How do I identify the creditor?

[luvsandyshores]

I finally have a TU score, but there is a new collection on the report and all it says for the creditor is "Collection" and account # XXXXX.  It's only $69, and I want to take care of it quickly, but how do I figure out who to contact?  I thought I might get more information directly from Transunion, so I went to their site and paid for a report directly from them, and it says the same thing except there are a couple digits of the account # filled in.  Do I need to call TU or the original creditor (who I think went out of business)?

[Anonymous]

Pull your free credit report.  The information there has a lot more details and should provide the name of the CA.

[luvsandyshores]

The information should be the same whether the report is free or paid for.  I purchased my TU report here, and directly from TU.  Both only said "Collection" as the name of the creditor on the account in question.

[Anonymous]

The reports, in my experience, that are for a FICO score have different information than those that are directly from the source.  When I purchased my score, I found the same type information.  I then went to get my free annual report and all the information I needed was on that report. 

[RobertEG]

When a debt collector reports to a CRA, that is considered an "initial communiation" that triggers the requirement that they send you written collection (dunning) notice within 5-days of that intitial communication, informing you of how to respond.

That is the primary purpose of FDCPA 809(a)......   to enable the consumer to immediately question, dispute, or request validation of a debt under collection by a debt collector.  It is the debt collector's responsibiity to provide that information to you.

[luvsandyshores]

If I call TU will they have the name and contact information for the collection agency?

I moved to a different state years ago, so I haven't received anything about this through the mail or by phone.  My mail was only forwarded for 6 months or so, and no bills were ever forwarded because I thought I had taken care of every outstanding bill.  I'm pretty sure this is my debt though (my teenaged son kept a rented video game for a long time and never told me about it.  He was supposed to have paid the overdue fee but apparently he never did.) 

Just out of curiosity, what happens when a debtor moves and the mail forwarding period is up?  If the mail is returned to the creditor as undeliverable, do they have to try to find the debtor before they can report a debt to a CRA?  Or what if the mail doesn't get returned to the sender, and the new resident simply tosses it in the trash?

[RobertEG]

When a debt collector reports to a CRA, the required reporting fields include both their name and address and that of the original creditor.

Provided that the debt collector complied with their reporting requirements, the OC name and address should be in your credit file.

As for sending letters to them, the FCRA is pretty sketchy on legal requirements.

However, this appears to be changing.

Take for example the new direct dispute rules that went into effect on 7/1/2010.  They included specific provisions for dealing with addresses.

16 CFR 660.4(d), for example, gives the consumer the following legal options for submitting disputes:

1. If sent to the address of record in the consumer's credit file;

2. If sent to an adress previously specified by the furnisher of information for the receipt of direct disputes;

3. Any business address of the furnisher if items 1 and 2 above are not provided.

Compliance with any of these options makes the dispute legal, whether of not they receive it.  It is their obligation to keep their address information up to date.

[luvsandyshores]

I called TU and they told me the CA was Credit Collection Services, and gave me the address.

I was just going to offer pfd to get it off my report quick, since it's only $69.  However, I saw a lot on the news in the past week regarding this company and their attempts to collect Hollywood Video fees that are not actually owed, so I sent them a DV letter today. 

I was just guessing that it was a late fee that my son never paid, but I honestly don't remember if he paid, I paid, or no one paid.  It's from 2007, after all!  Let the CA prove to me that I owe it, and I'll gladly pay.