Hello! I am very new at this credit repair thing and need help from people more experienced than I! This will be long and I am sorry if it is also confusing! 2 months ago I sent out the first round of debt validation letters...few replied and I had 2 knocked off right away. 2 weeks ago I sent out the 2nd round of letters. Most have responded...some have validated...others have sent me strange replies I dont know what to do with! This is where I need help...I was under the impression under FCRA collection agencies had to send validation...but some have simply refused! What are they actually required by law to send me? Here are my problems: -Sallie Mae wrote a letter stating it was my account but with no validation. -Columbia Collection did not validate stating "the data furnisher has no obligation to investigate frivolous or irrelevant disputes received directly from the consumer" This is their reason because according to them since I already disputed this with the CRAs, and they provided validation to them, they have already fulfilled their duties. -USA Funds refused validation until a release was signed by the customer and more info was given...address, SSN...etc. But here are the REALLY difficult ones! -Verizon Wireless! Nightmare! They have hired multiple collection agencies through the years who have all reported to the CRAs and they have also reported themselves. In response to my letter they said they are not required by law to provide documents. In the meantime they have hired another agency to handle the account who is calling constantly! Also I received a bill from a lawyers office who is handling a parking fine from my old state. This fine is 6 years old...I have never heard of it before last month...and 1 parking ticket has escalated to $750.00!!! I wrote the lawyers office demanding they verify this and they replied I need to set a trial date with the issuing city!? I am so confused! What is the next step I should be taking with these agencies if they refuse to provide validation? And how should I handle the agencies who have not replied at all after 2 letters? Also any advice on how to handle student loans? I am in good standing with my student loan companies and have been for a few years but I have tons of negative marks from past default on ONE credit report...any advice? Thanks so much for bearing with me!!
Okay, one step at a time here; My first advice is to fully read the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, it is available on the Federal Trade Commission website, www.ftc.org Also read the Fair Credit Reporting Act, also on the website. There is a tremendous amount of confusion, and misunderstanding about "debt validation" and the definitions and requirements. So, read the Acts first, then post questions about them. Then go back and look at your acounts, and letters sent out to see if they are in line with the FDCPA. Let's take step 1 first, then go from there..
There is also confusion about debt "Verification" and debt "Validation" and who does each of these and when. "Validation" is spelled out in the FDCPA, therefore, the advice BIZWIZ gives is on point. You also need to have an understanding of how the OC's (original creditors), the CA's(Collection Agencies) and CRA's (Consumer Reporting Agencies) think. There are resources to help you. The thing to keep in mind is that none of these entities are here to help you and they are your adversaries. All of us have been where you are and have dreaded the initial forays into the FCRA and FDCPA, but there's no getting around it. Take a week or two to familiarize yourself and reframe your questions. Our providing advice and suggestions without the foundation of the laws would probably cause you more confusion because you would have no basis for understanding. Reading these laws along with the FTC staff opinion letters is essential to getting the result you want.
