If I dispute a collection that shows up on my credit reports from a collection agency (not the creditor), does the CRA have to verify it through the collection agency or the creditor? This debt is not mine. The collection agency took the position that it must be mine because they have my name. They cannot give me an address or phone number for the creditor. TU deleted it from my report. Equifax said they verified it. I suspect they verified it with the collection agency. How can I get them to look further and to not just accept the word of the collection agency?
If the collection agency is acting for the original creditor, they have to verify it with the original creditor. If the CA has purchased the account, they should have all the backup (note emphasis on the word Should!)
