Disputing a CC collections not opened by me before I turned 18.

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys, this is what I have on my Experian Credit Report:

ASSET ACCEPTANCE

Address:  PO BOX 1630   WARREN, MI 48090  (800) 614-4730	Account Number: XXXXXXX.	Original Creditor: AMEX
Status: Collection account. $2,031 past due as of Jun 2010.	Status Details: This account is scheduled to continue on record until Feb 2012. This item was verified and updated on Jun 2010.
Date Opened: 06/2009 Date of Status: 07/2009 Reported Since: 08/2009 Last Reported Date: 06/2010	Type: Installment Terms: 1 Months  Monthly Payment: $0 Responsibility: Individual	Credit Limit: $1,805 High Balance: N/A  Recent Balance: $2,031 Recent Payment: $0
Account History: Collection as of Apr 2010 to Jun 2010, Dec 2009 to Feb 2010, Sep 2009, Aug 2009
Balance History: 06/2010 $2,009 04/2010 $1,991 02/2010 $1,956 01/2010 $1,933 12/2009 $1,915 09/2009 $1,858 08/2009 $1,835 07/2009 $1,817
Limit High Balance History: The original amount of this account was $1,805 This has been showing on my report since 5/2005. Date Major Delinquency First Reported: 07/2009 What should I do about this? The account was opened before I turned 18, I turned 18 9/2005. The account was not opened by me.  It keeps getting sold off to other Collection Agencies. Don't these things go away after a certain time from reports? Should I just pay it up? It was showing up on my Equifax but I was able to get it removed from them by disputing it with no hassle. But when I dispute it with Experian or TransUnion they just "verify" the information. What do I do about this?? Help Please!

[llecs]

If I was 100% certain beyond any doubt that it wasn't mine and suspected ID theft, then I'd contact the police and get a police report. As you experienced, based on what is reporting, you had disputed and it came back verified. A police report along with the dispute can go a long way in getting it removed.

FYI, looks like the account first went bad 2/2005. I'm sure it was opened long before that. They remain on for 7 yrs from DOFD, or the date you first went bad. Since the CR shows a drop off date, I subtracted 7 yrs from that date to get DOFD.

Don't pay it if not yours. I wouldn't anyway.

I'd redispute w/ a copy of the police report.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response.

How do i go about getting a police report on this? Do I just walk into a police station and claim ID Theft? I'm a little intimidated by all this.

[llecs]

It's very easy. Call the non-emergency police line in your local PD and tell them that you suspect that you were a victim of ID theft. They'll then ask for the info and they'll file their own report. You may want to mention that credit was obtained in your name while you were a minor and provide them with any info they ask for. After a few days, then you can re-contact the PD and ask for a copy of the report and that can be used to redispute and maybe also send a copy w/ a DV to this CA.

I live in the DC area and cities tend to merge together here. I live in one city in which I read the daily incident reports. At least once per week, there's a case here of ID theft very similar to yours. I know that every area is different, but the police here are eager to help out, even if old from 5 yrs ago.

BTW, it could be a case of mistaken identity and perhaps no crime is committed. It isn't unheard of that a CA will bill all the "John Smiths" in a given area hoping that one person might pay.

[guiness56]

Yes, either go into the local police station or call them and they may send someone to your house.

Keep a copy of the report to give to them.

Send a copy of the police report to all 3 CRAs and file identity theft.

[RobertEG]

Once you have a copy of the police report, it then becomes, for FCRA reporting issues, what they call an "identity theft report."

With that in hand, then simply follow the procedure set forth in FCRA 605B to get it blocked from your CR.