My roommate left his part of debt to me, and now affect my credit report.

[elsa9015]

My former roommate and I leased an apartment together last year. After the lease ended, a debt collection company called me saying that I owe money to the apartment company, asking me to pay for the debt. They also called my roommate but he never answered their calls. Then I contacted him and he agreed to pay for the debt together, and he agreed that he would pay to the debt collector so I transferred my part of debt to him. But he never paid! I asked him to give my money back. But he never answered me. Now he left the country and the debt collector sent me a debt collection letter to ask for the total amount of that money. And they even put a potentially negative item on my credit report. In this case, is it possible to sue my roommate even though he already left the country? Or what shall I do to only pay for my part and avoid the negative credit report?

 

[justalayman]

Ok, you got screwed so


pay the debt collector (after verifying the debt is valid and they have a right to seek payment)



if your friend comes back to the US, sue him for the money you sent him plus 1/2 of what you pay the debt collector.

Or what shall I do to only pay for my part and avoid the negative credit report?

there is no his part or your part. It's one of those: it is OUR debt so either is equally liable for the entire amount.