in recovery dept.

Live in Massachusetts
i will tey to do this in a nut shell.
i made my last payment to a credit card company sept. of 2000. they were sending past due notices. in april of 2001 i received a letter from National action finacial services saying they were assigned by capital one bank to collect from me. then in june 2001 i started receiving letters from capital one again to recover the money. can two places collect for the same account? citibank is saying it has been charged off but is still willing to work with me.I owe $17,000.00 and growing due to intrest. they want a payment of 155.00 to show i am trying but this amount will help nothing but show activity on my account.they say i have an R-9 rating (what is this)? We cannot afford to pay this at this time. if i pay the 155.00 is this a mistake? we are not in a position to claim bankrupcy. if a lein is put on a house how does that work? does the lein amount keep going up like a credit card balance or is it a set amount to be paid when i can? hope you can help answer these questions

[JETX]

Q1) "can two places collect for the same account?"
A1) Yes, though it is somewhat unusual. Most debt collection agreements try to prevent it since it is possible that you would pay directly to the creditor (recommended) and the collector doesn't make any money.

Q2) "citibank is saying it has been charged off but is still willing to work with me.I owe $17,000.00 and growing due to intrest. they want a payment of 155.00 to show i am trying but this amount will help nothing but show activity on my account."
A2) You are correct. If the account is about to expire (due to Statute of Limitations), by making a payment you will 'reset the clock'. It is IMPERATIVE that you consider the timing of the payment and the 'SOL clock'.

Q3) "they say i have an R-9 rating (what is this)?"
A3) It is a credit rating factor. An 'R-9' shows that the debt has been 'charged off'.

Q4) "if i pay the 155.00 is this a mistake?"
A4) It would be if the debt is about to expire.

Q5) "if a lein is put on a house how does that work?"
A5) Depending on where you are (See the red text at the top of the screen??), it could mean as little as 'must be paid when sold (plus interest)' to 'must sell to pay debt'. BTW, a lien cannot be levied without a court judgment, so the creditor would have to sue you first, then get the lien.

Q6) "does the lein amount keep going up like a credit card balance or is it a set amount to be paid when i can?"
A6) The lien accrues interest as allowed in the judgment and must be paid in full at the time of payment. You can make arrangements with the creditor to pay the judgment in installments and the creditor will then file a "Release of Lien" when the judgment is paid.