I recently received a collection letter from NCO Financial Systems,with "Former Creditor:Chase/Assignee of Provi" , stating that I owed $4000+ as well as $7500 interest but $0 collection charges and $0 costs. I KNOW that I positively don't owe any such debt. It listed a chase credit card #, so I called Chase. They told me there was no such # in their records. I currently have a credit card with Chase that I've had for years,always paying the entire balance every month, which I do with all my Credit cards. I checked my credit report which I do every few months,and as always,it was completely clean. Under 'Regular inquiries-Companies that have received my credit report',it showed an inquiry from this Co.(as well as requests from Co.'s I have credit cards with,(I.E. Citicard,etc.) So,having just reviewed my credit report which showed my perfect credit, they send me this letter. I noticed in looking over credit reports from the past few years , they're again listed under "Regular inquiries' almost as though they're trolling for individuals with past due accts. This letter, the first I've ever received from this Co., was an offer to settle this unknown acct.(totaling over $11,000) by paying 50% of what I supposedly owe over the next 3 months as a special offer. They make it known that they may cancel this "special" at any time. My question is this. Should I even respond to their letter? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Brentski
Send them a letter like: ___________ Your name and address Date VIA CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED xxxxxxxxx NCO Address Re: XXXXX To Whom It May Concern, On xx/xx/xx I received your letter dated xx/xx/xx concerning an alleged debt you claimed is owed to xxxx. Please allow this to serve as notice that I am disputing your debt collection-related allegations, denying the same and demand strict proof and verification thereof. This dispute, denial, and demand are made in accordance with federal and state law. Please govern yourself accordingly. Cordially, xxxxxxx _________________ I would also write to Chase. Perhaps they will confirm that there is no such account in writing. Then I'd send NCO a permissible purpose letter inquiring as to their PP to pull your CR. It may be worth some $ to you.
The business-like letter looks much better when you take them to court. IMO, it's better to respond cordially and professionally in writing and rant all you want to your buddies or your dog. (Not that I always take my own advice, mind you
In addition to Enigma's advice, you may considered adding language as to their FDCPA violations such as you're in violation because you're reporting an "open" account type and a past due balance. Mention you're contemplating filing suit. They'll just close the account and delete the tradeline. You should get a letter in about two weeks.
So I should reply? So the bottom line is that I should reply to their letter? I figured just ignoring them might make them realize "I'M NOT BITING" at their request to pay the bogus charge at their "1/2 Off, 3 Day Special Offer", and see if they just go away. I guess replying with just my name and address (which is the only personal info they currently have) couldn't hurt. The help and advice is truly appreciated. Thanks, Brentski
If you want them to truly go away, tell them that you're going to sue them for misreprenting the debt on your credit reports. It takes about two weeks.
Well,the reason I ask is that there's nothing listed on any of my credit reports from this Co. other than a "General Inquiry'about my general credit history. That's why I'm wondering if I should just ignore it. My report doesn't show anything associated with the account they mention. It's as if it's made up. That's why I'm thinking about just not reolying to them at all.
The letter Enigma suggested you send, with or without Apex's add ons, will ensure that a tradeline is not legally placed on your report. To ignore the letter, and not dispute it, opens an opportunity for them.
And, you also place yourself in a bad spot of they sue you if you fail to dispute it within the 30 day window.
Consider, however, that perhaps they are (or are not) sending you this without a thing to back it up. That's a crime, you know. You can't just make up debts. It's really important to pretend that you have something, you know, you bought it from so and so. You have to claim that. If you don't, you might go to jail.
It might be a real debt, just not Bretski's real debt. It's not unheard of for debts to be attributed to a person with a similar (or sometimes not-so-similar) name. Or it could be identity theft. I had that happen.
Several collection agencies have been busted creating and falsifying debts. Have you ever seen the matrix a JDB will sell to a CA? I have and it usually consists of nothing more than an excel spreadsheet with a name, address, telephone number, balance due and maybe the original creditor. No documentation.
I need to send something So I do need to send them something,similar to 'Enigma's Letter', I get that. However, where do I look to find "Apex's add-on" that's mentioned? I looked at Apex's site, but wasn't sure which specific "add-on" I should be looking for. Again,your help is really great. Thank you, Brentski
Sorry I wrote poorly. Post #7 in this thread Apex mentions threatening to sue them. Enigma's letter doesn't mention suing...that's all I meant.
Brentski, I cannot give you our work product but, I will say that all you have to mention in your communication is that you intend to sue them for their inaccurate account reporting on your credit reports. That is all you need to write. That will lead to deletion. If it doesn't, I will have the account removed at no charge to you. Sound like a deal?
That's what's strange. Other than the 'General Inquiry' there's absolutely nothing listed from this Co. whatsoever on my credit report, let alone innacuracies. There's only the 1 letter from them stating this one item ( not listed anywhere on my credit report) is past due. That's what makes it seem so hokey. Just the letter,nothing else.
Well, in that case, it would probably be better to send what Enigma suggests. If they report, then send what I suggest. I am sorry I missed that if you mentioned it. Again, my apologies if I caused you any confusion. Happy Holidays!
Hi, I also received the same letter as you did, brentski. Thanks for asking all the questions I also had and thanks to all those who have responded to you with all the good advise. I will be sending these terrible people a letter, too. My letter is from NCO Financial System Inc, with a corporate address of 507 Prudential Road, Horsham, PA 19044. Mine states I'm past-due on a balance of $5,686.92 with an interest amount of $9,686.43 -- kind of funny that the interest amount is so high. My total balance is $15,373.00 and the former creditor is also CHASE/ASSIGNEE OF PROVI. I guess if I pay it now they will lower the amount to $7,686.68 -- lucky me! I just called CHASE and they don't have any record of the account number NCO is saying I had with them. I asked CHASE to send me a letter stating I have never had an account with them and they asked me to make the request in writing, which I will do today. I will also send NCO the letter "enigma" suggested you send. I have always paid my bill on time, even early, and this is what I get? I just can't believe this is happening. I sent an email to ABC News L.A., Channel 7, in hopes that they will run a story on these people. There are tons of blogs out there with similar stories on NCO Financial Systems Inc. Just do a search with their name and the word "Fraud" next to it and you will see what I mean. The only good thing that has come out of all this is I have a pretty nice FICO score with Equifax, TransUnion and Experian. Happy New Year to All!!!
If your court records are online, search through them with the company's name. See if the pop up. I searched through Oklahoma records and they do show up. In almost every county. They have many judgements for them. Looks like a case of mistaken identity to me. Send the letters and force them to have some validity to their claims.
