Alecia, you first need to know what the SOL is for your state. Do not pay it yet. And never pay without first gettting a PFD. Never PFD before DVing. So, your first step is to DV (use the lonnster letter). Never sign your name, just type it. Stop talking to CAs on the phone, just get everything in writing.
To answer a couple of your questions:
She said the account number listed in my CR is the account number that the CRA assigns. Is this true?
Yes, typically a CA will assign its own account number.
Why would there be different account numbers?
Because they have their own accounting system, different from all of the OCs that they get accounts from.
Typically, and correct me if I'm wrong, the account numbers from AT & T are your home phone number with area code and then a 3 or 4 digit customer code at the end.
I don't know.
When I questioned whether or not I could dispute the fact that I never got a notice, she told me it was their word against mine. Do I have any recourse here?
Yes, DV letter.
I also noticed that NCO made an inquiry into my credit file in December 2007 that I did not initiate. Could that be tied to this?
Most definitely and without a doubt is.
I have three other collections on my CR, that were valid and PAID IN FULL as soon as I found out about them. (Again, found out through pulling my credit report as notices were never forwarded to me)
I would try to GW these to see whether or not they will remove. Never pay a CA without getting a delete in return (that is my philosophy anyway).
CERTIFIED MAIL #
Your Name
Your Address
YourTown,, State ZipCode
Debt Collection Company Name
Their address
Town, State ZipCode
Date:
Re: Debt Collection Company Name; Acct # Debt Collection Company
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being sent to you as you are reporting on my personal credit report. Be advised that this is a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.
This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for FULL MEDIA VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that (a) the account is valid, (b) the amount allegedly owed is accurate, and (c) I have a contractual obligation to pay Debt Collection Company Name for this alleged debt.
All of the following MUST be provided to adequately validate the authenticity of the alleged debt AND provide proof of my contractual obligation to Debt Collection Company Name for this alleged debt:
• Signed credit application between myself and the original creditor
• Copies of all signed vouchers from the date account was opened until default
• Copies of all statements from the date account opened until default
• Proof of the statute of limitations
• Proof of agreement that you were hired by the Original creditor (creditor as defined by the FDCPA) or
• A copy of the contract Debt Collection Company Name purchased the alleged debt.
• If the alleged debt was purchased, provide a copy of an agreement between Debt Collection Company Name and myself, signed by me, stating that I have a contractual responsibility to Debt Collection Company Name for the alleged debt
• Provide proof that Debt Collection Company Name is bonded/Licensed for debt collecting in the State of Your State
Be advised that failing to provide ALL of the media requested to validate the alleged debt will invalidate any and all claims Debt Collection Company Name is asserting regarding this alleged debt. If Debt Collection Company Name can NOT provide all of the validation media requested above, ALL collection efforts MUST be stopped and the account MUST be DELETED from the Debt Collection Company Name database and all credit reporting agencies. If you can NOT validate your claim, you can NOT, by law, collect on it, or SELL it to another collection agency. Also, reporting a debt to the credit reporting agencies that can not be validated is a violation of the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), and carries a $2500 fine to be paid to me. I have two years to decide if I want to pursue this matter. PLEASE GIVE THIS MATTER THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
If your offices are able to provide all of the validating media as requested, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information, and during such time, all collection activity must cease and desist.
I am also stating, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment, and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by United States Postal Service.
Best Regards,
Your Name
Starting Score: 469
Will, you need to send a GW letter to attempt to get paid collections off of your report. You are basically begging for them to do you a favor. Here is an example:
Dear Ms. NAME:
I was a company name customer since 19XX and during that time, I have enjoyed my experience with company name greatly. I am writing to see if you would be willing to make a "goodwill" adjustment to your reporting to the three credit agencies. I have two late payments on the above referenced account that date back to 19XX. Since that time I have been an exceptional customer paying every month on time.
Because of my exceptional payment history over the last X years, I would like you to consider removing the negative payments from my credit report. At the time of the late payments, I was in the process of changing jobs. I say that not to justify why the payments were late, but rather to show that the late payments are not a good indicator of my actual credit worthiness. I hope that company name is willing to work with me on erasing this mark from my credit reports.
I have been a very happy customer in the past and hope to continue a long relationship with company name. With today’s credit industry so competitive, I know how important it is to maintain good relationships with customers. Company name has been exceptional in my book so far and I highly recommend it to all my friends and relatives. I hope that you will deeply consider my request and prove once again, why company name is heads above the rest. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
your name
You can search these threads and get some other examples.
GL
Dear Ms. NAME:
I was a company name customer since 19XX and during that time, I have enjoyed my experience with company name greatly. I am writing to see if you would be willing to make a "goodwill" adjustment to your reporting to the three credit agencies. I have two late payments on the above referenced account that date back to 19XX. Since that time I have been an exceptional customer paying every month on time.
Because of my exceptional payment history over the last X years, I would like you to consider removing the negative payments from my credit report. At the time of the late payments, I was in the process of changing jobs. I say that not to justify why the payments were late, but rather to show that the late payments are not a good indicator of my actual credit worthiness. I hope that company name is willing to work with me on erasing this mark from my credit reports.
I have been a very happy customer in the past and hope to continue a long relationship with company name. With today’s credit industry so competitive, I know how important it is to maintain good relationships with customers. Company name has been exceptional in my book so far and I highly recommend it to all my friends and relatives. I hope that you will deeply consider my request and prove once again, why company name is heads above the rest. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
your name
You can search these threads and get some other examples.
GL
You are so very welcome. GL.
No problem guiness. I answered it as though it read CA, not CRA, so I was good anyway (albeit, a bit hazy though).