once again i need the help of this magnificent board, i sent a validation letter to ACE (american credit educators) for a debt they say i have with them of 250.00 for some credit repair kit. thing is, i never received a credit repair kit from them and they are on my credit report. anyways, today i get a letter from them saying that if i dont pay this debt they will damage my credit, they have been damaging my credit for 4 years now. and also the letter they sent me doesnt say"this is an attempt to collect a debt, blah,blah,blah,blah(that mini-miranda). can i use this to my advantage? and what advise do you have for me, thanks!
thanks for your help, you seem to know about this stuff so i have one more question,i sent a validation letter a company named ProCollect on 4/8/02 and on 4/22/02 they pulled MY CREDIT REPORT, since this is a collection agency do they have the right to pull my report? thanks
ACE (American Credit Educators) has been sued many times for their trade practices. Here's what you can do: Send ACE another demand notice stating that you request absolute validation of the debt. Tell them you are aware of their practices about sending unsollicited Credit repair kits to people and that you dispute the validity of the debt. You did not order the kit and did not want the kit, NOR was the kit ever receieved by you. (unless it was). ACE will eventually back down, especially if you go as far as a lawsuit with them. I know of a person who did receive the kit with a credit card and tried to send it back but they refused it, so he kept it. Recently took them to court and they didn't show up. Judgement entered for the amount of the repair kit and interest. ACE agreed to remove it and send him a check for the $25 difference + $20 court filing + $30 cost to serve them for a grand total of $75 plus deletion.
If you got a kit from these folks but never asked or ordered it you are not only entitled to keep it but do not need to pay for it. I had problems with Columbia records many years ago sending me stuff after i had canceled the account. I spoke with the post master who told me that i was not obligated to pay. Go talk with your Postmaster, he or she can be a very powerfull ally. My postmast told me to keep him informed, and if it weren't resolved the post office would file suit for postal violations.
