A collection agency (Gensis Financial) was unable to verify the original debt (with United Credit National Bank) and when I disputed it, it was removed from 2 bureau reports. I immediately wrote directly to them for the remaining entry (on Experian) and demanded that they "prove it or remove it." I got back a generic printout with my name, address, and social security number, account balance and the date the account was allegedly opened. After I recieved this printout, the entry re-appeared on all 3 reports in the section with credit cards. (It was in the "collection activity" section before.) Now it says "Account Type: Collection" and lists a new account number. Three steps forward, two steps back. I never signed a contract with United Credit National Bank and I have already asked for Genesis Financial to send me a copy of the contract I allegedly signed. (They sent the printout instead.) What should I do now? It's funny in a way, I thought this would be the easiest and most obvious dispute, as I never opened or used this account and returned them their materials 3 years ago when they send them to me in the mail. I've had 8 other deletions on most of my reports that went relatively smoothly -- but this one just keeps coming back. Input appreciated! -Melissa
I'll give you the one bit of info, I think I'm qualified to give lol Do a search for Genesis Financial on this board. There has been tons of info on them. There has been a good topic right now on re-insertion. I would read through that. You have proof that the CRA has deleted this debt under one account number. You could write another dispute letter to them letting them know this and that just because you slap another account number on it and re-insert it doesn't make it real. I did this for one and the CRA deleted again. But then it was just re-inserted again. What you need to understand is that you are going to have to go after the CA in this case. You can get it deleted time after time and it can always reappear on your CR. This is where a lot of people get the CRA because they hardly, if ever, send you the notice of reinsertion. I'm not quite astute on the law when it comes to changing the acct. number and then re-inserting, but I'm sure a lot of the experts on this board are. So, send the CA another letter telling them that what they provided wasn't proper validation and that you will give them another good faith 15 days to provide some proof that this debt is yours. The key is to build your paper trail in case you need to use litigation.
Hi Melissa, Welcome to the board As to your first point the CA is insisting, wrongly so, that their silly printout constitutes complete validation. It does NOT. Demand to see "the document, containing your signature that makes you liable", the contract. If you didn't sign, you don't owe. The FTC Staff has spoken eloquently on this issue. It is the Wollman Opinion at: http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/wollman.htm Be sure to go read that and print it out. It literally says a computer printout is NOT sufficient. You now have a cpl. violations. A couple of other things you may want to check on. I bet if you look closely you'll notice that the dates have been moved forward. Re-aging an account is illegal. This seems to happen a lot when CA's change account numbers. Secondly, sometimes on a CC offer they will open your acct "for you" BEFORE they send out the paperwork. Naturally if that happens they automatically charge you your first annual fee and whatever else. How big is this debt. Is it fairly small? ???
The "original credit limit" is 400 but the balance listed as "610" -- the dates haven't changed except for the "last reported" section. (Not "last activity"...) I'm going to fax them today with a letter and send it to them certified, return-reciept. I may post it later on. Thanks1
