I just got off of the phone earlier with a CA who's trying to collect on some unpaid utility bills from 1999. They (CSI) say that they do not have to provde any more validation that they already have since you do not need a signature or ID to set up utilities. They provided me with screenshots of some ledger software. I don't get it. I could make what they gave me for validation, sitting at this machine right here. My questions are are the SOL on these accounts up (Aug 99 in Texas)? The OC and the CA are both in TX. And are they right? Since someone doesn't have to sign something or provide ID to get utilities that can circumvent the FCDPA? Seems if that were right anyone could get utilities in a made up name and SSN and NEVER have to pay. Your help is greatly appreciated.
SOL in Texas is 4 years across the board. As far as validation, a simple screen shot is not enough. Anyone (like you said) can make something like that up in minutes. Since utilities are verbal agreements (essentially), I would say they would at least need copies of the original bills showing service and dates of service, etc. Also, just because it's a utility bill does not mean the CA gets to ignore the FDCPA. If they're reporting, make sure they've placed your account in dispute. If not, print it. It's proof of violation, and a sword to use against them. Have you sent the CA the FTC opinion letter Wollman? If not, do so with your next letter to them. That will take care of the screen-shot ledger joke that they sent you.
Or falsly put their utilites under your name so you pay their bills for them. L 59 ******************
