Utility bill placed on my credit report that is not mine?

by Vasya
(San Diego, CA)

I was renting a home in CA but the gas bill was not in my name, it was under another persons name who was living with me. I left the property because I got deployed for 8 months in the military, but upon my return I checked my credit score and noticed that there was a collection for the bill. The gas company never had my name or social security number so I have no idea were they got my information. The other person never paid the final bill when we left and some how the gas company placed it on my credit report? Is it legal for the management company who I was renting from to give the gas company my information like my name and social security number? Also is there anything I can do to get this charge of my credit report completely because it made my score drop 57 points!

Comments for Utility bill placed on my credit report that is not mine?

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Aug 24, 2012
 Utility bill placed on my credit report that is not mine?
by: Debtcollectionanswers.com

Are you sure that you did not sign any paperwork agreeing to be responsible for the gas bill if your roommate did not pay it? If you did, then you are responsible for it.

If you did not, then I would contact the utility company to try to resolve your problem and if you are successful, ask to have the information about the unpaid account removed from your credit report. If the company agrees, try to get it in writing. (Also, note on your calendar the date of your conversation, the name of the person you spoke with and the fact that he/she said that the information would be removed.) Otherwise, check your credit report in a month or two to see if the information was removed and if it was not, then contact the gas company again.

I also recommend that you go to the website of the credit reporting agency that is reporting the information and file a dispute. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the agency to conduct an investigation once it receives your dispute and to remove the information if the provider of the information says it's incorrect.

If you are unable to resolve your problem I recommend getting in touch with a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers resolve debt collection problems.

As for your question regarding whether the company you were renting from can give your personal information to the utility, the answer is "no" unless it receives a notice from the court requiring it to do so.

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