Hi all,
I hope everyone had a good start to the week! On August 6th I sent out 6 debt validation letters to 5 different collection agencies. It was the first time in years I finally decided to not ignore my shoddy situation and DO something about it. Thank you all for your help.
Today, I have an update and need help. First, the good news:
1. One of my DV letters was sent to National Recovery Agency. It was a collection for $217 that was due to fall off in 2022. I did not dispute the account, but just asked for verification. Today, I saw they deleted the whole collection entry (I checked Credit Karm and Experian Free). YAY!! I did not officially hear back from them but I am looking out for a letter. This account was in my ex-husband's name I believe so I don't know why they even came after me.
2. Portfolio Recovery replied to me and this is where I need help.
*** Please note any personal information has been falsified incl. SSN, account number, name etc ***
This is the TL:
1. Sent DV letter on 8/6
2. Received letter from PRA on 8/12 (turned out to be an offer to reduce my debt with them and listed payment plans)
3. The same day I sent them a settlement offer stating they failed to verify the debt, including copies of my original letter with certified mail delivery proof, a copy of their offer and offered them 1/4 of what they ask bc I do not agree I owe this debt,r and told them if they do not take my offer I will dispute everything
4. Saturday 8/17 I got ANOTHER letter - so the first letter they sent was likely not in relation to my first letter. Oops. This letter was their standard response (will post below). Should I ask them to validate again with more info? I really do not recognize this account AT ALL. See also #5 below. Should I go straight to disputing with the CRAs? Cap1 never harassed me about this. I truly have no idea what this even is AND to top it off, when I check my Experian Free account both my closed accounts are listed as "closed by consumer, paid". The opening dates are 2011 (closed bc I was recommended to do so bc my ex husband stole my card - I was young and stupid) and 2016 (closed because I consolidated this card with another Cap1 card to make a higher limit).
5. The thing is, the info they "validated" is wrong. It is for an old Cap1 account, apparently. They have my name and last 4 of my SSN, but the last payment date as well as the "date account opened provided by seller" is plain wrong. I know for a fact I did not open a CC in 2013. I also do not recognize the account number. What should I do?
Dear Sammy Sweetheart,
The following information is being proivded in response to your recent communication concerning the account referenced above (I did not give them my SSN or my account number, the only thing I stated in my letter was I am reaching out bc they list stuff on my CR and I have no knowledge of this debt, which is true). Account Number 12346789 and its proceeds were sold, assigned and transferred by the seller to PRA, LLC on 1/28/19. At the time of the sale, the seller provided information concerning the account; a summary of which can be found below. Please contact us if you would like to receive a payment history of payments that have posted to this account since our company purchased this account (which would be frickin blank cause I didn't even know about this account, neither have I ever sent PRA a dime, neither have I received any communication from them up until this VERY random letter on 8/12).
Sincerely, Dispute Team
Summary of additional information listed in the electronic file for this account:
Account holder's name provided by Seller: Sammy Sweetheart (old name that I have not had since 2015)
Account holder's last 4 digits of SSN: 1234 (correct)
Date Account opened provided by Seller: 5/24/2013 (WRONG)
Charge Off Balance: $514 (WRONG/Makes no sense/do not recognize at all)
Last Payment Date of Default Date: 10/11/2017 (WRONG/Makes no sense/do not recognize at all)
Options I am considering
1. Wait for the response to my second letter from them - expecting that this week. It wouldn't be ideal because truly I don't know what this is. But if I can get this off my record for $125 which is how much I offered them and not going through anymore headaches I would do that.
2. Instantly dispute with CRAs. But how? I need help figuring that out.
3. Send them another letter, with all previous documentation, stating I 100000% do not recognize this account and the information they have (i.e. the date the account was opened) is plain wrong. Tell them to cease colleciton efforts or I'll sue them (maybe?)
4. ????
5. Help
