I have recently been getting calls and letters sent to my home from a collection agency that claims I owe $400, it does not say what I owe for. I have never had any credit cards, or have taken or used credit, could this be a scam?
2006-12-05 09:42:57 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Any collection attempt requires them to give you the right to dispute the collection, in writing, within 30 days.
They are then responsible for proving or validating the debt.
Do it now, in writing, and go to the post office and send the letter by certified mail with return receipt. Costs maybe two bucks. If you just send it regular mail, they can pretend it never got there.
Keep a photocopy of the letter you signed with your mail records. Add the little green receipt when you get it back in the mail. Then wait to see what happens.
You should also, while you're sending them letters, add a sentence that you are no longer accepting their phone calls, and that all future correspondence be done by mail. This is the only way you can stop them from calling you in the meanwhile.
Just be sure to respond when you get something back proving the debt. If it's valid, you can call them and attempt to negotiate the balance down. Just be ready to pay them within 24 hours. Start by offering 10%, they'll probably talk you up to 50-60% of the balance.
2006-12-05 09:48:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, they have to tell you who the creditor is. Second- you can, in writing, dispute the validity of the debt within 30 days of your first contact with the collection agency. They must, by law, verify the debt before they can take further collection action.
2006-12-05 09:47:29 · answer #2 · answered by $$Cypher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fukinlucky gave good advice. Certified mail/return receipt requested actually costs $4.64 for a 1 oz. letter. That's $2.40 for being certified, $1.85 for the return receipt, and $0.39 for postage. For more than 1 oz., calculate normal postage and add the certified and return receipt fees above.
2006-12-05 12:23:49 · answer #3 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them you want proof of the account from original creditor. If they don't provide that to you, ignore the calls and contact the BBB.
2006-12-05 09:47:49 · answer #4 · answered by Jen G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Find out where they got this information. They have to tell you what they are collecting for.
2006-12-07 18:15:27 · answer #5 · answered by luciousgreeneyedlady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
file a complaint against them. go to www.ftc.gov
2006-12-05 09:51:14 · answer #6 · answered by curious george 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
court
2006-12-05 09:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by Uh-huh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋