Just received a letter from Pioneer which is a CA on my husband's Sears acct. The opening line reads: Our investigation into your employment, attachable assets and bank accounts is complete. A recommendation must now be made to our client. Can they legally do an investigation in to all that? My husband works for a small company and if they had investigated his work, someone would have said something to him. He hasn't heard anything. This sounds that they are going to recommend legal action though they don't come out and say it. Would validation be the first step? Kim
Idle threats using imposing language are commonplace with CA's. I would send the validation letter. Make them prove it. Is it on his report(s)? -Peace, Dave
In my previous history with CA's I've received letters like that. Called them on it and found out they never verified crap.It's a silly little intimidation practice.
I've gotten those type of letters and they've never taken legal action against me. It's just to scare you.
§ 807. False or misleading representations [15 USC 1962e] A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. (4) The representation or implication that nonpayment of any debt will result in the arrest or imprisonment of any person or the seizure, garnishment, attachment, or sale of any property or wages of any person unless such action is lawful and the debt collector or creditor intends to take such action. (10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer. Write back to them CRRR and demand the results of this alleged investigation. Who they spoke to, what was said about you and all the dates. AND THEY DAMN WELL BETTER HAVE IT TOO! Keep us posted.
Yes. Is is called skip-tracing. It is the first phase of a CA's collection effort. If you read the sentance carefully, you will see that is a meaningless. It doesn't say what their "investigation" reveiled, or what they plan to "recommend". It is simply crafted to scare you. It did! Keep in mind that CA's will use dirty tricks to track you and your assets down. They will impersonate you to get information. They will call your bank and pretend to be you. Thave have most of the info they need to get past the standard screening questions, SSN, DOB, Address. That is why they always seem to know how much money you have. What you need to do is password protect your accounts at the bank. You account needs to be flagged so say that no information can be given out without the password. Explain to your bank that someone in your family has been impersonating you and you want to prevent them from getting information.
