10-26-2012, 09:42 AM
I used to work at a collection agency in IT. It was my job to generate the report of accounts to report to the credit bureau and to review what kind of accounts were rejected from the credit bureau. Strangely they won't tell you outright and you have to learn as you go. If the name of the business contains the word "gym" or "fitness" I can say it will most likely be rejected. Here is a short blurb that may back up what I'm saying.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_Gym_memb...dit_report
Also, all the blustering in the world will not stop a collection agency. You really only have a few options. 1) Tell them to stop contacting you and they legally must until they have the information to garnish you. This is probably the most effective way to proceed. 2) If the contract is valid offer a settlement amount. The collection agency knows they can't collect from a college student so this will be very attractive to them. I think it's also a legitimate way for you to settle the debt and feel good about your actions.
Threatening legal action is stupid. Collection agencies often make their single obligatory phone call and then immediately move to lawsuits as they make way more money charging "legal fees" than they do off the original collection amount.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_a_Gym_memb...dit_report
Also, all the blustering in the world will not stop a collection agency. You really only have a few options. 1) Tell them to stop contacting you and they legally must until they have the information to garnish you. This is probably the most effective way to proceed. 2) If the contract is valid offer a settlement amount. The collection agency knows they can't collect from a college student so this will be very attractive to them. I think it's also a legitimate way for you to settle the debt and feel good about your actions.
Threatening legal action is stupid. Collection agencies often make their single obligatory phone call and then immediately move to lawsuits as they make way more money charging "legal fees" than they do off the original collection amount.