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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.
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?
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!!!
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?
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!!