the emails the manager had emailed me. I kind of doubt this is proof enough. But she did say:

I am willing to meet you halfway on the cost to help eleviate some of your burden.

It was about 700 to replace the carpet.. so I should have gotten something back instead of paying 143 in addition to it.

Is it still worth a try?

[LostInHouston]

I would fight it. If you pay it, it will still be on your credit report and count against your credit score.

[danieloneil01]

Call her back and tell her to go $%$# herself. You're pretty much screwed. Pay it and be done with it. You said yourself you've been perfect on your credit for along time. I doubt once it's paid and hows that it is on your credit report that it'll still be a great score.

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

Call her back and tell her to go $%$# herself. You're pretty much screwed. Pay it and be done with it. You said yourself you've been perfect on your credit for along time. I doubt once it's paid and hows that it is on your credit report that it'll still be a great score.

Well, my score dropped by 150 points I always paid everything and anything on time. And that's what I get back. This system sucks. Should not be allowed to do this if they don't even notify you. I'm still speechless.

It's not just about the score. How am I gonna get an apartment here again when they see this.

[danieloneil01]

Originally Posted by XodoX

Well, my score dropped by 150 points I always paid everything and anything on time. And that's what I get back. This system sucks. Should not be allowed to do this if they don't even notify you. I'm still speechless.

I said once you pay it and it shows on your credit report as paid, please read carefully.


**** happens, even to good people.

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by danieloneil01

I said once you pay it and it shows on your credit report as paid, please read carefully.


**** happens, even to good people.

I do know that. Dosen't change anything. Will be still on there for 5 years. Also will screw my score for 5 years.