I need to know how to notify a Collection Agency that I do not want to deal with them, that I want only to deal with the Original Creditor. Isn't this part of my rights under FCRA? Can I possibly use this to get Unique Collections, the CA that is being used by my local library, out of the business of trying to collect the debt for lost library book? would this strategy be to my advantage? I don't think City will post tradeline to CRA, they use Unique to do that. And, I don't mind paying the fine to the City, I just don't want it to be a collection/paid account to Unique. Librarian had said pay to Unique, she can't take account back. any thoughts?
Send the CA a Cease & Decist letter. I may be able to find one for you. Let me look, and If I have one, I'll post it. You can also try the sample letters forum at this site. Here's the one I have:
Maggie, Please don't send that letter!!!!!!! I'm not sure I'd use it for any CA but especially don't do it for one representing the City. A municipality is a different dog altogether -- do you recall the lady, I think in NY that just went to jail for unpaid library fine? It was within the last month or so. They've powers to make it a violation of the City Code and issue warrants for the same; much like a barking dog ticket!!!!! There are sample cease and desist letters on this site in the sample section. I believe that's a copy of the budd hibbs letter and I plain don't know where it comes from that anyone thinks they can tell a CA they won't deal with them. You sure don't have to communicate with them -- I never speak to the (_o_)'s myself; it's a can of worms though if they own the debt (that's not the case here though). You can say desist -- but, pretty much that is saying to them, if they've the powers and if it's worth it to them, to move forward with legal action. Maybe a usual CA wouldn't pursue a judgment because it would cost them money to pursue it; they also aren't representing a municipality with the powers to make something illegal and issue a warrant for it, that's what a City would do instead of pursuing judgment. I'd like to know where in the FCRA or FDCPA or F-any-other-applicable law that it says it is our right to tell a CA we're "firing" them and will only deal with the original creditor -- that's NOT what it says. Sassy
Sassy, Thank you for cautioning me. I had not even considered the issue of dealing with a municipality. And I don't want to be incarcerated over a lost library book. LOL I think I am back to using the strategy that they are not bonded in state of Texas. The Sec. of State will issue Certificate of NoRecord because they do not have a bond issued under the name on my letter. Just had a wild hair that maybe I could go a different route. Must have been one of those blonde and senior moments Thanks again,
yw Maggie, I'm still not sure if library felons get internet time, LOL, and I didn't want you to have to figure it out. Sassy
I'm not sure if I should be offended or not. I can't figure out if that is an accusation, or just some dumb remark. If it is an accusation, I do take offense. If it is some dumb remark, I will accept an apology. The poster asked for a letter, I supplied one.
Erica, I do appreciate your efforts. And please, don't take offense. We're all in this together, and sometimes there are different opinions posted ...not everyone agrees about the best course of action on each post. That's why I like the board better than asking my dear old dad for advice. I love him dearly, but he's of the mindset that if I ask him for advice, that means I absolutely should do what he said to do, not merely consider it as one of perhaps many options and opinions...And he gets his feelings hurt if I don't do what he advises. I'm sure that none of us deliberately intend to be mean or disrespectful to anyone on the board. Sorry if this post caused you to be upset. Don't be, please.
I understand Maggie, That's why I'm here too. I just found it odd that I was compared to a felon for posting a letter. Yes, that's the Bud Hibbs letter, but I also provided another option for a C&D. Actually it's ironic...I have a 2 year degree in Criminal Justice - Police Science, and am about 6 classes away from a 4 year degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chemistry and Anthropology. I guess that's why I took offense. I'm not angry or upset, life goes on. I hope you get your situation worked out!
Erica, I'm sorry if you were offended by anything I posted. I wasn't comparing you to a felon; read that post again -- I didn't want to take a chance that maggie would end up in jail, because dealing with a municipal owned debt and CA is or can be a lot different than the typical CA's; a municipality has more options available to them -- as evidenced by the jailed New York woman. The only thing I don't like about the budd hibbs letter is that it says you are not going to work with the CA; there's a modified letter that says they've been fired. It just won't work if they own the debt or are the ones reporting -- that's why I suggested the letters here, they do the same thing without instantly provoking a CA with a phrase that has nothing to back it up. The post wasn't meant to be personal to you or your comments nor were related to your eductation; it wasn't an accusation nor a dumb remark. Please accept my apology if you read it as anything more. Maggie, I was thinking, most libraries have a governing local board, perhaps they'd be interested in your story -- afterall, they just want the money and likely think they've found a way to get it. Maybe they don't know that without a deletion mechanism there's no beneficial credit-related reason for you to pay! Sassy
Yes Erica, thank you! I'm really sorry I hurt your feelings, that wasn't my intent at all. Friends Sassy
Sassy, your suggestion about the Local Library Board is a good one. I may have to consider that route. As an aside, the Finance Manager for a very large Ford company in Dallas today told me that she thinks that my library account is the funniest and most bizarre negative tradeline/collection account that she has ever heard of. I even sent her the attached so she could post it in her office.She said she would love to finance my car loan just so she could tell the tale of the library felon when searching for a rate for me. LIBRARY FELON Reported by Major CRA's Reported by Experian as Collection/Negative Tradeline: Unique National Collections 515 Michigan Avenue Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 Account xxx Original Creditor : XXX Public Library Status : NO STATUS. Status Details: This item was verified on 5-2002 and remained unchanged. Date Opened : 06/1999 Type: Installment Reported Since :05/2002 Terms : NA Date of Status: 05/2002 Monthly Payments: $0 Last Reported: 05/2002 Responsibility: Individual Credit Limit/Original Amount: $80 High Balance: NA Recent Balance $55 Recent Payment: 0 Your Statement: Account in dispute under Fair Credit Billing Act Reported by Equifax as Collection Account included as Public Record: Credit Detail Status Public Records The following public record information has been added to your credit file or changed on your credit file. Public record information includes bankruptcies, liens, garnishments, foreclosures or legal items. Collection accounts, while not public records, have been included in this section as well. Collection account concerning XXX PUBLIC Library was reported on 06/1999 with a status of Account Disputed. Reported by TransUnion as Collection Account : Delinquent/Derogatory Account Summary Information Number of Accounts Number of Accounts in Collection: 1 BTW, she said I could probably get a 6.9 rate or lower, and maybe able to get a 1.9 rate. I told her I wasn't ready to buy car yet, just wanted to discuss discharged BK and scores, and know what I could expect. she was really nice !
