I won the Credit Card dispute, now they sent it to collections?

[planemechanic]

In December 2006 I rented a car in London for ten days, turned it back in and received a slip stating no damage, the car was fine.

Two weeks later, without anyone talking to me, the rental company charged my card $2600. I did not see this until February and disputed it with my card company. For various reasons it took until October or November of 2007 to resolve it in my favor with my card company and they reversed the charges back to the rental company. Great, all done, or so I thought.

Now in February of 2008 I receive a collections notice from a company in England saying I still owe this money. I thought that once the credit card company resolved the dispute that it was against the merchant agreement between Mastercard and the Rental Car Company to continue the issue.

Some other information that might be helpful.

- I am an American Citizen, using a card from the US but I don't live in the US. I don't live in England or anywhere in Europe either.

Anything I should do? I don't think they can, or will bother, to sue me for this amount across countries. Can they sell the debt to someone in the US? Can they affect my credit report? I still have the paperwork from both the rental car company, who provided the original return sheet stating that there were no problems with the car, and from the credit card company stating that they agreed with me and reversed the charge.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Knew_it_all]

- I am an American Citizen, using a card from the US but I don't live in the US. I don't live in England or anywhere in Europe either.

Ok, Ok, I'm first guesser....and continents don't count..gotta nail the exact country......
Colombia...

Next

[Knew_it_all]

Maybe wrenching for some treetop flyers..

[Bandit]

Mexico? Canada? Iran?

Israel? Taiiwan? Jamaica?

so the rental company sent it ($2400) to collections. I would say that yes, that will eventually hit your credit report for whereever it is that you live, but would still reflect you as a U.S. citizen so that would mean there.

Where do YOU go to see your credit report?

It seems to me the best thing to do is prove you did not do the damages (which you have that paper) but not sure how to go about that. Court Case?

I have been wrong before so I could be wrong this time and I am not the expert on credit reports but it makes sense to me.

[planemechanic]

Sorry, didn't mean to be cryptic about where I live. I copied the entire post from a completely different forum that I visit and it was an important distinction on that site.

I live in Korea but I maintain a mailing address (although they have my old one) and continue to use my US credit cards when I travel, as well as my US bank where my paycheck is deposited.

This situation is not one that I have seen discussed anywhere before so I asked the question. How could it hit my credit report if they have no legal basis for pressing the issue in a foreign country (the US in this case, since they are based in the UK)?

Thanks

[Bandit]

I am thinking because everywhere there is a computer they can find out your credit score, your address, your entire life basicly.

I see your point but I also know that if someone owes money in one country there are international laws that can find that person, make you pay, file BK cross borders, etc.

Since that is only $2,400 dollars & if I was concerend it would ruin my credit then I would just keep an eye on my credit report(s) to see what happens. If you have that receipt that shows there was no damage when it was returned, I would think that is all you need in a small claims court if you see something being reported to your credit that is not true.

Do you have any idea what they are saying the damage is to the rental car?
I know they will check the body for damage but I also know there are devices today that will tell them if the car has been beaten & pushed beyond limitations, GPS, & at what mileage it happened etc...(I am not saying that is you, just curious is all)

You are thinking you can get around the whole thing because of several different factors & I see that, but we can't hide either. I am not saying you damaged the car in my post, all I am saying is I would not be so sure that nothing can come of it because as you said it is already in collections, so yes they can find you & press the issue unless you live where there is no electric.

If you pay taxes, you can be found. Yes, there are international laws that protect everyone but I am not so sure they would push such a small amount-seems pretty expensive for little money and they would need to prove you did the damages (I think that is where you are going with it first?).

Hertz, Avis, Budget...all those types of car rentals are based in just about all countries so I can see how they would be able to do what you are saying they cannot do. Maybe you used only a local car rental that is only in one area?

Actually there was someone else talking about this but it was directly related to BK international laws. Your situation is interesting to me for sure and unique.

[Bandit]

Maybe some more heads can post what they know & get more thoughts on this?

I don't know the answer(s), it is just that I am thinking of possibilities.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

Nope, Bandit, you sewed it up fine.

The only thing I might add is that Visa/Mastercard charters would probably be differently written in countries other than the U.S. It is definitely against their charter in the U.S. for a merchant to send a successfully disputed debt to collections, but it may not be against their charter in the U.K. Also, against the charter (internal agreement between Visa/Mastercard and their issuing banks, merchants, etc.) does not equal against the law. It may be very legal for them to have done this in the U.K. I honestly have no idea.

But one option might be to contact the collections agent in the U.K. via certified letter (or the equivalent) with a strongly worded letter and a photocopy of all the paperwork you have, including the date it was settled with the merchant. You might also want to contact your credit card issuer (the ones who handled the dispute), let them know that this merchant has submitted the same charge to collections, and ask how to make a direct complaint to Mastercard International. You may also want to contact the car rental's bank and make a complaint there, because if it IS against the Mastercard charter it also violates this merchant's agreement with his own bank. (Merchant banks have been known to yank a merchant's Visa/Mastercard franchise for this, if the merchant makes a habit of it, and they LOVE to fee for violations.)

Needless to say, NEVER send originals, only send photocopies, and whatever you do, do it in writing if you can, sent certified/return receipt requested (or the Korean equivalent). Good luck to you!!!!