what do you do if?

Question

What do you do if a company sent you to collections and you have never had an account wwith them and this was dated 1-1-98 and they are just sending you to collections but it is not on any of my credit repoerts . I have proof of all bills paid up to date , what do i do they are saying that i owe 1894.82 and i have no record or an credit card from that bank The bank is ciitibank and the collection note does not have a phone number onit it just said to write to them within 30 days if it was not me and it has two different address on it PLEASE HELP I DO NOT WANT TO RUIN MY CREDIT , I do have a credit card tha ti can put that anmount on but don't want to. they said that they would send me a copy of the judjement , I was never contacted til this weekend

Answer 1

Send them a debt validation letter immediately. Send it certified mail return receipt. Do not speak to them on the phone. By law they have to give you 30 days to respond before they can do anything else.

Then contact your county court clerk and find out if there is a judgment or a suit filed in your name. If you had lived in a different county or a different state during this period, contact that county court clerk also.

If there is a judgment against you, go and request a "full" copy of the file. Look at what the process server had written about serving you. If you were not served properly, you may be able to get the judgment vacated. But that would also depend on how long ago the judgment was entered.

Order your credit reports and see what is listed on them.

I would suggest going to the site I've listed. Start in the newbie forum and then in the credit forum. Learn your states statute of limitations, what you should put in your debt validation letter and basically learn how to deal with the collection agency.

Answer 2

The first thing you do is contact all three credit bureaus for a copy of your credit report. write a letter of dispute to each of them including your name. address. and social security number. (also include this information when requesting your credit reports.) if you have had this account in the past, send proof of you paying it. the credit report asgencies will have the phone numbers and addresses of the company which reported this information to them. ask each of them to place your statement on their report and tell them to remove it from your report. you must stay on top of this. they are reporting agencies. not companies to correct your credit. they only correct when asked. If you have not paid this bill make an offer to the company you owe. you will be surprised at what a discount they may accept and report it as a bill paid in full. Gooid Luck

Answer 3

It may also be a scam. Do not answer their calls. Take the letter and go straight to Citibank with it. If someone did charge something back in 1998 using your name, it may be identity theft, or it may be someone else with your last name.

Don't pay it and don't give out any information by phone or mail. Just take it straight to the bank.

Answer 4

You said that the collection note said to write them, write them and be sure to send it certified/return receipt that way you will have a record of the date it was mailed and proof that they received it.

Answer 5

call the company and see what you get?... don't give any information out.

ask them what it's about... if they keep asking for your information spell it out to them that not only do you not know what they're talking about but that you have no records of this nor do you do biz with that bank.

they can't give you the straight up... hang up.

also before you dial *67 yourself.

Answer 6

Take your letter / paperwork to any Citibank and ask to have it all explained. They have to come up with info. that you owe. Take it from there.