CBCS Possible Scam, Sent me a collection bill, unknown account Columbus Ohio
I got a letter in the mail saying I owed this collection company $262.42. I couldnt imagine who I would owe money to so I immediately searched for them online. A bunch of posts came up on ripoff report (all withing the last 6 months) and I checked on the better business bureau site where they have hundreds of complaints. I called a number I found on the BBB site and the person who answered looked up my "account" but found nothing. I told them who the "client" was, Oversight Property Management (?), they had no record of them.
During the week I called the number that was on the letter they sent me, a different one from the BBB site, and this person was able to locate my account and the "client". However, when I asked who Oversight Property Management was, they didn't know or have any information about them. She said it was going to go on my credit report.
I can't possibly imagine who would send money to a company they've never heard of, who is collecting on a debt they know nothing about! I looked up oversight property management online and there is no information to be found. I am going to try and contact the 3 credit bureaus.
I think that this entire thing is just a total scam. Anyone can send out bills on fancy-looking letterhead that says people owe money on made-up accounts and nonexistent clients.
Anthony
city, Florida
U.S.A.
9 Updates & Rebuttals
Ressa
Anywhere,Utah,
U.S.A.
Could I find
#10Consumer Comment
Wed, April 11, 2007
Could I find a copy of this letter you are talking about? Like a form letter? I would like to send one to a collector trying to collect on a debt that is well over 10 years old.
Thank you
Ernest
Bardstown,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Do NOT give them your SS #
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, November 02, 2006
Please please, do NOT give any debt collector yor SS#. IF the debt is valid they should already have ALL the correct information about you.
Please listen to Steve.
Ernest
Bardstown,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Do NOT give them your SS #
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, November 02, 2006
Please please, do NOT give any debt collector yor SS#. IF the debt is valid they should already have ALL the correct information about you.
Please listen to Steve.
Ernest
Bardstown,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Do NOT give them your SS #
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, November 02, 2006
Please please, do NOT give any debt collector yor SS#. IF the debt is valid they should already have ALL the correct information about you.
Please listen to Steve.
Ernest
Bardstown,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Do NOT give them your SS #
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, November 02, 2006
Please please, do NOT give any debt collector yor SS#. IF the debt is valid they should already have ALL the correct information about you.
Please listen to Steve.
Kate
Toledo,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Fair Debt Collection Act
#10Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 02, 2006
That is absolutely good advice given above about the act. No one is allowed to make a claim for a debt with you without identifying the party making the claim.
Send a request by certified mail - just give your social security number, name and address. Send a copy of the debt letter you received and just say that 'in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Act - you are formally requesting that this creditor be identified with name, address, phone number, description and amount of debt".
If they can't provide that to you they HAVE to stop requesting payment and they are not allowed to have it recorded on your credit record.
If those things don't flow that way - and they usually don't - you can go to either the Attorney General of your state or the Federal Trade Commission, you can google to find both of them. The FTC has an online complaint form as do most AG's
Good luck - you're dealing with a segment of business that knows the laws governing their behavior very well, have actuarial studies that show it is in their financial interest to ignore those laws since most people don't know what they are and are not in a position to hold them accountable.
John
Califon,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Where did the OP say that?
#10Consumer Comment
Thu, November 02, 2006
"let them know you have never lived at the named apt complex"
It does not state anywhere in the original OP report about an apartment complex. It could be a strip mall owner or any other kind of property owner.
In fact, the OP states that:
"During the week I called the number that was on the letter they sent me, a different one from the BBB site, and this person was able to locate my account and the "client".However, when I asked who Oversight Property Management was, they didn't know or have any information about them."
So how is it that The OP doesn't know, CBCS allegedly doesn't know but doesn't care and hopes you don't know, but Natira knows who this is?
Listen to Steve-he has gotten results as proven by others who have posted so on this website.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Anthony, DO NOT listen to that brainless collector Natira
#10Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 02, 2006
Anthony,
As per the FDCPA send a DEBT VALIDATION request by certified mail return reciept requested. Be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. This is very important.
In this letter clearly dispute the debt and demand to see whatever you allegedly signed to create the debt as well as a full account history.
Now, get you free annual credit report from each credit bureau that you are entitled to. If there are any derogatory entries on this matter do a dispute by the method above.
Some junk debt buyer go this debt and has little or no information on the actual debt and it is probably so old it is past statute of limitations for collections anyway. Everyone with the same or similar name to you has probably been contacted.
FYI, NEVER speak to ANY collector on the phone. It will never do anything positive for you, and will in almost every case make things worse.
Go to FTC.gov to file a complaint online against them.
Natira
Columbus,Ohio,
U.S.A.
hi there!
#10UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, November 01, 2006
as a former employee i see your doing the right thing rearch the "debt" first if dont see anything call the number they gave you be co oprative let them know you have never lived at the named apt complex and they will help you dispute the acct if is affecting your credit it will be removed in 90 business days it is not a scam id theft happens every 2 seconds good luck! she could be a newbie