Is it legal for an original creditor of a charge-off debt to sell the account twice to 2 different collection agencies?
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Is it legal for an original creditor of a charge-off debt to sell the account twice to 2 different collection agencies?
I never opened an account with the original creditor. I paid the collection agency the account was sold to first 5 years ago; I paid the account in full. Then the original creditor sold the account to a second collection agency last year. I have asked the original creditor at least 20 times to validate the debt by sending me a signed credit card contract obtained when the account was opened 6 years ago but they told me they did not have to provide that to me because the account was supposidly opened online.
Asked on December 1, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, it's not legal.
A debtor only needs to pay a debt once--it doesn't matter who claims to own it, or how many people try to collect it. If you have paid the debt already, then someone else who later bought the debt can try to sue the person you paid it to, or else the person who sold him the debt--but you've done your part. If you can show payment in full, you should be able to successfully defend against any legal action.
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