iva ben hacked
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I have had phone calls from people about a supposed account with them. I told them the account was not mine and when I started questioning them, they became vague and would not directly answer my question. People will do this over the phone to try to get personal info such as social security numbers and such. Don't give anyone your personal info like that over the phone. There is also a chance you could be the victim of identity theft. I would contact a lawyer. Did they contact you by mail or over the phone? |
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Mary P
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Run a free credit report for yourself on annualcreditreport.com. Something may show up there. Don't pay without proof, as this may be a scam. |
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wht_knght
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When you owe Joe money for too long, Joe sells the account to Bob. Bob now has legal rights to seek collection on the money you owed to Joe. If, still, you do not pay, Bob could even sell the account to Mike, and Mike could come after you to get the money.
I recommend talking to a legal professional, not the Yahoo! community. |
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signman_03743
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You could easily be getting scammed...you can call your state's Attorney General's office and ask about the 'statute of limitations' for bill collecting-good chance even if it IS a legitimate bill-they've waited too long to collect it!
Did you make a copy and get a reciept of your letter requesting validation? If you didn't, send them another 'formal' request asking for all documentation and verification of the original bill...and send it through the post office with SIGNATURE REQUIRED. Costs a couple bucks but YOU get an official notice of the letter and who signed for it-proving that YOU sent them a letter. Then, by law-they have to respond WITH THE INFORMATION within so many days or they cannot pursue you anymore. One way to weed out a scam! |
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Mesosweet
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This has happened to me. Contact the creditor and set up a fraud case and contact equifax and put a fraud alert on your account. They want give you any info on the account or tell you who opened it. But they will do an investigation and you want be held liable. It takes about 30 days or more. |
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Libraryanna
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It only stays on your credit report for seven years. I would ignore them, there isn't much they can do with it. But watch your credit reports to make sure it is gone or was never there. You can get free copies of your credit report at www.creditreport.com. (freecreditreport.com ends up charging you.)
I had an agency that apparently was hired by a landlord. Even though I never owed the landlord money legally and they never asked for any, it stuck on my credit report for the full seven years. The credit people don't care if you owed the money legally or not, they just buy the debt, counting on people paying it without question.
The statute of limitations (the time to file a lawsuit on the debt) has most likely passed, so I would tell them that absent proof of a debt, you will ignore them and if they continue to harass them, you will file a complaint with the state and the Better Business Bureau. |
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Dr. E-Nasty
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In the industry, it's called "Zombie Debt". Meaning that it's back from the dead. Seven years from the last date of activity is how long it can stay on your credit.
If a creditor called me from 2001, I'd deny ever having the debt, and then threaten a lawsuit for a violation of the FCRA. |
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sashazur
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Ask them (in writing) to provide you with documentation regarding what you owe - e.g. when did you incur this debt, to whom, etc.
That way you'll know whether this is legitimate or not - if it is, you probably need to pay; if it is not, write back to them explaining why they are mistaken.
A good web site with lots of information about this type of thing is www.consumerist.com |
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Trinity
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Try this sample letter to send them another letter.
http://consumerist.com/279461/sample-letter-for-disputing-a-debt-collection-notice
Of course, you'll have to change the "This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore" since you've already heard from them. Also, make sure you send the letter certified and make sure you get a card back from the post office showing that they signed for the letter where the collection agency can't say they never got it. Good luck. |
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higini
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They have to prove to you that you owe them the money. Write them a letter of dispute, asking them to send you any proof they have that you owe them. Also, contact all three credit bureaus and get a copy of your credit reports (all three, that's important). Write a letter of dispute (following the individual credit reporting agency's instructions) to have placed in your file(s).
I've had this happen and it turned out to be someone with a similar social security number. Collection agencies aren't particular about checking details.
Good luck! |
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PARAMOUNT TRANSPORTATION SVC
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Advise them via phone AND IN WRITING that you are disputing the account, under the Fair Credit Reporting act (Federal Law) they have to go back and get proof that it is your account, You also may have additional laws issued by your state, You should also check with an Attorney in your state
Have a Great New Year |
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jack w
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Is it possible that you're a victim of credit card fraud? Request all documentation that you have an account with them and copies of all documents, especially the credit application. When the account was opened etc.
If you didn't open the account, contact your local police and file a report and give them all the evidence.
This could adversely affect your credit as they will report "your failure to pay". Of course, you can dispute the claim. Having filed a credit card fraud report with the local police will help.
Good luck. |
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Paul B
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go to freecreditreport.com. Fill out info find the claim you want to dispute and click dispute this claim. If you don't here anything back it will be taken off your credit report. I did this a coulope times and it always worked for me. |
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bob k
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Yes, it could hurt your credit. I had a similiar situation. I asked them to mail me proof that I owe them, like a credit application, or some proof that I applied for an account. I never heard from them again. Good luck. |
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happygurl
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I would contact a lawyer. This is harassment and the creditor should be stopped.
Most importantly, do not pay them a dime and stand your ground. |
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gorkbarque
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Tell them you never opened the account, that it must have belonged to someone else with the same name. Demand they show original documentation in which you opened the account.
This is a debt collector who bought the debt from the original creditor. You did not open the account with this debt collector, so tell them you need information as to the original creditor and the original credit agreement. it is possible that this debt belongs to someone else and not you. |
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