I REMEMBER AND THIS WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, AND I REMEMBER ALL TO WELL, THE WARNING LETTERS, 
you know the kind, with the scare tactics, and I had no money and I was scared. At the time all I could do was write letters and tell them the truth, it was either keep food on the table and pay my electric bills or them.. and I even had my therapist, write and that I was unable and incapable of taking care of these, It was so devastating I could not open and letter that looked even close to a creditor, it was too upsetting for me. I was so bummed. Some how time went on. It always does, and of course my credit was very bad, and I didn't really think I would ever get it back.. and you need it for almost everything now. I just wanted to feel like a good and responsible citizen again.
Well the end of last year, I finally got credit standing again, it was still not very good, but I just wanted a chance to establish some sort of credit. So I still had to buy something cheap , and pay it off. What a great feeling. Since that time I have talked to many people who have gone from no credit, to good, to bad, to even excellent, honestly.. It is possible to survive credit / debt problems. and have your dignity back.
One thing I learned recently.. is there is a thing called SOL Statue of Limitations.... because after my enthusiasm, of finally someone giving me a chance to establish my credit, I received one of those, you owe so much, but if you pay this much , all will be well, and if you don't agree, we are coming to get you, well it feels like that when you get one of those letters, you have 30 days to say to ask for proof , of who was the debt for what company, what credit card, and always, if on the phone, use the term alleged debt.,. Basically, that's what it says, I picked up a book, that taught me so much, and literally, took a lot of my fears away, knowledge can do that.
When you hear from creditors they are counting ON YOU BEING INTIMITATED, by wording and by language, they use it all about scaring you.....pretty much all of it.
I thought it was all my fault, but it wasn't, they no people are hurting and grasping at straws, they are counting one your desperation for help to get by in these hard times, so,they lure you in, they play on peoples needs, not even necessarily there wants, now a days, people are using credit, for food, gas, and just to live, how many mailings do you get, in a day, in a week, interest free for 6 months, a year, it breaks my heart to see so many good people take a bashing, and end up in bankruptcy, because they felt trapped, a lot of us only turn to credit cards in a crisis, only to find we have just taken the bait..the fees, and the penalties, yearly costs of giving you a chance, sure they are.... all of this adds up, and swallows you up.
So for instance, your, as far as you know you are out of debt, and along comes one of those scary letters. These people that buy up OLD DEBT, Ive heard they are called scavenger debt collectors. They go around and they buy your old debt for probably low money, and then go in for the kill. PAYING A DEBT THAT IS TOO OLD IS NOT REQUIRED OF YOU! THEY DO NOT COUNT ON YOU KNOWING ABOUT THIS! WONDERING HOW OLD IS THAT,FOR THAT TO APPLY, AS I DID. WELL EVERY STATE IS DIFFERENT, BUT i THINK THE LONGEST ONE ON CREDIT CARDS IS RHODE ISLAND AND THE SHORTEST I THINK IS 3 YEARS, AND THAT IS IN SEVERAL STATES, IM IN CALIFORINA, ANE ITS 4 YEARS FOR OPEN ACCTS, (LIKE CREDIT CARDS AND FOR WRITTEN CONTRACTS ALSO 4. NEW YORK I BELEIVE IS 6 YEARS, FOR BOTH. AND NEVADA 4 FOR OPEN ( CREDIT CARD TYPE) AND 6 FOR WRITTEN CONTRACT TYPES, YOU CAN DOUBLE CHECK FOR YOUR STATE. I HAVE A PRETTY UP TO DATE LIST, BUT ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO MAKE SURE THE INFO, IS RIGHT.... ITS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY STATE, if you are curious about your state, I will share what I believe to be valid and your can do the follow up.
I learned a lot of stuff I will share a little at a time unless you have a specific question, and I will do my best to share what I learned. I cant tell you how less intimidated I felt. Also kind of angry for all the fear, and frustration, and depression.
So just know you are not alone, and you can come back and get your credit established again. But personally, I learned my lesson. and a few tips, if you have cards and just cant throw them away yet, but don't want to be tempted to use them, freeze them, yep freeze them in a cup of water, sounds crazy, but I have heard this from more then one person. Because some of us are impulse shoppers, and by the time it takes you to unfreeze your card to use it, you may have AWOKEN TO REALITY,, and go what was I thinking, and refreeze that puppy.. it is very empowering, when you are in control, and not the almighty piece of plastic..
Just was thinking about this today, well, because its such a easy trap to fall in, when you are desperate. You will survive it. and make take a bit to restore your faith. in your own judgement, but you will.
Do not let fear freeze you, and it can and it will , if you don't remember you are of value, even if you have let your credit get out of control...
Kat
