Here goes..... I had an account with AT&T Wireless years ago and at the time of sign up there was NO DEPOSIT required....I unfortunately was laid off from my job without any notice (my whole dept. closed unexpectedly)...needless to say, I had to wait until my unemployment kicked in before I could start paying on my bills again...when I finally got the money to pay AT&T, I called them to pay it and they informed me that they sent me to collections "one day" prior and that I had to call the agency....I did and I was informed by the collection agency that they just received my account and if I paid them within 30 days it would'nt go on my report...I paid the whole balance right then and there with my debit card and they said it would not show up...I pulled my credit reports and sure enough it was there...I was so mad that I called the collection agency and every so called manager of managers I spoke to were very nasty and one guy hung up on me and told me he didn't like my attitude...so I called back and asked to speak to his manager and informed her that I would sue if she didn't send me a letter stating that that account was paid in full before the 30 day period etc...I received the letter from them a few days later...I also contacted AT&T to make sure they received the money for my account from the agency stating it was paid and they said "yes"...AT&T also sent me a letter confirming that it was paid and should'nt be on my credit report...I have filed at least two investigations and AT&T has not removed this item from my reports...AT&T even offered me a new wireless which I turned down because I didn't want the additional bill while I was laid off....How do I get these people to delete this crap off of my Equifax and Experian reports???? They have their money, it was paid in full within in the time requested and I have a letter from AT&T and the collection agency stating the account is positive and paid in full.... Thanks in advance
the letter that you have from the Ca and AT&T does it say anywhere on there that this account will be deleted ??? or do you have a written agreement stating that they would not report you if the account was paid during that time, if so you may have a breech of contract issue. if not c I would contact the Ca again and ask for a deletion letter, then supply a copy of the deletion letter to the CRA that have this account listed and it will be removed. If the Ca refuses to give you a letter I would file a complaint with the BBB this may resolve your issue. If not I would seek advise from an Attorney who may be able to tell you if you have a right to pursue legal action against them .
The Collection Agency is: Active Credit Services, Inc. Professional Accounts Receivable Management 6443 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy,. Ste. 432 Portland, OR 97221
Ok I just looked over my reports and I just noticed that AT&T reported me to the credit bureaus and it says: OPEN: CHARGE OFF and at the bottom it says PAID CHARGE OFF...this account was paid in full in 2001, this report was pulled years after the account was paid off...it appears that collection agency kept their word and didn't report me to credit bureaus, once I paid the collection agency, the agency sent me a letter confirming that payment was received in full in 2001. Why would AT&T report me to the credit bureaus after they received full payment from the collection agency who completed the transaction on their end ...they were no longer the original account holder right...Active Credit Services was...was it legal for AT&T to report me after they received payment in full from the collection agency???
Re: Re: Re: AT&T Wireless Help!!!! AT&T would'nt even allow me to pay them directly because they said I had to go through the collection agency...following is the letter from Active Credit Services, Inc. word for word: {My Name] {Address} {City and State} September 5th, 2001 RE: Active Credit Services, Inc. File # (file #)/AT&T Wireless (Los Angeles) Ref # (my 8 digit ref #) Dear, This letter is written confirmation that Active Credit Services, Inc. has received payment in full for the collection account referenced above. Payment in full was received 06/29/2001. If you have any questions please call me toll free at (phone #) This communication is from a debt collector. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Sincerely, {Name} Senior Collector ap
This is the important letter. Active isn't reporting - sounds like they held their end of the deal. Even if it was assigned, the contract between the OC and CA may have been such that AT & T wouldn't accept payment directly.
I sent the collection agency a verification/validation request. They responded but after thirty days. Isn't the law thirty days? What happens if they respond after thirty days?
30 days from the date of receipt of the letter. That's why all such correspondence needs to be sent certified return receipt - that's the only way to get proof of when they signed for it.
Kev: The law doesn't require that a CA *EVER* respond to a validation request. They just can not continue collections until they decide to do so. The 30 day rule is for CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES, when responding to a dispute sent under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Where the 30 day rule does come into play, is when you request validation for the account, the CA has *NOT* provided the validation, and VERIFIES the account to the CRA anyhow, then that is continued collection activity before responding to the validation letter.
