Help with DV/PFD

[Anonymous]

First of all, I apologize if this topic has been discussed in detail. I have spent days searching multiple message boards, and I'm hoping for a direct answer to my question(s).

For the past year or so I've been trying to rebuild my credit the old fashioned way (not missing payments, paying down my debt, etc). Then, I received a collections letter from Credit Protection Association (CPA) saying that a utility company has "referred [my] past due balance" to them. The amount due is around $100. I never received a bill regarding my previous apartment (which is the only one that makes sense with this letter), but I assume that is because I moved to another state. 

A bunch of short, basic questions: 

1. From what I've read around a couple message boards, the standard procedure is to send CPA a DV, and then a PFD? 
2. Do I send the PFD even if I don't hear back from my DV? 
3. Do I mention in the DV and/or PFD that I never received a bill? 
4. Should I send either of these CRRR (Certified Return Receipt Requested?)? 
5. Is a DV/PFD template (I have found many online) alright?
6. Do I mail both of these to the address on the letter they sent me (I've read that people have had better success mailing/emailing certain representatives instead of just sending it to the CA)? 
7. I've read multiple success stories with CPA, but that they call you (or need you to call them) to discuss the PFD, but I've also read over and over not to talk to the CA on the phone...

Any help here would be VERY much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

First of all, I apologize if this topic has been discussed in detail. I have spent days searching multiple message boards, and I'm hoping for a direct answer to my question(s).

For the past year or so I've been trying to rebuild my credit the old fashioned way (not missing payments, paying down my debt, etc). Then, I received a collections letter from Credit Protection Association (CPA) saying that a utility company has "referred [my] past due balance" to them. The amount due is around $100. I never received a bill regarding my previous apartment (which is the only one that makes sense with this letter), but I assume that is because I moved to another state. 

A bunch of short, basic questions: 

1. From what I've read around a couple message boards, the standard procedure is to send CPA a DV, and then a PFD? 
2. Do I send the PFD even if I don't hear back from my DV?  No.  Unless they validate the DV puts in place a cease collection bar.
3. Do I mention in the DV and/or PFD that I never received a bill? No.
4. Should I send either of these CRRR (Certified Return Receipt Requested?)? Only the DV.
5. Is a DV/PFD template (I have found many online) alright?  For a DV something like "You are attempting to collect an alleged debt, account #___.  Per FDCPA 809 please validate.  Include the name and address of the OC and an itemization of the debt.
     A PFD is a type of GW and should be nice and pleasant, not demanding or telling them to do things they don't have to do.  Like time constraints.
6. Do I mail both of these to the address on the letter they sent me (I've read that people have had better success mailing/emailing certain representatives instead of just sending it to the CA)?  Start with the address you have.  If you get no response, find another one to send it to.
7. I've read multiple success stories with CPA, but that they call you (or need you to call them) to discuss the PFD, but I've also read over and over not to talk to the CA on the phone...Once you send the PFD it is ok to talk to them.

Any help here would be VERY much appreciated.

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[Anonymous]

Thank you very much! 

To clarify, what do they need to send for the DV to be considered validated? For example, will they just resend me the information that was already stated in the letter (I don't remember exactly what was in it, but I believe it had the last four of my social, the OC (utility company), and a utility company account number)? Should I send the DV anyways? 

Lastly, what does it mean to have a "cease collection bar" in place? Does that just mean they cannot contact me about the debt, or that they need to have the debt removed from my credit report?

[Anonymous]

Once you receive a dunning letter, you have 30 days to dispute the debt or any portion of it.  If you send the validation letter within the 30 days, the cease collection bar means, unless it has already reported, they cannot report to the CRAs, they cannot contact you via phone, email, letter or 3rd party, until they validate the debt.

The only thing they are required to send you is the amount, who is currently collecting and the name and address of the OC if specifically asked for and itemization if specifically asked for.  Nothing more.

Unless they cannot validate they do not have to remove.  They also do not have to respond to a DV, just cannot continue collection activity until doing so.