How to remove invalid debt on CR

[bichonmom]

Hi,

I just discovered an incorrect item showing as a collection from National Recoveries. I naively contacted the company thinking that they would realize their mistake and remove the item. Later, when I Googled them, I discovered that others have had the same problem. 

I disputed the item with the credit bureau, but it was validated, even though I do NOT owe the money. It's only $30 and I'm tempted to pay it just to get it off of my credit report, but I feel like I'm being blackmailed. What they are doing is completely illegal. Is there any recourse?

I did some search on the forum and saw some people had luck with a DV with this "company."  Help! I looked up the abbreviation, but what is a "debt validation" letter? Where can I find a sample of a good one? Or is there a better suggestion? The OC is BMG or Columbia Records, I'm not sure which. The CA would not give me ANY information to contact them or to validate the debt. From what I've read on the forum and on Google searching under their name, they seem to be unethical. 

What is the best course of action to get this off of my credit report?

Thank you!

[llecs]

Welcome to the forums!

I'd suggest reading the following:

Common Abbreviations

Credit Scoring 101 - great for knowing what is in your credit score and to see how your score is impacted.

What Steps Do I Take - great for learning the repair process.

and Example letters - PFDs, GWs, DVs, etc.

I'd start by sending a DV letter.

[bichonmom]

Thank you for the links. I have been reading the forum posts yesterday and today.

I read a strand of posts about non-authorized inquiry letters, which raised a question:

In addition to putting an erroneous collection on my CR, they also made a hard inquiry in the same time period. I just discovered this (both the collection item and the inquiry) when I pulled my CR last week.

I'm prepared to send them a DV letter; however, now I'm wondering if I should also tell them to remove the unauthorized inquiry. I'm a bit confused about this because I've read some posts that say that all inquiries made by CAs are valid, even when they are hard. But I've also read some posts that say that they don't have permissible purposes and can be removed.If the debt isn't valid, then they didn't have a right to make a hard inquiry, right?

Would it be better to wait until they don't validate the debt (assuming they can't) and then ask that the inquiry be removed?

I'd appreciate some advice as to the best way to handle this. I am concerend that I messed it up because I made the mistake of calling them when I initially discovered it on my CR last week. They would give me NO evidence that it was my debt, nor would they give me any contact information for the OC so I could contact them to straighten it out.

Thanks so much!

[llecs]

I'd include in the DV a mention that you want them to retract the inquiry. IMO, based on the FCRA, a CA has permissible purpose and can pull your reports. However, if you don't owe money to the OC and this is a case of mistaken identity, then they do not have permissible purpose.

[guiness56]

I have been trying to get these people off my report for 3 years. 

No idea what it is for.  It just showed up one day for $67.  I have sent them DVs which they ignored and disputed which came back verified.

As you said, there seems to be many having issues with them.

[bichonmom]

Thank you for the replies.