Account in collections, but doesn't show on credit report???

[cappaccinodagreat]

So my gf got a letter in the mail today from Credit Management Services. It basically says that they have been "engaged" by LVNV Funding LLC to resolve a delinquent debt of $721.00. It says the original creditor was US Bank. 

The thing is, she has never had a US Bank credit account. And has no listing of US Bank, LVNV or Credit Management Services or her credit reports. This is the first communication she has had with ANY of these companies.

The letter lists the last 4 digits of an account number with US Bank. So should our first step be contacting US Bank to see if they have (or had) an account listed under her name or SSN??

Or do we deal with it as if it was on the credit report, but asking them to send proof of debt validation?

I was just figuring by going to US Bank first, we could avoid talking to these collectors at all. 

[Anonymous]

I would contact the bank... Lot's of scams out there be careful..

[Anonymous]

I would contact the bank first also.

[Anonymous]

Verify as others have said and if/when it comes back that the debt doesn't belong to her then threaten to sue and to report to the USPS. It is a federal offense to mail false billings.

[RobertEG]

I would, in addition to contacting the asserted creditor, also send the debt collector a debt validation ("DV") request in order to place them under a cease collection bar.

Additionally, some states have enhanced debt collection practices statutes or regs which have provisions for requesting supporting documentation or mandating response within a certain period.  

What is your state of residence?