Main > Everything Else
*&#&*%$^(&#%!!!!! Collection Agencies
FrizzleFried:
If the bill truly is from 15 years ago tell the collection agency to go screw themselves. If an account has no activity on it for 7 years maximum it's written off. These --bags of cream-filled twinkies-- have bought a bunch of worthless paper (that is what the collection agencies call "old bills") and are trying to scare --bags of cream-filled twinkies-- in to paying. I'd simply tell them "I don't owe the bill, don't call here any more, you are on notice. If you continue to harass me I will sue." and then hang up.
DrewKaree:
--- Quote from: Peale on February 23, 2008, 06:52:27 am ---
--- Quote from: shmokes on February 22, 2008, 11:11:56 pm ---The statue of limitations in NY for collecting an old debt is 6 years. The statute of limitations starts tolling on debt from the moment of the last activity, so if they even talk you into making a $5 payment it will start over again, even if it had already run previously. But if there has been no activity on that phone line in 15 years they can't collect.
Send them a cease and desist letter. Here's a great one. You can just fill in the blanks.
--- End quote ---
This is great info, thanks!
They haven't called (I don't think they have our number, I hope) just the one notice in the mail.
I admit, I know my credit isn't the best, but I know what I've done - and what I haven't. I'll get a copy of my credit report soon and check it out. I've never done so.
--- End quote ---
Peale, go to www.clarkhoward.com Do some searching around. You'll find the REAL site where you can get your government-mandated FREE credit report from all 3 credit reporting agencies. You should also find some information on how to deal with these jerks. As shmokes said too, you CANNOT ignore their "we're taking you to court" letters. One thing I've learned as well is this: When they told you to "go to their site", that's the BS they feed people to make them think they're "on your side" and that they want to help you fix this. It's not. You NEED to send them actual letters stating what the problem is, the account they're trying to stick you with, and what you want the response to be (since you're in the right). You also send it with whatever manner of postal method you need to insure that not only did they RECEIVE IT, but that SOMEONE physically accepted it. Usually that means certified mail, but it's been a while since I had to dick around with something like this, and www.clarkhoward.com was where I went for info. IIRC, they've got an entire section dedicated to this, and REAMS of information on it.
SirPeale:
All the while I was on the phone with them, she kept saying "if you just pay this, it'll be done, otherwise we're going to report this on your credit report." I said "This is hysterical, you guys coming at me with a 15 year old bill that never happened." She said "You think us reporting you to the credit agency is hysterical? This isn't going to go away, sir."
Scare tactics. Love it.
SirPeale:
Thanks for the link, Drew. Some interesting reading there.
http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/12/103/358/
FrizzleFried:
--- Quote ---Feb 15, 2008 -- Fight back against zombie debt collectors
RIP-OFF ALERT: Zombie debt is a lucrative and illegal part of the debt-collection world that Clark wants to warn you about. Scavenger collectors buy up expired debts that can be up to 30 years old for as little as 1 penny on the dollar. Then they unleash vicious collectors to try to collect, and frequently violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act in the process. They may be going after debts set aside in bankruptcy; stemming from ID theft; or that have passed the statute of limitations, which is typically 4 years on credit card debt. There is no legal way they can collect these debts, but that doesn't stop the scavengers from trying to intimidate you.
This is not a discussion about whether or not you should pay your bills; this is about what your rights are on old debts. The scavengers are so good that they typically collect about 13 cents on every dollar. Many of them also engage in illegal activities by wrongfully putting old debts back on your credit report; harassing you over the phone; or secretly taking money out of your account. If you're being harassed by a zombie debt collector, send them a certified letter stating the debt is invalid and instructing them to stop contacting you. But beware that scavengers don't care if the debt is valid. They've declared war on your wallet and will use any tactics. Be tough and know your rights.
--- End quote ---
Good stuff right there...
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version