Hello Creditnetters- I need some help getting started here. I have the following collection accounts that I need to clean up: 2 w/ Asset Acceptance (hate them the most!) 1 w/ Plaza Associates 1 w/ Northland Group Inc. I have been receiving calls from Asset Acceptance from a guy named Randall at work and at home. I have the C&D letter ready to go. I have 2 years worth of Credit reports to refer to as far as dates and activity, balances, transfers of debts, etc. I have noticed that on this last CR, Asset appears 2x along w/ the OC. Also, one of the accounts has an opened date of 4/03.....I opened that account in 1/96! In addition, I got a letter from them a while back, telling me that "it's tax time" pay off old debts w/ your refund!" All right, what do I do next?
The driving date is not the open date, rather the date of last activity. Have you sent them a validation letter? Do you understand that if you send a full C & D you leave them few options...about the only one left if they can't contact you is to sue you. When was the DOLA on these accounts and what state are you in?
No I haven't sent anything out yet. I've been contemplating using ICR to clean everything until....they told me how much it would cost! $424. So I decided to seek help on-line to try and do it myself for free!
Re: Re: Newbie w/ questions That was your smartest move yet! You are on the right track, and with some time and patience you can do it yourself. I might suggest reading the threads stuck to the top of the page starting with INTRO, and their associated links. It will seem like gibberish the first time you read thru it, but by the 2nd or 3rd time it will start making sense. Welcome to the board!
Re: Re: Newbie w/ questions Now, I reread your first post. Rather than sending a C & D, you need to send the first validation letter. You can find them in the sample letter forum. I can't remember if it says so in the letter, if not, include a statement like "Do not contact me by any other means other than writing". That way, you leave them communication options, but will stop Randall from calling you. If he continues it is an actionable violation Short version - you are asking them for proof of the debt. Don't admit it yours - make them prove it is. This is one of your many rights under the FDCPA. You will find links to both the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act), and FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) in one of the INTRO threads. Very important that you become familiar with them. Good luck, and we are here to help! Good luck!
Re: Re: Newbie w/ questions Thanks for the advice. I have read a few of the threads on AAC, they have some pretty nasty tactics don't they? I personally have not experienced any yet...probably cuz I won't call them back! I'm going to get started w/ the validation letters to all of my creditors tonight. I want to send them certified, return rcpt required right?
