Hi,

I think I have a sort of unique problem, as I haven't been able to find anything online that deals with my issue. So here goes...I have an account in collections thats about 9000 bucks and some change...this was originally based off of a Wamu Bank Account. The thing is I never had close to that kind of money so how could I overdraw that? When I saw the amount on my statement I called and talked with them, I never withdrew that kind of money...I did have my driver's license stolen around that time and actually was contacted by a detective about some kind of fraudulent activity that I was cleared of involving someone using my ID with checks. I presented him with a facsimile of my temporary DL that I had applied for b/c my previous one was stolen and that was that. But in my dealings with the bank I didn't know that I needed things in writing from Wamu although the person I spoke with assured me that it would be okay but lo and behold the debt stayed on the account until i let it close then it went to collections...how can I dispute this when I don't have paperwork...I had also at the time tried to place red flags on my credit report when I had my DL stolen but they sent a denial letter b/c I didn't have any credit? This is really crappy because this was around 05 and I don't know how to go about clearing this up. I know it's stupid that I let it close like that but I was much younger and had no desire for a credit card anyway and didn't know the process I needed to undertake to clear this up. If anyone knows where I should start, please, I'm all ears...I'm trying to enlist and start my career in the Air Force and I can't because of this collection!

You said you talked to a detective? Was that because this was a fraudulent account? If so, can you get a copy of the police report? If you can, send it to the CA and tell them this was the result of a fraudulent account?

OTOH, if this was the result of an account that had some charges on it, say, $2,000, with fees, penalties and a 30% default interest rate, the balance could easily be up to $9,000 by now. So, even if you only had a small balance, 5 yrs of penalties can add up.

Oh, and be sure you get and send everything in writing, from now on.

If someone says to you, over the phone, "here's what we'll do...don't worry about it." Then you send them a letter outlining what you said in your phone call:

"With regard to our telephone conversation at 3:30pm on July 2, 2005, I understand that you will...."

Since, you'll be talking to a call center, they might stall when it comes to giving you an address, but press them and don't take "we can't give that out" for an answer (how do they get their mail?). Go up the supervisor chain if you have to.

oh...and don't forget to keep a copy for yourself.

Live and learn. This will take a while, but you should be able to clear it up in a month or two. Good luck.

The detective contacted me because my id had been used in some fraudulent transactions with money orders or traveler's checks no one ever alerted me to the withdrawal of funds (that I didn't have to start with) from my bank account...I only got statements that said I overdrew some 9000 dollars or such and I then contacted them and told them about how I tried to place flags on my credit report and called the police and told them about my license being stolen...it's a very strange situation b/c how does a bank let you overdraw that kind of money anyway when your usual balance was less than 300 bucks from time to time...i worked at a little dinery at the time never even had a grand in the account! Drives me crazy that they make it so hard to dispute this stuff...It makes things so much worse that I didn't keep those records...i was only 18 or 19 and stupid obviously but I guess I'll try your suggestion. Thanks!