     Summer (Summergirl) | Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 04:50 pm 
Hi. I was an international student who studied in USA for two years and graduated in Nov 1998.
After I graduated, I flew back to my home country in a rush without settling my bills properly nor inform the creditors of my new address. At that time, my life has a big change, looking for jobs and settling down and all.
After a while, I asked my friends from USA to forward all my mails to me. I was shocked that all of my accounts have noted as charge-offs. I didn't have much knowledge on financial and on the importance on maintaining a good credit since there's a totally different system in my country. Anyway, I thought it would be good to pay off my account since I do owe them money. So, about nine months ago, I tried to email the creditors, they said they have sold the accounts. So, I snail mailed the collectors, stating my intention to pay and asked for a payment plan arrangement, but didn't receive any response from them. And I mailed again, and still didn't receive any response. I didn't call since the charge is expensive.
All the accounts added up to is less than $5000. Are they not interested in collecting this amount? After reading the postings here, I knew I have made a mistake that I mailed the $17 to $30 bankdrafts to a music store since I thought it's such a small amount. No receipt been mailed to me (dumb me!).
And now I am applying to go back to USA for my second degree next month. My friends told me that I will got arrested at the immigration department and they will ask me to pay off all the accounts at spot. Is that true???? Do I need to prepare the cash/check?
Because I "heard" people saying someone got caught at airport for not paying $10 phone bill! Is this just rumour?
I am really worried. |
| Shylock (Shylock) | Wednesday, November 29, 2000 - 06:07 pm
You will not be arrested or go to jail over your debts. Immigration doesn't care if you owe money to anyone EXCEPT the U.S. Government. |
| CC (Creditcriminal) | Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 07:01 am
If you want the debts cleared from your credit report, you have to pay the company that reported the debt. For instance, if you owed the record store $30, but the collection agency is showing it as $50 on your credit report, pay the collection agency.
If youve written the collection agencies and received no response within 30 days, you can ask the credit reporting agency to investigate the item for validity. If the collection agency can't verify the debt, it must be removed from your report. |
| Zachary1 (Drcredit) | Thursday, November 30, 2000 - 05:39 pm
"Summergirl", you better e-mail the INS directly for the precise ruling on this matter, PRINT IT OUT, bring it with you to Customs in case of disputes. Remember the INS is essentially God, and they can refuse ANYONE, on ANY perceived grounds. Only your careful preparation can ward off this agency's abuse of power.
Rule #1: Never piss off the INS.
Rule #2: God help you if you forget rule #1. |
