I had an entry on my all credit reports from a collection agency I didn't recognize, so I disputed it and it was removed from all three. I got the typical letter from a CO regarding this debt a month after the deletion (different name than on the CR) which appears to be stating it was transfered to them from another, blahblahblah... It's a Citi Card debt and knowing that from their letter I can't remember if I had one that went bad or not (had some rough times and a card or two had to be let go). I had a Citi card back in 2002 I closed paid off, clearly on my report (different account number than the CO lists), but no other entry from Citi Bank showing a charge off or anything derog (on all three). Should I call this CO about it? Request proof? Or just let it go since the CRA's were unable to verify? Thanks
If this is the first letter from this CA, it should have included your right to dispute, request validation, and request the name and address of the original creditor. It should also have stated that if you did not dispute the debt within 30 days, they would assume it was valid. (If it did not include these required notices, they are in violation of FDCPa.) If you call to find out what the debt is, regardless of what they tell you, do not fail to dispute and request validation IN WRITING, sent CRRR, within 30 days of their letter. If you do so, they cannot legally continue to collect until they provide you with validation sent from the original creditor. That includes reporting it on your credit reports, or verifying to the CRA, if it shows up and you dispute thru the CRA. Since there is some question whether this is even your account, you want to request validation of the debt, including the name of the original creditor, the original account number, and statements at least back to the last charge or payment made, showing the debtor name and billing address for the account, along with an accounting for the amount claimed due starting with the statements. Just because you disputed with one CA and it was removed from your reports, doesn't mean this CA won't damage you as you dispute it again, or that this is even the same account. They could be collecting on an account you already paid, or on someone else's account. You get no credit for paying debts you don't owe; in fact, you get worse credit.
Awesome! Thank you, I'll get right on it this afternoon! Thank you, it's been a while since I've had to deal with a CO!
NEVER! EVER! NEVER! EVER! NEVER! EVER! *CALL* The phone is their weapon... The pen is ours... There rarely is a situation which presents itself which can only be dealt with over the phone. I've only had one or two of them pop up, and those were to escalate the problem to the President/CEO office (then back down to the highest person under them).
