In need of some good sound advice please I've been going back and forth with a CA/law firm for maybe 8-9 months now - they sent a collection notice (~$3000), I asked for validation - several months later they sent statement copies - I then asked for "proper validation", several months later they came back with a SS# and an "amount due" - Not sure if this is mine - (it looks to be though) - if it is I'm not sure if it's beyond SOL... Questions: 1) are their sloooooow responses to the validation requests significant enough to make issue of, or if it ends up being my debt does that even matter? 2) if it is mine - should I keep asking for "validation" - or just bite the bullet and look to settle? I guess what I'm asking is - is it worth the back and forth and making them "stick to the rules" (to try and get it derailed) and in the process drag things out...or just try to settle and be done with it? Thanks for all help/advice
First get your credit reports to see what is on there. Second if they have been calling you and or sending off letters to you to pay this alleged debt then this would be continued collection activity. Third KNOW WHO YOUR ENEMY IS / Do a search on them and see what they are all about. Fourth you really should keep a journal of ALL COMMUNICATION. Fifth.. As far as violations you may get some. Oh and LASTLY I WOULD NEVER GIVE ANY MONEY TO A JDB AND OR CA unless absolutely necessary! Woofer
So, basically, you are poking at them for some reason? Would you do that to a grizzly bear? They aren't required to even respond if they stop dunning you. Only you know how far you want to take this. See above, but what rules have they violated? "Validation" is the following: Debt validation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Well it was some time ago and the more I dig it appears not to be mine...(something wrong with asking for proper validation - that's how we find these things out?) - and also I agree with you, Woofer: Oh and LASTLY I WOULD NEVER GIVE ANY MONEY TO A JDB AND OR CA unless absolutely necessary!
At this point, no. It doesn't matter. They've already "validated" so what more can you ask for? Now the choice (insofar as the CA is concerned) is whether you want to pay or not pay. If you decide to not pay, for whatever reason, then don't pay. They might sue, they might not. It's hard to tell, but my guess is that they'll sue. At least in court you might have a chance to make it go away if it's not yours. If you decide to pay, again, for whatever reason, then make sure (at least): a) they are legally entitled to collect on the debt b) that your payment is full and final satisfaction of the debt c) that you are not admitting ownership or responsibility for the debt d) that they will not report or disclose this debt to any third party, to include consumer reporting agencies. Remember, the only thing that gets a CA's attention are: cash and law suits.
