Help! Portfolio Recovery zombie debt collection attempt

[Miscellamy]

For all the more-experienced posters: is this the way to handle this? 

Got a call last week from PRA informing me that I owe upwards of $1K on an old Cap1 account and wanting to know how I'd like to resolve it. I, of course, said that I did not acknowledge the debt and demanded verification. I just got the letter. It includes my name, last 4 of SSN, the date of the opened account, and the balance "owed." 

I happen to know that this is beyond the SOL and the credit reporting period. DOFD was 5/2004, according to old credit reports. I currently live in DC, lived in NY at the time of account opening. And this fell off of my reports sometime in 2011. So I feel fairly confident telling them to piss on a spark plug, although I'd like to at least be polite about it. Here's the letter I drafted (and that I'll send CMRRR): 

Dear Sir or Madam:

            I am in receipt of your October 2, 2013 communication purporting to verify the above-referenced account.

            I do not acknowledge the validity of this or any other debt associated with the above-referenced account. Moreover, this alleged debt is time-barred under the relevant statute of limitations and beyond the credit reporting period.

            Accordingly, I must ask that you immediately cease all contact with regards to the above-referenced account in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692c.

Regards,

Miscellamy

Sound good? 

It can't be a coincidence that creditors I haven't heard from in eons are crawling out of the woodwork now that my report is clearing up, can it? 

(edited to fix typo) 

[guiness56]

It that is want you want, a C and D, that sounds fine.  However, they are likely to sell it to another and for each one you will need to do this.

[Miscellamy]

Would you recommend a DV instead of C & D? 

It makes sense that they're likely to sell it again. My ultimate goal is just to have the fewest possible annoying CA contacts. 

[Miscellamy]

Also (where are my manners): thank you! 

You always respond, usually pretty quickly. It's much appreciated!

[guiness56]

Lol.  I answer as quickly as I can.  Sometimes, like in the past few days, weather took out my internet. 

If you want to send a DV,  by all means you can.  When did the debt actually go delinquent?  You are absolutely sure it is beyond CRTP?

[MSpurple]

Your letter sounds great, but these people are so weird. They just called me today [while working] about a $400 debt from 2010. I'm thinking how in the hell did they get my number, because its fairly new. Last night I did a few disputes on my report, and on TU I had updated it to my new number, then lo and behold I get a call 1st thing this morning I just started repairing my credit in September, and this debt has been floating around for some time now, so im guessing they like to feed off the upcomers. I wanted to send a PFD to the OC, not sure if it works if the debt is already sold. I asked them to send me something verifying this debt, why would I just hand you over my information on the phone. The man said they've been sending me letters but I haven't gotten a single notice. RED flag? Then the man did a pull on my CR for the 2nd time this month! I can already tell these people are scraping for anything. I'd definitely send the letter. even if you just pay $100, atleast then its off your back.

[Miscellamy]

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@guiness56 wrote:

Lol.  I answer as quickly as I can.  Sometimes, like in the past few days, weather took out my internet. 

If you want to send a DV,  by all means you can.  When did the debt actually go delinquent?  You are absolutely sure it is beyond CRTP?

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Yup. My credit repair attempts were, up until last month, entirely lame and ineffectual, but at least I have good records (in the form of old credit reports).  This account originally went delinquent in May 2004 and was charged-off in November 2004. PRA bought the debt in July 2011 (aka just beyond the 7-yr mark) but I believe this is the first I've ever heard from them. 

[Miscellamy]

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@MSpurple wrote:

even if you just pay $100, atleast then its off your back.

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Ack, be careful doing that unless it's part of a strategy (such as PFD). I learned that the hard way in years past. Paying anything can acknowledge the debt, possible reset the SOL, and have the opposite effect of getting them off your back. 

Unless I misunderstood you, in which case: sorry. 

[Shogun]

It is a zombie debt according to what you've posted.  My personal opinion?  I would have paid something to get rid of the debt, had it been just about anyone but Portfolio.  

[madmann26]

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@Shogun wrote:

It is a zombie debt according to what you've posted.  My personal opinion?  I would have paid something to get rid of the debt, had it been just about anyone but Portfolio.  

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Hate much?

What is the DOFD on your older credit report? If you're 100% certain that it's past CRTP, file a complaint with the CFPB and attach your relevant documentation.