PFD Example Letter

[Anonymous]

Thanks, IIecs. 

I'm soooo happy to PIF if it comes to that (from a utilization perspective), so I think I'll give it a shot.  My concern is that if I get too "this-isn't-my-debt" with an OC when it obviously is my debt, they'll just kick it to a CA and give me the proverbial middle finger. 

When you sent yours to Verizon, what department did you address it to?  Their in house collection department?  With a CA, you'd just send it straight to them without a department (presumably), but with an OC I'm unclear.  Been having a hard time finding anything on the boards about PFD to an OC.

Thanks for letting me pick your brain!

[llecs]

I sent my PFDs initially to the address as listed exactly on my CRs. I never addressed it to any department. Try the addresses on your CR, then expand out to addresses as filed with the SEC (if public) or other sources like the Consumerist, jigsaw.com, amd others. My PFD was finally successful after using planetfeedback.com, though the Exec. assistant I talked to acknowledged that they approved the PFD prior to using PFB.

[Anonymous]

I have a question on the proper use of a PFD.  My wife just received a bill from a collection agency that we never received the original bill for.  I had no knowledge of this debt prior to friday.  The bill was for medical service provided over 1.5 years ago before we were married.  After confirming with her now cancelled insurance agency, this debt is valid. Being the weekend, I have yet to do anything. 

My first question:  Is this the right course of action? Or should I try to contact the original company (Quest) to see if they can do something considering we have never received a bill/invoice/ for this portion of the service.  (more informaiton can be provided if it helps).

My second question:  Should I contact the collection agency (by phone) prior to sending in the letter.  They only gave me a 30 day deadling to dispute the debt which comes due February 20th.  Additionally, if I go this route should I contact the original company (Quest) at all, or will it not gain me anything.

Any help is appreciated. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I have a question on the proper use of a PFD.  My wife just received a bill from a collection agency that we never received the original bill for.  I had no knowledge of this debt prior to friday.  The bill was for medical service provided over 1.5 years ago before we were married.  After confirming with her now cancelled insurance agency, this debt is valid. Being the weekend, I have yet to do anything. 

My first question:  Is this the right course of action? Or should I try to contact the original company (Quest) to see if they can do something considering we have never received a bill/invoice/ for this portion of the service.  (more informaiton can be provided if it helps).

My second question:  Should I contact the collection agency (by phone) prior to sending in the letter.  They only gave me a 30 day deadling to dispute the debt which comes due February 20th.  Additionally, if I go this route should I contact the original company (Quest) at all, or will it not gain me anything.

Any help is appreciated. 

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cjstaum ... Your goal in any circumstance is to get the trade line deleted, or "current"  A PIF collection looks just as bad as non-paid.

I would DV the CA, assuming they now completely own the debt.  Once they verify (and seeing as the debit is only 1.5 years old -- i'm assuming you are still under SOL)  Then I would PFD in Full ... Being within the SOL, if you send any *partial* amount, they can come back and sue for the rest.  PIF PFD is the way to go IMO

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick response.  If I PFD, it would definitly be for the full amount.  The bill is legit, I just never got it, and I have no problem paying in full (I would have done so a year ago had I actually got the bill).

As to getting the CA to validate the debt and start the PFD process, do i just send them the letter (CMRRR?) and then wait?  Or should I call them and start the ball rolling that way?  This is the first time I had to do something in the collection agency world and I don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

[newstart2010]

Always always always deal with the CA in writing.  Never call.  You need paper trails and proof.  Phone calls don't offer that.  There is really never a need to talk to a CA on the phone ever.

[Anonymous]

I have one last question for you all.  The name of the CA is "Credit Collection Services."  I did some amateur internet sleuthing and found some website stating that this is a scam.  Does anyone here know whether this CA is legit, or some kind of scam?  If they are a scam artist, what is the best way to proceed.  Thanks again to everyone for all your help.

[llecs]

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cjstaum wrote:
I have one last question for you all.  The name of the CA is "Credit Collection Services."  I did some amateur internet sleuthing and found some website stating that this is a scam.  Does anyone here know whether this CA is legit, or some kind of scam?  If they are a scam artist, what is the best way to proceed.  Thanks again to everyone for all your help.

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It's a legit CA out of Massachusettes. They are a pain to deal with though.

[Anonymous]

Does it make a difference to send a separate DV before I send the PFD, or is it sufficient to dispute the validity of the debt within the PFD?  My worry of sending the DV first, waiting for their response, and then sending a PFD is that it will take to long and potentialy bring me outside of the 30 day window.

[llecs]

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cjstaum wrote:
Does it make a difference to send a separate DV before I send the PFD, or is it sufficient to dispute the validity of the debt within the PFD?  My worry of sending the DV first, waiting for their response, and then sending a PFD is that it will take to long and potentialy bring me outside of the 30 day window.

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Always mail a DV and get a response prior to sending a PFD. A DV is allowed by the FDCPA and technically needs to be in the CA's hands within 30 days of their initial collection letter (dunning letter). By law, the CA says you have 30 days to dispute the validity of a debt. So, sending a DV prior to Feb. 20 preserves your rights.

You can't send a PFD because they aren't reporting. PFD is pay for delete. You can always alter the letter to offer a payment in exchange for not reporting.

If this was my debt, I would consider a different route. I would probably DV the CA now. I would also immediately pay the OC. Technically the CA cannot report until they respond to your DV.