As we were talking I asked for the company to send me a letter stating my bill. They said they could only fax it, I thought that sounded weird. During the conversation I was repeatedly threated with legal ramifications and different people kept passing the phone with people being very rude. I finally hung up. These people called my mom, and the only way they could have gotten her number was because I applied for credit. Does this sound like fraud? I want to hire a lawyer to find out if these people are legit.
2007-09-02 10:33:26 · 7 answers · asked by jhaiop 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
Ignore them...they will get someone else who will fall prey to their intimidation..unfortunately.
2007-09-02 10:41:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not uncommon for creditors to "sell" old debts off to collection agencies for pennies on the dollar. Don't be fooled though, you still don't have to pay it! If the original creditor "charged off" or closed your account 10 years ago then the statute of limitations is up and you do not have to pay the bill.
If you DO make a payment to these guys you are, in effect, opening up a NEW debt and that gives them access to ding your credit, etc. etc. As long as you DO NOT make a payment to them they cannot hurt your credit. No matter what they say!
DO NOT pay them one dime. And if you have to consult a lawyer, I would. Often times for a small fee a lawyer will write a "cease and desist" letter threatening them with a lawsuit if they don't stop.
Another good way to get them to stop calling is to record the call and tell them that you are recording it. You say, "I'm recording this call and I am telling you verbally right now that I do not want you to call me ever again." Once a person states for the record they do not want to be called by a creditor then the must stop or face the consequences.
Good luck to you!
2007-09-02 14:07:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Is this your debt or do you not know? Send a letter to the collector (certified mail, return receipt) requesting verification that the debt is yours. Ask for details such as a copy of the signed agreement.
You may have to google their name to get an address.
Or you could just sent them a cease and desist letter. If the debt is more than 10 years old, chances are it's beyond the statute of limitations (SOL). Check for your state. They will probably just sell off the debt to another collection agency. If they do sue you, just be sure to show up in court and use the SOL as an affirmative defense.
2007-09-02 10:55:26 · answer #3 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, do you owe the debt they mentioned?
If so, get them to send you proof of the debt in writing (don't care if it is mail or fax).
If they proove the debt, and it is yours, then you owe it. I would negotiate with them and offer them about 25 cents on the dollar.
Once they agree to this IN WRITING make sure the letter includes the terms "payment in full" and "without recourse".
Then pay it by attaching a MONEY ORDER to a copy of the letter from them.
DO NOT send them a check (with your account number on it) and DO NOT allow them to debit your account by giving them your bank info on the phone.
You would pay a lawyer to find out if they are legit? You're kidding right? You don't pay a lawyer to find out if a solicitor is legit, you check them out yourself. Not sure how much the debt is, but paying $100 an hour to a lawyer would probably be a pretty silly move. Most lawyers are not in the business of checking out people who call you any way.
2007-09-02 10:42:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is illegitimate. The honest Dept sequence practice act prohibits lenders from attempting to convey jointly debt after the Statute of barriers has lapsed. No state has a 17 300 and sixty 5 days Statute of difficulty.
2016-12-12 16:22:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds kind of wierd. What creditor was it? I have never ran across a situation of them passing the phone around. I would tell them to send something in writing along with this alleged bill and acct number so you can see for yourself in writing.
http://www.wisebread.com/laws-the-leg-breakers-don-t-want-you-to-know-about
2007-09-02 10:45:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest checking out your credit report. If you have an account with them it should be listed. You can get a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com.
2007-09-02 10:50:20 · answer #7 · answered by future buyer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋