topic Re: Advice re PRA dunning letter in General Credit Topics

Advice re PRA dunning letter

Anonymous — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:59:59 GMT

Over the years, I have periodically been harassed via the telephone by PRA. The issue involves a credit card balance from 1996. I believe this was a joint account that was supposed to be taken care of by my ex-husband. I have not received any phone calls for about 6 months, then today received a dunning letter from PRA addressed to my former married name. The debt is way past the SOL for our state. Should I respond with a DV letter?,,,respond with my old name or current name?.. or ignore this latest effort?...I am dismayed that this was not taken care of by ex.... if they don't produce adequate DV...is this finally over?...or will I need an attorney...???expenses involved with that?..thanks

Re: Advice re PRA dunning letter

llecs — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 09:39:09 GMT

If the debt went bad in 1996, then don't worry about it. I wouldn't even respond and would probably toss the letter if I had proof the debt went bad way back when.

Even if a debt is long past your state's SOL and the 7-7.5 yr credit reporting time period, a collector can collect forever. If you sent a DV and they couldn't verify, they can still sell the debt to someone else. I have one CA chasing me with a debt that's almost that old. Once a year they send a collection letter and tack on $500 or so in fees. To the trash it goes.

Re: Advice re PRA dunning letter

RobertEG — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 17:19:46 GMT

You can always send a DV within 30 days of dunning notice, and thus impose a cease collection bar on them until such time as they provide verification.

If they verify, they can then continue attempts to collect, including inquiries.

However, if your intent is to stop further communication with you, then simply send a cease communication letter under FDCPA 605(c).

They cannot therafter have any communication with you, regardless of whether they verify your DV request.

However, in either event, that still does not address the fact that a debt collector has notified you that you still have what they consider to be unpaid, delinquent debt.

Ceasing their continued collection efforts thus does not address that issue.

You may still be asked in future quest for new credit to disclose any unpaid, delinquent debt.

It might still be of benefit to either contest the debt or pay it to clear the deck.