Would it be more effective to include a statement in the dispute letter to the CRAs stating, "This debt is not mine...if you somehow verify this debt as mine, I request a description of how the investigation was conducted along with the business name, address and telephone number of any company you may have contacted for information." Would requesting this in the initial dispute letter cause them to be more thorough in their investigation and not use Automated Credit Dispute Verification through e-Oscar? Or, is it better to wait for the results of the initial dispute and then inquire about the investigation process? Thanks, Tim
Seems fishy to me. Either you think it's yours or you don't. If you don't, why would you put in the second sentence. If you do, why would you dispute? I'd just stick to "This debt is not mine." or "I do not recognize this debt," if you're not 100% sure. I doubt it. Your letter is scanned and shredded upon receipt. The scanned copy is sent to some poor sap in Indonesia or Latin America who then punches in a code from a menu (if the letter is even read by a human at all) which then causes an e-mail to be sent to the creditor who owns the tradeline. They do millions of these a day (OK, maybe millions per month). I've heard some people suggest handwriting in colored ink on colored paper to force it to be read by a human, but (and I have no proof of this) I'd bet that it's more likely to just be deemed illegible and a prank letter (which they also get hundreds of) and sent straight to the shredder. If your first attempt fails, you can request a reinvestigation or ask how they investigated the first time. The CRAs have been "busted" for being something less than thorough in the past so it wouldn't be the first time they chose expediency over thoroughness but it's up to you to hold them accountable.
So the collection (dental bill) actually belongs to my father with the same first and last name as me but different middle name. We lived together at the time he acquired this debt (4 years ago). So I'm worried that if I dispute as "Not mine", the CA will send documentation of first and last name as well as a matching address and it will be verified. Can I request that the CRA investigates for a matching middle name, ss#, date of birth,or signature? I know some people see it as unethical, but I have personal reasons for wanting this removed and not transferred to my fathers credit report. The debt really is NOT mine...so it shouldn't be too hard to get it removed, right? Thanks, Tim
Keep it short and simple. Something like this: RE: (creditor name), Account # (account number) Dear debt collector: I have received a letter from your office on (date) requesting payment for the above-referenced debt. This is your notice that I am disputing the validity of this alleged debt, as I have never purchased products or services from (creditor name). In accordance with the U.S. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), all further collection activity on this account must cease until/unless you can properly validate the alleged debt. Sincerely (your name) Don't get into a lot of legal mumbo-jumbo, or make threats that you won't be able to keep anyways. And of course, send the letter certified mail, return receipt requested, so you'll have proof of delivery.
