Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC Offered me a credit card if I payed off my debt. Saint Cloud Minnesota

As one of the reponses stated it does seem as if you do need a lawyer. I got a letter from Jefferson Capital too threatening legal action unless I signed up for a credit card to pay off an old debt that was actually paid in full and closed five years ago.

If you hadn't taken the offer you may have been able to dispute through the credit reporting agency if they were leaving negative items, but now anything they leave will be legit.

You can file a claim with the Federal Trades Commission (www.ftc.gov), which already has a suit against Jefferson Capital for "Deceptive Credit Card Marketing." They won't really be able to do much for you but it will help to prevent others from falling for this scam. You can also file a claim with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) which allows you to try and seek damages.

My only advice would be that if you would try and seek damages whether through a lawyer or the BBB do not try to make any money off of it. Just ask for all of your money back and the ability to pay off these debts through another more reputable company.

If you can't afford a lawyer I would try these first, along with contacting Jefferson Capital to cancel this card. Cancelling will hurt your credit in the short term but it will be much better in the long term. And remember that they cannott force you to keep a credit card just to pay off old debts, especially when it was false advertising to begin with. Just stand your ground and try to get this card closed and set up a payment plan through another company. And obviously in the future before you get involved with any company do all the research first.

Unfortunately, you fell for this. Here's what they do:

There is an old debt and they offer you a credit account (don't expect to get a credit card) to pay off the old debt. Naturally, they want your authorization to take payments for this credit account (read: NEW DEBT) from your bank account.

This new debt replaces the old debt and NOW, because it is NEW DEBT there is a new date for the SOL and this NEW DEBT will very likely show up on credit reports about you.

Sad, but legal. NEVER, EVER accept any type of payment arrangements that establish NEW DEBT.

It's time to consult with a competent attorney who specializes in consumer credit to see if there is some way to void/vacate this contract.

Good luck.

More information please. What is the RipOff you are claiming.

Did you not get the credit card?
Are there fees that they are charging that was not listed in the disclosures?
Are they taking out more money than they said they would?
Did they pay off or not pay off the other debt?
Something else?