Debt collector? Scamming me? Pinnacle credit services?

I have no debt. Letter they sent me have my exact address including the apartment number My last name is correct but different first name. I lived here by myself for 8 years. What's going on? Did anybody else get similar letter? They called my home phone too. I don't know how they got my phone number. What's going on? What should I do? Who do I report this too? I don't want to contact them cause they'll probably end up getting more info about me.

Oh for pete sakes people!!!!

You junior Collection Agent Assassins need to stop, read the letter again...and relax!

They are not after him! This is obviously a fishing expedition where they are looking for a skipped debtor, and they found his name in the process.

Since the name on the letter is someone else's, there is very little chance this has made it on to his credit report.

So do this. Think about some total jerk who really pissed off sometime in your life....get yourself really riled up...then call this collection agency. Don't worry about giving up any info, because they already have your phone number.

Tell them this isn't your debt, you never heard of this person, and inquire how they figure you are involved in this.

One of two things will happen. You will get one of the few intelligent agents out there who will understand and work with you on fixing their records. End of problem.

...or you will get some idiot who will call you a liar and you are covering up for this skipped debtor. Get this guys name and phone number, then get as much information you can about this debt. If they continue to bother you THEN you can start sending out expensive, certified letters. But at this point it really won't do a lot of good.....it's not his debt!

Once you have pumped him for information, this is where you use up all that saved up agression and ream this guy out big time! What are they gonna do? Sue you for a debt you know isn't yours? Watch a few episodes of Southpark and take some notes of really good cuss words!

Now, as for the advice about checking your credit report......you should be doing this already as part of your once-a-year credit check-up. Go to http://www.annualcreditreport .com and get your report for free.

Forget that nonsense from Ambah....why on earth play games with these companies when you already have free access to your reports?

Are you scared to call them? If so have a friend with a backbone do it for you. These collectors are people that get their jollies from screwing with people. Call them and ask them for validation of the debt. It's up to you if you give them more information. With a different first name on the letter it sounds like they are on a fishing expedition. If you ignore things they will put it on your credit, if they haven't already. Good Luck!

Actually, this company is known for fraudulent debt collection. The next time they contact you, demand they send you the documents that verify the debt. DO NOT acknowledge the debt. If they continue to contact you, contact your state Attorney General.

write a certified letter like the following

**************************************...

Month Day, 2007

Dear _____________________:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on Month Day, 2007
. Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.

This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:
• What the money you say I owe is for;
• Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
• Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
• Please evidence proof of the alleged debt, including specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature.
• Prove the Statute of Limitations/UCC has not expired on this account
• Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state.
• Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:
• Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
• Defamation of Character

If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist.

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.

I would also like to request, in writing, that your offices make no telephone contact to me at my residence or my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records; any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

Regards,

**************************************...

Some interesting reading for anyone risking or facing a lawsuit from debt buyers.
Read these collection attorneys' own statements. They know they can’t prevail in the absence of default judgments or summary judgments (where a person admits sufficient facts.) Fight them in court,, they’ll have to fold.

I’m posting this information because these debt buyers are making a mockery of the judicial system. Courts are supposed to settle legitimate disputes, not be a forum for 2 cents on the dollar stick-up artists with law degrees stealing 150% of your money. There is a reason these within SOL accounts sell for pennies on the dollar. There is NO documentation on these accounts.

From collectionsword.com

“However, there are law firms that are cautious about buying debt and question the efficiency with which lawyers can collect on such paper. “We represent companies that buy debt, but it’s not as good a field as it might seem,” says Gerald S. Levy, director of operations at Wexler & Wexler in Chicago. He says debt buyers often don’t obtain enough background on the debtors, which makes collections more difficult. Substantial information is not in debtors’ files, Levy says, and if they dispute the debt, the law firm has to drop the claim.”

“Neil Spector, a partner in Tampa, Fla.-based Kass, Shuler, Solomon, Spector, Foyle & Singer PA (formerly Kass Hodges PA), agrees. “Purchased debt is typically older than that gotten directly from the original creditor, and documents are harder to get for litigation,” he says. Because the debt is older, address information on the debtor may be outdated, so skip tracing services must be employed, adding cost”

“Risky Business
Some collections law firms take a hands-off approach to purchased debt. “We refuse to represent people who purchase debt because there are significant risks beyond those for representing regular creditors,” says I. James Frankel, chief executive officer of Kramer & Frank PC in St. Louis. Some of the problems with serving purchased debt include lack of proper documentation, history of the claim, and personal knowledge of the creation and record keeping for the loan. “Sometimes,” he says, “you can make demands on debt that is already paid or the people are in bankruptcy, both violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.”

The first thing I would do is get a free credit report, and check if they actually put in a charge against you. If there is nothing on your report in regard to the charge, I would call them and demand they cease and desist all activity against you, ( and that is ALL you tell them, IF they had a valid claim against you they wouldn't need any more information about you so make sure you don't give them any) or you will be forced to contact legal help. If they did charge something against you and it is on your credit report, make sure you contest it, and stay on top of the matter until it is no longer on there. In any case contacting legal help is never a bad thing if you believe you are in over your head.

I would get a check on your credit. Perhaps your just another victim of identify thief.

If they are trying to collect a debt some someone with the name that was actually on the letter (not yours). They may be sending the collection letter to everyone in that town with the same last name hoping to get a relative of the person. Addresses and phone numbers can be found with the Internet or phone book search.

You should check your credit just to insure you didn't have your identity stolen. If that is clear, just respond back to them in writing that you are not that person and you don't owe them the money.

I work for a company that fixes credit. First, don’t call the company. Pull your credit report. You are entitled to a free one once a year. I found the website www.privacyguard.com is the best. It is $1.00 (one) to pull all three of your reports and all three of your scores. The dollar is for a 60 day trail. If you do not cancel before 60 days they will bill you 130 dollars. The 130 is for a full year of being able to see your reports, identity theft protection and a lot more. Technically it is the cheapest around.

See if the debt is even on your report. If it is not, send them a no contact letter immediately. IF they call you again, report them.

If you know for sure that the debt is NOT yours, and it is on your report, you need to go straight to the credit bureaus.

Per the fair credit reporting act, you have the right to dispute anything what so ever on your credit report. Mail a letter to all three of the credit reporting agencies. ( Equifax, Experian, and Trans union) Stating that the debt is not yours. Also inclue in the letter that you want your response in writing, and you want an updated credit report along with the creditor information. Also include in the letter the law "fair credit act", and let them know you will be contacting them in 45 days if you do not hear a response. Include with the letter a copy of your photo id (with your current mailing address on it) and a copy of your Social Security Card.

The agencies have 30 days to contact that creditor, that creditor in turn has the same 30 days to cough up documentation proving the debt is yours,. If they can’t it has to be removed because of the law. Do not give the creditor any information about you. Do not pick up the phone. They will use any little thing they can get to collect on a debt even if it is not legally yours.

I hope this helps!

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