topic Re: I need help badly!!!!! in Rebuilding Your Credit

I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:10:39 GMT

There are two collections on my credit reports from apartments that I NEVER lived in. I have disputed with the CR and contacted the collection company directly. I have faxed them everything they've asked for short of my blood type and first born. This has been going on for several months and the collections ($7300) is killing my scores. I am at wits end as I am trying to get USDA financing and again the collections are killing me. My landlord has sent copies of my leases for the last seven years as well as copies of cancelled checks...I have sent copies of cashed money orders and cashier's checks, but the collection agency will not delete the erroneous accounts from my CR Any suggestions?? I'm getting desperate!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

Chopbrocoli — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:45:26 GMT

Wait, what do you mean "you never lived in?" Are you saying theres 1 apartment that you never resided in and another apartment thats saying you still owe money?

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

sidewinder — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:51:38 GMT

If you have collections for an apartment complex you never lived in, I would do 2 things.

Some will disagree, but I would contact the apartment complex directly and ask about this account. Ask for proof of the debt. If they admit that you never lived there, then ask for fax number, Fax them a letter giving them X days to call off the CA and get the accounts off your reports or you are suing both them and the CA.

If the apartment complex insists that this is your debt, file a police report and ID theft affidavit. Send copies to both the CA and the CRA.

Check out the FTCs website regarding ID theft below. It walks you through the process and provides sample letters to send to the CRA and the CA.

DEFEND: Recover from Identity Theft

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

guiness56 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:53:41 GMT

First send DV letters to the CA(s) that have the accounts. File complaints with the AG of your state and the state of the CA(s), BBB, and the FTC.

If you have never lived in the apartments they are not going to be able to validate.

When you disputed with the CRA, what did you use as the basis for the dispute?

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:00:26 GMT

There are two different apartment complexes that I have never resided. I have been renting the same house for the last seven years and am attempting to purchase this house. I originally contacted the complexes who have been bought and sold three times. When I finally found someone, I was directed to the collection agency as both complex managers claim not to have any of the paperwork such as applications, etc.

I have requested the same from the collection agencies only to received "threatening" letters demanding payment. I was pretty close to writing it will be a cold day in hades, but decided to contact this group for more "professional" and unbiased advise. Filing an ID theft report in Phoenix, AZ has been a next to my worse nightmare. Urrgghhh!!!

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:03:26 GMT

My basis of the dispute...well is that I have never lived at either complex and have resided in the same place since 12/01. I feel like a dog chasing its tail and the tail is winning!

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

sidewinder — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:06:33 GMT

If you have contacted both the OC and CA and no one can provide you with proof of the debt, I would either file complaints with the BBB, your AG, and their AG as suggested and if nothing happens, send ITS letter and follow through.

Or, just send the ITS letter and if they don't provide proof of debt or remove, file suit.

Other than that.....filing ID theft affidavits is your only other option.

Thing is, your ID might not have actually been stolen, it could be the CA. Is it the same CA for both complexes?

I bet if you get the AG and BBB on them that you might actually get something done. Thing is, it was like 45 days or so before my AG ever sent me a follow up asking for more information regarding the complaint and hadn't even contacted the CA yet. So, if you are in a hurry, this may not be the route you want.

AZ requires CAs to be licensed and/or bonded, have you checked to see if they are?

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:28:35 GMT

I have followed your suggestions and the collection agency for the apartment complexes will not budge. I requested copies of any applications, cashed checks, etc, and to date they have not provided. I have filed a compliant with FTC and will be filing one with the Phoenix area BBB. I'm going to look for the ITS letter and send it. These two things are killing my scores and until they're resolved, it's impacting my getting a mortgage through the USDA. I've already lost one house trying to get this settled.

Is there anything else I should do? Any suggestions appreciated!!

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:42:40 GMT

I think I can try to help you!!! Ask for original copies of the lease. Email me private and I can maybe give you more advice. I have much experience in Property Mangement for Apts. I have other avenues you may be able to take or at least try based on records most usually keep and are required to do so...:smileywink: I might need Management Co the one I worked for was National and I am still learning about TOS on this site. Tell me how to do that or show me where.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:44:39 GMT

Further, if it was a UD that was filed, there are court records.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:45:48 GMT

I am also familiar with some of the major hitters in collections etc.. for apts I just don't have enough info.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:19:30 GMT

By this statement if perhaps it became that delinquent, probably means itwas an Evict, if itwas an evict would mean the person(s) who falsely used your name would have signature files on record as to the copy of the lease with that management co + court docs. We all have our own uniqueness even if ID theft.... just another thought, plus Iwas required to take copies of IDs and DL when taking applications of any and all leaseholders.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:24:34 GMT

lastly, just as a heads up to all.... despite the fact that PM co's are supposed to keep your private info private many don't as in after old managers/new managers etc... do "house cleaning" I have known some to just toss in the trash applications, old leases etc.. in the property dumpsters... sad isn't it? I DID NOT do that, we couldn't and were often checked annonymously without our knowledge. Most don't though.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:29:50 GMT

if all else fails, be your own PI, find out who the Property manager was/leasing people if it changed, most do, burn-out is 3 years or less.. say you are looking for an old friend she had-- use your name, and hers, get your own info, want to know where they moved to, not supposed to give, but many will so that get their deposits back.bet you will find something out.

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:51:11 GMT

Super G-

I tried to sending you a private message a few times and keep getting an error message that you haven't set up for private messages or something like it. Can you attempt to send me a private message and I can reply with the gorry details.

Thanks!

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

superG — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:16:02 GMT

I think this should work, still learning, I reset my pref..

Re: I need help badly!!!!!

PhxRisingFICO — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 22:52:02 GMT

Got your private message and responded.

Thanks!!

Assistance with old apartment debt

MsPerfection — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:01:31 GMT

Good morning: asking for assistance with an apartment and saw you provided help in the past. In March 2007, I was asked by my apt to move because I had been behind on occasion after reduction in pay then reductions in staff (i.e. I was laid off) March and April rent (totaling over $2K) is now on my CR with Allied Collection Services (4230 LBJ Freeway # 407, Dallas, TX 75224. SInce the move, I've been renting a room with a friend, working 2 part time jobs to pay off CC debt (about 65% gone) and thought yesterday was a good time to try to rent a place on my own.

The rental agent said I wasn't approved because of the collection at the old apartment. She suggested I pay the debt, get paid in full letter to all 3 bureaus so they can update, then send a copy of the PIF letter to her management company and all would be well. My anticipated move in date was 08/15 but there's no way I can come up with over $2K that quickly. Any guidance for what to ask for from the collection agency, what terms I should use, what I should say would be appreciated.

Thank you again.

Message Edited by MsPerfection on 06-29-2009 09:01 AM

Re: Assistance with old apartment debt

PhxRisingFICO — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:00:26 GMT

I'm really not sure how to answer that one. In my case, there were apartments on my credit that I never lived in. I've had to make several requests to the CA to have removed, in which Experian was the last to delete today.

I think the best action is to write the CA and propose a settlement. Even if you owe $2k, you can ask them to settle for a lot less. Only you what that amount is. There is an example of a PIF letter within the site.