I've been getting phone calls from a company, who is using my name and phone number, but wrong maiden name, SS#, address. They're officially harrassing me, threatening me, cursing and yelling...I refused to confirm #'s on the phone (suspected phishing scam) called the police. The cops talked to them, and then suggested to me just hanging up when they call, or not answering at all.
I'm waiting for another phone call, yuck. Should I ignore it, I've tried to explain they have the wrong Melissa, but the 'investigator' just said he was going to "haul my *** in front of the judge himself" for lying about it. CNR Associates, nice huh? Online some suggest doing a 'cease' letter, but I'm fearful to send a certified letter, then they'd have my address as well!
What really drives me insane is that my husband and I have worked our butts off to pay off our debt, and now owe NOTHING to anyone. So to go thru all that and now be harrassed for someone else's debt is just too much.
Thanks for help!
2007-09-20 17:52:53 · 6 answers · asked by ? 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
If they have your phone number they already have your address, for $50 and the info you mentioned I could get it too.
Here is what you do, send the a written request for proof of debt. Make sure you put in the record that you are not the person and it is not your debt. Tell them that they are only allowed to contact you via mail. They have to honor it. Send it certified mail, return receipt requested. Then wait and see what they come up with.
In the meantime you may want to run your credit report at all 3 credit bureaus. You are entitled by law to one free one each year. This may not be an isolated incident and one of the bureaus may have combined someone else's records with yours. It happened to my sister.
Good luck to you
2007-09-20 17:59:40 · answer #1 · answered by Gem 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try going to freecreditreport.com and checking your credit report .... see if it is on there.. chances are if they have the wrong s.s. number then it wont be... but if it is on there I believe there is an option or information on fixing the problem
maybe you should call a lawyer to see what you should do. I would suggest calling some local lawyers and most will not give you free legal adivse exactly, but if you have a question about the law they can answer it.. dont say "what should i do" but say- "this is what is going on, is it legal?"... i have gotten help this way over the phone.
Another thing i would do is when they call tell them- this isnt the right person and i would like to prove it to you, but i will not give the information over the phone, but any other ways you can prove it that you will. Many times people will end up paying for depts they dont owe because they dont realize they are paying it or cant find a way to prove otherwise. If they have a single letter or number or name that is out of order it can literally ruin your life. I have heard of agencies going after people with simmilar names. s.s. numbers etc for debts they never had, but becuase they either cant find the guilty party or for whatever reason they cant pay they will find ways to get their money. Most agencies like this are no longer in business but there is a possibility. Gahter as many documents and proof as you can and store it in a file for when the time comes to prove who you are. You may also be able to go to the court house and ask them if there is any sort of form you can fill out for them to stop harassing you or whatnot.
2007-09-20 18:22:29 · answer #2 · answered by amandica82 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get an address and send the certified letter, return receipt. Tell them they have the wrong person and to cease and desist calling you. You don't have to put a return address on the letter or envelop, just the return receipt card.
Your only other option is to hang up when they call. Don't argue with them. They are a "scumbag" collection agency and don't mind breaking the rules. They did a skip trace for someone with a similar name.
Unfortunately, even if you convince this one to stop, they're going to sell the debt to another agency and it will start over again.
2007-09-20 18:03:22 · answer #3 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that they have the wrong person. You may ask for the last four of the SS# on the account. He may or may not provide it. They may ask for your SS#. Generally, it is OK to give the last four numbers only.
Tell them that they are subject to the
THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
which specifically allows you to forbid them from calling. Then tell them:
"Under the THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, I forbid you to call this phone number. Failure of your company to do so WILL result in a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. I have the letter written. I'm just have to fill in the date and time you fail to obey the law.
Furthermore, making harassing threats is covered under that same law."
I would recommend that you pull up http://www.daveramsey.com/radio/home/?strMode=listen
. Dave deals with such matters on most of his radio shows. You can listen on line if you cannot find him on a local radio station. His radio shows are archived on his website.
2007-09-20 18:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jeff H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
in case you're debt accumulating you at the instant are not increasing your organisation, looking new customers or helping with the middle amenities of your organisation, it quite is the place your interest must be. with the aid of using a debt series business enterprise to get well money you're owed you're making particular you are able to stay centred on your organisation and procedures of expansion.
2016-11-06 00:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by hohl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are large monetary penalties for violating the FDCPA, and you can get damages from each and every occurrence and violation. Contact an attorney, it will be well worth your time.
2007-09-20 18:02:36 · answer #6 · answered by Morgan M 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋