I am abou tot send out my first validation request for a medical bill and I was wondering if I should inclde a copy of the Wollman Letter in my original request? By the looks of things onthe board, I will have to send it eventually when they reply witha print out for validation. The CA is I.C. System. Has anydealt with them in the past? If so, have any advice that might help me? Also, I need a link for the letter. I can't seem to locate it. Thanks!
I personally would not send the Wollam letter. Let them dig their own hole. Most people save the wollam letter for court and a nice little surprise.
I've had success sending it during the estoppel stage. I might have even sent it during the initial validation letter as well. I suggest you hold off on sending it the first time around. However, I would advise that you do send it with your next letter (estoppel). The reason? Saving it for court isn't exactly your "hole-in-one". It's not caselaw, rather an opinion of the FTC. It holds water, but only so far (judges ruling). If you use it during the construction of your "paper trail" you're not only showing the judge you went to all lengths to show the CA they were wrong (for them to believe a computer print-out is validation) but also it's easier to put a "scare" on some run-of-the- mill CA employee, by presenting them with black and white "evidence" of what the FTC believes is considered validation.
I disputed a collection account with IC Systems, fully expecting no response or a printout etc. They promptly updated my CR as "consumer disputes". After 31 days I received a statement from the OC through IC Systems itemizing the charges. I think IC is starting to learn how to validate. Ack!
It isn't about knowing how to validate, rather it is about being able to validate. In many cases, they simply cannot because the debt is truly invalid, or so old that no "proof" exists anymore, or they just do not have sufficient records to prove the dollar amount they're attempting to collect on. And yes, I suppose being lazy plays some part in it as well.
