Convergent Outsourcing - Zombie debt/scam?

[truckerwife]

I recieved a collection notice from Covergent Outsourcing this past weeeknd regarding a verizon account.  I called Verizon today to confirm that all of my accounts are paid in full, they are.  However the account number Convergent had on their letter was not mine, Verizon did tell me however that account is also paid in full.  We did a conference call to the CA to confirm that this is a paid off debt and should be deleted.  

HOWEVER, once on the call CA said it's from an account back in 2005.  I didn't have Verizon back then and told them that.  Then they told me the address it was relating too.  That address is mine but I haven't lived there since 1999 and also did not have Verizon.  I told them that address does not relate to me, I was not going to validate anything over the phone!!!

So now how do I proceed?  Do I need to send them something to dispute the debt or should I just send them a FOAD letter?  I worked so hard to fix my credit and just bought a house 4 months ago.  I knew Zombie debt would probably sneek up but this one is totally off the wall.  

[RobertEG]

Send them a formal request for debt validation under FDCPA 809(b).

Include in the DV request that they provide the name of the original creditor and an itemization of the debt.

If the DV is sent within 30 days of your receipt of their collection ("dunning") notice, it will impose a cease collection bar on them, which will remain in effect until such time as they provide the requested validation.

Should they validate, you then would likely have basis for a civil action against them for providing validation without having obtained any verification ffrom the creditor.

In view of the statements of the creditor that there is no debt, they cannot properly verify.

There would also be the issue of how the debt collector obtained any authority to collect on a non-existent debt.

If the OC did not assign any collection authority to them or sell them the debt, they have no authority to attempt any collection.

That raises a more serious issue of misrepresentation of collection authority on their part.

Send them a DV.

They will bail.

If you really want to escalate, then send a formal complaint to the CFPB, along with your documentation of their collection attempt on a non-existent debt.

[Anonymous]

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@RobertEG wrote:

Send them a formal request for debt validation under FDCPA 809(b).

Include in the DV request that they provide the name of the original creditor and an itemization of the debt.

If the DV is sent within 30 days of your receipt of their collection ("dunning") notice, it will impose a cease collection bar on them, which will remain in effect until such time as they provide the requested validation.

Should they validate, you then would likely have basis for a civil action against them for providing validation without having obtained any verification ffrom the creditor.

In view of the statements of the creditor that there is no debt, they cannot properly verify.

There would also be the issue of how the debt collector obtained any authority to collect on a non-existent debt.

If the OC did not assign any collection authority to them or sell them the debt, they have no authority to attempt any collection.

That raises a more serious issue of misrepresentation of collection authority on their part.

Send them a DV.

They will bail.

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Convergent Outsourcing did this to me as well around three weeks ago. Giving me 3 options to pay for a Citizens Banks bill for $325.00 in which they inflated to 1800$. I sent them a DV letter the day after getting their dunning notice. Sent it Certified, and they signed for it got the return recipt and have not heard from them since. They are not reporting on any CRA's either. But you can't trust them you just never know.

[truckerwife]

Thanks y'all!   I'll print one up and send it out tomorrow!

[Rebuilding69]

Yep, about a year ago they tried to collect on a paid account from 10 years ago lmao. They are def scumbags imo.