Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania

Find your receipt. Look at this from Verizon's perspective. You claim you have returned the equipment. I am sure you are telling the truth but Verizon does not know that. Anyone can state that. Verizon does not know you.

Why does Verizon have to send a confirming email? They may or they may not. I know of nothing which requires it though. If they did, that would help.

If you can find your receipt, a letter can be sent to Verizon advising that you did return the equipment and that this was an error on their part and that they should remove the derogatory information on your credit report because it was placed there erroneously.

If you cannot find the receipt, then you have 2 choices, depending on your circumstances. (1) do not pay. How much is owed? how long has it been? its going to drop off your credit report in time (it can stay on for about 7 1/2 years from the time that the money was owed. are you going to be needing credit any time soon (i.e. before the debt falls off)? Like a mortgage/refi or a car loan? Is this the ONLY black mark on your credit? If you are not going to be needing credit within the next 3 years, I would not pay. Just deal with it. I especially would not pay if 4 or more years have elapsed since the money was owed because collection of the debt is barred by the statute of limitations. Even if a little less, how long has it been since payment was allegedly owed? You are not likely to be sued on any debt that is $500 or less. Its not impossible, just not very likely.

(2) If less than 4 years has elapsed or if you are looking to get a mortgage, then and only then would I consider settling. Mortgage lenders do not care about derogatory information on your credit report as long as the debt shows up as being paid. So if this is the only bad thing on your report and you really need to buy that house now I would do one of two things: (a) either write a letter and explain that you really did pay but do not have your receipt and offer to pay the whole thing IF they will amend the derogatory info to "pays as agreed" because this was their fault not yours OR (b) if they will not remove, then offer to settle for 50% or less. If they want more, I would tell them to forget it unless you really really need that mortgage/refi on a house.

If you have other things on your credit and depending on the particulars of this debt, I work through a company that may be able to assist. You can email me at [email protected] for details if you are interested.