S.n.
Bucyrus,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 26, 2005
Did you send the request for validation in writing? Tell them NOT to contact you again until they can validate. Do it all in writing. Get a tape recorder. You need to find out if it is legal in your state and the state where the collection agency is located. If it is not legal to tape them without their knowledge, the minute you answer the phone advise them you are taping the conversation. Period. Don't let them bully you or threaten you. They can be sued for each violation. Double check with the 3 credit reporting agencies and make sure they have not reported to the credit bureaus. If they have, dispute the entries immediately.
J
Anytown,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, May 26, 2005
Don't talk to the collections agent, call MCI at 1-800-444-3333 1-888-MCI-LOCAL (1-888-624-5622) and ask to talk to their final accounts collection center or their fraud center. Ask for them to send you a fraud packet and copies of the bills. File a police report and complete the fraud packet. You can go to this web site http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm here is an excerpt of the fair collections act that is handy to you How may a debt collector contact you? A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax. However, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts. Can you stop a debt collector from contacting you? You can stop a debt collector from contacting you by writing a letter to the collector telling them to stop. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no further contact or to notify you that the debt collector or the creditor intends to take some specific action. Please note, however, that sending such a letter to a collector does not make the debt go away if you actually owe it. You could still be sued by the debt collector or your original creditor. Here is the contact number for the FTC to file a complaint 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) Hope this helps