I don't know how to protect myself from this kind of collection. 14 yrs ago... geeze, I don't remember what my lunch was yesterday. How do I protect my credit rating from this antiquated assault?
2007-04-24 13:06:40 · 7 answers · asked by sahara67 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Tell them to pound pavement. The time for collecting this debt is up.
Inform them that any negative entries on your credit report(s) will result in immediate legal action for violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/031224fcra.pdf).
Good luck
2007-04-24 13:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by Matt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on where you live, this is probably not a valid debt.
Do not respond to this in anyway. If they call you tell them you have no knowledge of this debt and to leave you alone.
The latest way that collection companies are scamming us is to buy these old, uncollectible debts (for pennies) and then send letters hoping that someone coughs up the money.
Just trash it and ignore it. If you acknowledge the debt, then the statute of limitations can start back up again.
Then run your credit report and make sure this is not on there.
Good luck
2007-04-24 13:38:52 · answer #2 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I actually got one of these before from an account i paid off. it states 14 years though? that sounds like a scam as the statue of limitation for it to be on your credit report is 7 years (10 for a bankruptcy). I would do a google search for the company (to see if its real) and call them up and let them know that its an old debt that they wrote off years ago. they won't like it but its hard for them to send a debt that old out to people and prove its validility. If all else fails, contact your local attorny general and see what they say.
2007-04-24 13:13:15 · answer #3 · answered by joe c 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
contact them and tell them you want disclosure of the original creditor. unfortunately, old debts may disappear from your credit report only to reappear when they are sold to a new collector and the whole process starts again. find out who the original bill was owed to and then work to determine if it was paid or not. if it was paid and you still have proof, you can object to the collection and report in your credit. after this long, if you can't show proof it was paid you may be stuck with it.
2007-04-24 13:36:44 · answer #4 · answered by northcountry57 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Below is a source that has the laws of Debt Collection Harrassment and how to fight them.
2007-04-24 14:36:25 · answer #5 · answered by Joe S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to contact the credit companies like equifax and the other ones.check into what is in your credit history.and tell them that someone is trying to collect on a past dept.and that you are not sure of what it is.
2007-04-24 13:18:51 · answer #6 · answered by dolly l 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
TELL THEM TO TURN IT OVER TO YOUR STATES'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE..
CAUSE YOU AREN'T PAYING NOW OR NEVER AND WILL SUE IF ANY FURTHER ACTION IS TAKEN ON THEIR PART AND MEAN IT......
2007-04-24 13:36:40 · answer #7 · answered by cork 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋