Do I have to pay it? They are threatening to put it on my credit. I dont' have any old bills the phone # is someone elses now and the phone company even changed hands. Anybody have any answers for me?
2007-03-26 12:57:36 · 13 answers · asked by K M 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
OK here is more info, that maybe will get me out of this. I found out that the bill they are claiming for is through verizon, well I never had a land line phone with that number through verizon, and the bill is 10 years old. I was never contacted about this as far as I can remember ever. I am scared its going to go on my credit report and I have been working hard on having a good credit score. But I don't want to shell out 200 dollars either. The company is Afni, they check out on bbb website. Help!
2007-03-26 15:40:04 · update #1
AFNI is definately a bottom feeder.
The other posters are correct, they cannot legally place it on your reports and they also cannot legally sue.
Though, my opinion here> that collection agency is not know for doing what is legal.
If they place it on your reports and/or sue, you can make money from them on it but it's a long drawn out hassle.
You should not ignore it. Take the lead and send them a SOL letter, which should make them go away before they can even think of doing any harm.
SOL letter template:
http://whychat.5u.com/nottoca.html
You might also click on my profile and do some reading in the links I have listed - the FDCPA etc.
If you have any questions on how to use the SOL letter, go to the last link in my profile and then ask your questions in the credit forum.
2007-03-26 16:21:34 · answer #1 · answered by echo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are claiming this bill is 10 years old, they can not report it to the credit agency's. Nothing can be reported after 7 years from the date of last action on the account Per the fair credit reporting act. If they do report it, you can take legal action against them. I'm guessing this may be a scam and I would just ignore them and periodically check you credit report. Most of the time, even if they did buy it, they will do anything to try and scare you into paying it.
2007-03-26 13:35:09 · answer #2 · answered by desperate 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had this problem. Luckily, I was able to find old records and prove that this was already paid off. The same collection agency called me three times...years apart! So, I wouldn't necessarily believe their records are right. My advice is to put any communication between you and this company in writing. Ask for your file. If you feel you have paid this bill then I would contact the three credit agencies IN WRITING letting them know that you are disputing these claims and respond to the company advising them that you wrote to the credit agencies.
There is always the chance that this is a scam. Verify that this is a legit company. Check the BBB.com site for any complaints and add your own complaint if this company sounds to fishy.
Guard your credit score with your life!
Good luck!
2007-03-26 13:05:58 · answer #3 · answered by magic13sf2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just let it ride. 10 years ago is a long time and chances are the collection agency is bluffing. There was an agency busted not that long ago for buying old outdated collections that legally they cannot colllect on (statute issue). They still contacted the people and tried to scam them. So, keep an eye out on your credit report, check it something in 3 mos or so, if it appears on the report, then pay it, otherwise it's a scam.
2007-03-26 13:03:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This charge will definitely go on your credit report unless you dispute it quickly and call the company to explain. I just went through this with Cingular after owing Bell South about 6 years ago. I paid off BellSouth through a collection agency. I had all my receipts and a paper saying the debt was paid in full. Well... when BellSouth switched over to Cingular... they never got the memo and tried to double bill me. I wasn't having it. I called them and the credit bureau to explain. Cingular put that on my credit report and I had to dispute it forever. When I got in touch with Experian I got a copy of my credit report and disputed it. I sent copies of all my receipts and the payoff notice. It took a while because they wanted some cash from me but in the end I won. It came off. I was very upset but about a year later it disappeared.
Call Verizon corporate and tell them a mistake has been made. You may be a victim of mistaken identity. This is very likely. Don't panic... just handle your business. It will come off but it takes time.
2007-04-02 10:12:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you have a phone back then? If so you can prove that you were with another company back then and Not Verizons. They probably have you confused with another person by your name and are making Idle Threats. If it not your bill then do not pay them. They cannot have your Social Security Number without your permission. I would simply provide proof to them that it is not you they are billing and if they harrass you falsely you will report them to the Better Business Bureau.
2007-04-02 09:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by donna_honeycutt47 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the respond is extremely ordinary. deliver the collectoin business enterprise an approved, return receipt letter telling them to give up and desist all touch. The debt isn't yours. they ought to give up. regrettably, they are going to sell it to a diverse zombie debt collector and you will in all likelihood ought to deliver yet another give up and desist letter. by way of fact the debt is 8 years previous, that's previous the reporting era and would no longer be reported to the credit bureaus. no longer something restarts the 7 3 hundred and sixty 5 days reporting era. If it is going to happen on your credit record, in simple terms dispute it as being previous the reporting era. that's in all likelihood additionally previous the Statute of barriers (SOL), the time-physique for bringing lawsuit. yet whether it have been nonetheless interior the SOL, the actuality that your ex fraudulently opened the bills on your call would in all likelihood deter the series business enterprise from truly attempting to record fit.
2016-10-01 13:05:05 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, depending on your age and the length of time is it possible that you were under 18 at the time?
Also, if it is an out of date collections account and they put in on your report you can dispute it and they must have proof that it is your debt or it will have to be removed.
Depending on your state laws you may have other options.
Good Luck!
2007-04-02 13:29:35 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Know It All 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through the same thing if it's not much pay it off because they won't let it die, and it will show up on your credit report
2007-04-03 12:37:01 · answer #9 · answered by dean123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Know your rights and how to go about dealing with this in your best interests. Check out the Creditboards.com and read and ask questions about what to do in your situation.
2007-03-26 13:02:05 · answer #10 · answered by nolimitsladies.com 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋