Collection Agency - Do not remember owning the account

[Anonymous]

I got a letter from collection agency a couple of weeks ago stating I owe 9000.... Citibank 6000 + insterest 3000.

I honestly do not remember I even had Citibank credit card or whatever account.   

A little background....  I once was a big spender and had hard time in early 90s.   Since early 90s, I disappeared from the credit scene.  Not a single account on my name for like 25 years.  I might had Citibank account in 90s or might not.  Just dont remember any more.

I started back last year...so far have been built up good credit.  Not a single blemish so far.

Can someone experienced guid me how to handle this???    Is it even allowed to collect 20+ years old account, even if I had a problem with a lender?

[MakingProgress]

Is this collection account appearing on your CR?  If it is and you don't recognize it then I would dispute it with the CRA.

If this is indeed a 20 yr old account.   It shold not be showing on your CR, and as far as I know no state has a SOL that is that long.  You should check your states SOL and as long as you are past that then you can not be sued for the debt.  However they are still able to try and collect the debt. 

If this is the first notification of this debt you have recieved it should tell you that if you don't recognize the debt you have 30 days to request a debt valadation from the CA.   You sould request that in writing ASAP and the CA must cease collection attempts until the debt is valadated.

I hope this helps. 

[Anonymous]

MakingProgress- No...it is not on my CR.   Just a mail asking to settle and this is the first I saw.   

Again if I had anything to do with Citi, it has to go back multiple decades.  And the amount, Citi 6000 + interest 3000, does not make a sense if this was 20+ years old.  Maybe they are looking for wrong person??

I am going to just ignore it now.... If I receive another collection letter, I will just send to my lawyer.

[MakingProgress]

I wouldn't ignore it. Send a DV letter within 30 days of the dunning notice. Then they have to cease collections activity until they validate the debt. They might still send it to the CRA. CA will often send the dunning notice and hope you settle, then if you don't they report the collection account. If you ignore it you will lose your debt valadation rights.

[SouthJamaica]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I got a letter from collection agency a couple of weeks ago stating I owe 9000.... Citibank 6000 + insterest 3000.

I honestly do not remember I even had Citibank credit card or whatever account.   

A little background....  I once was a big spender and had hard time in early 90s.   Since early 90s, I disappeared from the credit scene.  Not a single account on my name for like 25 years.  I might had Citibank account in 90s or might not.  Just dont remember any more.

I started back last year...so far have been built up good credit.  Not a single blemish so far.

Can someone experienced guid me how to handle this???    Is it even allowed to collect 20+ years old account, even if I had a problem with a lender?

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You need to go to a lawyer. It sounds fake.

[SouthJamaica]

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@Anonymous wrote:

MakingProgress- No...it is not on my CR.   Just a mail asking to settle and this is the first I saw.   

Again if I had anything to do with Citi, it has to go back multiple decades.  And the amount, Citi 6000 + interest 3000, does not make a sense if this was 20+ years old.  Maybe they are looking for wrong person??

I am going to just ignore it now.... If I receive another collection letter, I will just send to my lawyer.

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Good plan.

[RobertEG]

You have two options for requiring the debt collector to cease communications.

First, you can send a DV request, which if sent either prior to dunning notice or within 30 days of receipt of a dunning notice, imposes a cease collection bar, which remains in effect until they have first sent the requested debt validation.

Second, you can send a cease communication notice under FDCPA 805(c).

The advantage of a timely DV is that it is  broader than a cease communication notice, as it prevents any continued collection actiivities, including pull of your credit report and communication.  Another advantage is that, if they do send validation, it might trigger your recollection of the debt.  The disadvantage of a DV is that it can be overcome simply by sending validation.

The advantage of a cease communication letter is that it is permanent unless rescinded, and thus imposes a continued cease communication bar that they cannot overcome.

Simply ignoring it is an option, but imposes nothing.

[Anonymous]

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@RobertEG wrote:

You have two options for requiring the debt collector to cease communications.

First, you can send a DV request, which if sent either prior to dunning notice or within 30 days of receipt of a dunning notice, imposes a cease collection bar, which remains in effect until they have first sent the requested debt validation.

Second, you can send a cease communication notice under FDCPA 805(c).

The advantage of a timely DV is that it is  broader than a cease communication notice, as it prevents any continued collection actiivities, including pull of your credit report and communication.  Another advantage is that, if they do send validation, it might trigger your recollection of the debt.  The disadvantage of a DV is that it can be overcome simply by sending validation.

The advantage of a cease communication letter is that it is permanent unless rescinded, and thus imposes a continued cease communication bar that they cannot overcome.

Simply ignoring it is an option, but imposes nothing.

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RobertEG - Thanks for your input.

For DV, it is kinda late now....  I dont remember the exact date I received a letter, but it should be around a month plus.

Regarding the second option you mentioned, is there any kind of template / guidelines I can use?  

AND, again the same question, is it possible to receive a collection letter after 20+ years?   Right now, I plan to ignore it, since it is not on my CR.   When I receive another notice, I may take action to respond.   I am keep thinking they are following the wrong target, because there are many sharing the same last / first name.

[RobertEG]

"This is notice under the provisions of FDCPA 805(c) that you are to cease further communications with me regarding the asserted debt."