Rachel Hunter Law Office

12/29/2025

More useful information about the re-aging of debts - this just happened with a client of mine. After a letter from me, the info disappeared from my client's credit report and her score went up considerably. So it does happen and people need to be vigilant if they know they will be needing to apply for credit. I disagree slightly with the article in regard to filing a complaint with the CFPB. For all intents and purposes, the CFPB is virtually dead. Instead, if you have the facts, write a letter to the debt collector as well as the credit bureaus. MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money
Are debt collectors illegally re-aging your accounts? Here's how to find out.
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By Angelica Leicht
June 12, 2025 / 12:30 PM EDT / CBS News

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Before you pay a debt collector, it's important to ensure that they're not re-aging your old debts.
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If your old debt has been sold to a debt collector, you know how stressful the issue can be. Debt collectors can be quite aggressive when trying to collect what's owed on your unpaid credit card or loan debt and it's not uncommon to receive numerous phone calls, emails and other types of correspondence during the process. But if you've received calls or notices about a credit card debt that should have expired years ago, you might be dealing with a practice called "re-aging," where debt collectors essentially reset the clock on old debts to make them appear newer than they actually are.

This deceptive tactic has become increasingly common as debt buyers scoop up portfolios of old, often uncollectible debts for pennies on the dollar. By making these debts appear fresh, debt collectors can pursue payment more aggressively and potentially even take legal action that would otherwise be barred by statutes of limitations. The practice not only violates federal law but can also devastate your credit score and financial well-being, even if you aren't technically responsible for repaying the outdated debt.

That's why knowing how to spot and fight debt re-aging could save you thousands of dollars and protect your credit history. But how exactly can you do that? Well, the good news is that spotting these issues may be easier than you think.

Take steps to get rid of your old debt today.

How to know if debt collectors are re-aging your accounts
The first red flag to watch for is any debt that suddenly reappears on your credit report after having disappeared for months or years. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), most negative information, including collection accounts, must be removed from your credit report after seven years.

That seven-year period starts from the date you first missed a payment and never caught up, which is known as the "date of first delinquency." It does not start at the date the account was sold or at the date a collector last tried to call you. But in some cases, a debt collector may manipulate that date, either by mistake or on purpose, to make the debt seem newer. After all, if they change the delinquency date to something more recent, it keeps the account on your credit for longer than it legally should be.

Why would they do that? The answer is simple: It boosts their chances of getting paid. A fresher-looking account can appear more urgent and damaging, which can pressure people into paying, even if they're no longer legally obligated to. It also makes the debt collector's portfolio more attractive when selling debts to other agencies.

So, to avoid being stuck with a debt that you don't owe any longer, you'll need to check your reports for re-aging, which can be done by following these steps:

Get your credit reports: Start by pulling your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, which can be done (often for free) on AnnualCreditReport.com.
Look for the date of first delinquency: The date of first delinquency is the most important detail to look for. You need to identify when the account originally became past due, not when the debt collector got involved or the last activity date.
Do the math: If it's been more than seven years since the original delinquency, that account should no longer be showing. If it is, or if the delinquency date looks suspiciously recent, you may have a re-aged account.
Watch for duplicate listings: The same debt sometimes appears multiple times with different dates or collector names. That's a red flag, especially if the new listing pushes the clock back.
Find out how to tackle your debt problems for good.

What to do if a debt has been re-aged
If you find that a debt on your credit report has been re-aged, here's what to do to fix the issue:

File a dispute with the credit bureaus
If you think a debt is being re-aged, your first move should be to dispute it directly with the credit bureaus. You can do this online through their websites. Include any documentation you have, whether that's old statements, letters from the original creditor or other proof of the real timeline. The bureaus are required to investigate your dispute within 30 days. If the debt collector can't prove the date is accurate, the item must be corrected or removed entirely.

Report the debt collector
You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if you find re-aged debts on your credit report. The CFPB is the agency that keeps tabs on illegal practices by debt collectors, including re-aging, and they may be able to help resolve the issue.

Understand your rights
Re-aging isn't just unethical. It's also a violation of the FCRA and possibly the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). These laws protect you from deceptive and unfair collection tactics. If you can prove a violation, you may even be able to sue the debt collector for damages.

Don't accidentally restart the statute of limitations
If you make a payment or acknowledge the debt in writing, you could restart the statute of limitations for being sued on the debt, but not the reporting period for your credit report. These timelines are different. Re-aging affects your credit report timeline, not your legal liability. But either way, you don't want to give a debt collector more leverage than they're legally entitled to.

The bottom line
Old debt doesn't have to haunt your credit report forever. If a collection account is showing up years after it should've disappeared, something may be wrong — and it could be an illegal case of re-aging. So, take time to check your credit reports, look closely at the dates and don't hesitate to push back if something doesn't make sense. You have a legal right to accurate credit reporting, and you don't have to tolerate tactics designed to keep bad debt alive past its expiration date.

Edited by Matt Richardson

12/29/2025

more evidence that the economy is not doing well, despite the blatherings of this maladministration:

State courts nationwide are grappling with spikes in debt collection lawsuits, according to two new reports from January Advisors and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). Debt collection lawsuits account for a notable share of civil dockets in the United States each year, with up to 4.7 mill...

12/29/2025

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money
How much do credit card companies usually settle for?
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By Angelica Leicht
October 30, 2025 / 2:44 PM EDT / CBS News

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When it comes to credit card debt, the settlement amount depends on your financial situation and negotiation skills.
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Credit card debt has reached new record highs this year, due, in large part, to the tough economic landscape we're facing, and that means the monthly payments are becoming increasingly difficult to manage for many people. Further complicating the issue is the fact that average credit card APRs are now hovering above 22%, which means that the interest charges compound quickly for those carrying a balance. And, while the Federal Reserve has begun to ease rates, card issuers rarely pass down those savings to cardholders. When they do, the process tends to be a slow one.

As a result, more borrowers are now struggling to keep up with their growing credit card balances as the interest charges continue to accrue over time. That's why the idea of credit card debt settlement — which is a process in which a credit card company agrees to accept less than what's owed — is becoming a more common option for cardholders to consider. And, that means lenders are facing an uncomfortable reality of their own: With serious delinquencies and pressure on borrowers climbing, not every balance will be paid in full.

But while debt settlement can be a way to get relief, the amount that's forgiven during the process isn't set in stone. Each credit card company has its own approach, so how much can you realistically expect a card issuer to settle for? That's what we'll detail below.

Find out how you can start settling your credit card debt for less.

How much do credit card companies usually settle for?
Here's the short answer: If you make a strong case during negotiations, most credit card companies will agree to reduce your total outstanding balance by 30% to 50% on average. That means if you owe $10,000, you might be able to negotiate paying $5,000 to $7,000 instead. In other words, you'd get $3,000 to $5,000 knocked off what you owe. However, this range isn't set in stone. It's more like a starting point for negotiations.

Several factors influence where your settlement might land within that spectrum. The age of your debt matters considerably, for example. If your account is only 60 days past due, creditors are less likely to accept a much lower offer because they still believe they can collect the full amount. Once your debt hits 180 days delinquent and gets charged off, though? That's when credit card companies become much more motivated to settle, because at that point, they've already written off the debt as a loss on their books.

Your financial circumstances play an equally crucial role. If you can demonstrate genuine financial hardship — maybe you lost your job, faced a serious medical emergency or experienced another legitimate crisis — credit card companies are often more willing to negotiate. They know that getting a substantial portion of the debt today beats chasing someone through collections for years with nothing to show for it.

The type of creditor also matters. Major credit card issuers might have different settlement policies than smaller regional banks or credit unions. Some companies have formal hardship programs, while others handle negotiations on a case-by-case basis. And, once your debt gets sold to a collection agency (which typically happens after 180 days), you might find even more flexibility. Collection agencies often purchase debts for pennies on the dollar, so they can often afford to offer deeper discounts and still make a profit.

Learn more about the debt relief options available to you here.

How to increase the chances of settling your debt for less
Getting a credit card company to settle for less takes strategy, and often, a professional touch. Here are a few ways to improve your odds of success:

Work with a debt relief company
Reputable debt relief companies specialize in negotiating with creditors on your behalf. They understand lender policies, know how to present your hardship case and can often secure better settlement percentages than most people can get on their own. While there are fees involved, and while you'll have to qualify to enroll, the savings and structure can make it worthwhile for borrowers struggling to manage negotiations on their own.

Demonstrate genuine financial hardship
Lenders generally won't settle with borrowers who appear to have the means to pay in full. Creditors are generally more willing to negotiate, though, if you can show clear proof of hardship, like job loss, reduced income, medical expenses or major life changes. Be honest, provide documentation if asked and emphasize that you want to repay what you can afford.

Be ready with a realistic offer
As a general rule, it helps to start low but reasonable at around 30% of the total balance and expect to negotiate up from there. And, having cash ready for a lump-sum payment gives you stronger leverage. If you're working through a debt relief company, they'll handle these details for you.

Be patient with the process
Settlements don't happen overnight. Creditors often take weeks or even months to review and respond to the offers you make, so be patient and stay the course. You should also be sure to avoid making any new payments or promises during this time, as that can complicate the process or kill negotiations altogether.

The bottom line
Credit card debt settlement can provide genuine relief when you're facing financial hardship. While the outcome varies, credit card companies will generally agree to lower your balance by 30% to 50% on average during settlement negotiations. The exact figure depends on your situation, the creditor and your approach, though. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure how to start, working with a trusted debt relief company can make all the difference. By doing so, you can ensure that you negotiate from a position of strength and confidence, not desperation.

Edited by Matt Richardson

12/26/2025

uh oh ... this is not gonna be good. people lucky enough to still have jobs are going to be garnished, which means tey will have less money to deal with their other debts.

For the first time in years, borrowers who have stopped paying their student loans may have their wages garnished to repay their debts.

10/28/2025

Good advice:

Before you hand over money to a debt collector, take these steps to protect both your finances and your rights.

05/19/2025

Discover just merged with Capital One. Too soon to know what the impact is going to be on people with debts. In the [past. Discover was the least flexible in terms of resolving and then Capital One went through a period of refusing to negotiate directly on debts, but we will have to see what this portends.

Capital One acquired Discover in an all-stock transaction valued at $35.5 billion.

01/08/2025

While this is really great news, what would be even better is if we had a real health care system (instead of sickness care/corporate care for the heath insurers and pharmaceutical companies and hospital administrators). However, a victory is a victory, no matter how small:

Vice President Harris announced a final ruling by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to remove $49 billion in unpaid medical debt from consumer credit reports.

01/06/2025

a decent basic outline of what happens if you owe a debt and cannot pay. notice that threats of imprisonment are not among the consequences.

There are a few different strategies debt collectors can use when you're unable to pay off what you owe.

12/14/2024

This is a bad sign of things to come. the CFPB, even if it survives, will now go back to being the corporate financial protection bureau and nobody will be looking out for consumers.

The presumed Trump Cabinet appointee said there “are too many duplicative regulatory agencies,” calling out the consumer watchdog specifically Wednesday.

08/17/2024

Some good info:

A pay-for-delete letter can save your credit score from dropping. However, pay-for-delete arrangements come with several pitfalls and consequences.

07/26/2024

This sounds ominous. unclear what to make of it. do the banks see things getting worse in the economy? https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/personalfinance/banks-are-bracing-for-consumers-to-stop-paying-off-their-credit-cards/ar-BB1quJxD?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6c77a9a3da184c8aa61b66b150b3a1c4&ei=16&fbclid=IwY2xjawEQJb9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQJU9knOkdVP1HkPnTLWygtunhk7-vIBMxm_t_JUzw24GU9kvpb53jw7pw_aem_vmgGeRvCimLXTh6tH4kQrw

With interest rates sitting at more than two-decade highs and inflation continuing to bear down on consumers, big banks are preparing to face more risks from their lending practices.

01/15/2024

I would not recommend doing this without at least discussing this with an attorney first, but it is an option IF (a) you can afford to resolve the debt; (b) the debt is in fact your debt or a debt for which you are responsible and (c) this account is the only black mark on your credit.

A pay-for-delete letter can save your credit score from dropping. However, pay-for-delete arrangements come with several pitfalls and consequences.