Call your original creditor and ask about resolving your debt. If they sold your debt, ask for the name of the company that bought it. Review your credit report to see if a known debt buyer is reporting a collection account (your original creditor’s entry will often reflect they sold the account).

Can you look up collections?

The first thing to do to find out if you have debt in collections is review your credit report. You can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — once every 12 months from AnnualCreditReport.com.

How to find out what debt collectors you owe?

Collection agencies will report debts to the credit bureaus and, in doing so, will list their contact information. Use this information to identify which creditors you owe and exactly how much. Step 5 is perhaps the most important step in this process.

How can I find out what debt I have on my credit report?

Reconcile the information on your credit reports with what you found in your records and from the original creditors. Collection agencies will report debts to the credit bureaus and, in doing so, will list their contact information. Use this information to identify which creditors you owe and exactly how much.

Can a debt be sold to a collection agency?

Yes. When a debt is sold to a collection agency, you then owe the money to them instead, meaning you still have to pay what you owe. This is the case whether your debt has been sold to an agency, or the original lender has passed it to one to act on their behalf.

How can I find out who I owe money to?

Searching the phone number of the collection agency can help you figure out who you owe money to and why. You could return the collection agency’s phone call, but be careful about calling debt collectors without first preparing. Expect the debt collector attempt to collect payment from you once they get you on the phone.