Collection Account Help

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I recently checked my credit reports, after not having done so for quite some time.  There are two collection accounts listed on both eqifax and experian for $126.00 with the original creditor being AT&T.  I did have an account with AT&T from 09-04-2011 through 04-22-2012.  I closed the account prior to the contract end date, paid a pro-rated amount for a partial months usage (billing cycle was the 7th of each month), and then paid a several hundred dollar early termination fee.  The account was never late, and never behind.  It was closed in good standing.  

Upon seeing the collection accounts on my report, I contacted AT&T.  They could not be much help.  They show my last payment to them being 4-22 in the amount of $80.65, which was the partial, pro-rated amount that also matches with my bank statements.  They dont have a record of my early termination fee payment (???), and could not explain to me what the charge for $126 that went to collections would be for.  

I have bank statements showing I paid the bill each month from September through April.  I'm attempting to try and get my hands on the statement showing I paid the early termination fee, but I put that on a CC that has since been closed.  

Im not sure what the best next-step is.  

[RobertEG]

Did the debt collector ever send dunning notice?

I presume the OC has not reported?

I would send a DV to the debt collector, in which I would be sure to additionally include request for itemization of the debt.

Such requests have been held by the courts to be a proper part of debt valisation, in that it is the only way a consuemr can evaluate whether the asserted debt, or any part, is disputed, and whether amounts are authorized under their account agreement with the OC.

[Anonymous]

Hello Robert,

Thank you for your response.  I cannot recall receiving any notice at all about this debt.  However, the reason for even opening the account with AT&T was due to us living in a temporary residence while our house was being rebuilt due to a house fire, and AT&T was the only option for internet access at that location.  The only 'bill' we had going to that address was the AT&T bill, but I signed up for paperless billing.  This also explains the short term use, and being okay with the early termination fee as insurance reimbursed us for all these costs.  I had zero reason to no pay the bill as it was completely reimbursed!

Forgive me, but I am uncertain about what some of the abbreviations you used stand for.  OC?  DV?  

[Anonymous]

Ahh.  

OC = Original Creditor

DV = Debt Validation

You are correct.  There is nothing on my credit report from AT&T.  Also, if AT&T cannot provide me with valid proof of debt, then how can the collection agency do so?  

My other concern is that there are two marks on each credit report for the same amount?  Both appear to be open as far as I can acertain?  Whom do I contact askinf for the validaty of the debt?  Both?  

[gdale6]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ahh.  

OC = Original Creditor

DV = Debt Validation

You are correct.  There is nothing on my credit report from AT&T.  Also, if AT&T cannot provide me with valid proof of debt, then how can the collection agency do so?  

My other concern is that there are two marks on each credit report for the same amount?  Both appear to be open as far as I can acertain?  Whom do I contact askinf for the validaty of the debt?  Both?  

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They most likely wont be able to validate if the OC cant find any record. If the CA entries are duplicates you dispute 1 as duplicate of the other directly with the CRA and send the DV to the CA.

[Anonymous]

So I should start by getting a DV from both agencies?  I just assumed going directly to the source would be the best method.  

Screen shot:

http://i.imgur.com/DIJ5gAV.jpg

[gdale6]

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@Anonymous wrote:

So I should start by getting a DV from both agencies?  I just assumed going directly to the source would be the best method.  

Screen shot:

http://i.imgur.com/DIJ5gAV.jpg

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Oh ok 2 different CAs on 1 TL. The first CA the one that got the collection in Apr 14 should have removed their TL when it was recalled and sent to another agency in Dec, This is a CRA in house requirement not something that the FCRA says has to be done. DV both the first should be unable to validate and it should be gone.

[Anonymous]

I sure would lke to know if this is a valid debt before contacting the CA's.  There is a chance, however small, that there was something missed by the representative I spoke to when I closed the account, and I did in fact owe another 126 for another month or something, but never got the bill because we moved back into our home.  

Would I be better advised to try and get someone at AT&T with more credentials to dig deeper to see what the real charge was for before attempting to contact the CA's and put myself on their radar?

[Anonymous]

would I be remiss to send this as a certified letter to the collection agency?  Should I attempt other options prior to sending something like the following?

Name of CA

Address

City, state, zip

Re: Collection Account #: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Amount: $126.11

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to inform you that the validity of this debt is in question.. I did have an account with AT&T from September 4th, 2011 through May 7th, 2012… nearly three years ago.  This account was closed at my request on April 22nd, 2012, where I paid a final, prorated final bill of $80.65.  I  have contacted AT&T in order to determine the source of this debt, and they were unable to determine the reason for this bill/amount.  

I have no idea what this debt would be for, and to be completely honest, I'm not sure if I care. I am willing to pay the FULL AMOUNT of debt if you agree to immediate deletion of this account from any and all credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). The purpose of this offer is to have this expunged from my credit reports. It is not to be construed as an acknowledgment of liability for this debt, only that I am willing to pay this relatively small amount of money in order to not have to deal with the hassle,  effort, energy, and time required to investigate this situation. I have already spent too much time digging up all my bank statements from that period, and on the phone with AT&T attempting to get to the bottom of this.  I  do not wish to continue to waste the effort.

If you agree to the terms and accept this agreement, I will send a check in the amount of one hundred twenty six dollars and eleven cents ($126.11)  in exchange for full deletion of ALL references regarding this account from my credit files and full satisfaction of the debt.   I also request that you agree to delete ALL information regarding this account from the credit reporting agencies WITHIN TEN CALENDAR (10) DAYS following receipt of payment as specified above, and will not discuss the terms of this settlement with anyone, even if contacted by any third party, including credit-reporting agencies.  

If you agree to the above terms, please prepare a letter on your company letterhead explicitly agreeing to the terms listed above, and have it signed by an authorized representative of :name of ca:. It will be implied that this letter shall constitute a legally binding contract, enforceable under the laws of my state.

If I do not receive your agreement letter postmarked no later than 15 days from your receipt of this settlement offer, this offer will be withdrawn and I will request full validation of this alleged debt.

Please address all correspondence regarding this account to:

my address

[gdale6]

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@Anonymous wrote:

would I be remiss to send this as a certified letter to the collection agency?  Should I attempt other options prior to sending something like the following?

Name of CA

Address

City, state, zip

Re: Collection Account #: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

Amount: $126.11

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to inform you that the validity of this debt is in question.. I did have an account with AT&T from September 4th, 2011 through May 7th, 2012… nearly three years ago.  This account was closed at my request on April 22nd, 2012, where I paid a final, prorated final bill of $80.65.  I  have contacted AT&T in order to determine the source of this debt, and they were unable to determine the reason for this bill/amount.  

I have no idea what this debt would be for, and to be completely honest, I'm not sure if I care. I am willing to pay the FULL AMOUNT of debt if you agree to immediate deletion of this account from any and all credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). The purpose of this offer is to have this expunged from my credit reports. It is not to be construed as an acknowledgment of liability for this debt, only that I am willing to pay this relatively small amount of money in order to not have to deal with the hassle,  effort, energy, and time required to investigate this situation. I have already spent too much time digging up all my bank statements from that period, and on the phone with AT&T attempting to get to the bottom of this.  I  do not wish to continue to waste the effort.

If you agree to the terms and accept this agreement, I will send a check in the amount of one hundred twenty six dollars and eleven cents ($126.11)  in exchange for full deletion of ALL references regarding this account from my credit files and full satisfaction of the debt.   I also request that you agree to delete ALL information regarding this account from the credit reporting agencies WITHIN TEN CALENDAR (10) DAYS following receipt of payment as specified above, and will not discuss the terms of this settlement with anyone, even if contacted by any third party, including credit-reporting agencies.  

If you agree to the above terms, please prepare a letter on your company letterhead explicitly agreeing to the terms listed above, and have it signed by an authorized representative of :name of ca:. It will be implied that this letter shall constitute a legally binding contract, enforceable under the laws of my state.

If I do not receive your agreement letter postmarked no later than 15 days from your receipt of this settlement offer, this offer will be withdrawn and I will request full validation of this alleged debt.

Please address all correspondence regarding this account to:

my address

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Dont give them a time limit on how long they have to delete. I would just state I will expect deletion at your earliest convenience or something like this as some CAs dont do report updates until the end of the month