I sent out faxes on 5/23/02 to the three CAs on my reports. Last night, I sent out a "reminder" that they have less than a week to comply (I'm in TX where the 30-day rule holds for CA validation). In the reminder, I reminded them that the FDCPA says they must mark the acct as "in dispute," and that if they are unable to sufficiently validate the item they must delete the notation from my report within 5 days of such discovery. This morning, I received a return fax from one of the CAs, SARMA, which used to be TU (or TU used to be them or whatever). Basically, they faxed back exactly what I had sent them. On the fax cover sheet, there is a small note on the bottom that says, "We do not have database here at SARMA. You must write Transunion at Transunion, PO Box 34012, Fullerton, CA 92834." This particular coll on my CR was deleted back in MARCH by TU when I disputed, and then it was reinserted last month without the 5 day notice (I have documented evidence). Then it ALSO reappeared on EX after it had already been deleted. ARGHHHH. Both TU and EQ say the item was "verified" by SARMA. So what do I do now? SARMA is basically saying that they aren't reporting this item, aren't they? And TU & EQ are saying that SARMA verified the item. Well, actually, EQ (CSC) says "CSC verified the item belongs to you." What is the quickest way to get this off? I do not want to go the slow legal route if I don't have to. I'm trying to avoid paying these items before getting my mortgage...particularly this SARMA one, since it's due to fall off in less than a year. Thanks in advance....
Send TU and EX a Procedure letter. I would send SARMA a C&D letter and tell them to fax you a copy of the UDF that they are sending to EX and TU. Tell them that time is ticking away for them if they don't comply with your demands. What part of Texas are you from? SARMA used to deal with the southern part of the state only. Charlie
I'm in deep South Texas. How long do the CRAs get to give me their procedure? And will SARMA even know what to do with the C&D since they claim they aren't reporting the debt? IS that what their claiming? Or is "We don't have database" just double-speak designed to throw me off-track (which it has). What kind of BS is that anyway?
The address this SARMA associate gave me on the fax is for disputes to the CRA. At first I thought it was the Fraud dept. How about if I craft a C&D letter that tells this SARMA associate something along the lines of: "I have already disputed this account with Transunion and Equifax. It was deleted from these reports in March because the 30 days for lack of response had passed, and then reinserted in my report in May, because someone at SARMA verified it. Please tell me how it was verified by SARMA if you are saying you don't have a database." And then proceed with the C&D??? Or should I just do the standard C&D? My feeling is that someone at SARMA is either lying or just plain clueless.
