What will happen if a library contacts a collection agency about unpaid fines and unturned books?

Question

The thing is, a little while after I borrowed some books from the Tompkins Square library library in Manhattan(one manga {Love Hina Vol. 1} and a learn japanese book and CD set and a More How To Draw Manga book), I had moved to Central Islip in Long Island and now after about three months, I got a $95 fine and threatened with turning over my account to a collection agency if I don't pay soon. The email from the library came at 10:22 pm on August 15, 2008. The thing is though, I am 17 and won't be 18 for another 8 months and the adress on the library card is on a totally different adress from my current one. The collection agency wasn't specified but I am wondering what will happen to me in the present and in the long run? I didn't give the library my SS# but only my first and last name and old adress.

Answer 1

Well they have your address and stuff and they'll basically hunt you down. You know all those commercials where people are getting called by bill collectors? Those are collections agencies and from what I understand they can be quite a pain.

Answer 2

Pay the fine and avoid the collection agency.  No sense starting out your credit history with a derogatory item.

Pretty much anytime a debt is turned over to a collection agency, the item gets reported to the credit bureaus.  They don't need your SS# to report you.  Your name, address, and DOB are enough.

Answer 3

This is a good one.  Now I know there will be some that will tell you that libraries don't do this, but guess what, it is becoming a common practice now days.  The need the funds so they turn the accounts over to a collection agency to collect.

But, they would not contact you via e-mail, it would be by mail.  So unless you receive notice from the collection agency in writing, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As to your credit report, well you are a minor so you wouldn't have one yet. Your best bet, return the items.

Hope this answers your question.

Answer 4

I used to work in a library.  Once the library materials are overdue by a certain amount of time (45 days after the due date), they will be declared lost.  If the balance passes a certain amount (here, it's $50) and isn't taken care of within 6 months, the account will be sent to a collection agency.  They don't need your social security number...credit bureaus track your old addresses, the various names you have used, etc.  They'll just match your information, and put the collection account on your credit report.

The collection agency will send a notice to minors.  I've had parents come in with a check to clear the account as soon as possible.  It won't get on the child's credit report nor the parents', but the notice will still be sent to attempt to get the items or money back.

You really should mail the items back.  The taxpayers of your previous neighborhood are the ones who paid for the library materials.  The library system is the one department of the local government that costs the government money (the taxpayers' money gets routed to buy stuff that will help the community, whereas in other departments such as the zoo or DWP, they'll make money off of the citizens).

If you return the material, they will take out the lost item processing fee and the replacement cost of the material, and just charge you the late fees.  You can then call them and try to work something out (they'll usually cut the fines in half...they're just glad to get the material back).  Write them a check, and then you're in the clear.

Remember, once a library loses an item, they probably won't get to replace it.  Be a good citizen...don't steal!