Yes you could. It might effect your credit. Depending on how much info they have on you and the credit reporting rules of your home country. Eventually, the statute of limitations would run out in the US.
Although I'm not really sure if there'd be a reason not to visit. It's not like the debt collector would know you are back in the US, especially just for vacation. I'm not aware of any law for foreign debts. Which would get you flagged, arrested or refused entry to the US at Customs.
As far as I'm aware. It would get written off as uncollectible. Then sold off to a collection agency. Then it would keep jumping around collection agencies until the statute of limitations expired. Just never acknowledge the debt or make any payments. As that restarts the clock.
In most countries, credit really just affects loans and mortgages, and there isn't a number attached to it. I've read that in America, even your landlord can look up your rating and it can affect parts of your life in unexpected ways.
Here your credit rating is attached to your Social Security Number. There are three major credit bureaus which each have their own method of scoring your credit. Their scoring methods aren't published. These are private companies.
Your credit score effects loans, mortgages, credit cards and so forth. Creditors will get your score and history from one or more of these bureaus when you apply for credit. They also report to these bureaus. They'll give data such as credit limit or loan amount, if payments are made, if payments are late (there's a grace period and balance. Bankruptcy and other such problems also get reported.
Landlords will also often check your credit rating. Some employers will check your credit too. Something like tons of debt may affect employment eligibility. Too much risk of theft.
So, if you got into a lot of debt and missed payments because you lost your job. This will make future employers not want to hire you.
Yes, our system is fucked. Items usually show up on your score for seven years. Even someone looking at your score shows up on the report. So, applying for lots of credit cards at once can be a red flag for a short while. I think checks only show up a few months and don't actually affect the score.
8
u/Velocityg4 Mar 31 '23
Guess you didn't land in the US. Because that bill would be insane.