Steve
Bradenton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, December 20, 2006
Belle, Actually the AG's office does not have any jurisdiction over debt collection compliance. The agency responsible for the FDCPA and the FCRA is the FTC, and they do not do individual enforcement. The ONLY way to enforce your rights under these acts is through the civil process. In other words, you need to sue them. As far as debt purchasing goes, your figures are way off. Recently charged off debts that are sold for the very first time usually sell for 4-6 cents on the dollar depending on the type of debt. Each time they are resold or go through another agency, the price drops sharply. Usually a bad debt that is 3 or more years old that has been sold 3 or more times goes for a penny or less on the dollar. Jake, Success in disputing and getting validation requests fulfilled depends on HOW you make the request. If you use certified mail, return reciept requested, you get the best results and maximum evidence when you go to sue them. Always put the certified# on the letter itself, and keep a copy for your records. This proves what you sent. Now, when they fail to respond as required by law, you sue them. Now, by the means above, send a dispute to the credit bureaus. In this dispute, invoke your right under the FCRA to see all communications used in the verification process. this is your legal right.
Belle
Cincinnati,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 19, 2006
According to the FDCPA (Fair Debt Collections Practices Act) your request for validation must be fulfilled within 30 days from the company's receipt of your request. Typically these companies purchase bad paper (old debt) for 10 cents on the dollar...at such a cheap rate, rarely does the original creditor HAVE VALIDATION still around... such as your original application, binding signature, or transaction histories. When disputing a debt, ALWAYS do it through the state attorney general where the company resides. That way, you have on FILE when you requested validation and if the company does not provide the proof you've requested, the attorney general's office will follow up with an order to have the account closed from the agency's records and your credit report updated. GOOD LUCK!!