Okay, here is whats going on. Some time ago I found a company called Genesis Financial Solutions appearing on my credit reports. I later found out that this is from some bank called United Credit National Bank. I disputed this with the CRA and it was deleted from all of my reports (this account is from 1996, and not mine). A few days ago I received a letter from "Northland Group Inc." stating that they have purchased this account from Genesis Financial, and are demanding $746. What the **** ?? I thought this was deleted, and is now haunting me again. I typed this letter to them and was thinking about sending it out, but I need some advise. Should I even send this, or is there some other route I should take: -------------------------------------------- February 25, 2004 RE: Account # ******** Northland Group Inc. P.O. Box 390846 Edina, MN. 55439 Mail Code G16 Attention: Nicole Hable Dear Northland Group Inc.: I received a letter from you dated February 11, 2004 stating that you have purchased an account from Genesis Financial Solutions (Original account # **********) with a balance of $746.02. I know that this account is from some bank called â??United Credit National Bankâ?. This showed up on my credit reports in error years ago. I disputed its validity because it is not mine. The item was removed from my credit reports at that time. It then re-appeared on my credit reports from Genesis Financial Solutions. I disputed its validity again, and again they were unable to show that this is my account, and it was again deleted from my credit reports. Now, several months later I am getting a letter from your company trying to collect on this same item that is NOT MINE. I assume this will soon go to my credit reports again. I am sure I donâ??t need to tell you this, but I am tired of playing these games with this account that is again NOT MINE. I request that you send me proof with my signature that this account is in fact mine within 30 days. If not, I demand that this item be deleted from my credit reports, and all attempts from your company to collect this debt from me cease. If this does not happen, I will obtain legal representation and we will work this out once and for all in court. Sincerely, Cody B -------------------------------------- Any thoughts ?
By the way, I have been silent here for quite some time now, and letting Lexington Law Firm help with some of my accounts. About 1 1/2 years ago I had over 15 negatives on all three of my reports, and my highest credit score was 515. I now have only 1 negative on one report, and the other 2 are clean ! That is unless this stupid company sends the above account to the CRA. Anyway, just a little success story to pass on : )
I'm sure most here would agree that you should send a VALIDATION letter to the collection agency. You need to follow the tried and true steps that others here have used. You also need to read, read read. LBROWN59 will probably post the new member must read links for you. Also a debt from 1996 is probably past the Statute of Limitations and thus is not collectable. You could jeapordize that status by communicating with the CA and saying the wrong thing. Find out what the SOL is in your state and you will have a better understanding of where you stand vs. the CA.
Thanks ! I was unaware that there was a SOL for this stuff. I know that this debt is not mine, but even if it was, does the SOL run out even if unpaid ?
This is all the more reason to send them a VALIDATION letter. That way if they fail to validate, then put this on your CR's they have violated the FDCPA and you are entitled to $1000!
This is where validation will help you, they have to prove it IS yours or cease collection activity That is what the SOL is for, it is the time limit that the creditor has to collect fom you or to sue you, once it has passed (it varies by state...you must check this), then it can be used as your defense if they try to sue you for it.
Northland must be a real bottom feeder, buying up accounts past SOL. Make them validate. See how far they get. To the best of my knowledge, UCNB is no longer in business. In fact, they've been gone for YEARS! Good luck!
Thank you all so much. It has been quite some time since I have been here. Please excuse my ignorance, but could someone give me a link to sample validation letters? I can't seem to find them.
HIgh Deputy long time no see welcome back. * It sure does. Here are the links pd11604 was talking about. ~~~~~~~~~~~`````````` *****NEW MEMBER MUST READS*****2-29-2004 What is Validation What is Validation http://consumers.creditnet.com/stra....php?s=&threadid=42188&highlight= validation *** Victims of Credit Reporting *** http://members.aol.com/victcrdrpt/Score.html RULE of 72 http://consumers.creditnet.com/stra...=&threadid=39313&highlight=rule+AND+of+AND+72 Must SEE--------------------------- http://consumers.creditnet.com/straighttalk/board/showthread.php?s=&postid=350770#post350770 http://consumers.creditnet.com/stra...rd/showthread.php?s=&postid=352826#post352826 """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" FixYourOwnCredit! http://consumers.creditnet.com/stra...848&highlight=fix+AND+your+AND+own+AND+credit """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" '''''''''' `````````` '''''''''' Sample letters http://consumers.creditnet.com/straighttalk/board/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=25 Why Chats site http://community-2.webtv.net/Y-chat/WhyChatsCredit/ S.O.L. SITE http://community-2.webtv.net/YCHANGE/STORAGE/page16.html ><- <>- ><- <> ~~~ ><- <>- ><- <> ><- <>- ><- <> ~ ~ ~ ><- <>- ><- <>
For clarification for others that might read this: Just because a debt is deleted from your credit report, that does not necessarily mean the debt no longer exists, or releases you from owing that debt.
