About ten years ago I first received a statement from a collection agency about unpaid student loans.?

Question

The person owing the debt has a name very, very similar to mine. But I am not that person and I do not owe the debt. This person has been able apparently to skip paying perhaps because the collection agencies do not ever actually contact the person. In cycles I get phone calls from nasty debt collectors. I give them the information I have about the person they need to contact. I've written letters to collection agencies. I've contacted my state's attorney general. Now tonight I have gotten another call from a past collection agency trying again. After at least ten years, wouldn't you think they would get the message that they have the wrong information? I don't think this can be called identity theft because they have the debtor's name and social security number. They do not have mine. What can I do to stop these people from calling me?

Patrick and Sally - Thanks for answering. The problem I'm having though is that I do not owe any money. Someone with a name very close to mine doesn't pay debts and the collection companies have gotten my contact information. I sure don't intend to pay debts I did not incur.

Answer 1

Document all letters, calls or other correspondence to and from the collection agencies. Be specific. Send certified letters to them will copies of all supporting documentation.

Send a "Cease and Desist" letter, which basically tells them that they have to cease and desist from all phone contact.

When you have a complete file, log onto the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) website and file a complaint against all the collection agencies and the original creditor.

Answer 2

if the person used your ssi and name, then that is called identity theft. but if they don't have your ssi, but has your name then don't worry about it. NEVER give out your ssi over the phone, this will cause problems for you. my suggestion is, if they don't have the right information about you, change your number. NEVER give out personal information about yourself or any one of your family over the phone.

BUT you say you give them the information about who they need to contact? did the person who owes money list you as a contact reference? if they did, you will get phone calls from them all the time.

Answer 3

Tell them to stop contacting you. And if they still call, you should try to get their number. Call them back and speak with the supervisor there. By law, when you tell a collection agency not to call anymore, they have to stop.

Answer 4

You'd think...If I were you, I'd ck my credit..Trans Union, Equifax etc to see if theres anything on there about non-payment.