The day my credit score dropped 50 points over a library book

So last month I get a notification that my credit score tanked to 680... I'm panicking thinking someone stole my identity or something. Turns out a library in Portland sent a $3.50 late fee to collections from 3 years ago when I forgot to return a book on welding techniques. The collection agency tacked on fees until it hit $180 before reporting it. I called the library and they said they couldn't pull it back once it left their system. Has anyone else had something this ridiculous hit their credit report over a tiny amount?

3 comments

3 Comments

skyler_jackson273d agoMost Upvoted

Wait, have you tried disputing it directly with the credit bureaus? I had something similar happen over a $15 gym membership fee that went to collections without me even knowing, and I was able to get it removed by sending them a simple letter explaining it was a mistake. I wrote that the debt was from an old address and I never got the bills, then I paid the original gym directly and showed the bureaus proof. It took maybe three weeks but my score bounced right back. Might be worth a shot before you give up on it.

emma_flores4d ago

I mean technically the collections agency probably bought the debt for pennies on the dollar so the library didn't really "send" them after you, it's more like they sold your $3.50 debt to a middleman who then decided to ruin your score for fun and profit. Still completely insane over a welding book though.

patricia_gonzalez4d ago

Oh wow, that's just... dumb. So the library couldn't just take the $3.50 and call it even, they had to send in the big guns to ruin your life over a welding book. I bet your credit score is out here catching strays from overdue paperbacks and a stale bag of chips you forgot in your car. Meanwhile actual identity thieves are probably buying yachts and laughing at all of us. Love that for you.