Merchants' Credit Guide Ken Hughes Collection letter sent in correct address, but wrong name, for a bogus debt from Sears ripoff Chicago Illinois, Hauppage New York
I received a letter today from Ken Hughes, stating that a person by the name of Jennifer Kahler (I have no idea who this is) at my address is in default for a loan originally held by Sears for 1,532.15. MCG is saying that they are collecting this debt on behalf of their client Genesis Financial Solutions. I am so glad that I Googled MCG before calling the number! I can't believe all of the complaints! I am definitely not calling these scumbags.
I know that most of the posts recommend sending a cease and desist letter, but since the debt is not even in my name, I am concerned that by writing MCG, then they would have MY name. I have checked my credit reports and it is clear. I have excellent credit, and this chick named jennifer is not appearing any of the big 3. So far, no calls have been made, so maybe they truly are looking for this Jennifer person, and have the wrong address.
Should I write to them anyway, explaining that they have the wrong person? Or just ignore the letter, and hope that this will not affect my credit? I am concerned that they may have my SS # and other information, like others have said in the posts.
Any help is greatly appreciated, maybe this is new tactic for Mr. Hughes? Jerk.
Julie
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Giselle
Any City,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
I got collection letters for a business that I've never heard of
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, May 14, 2006
The envelope came addressed something like "ABC" and then my address. Inside was the full name of the company which I'd never heard of. I wrote "return to sender, not at this address" on the envelope. The letters stopped.
Aafes
Viernheim,Europe,
U.S.A.
I'm curious
#5Consumer Comment
Sun, May 14, 2006
I'm curious. Was this letter addressed to you, an contained another persons collection letter inside or were you sent a letter addressed to someone else and opened it???
Alma
Menlo Park,California,
U.S.A.
Use USPS as your federal witness...
#5Consumer Suggestion
Sun, May 14, 2006
One idea, that I found on a "how to stop unwanted mail site), and I use very effectively in cases where I got letters addresses to previous or unknown people. The beauty of it: you can stop these letters WITHOUT giving out ANYTHING about yourself.
Here it is:
If the former residents neglected to fill out a Post Office change of address card, or it expired, you can fill one out for them. You must fill out one card for each unique last name. Write "Moved, Left No Forwarding Address" as the new address. Sign your own name and write "Form filled in by current resident of the house, [Your Name], agent for the above". You must write "agent for the above". Hand this form directly to your carrier, if possible, as your carrier must approve the form and see that it gets entered into the post service National Change of Address (NCOA) database. This is very effective.
Important: the postal office will send back all the letters to the sender, with an OFFICAL statement, that the adressee moved out/unknown. The post office will NOT give out your name to the sender.
Or you can simply write on the envelope:
"adressee is unknown" and drop to any mailbox in your postal area. Your local post office will check the name against the name on it's file, and will send it back to the sender. You can do it ONLY if you did not open the mail.
(My recommendation: do NOT open mails addressed to unknown people. It is either official - you can not do anyting with it, or it is junk - you do not want to do anything with it.)
Jace
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Do NOT call MCG, do NOT give your name or any other info
#5Consumer Suggestion
Sat, May 13, 2006
Any communication you do with MCG or any other collection agency should be in writing only. But since the person they're looking just happens to have formerly lived at the address where you now live, I wouldn't write them anything, and I wouldn't give them any other information either. If they send a certified letter that doesn't have your name on it, do NOT sign it. If the harrassment continues, file a complaint with your state AG, FTC and BBB.
I bought a house 4 years ago and in that time I've received numerous collection letters and visits from creditors regarding the previous owner. I'm not required by law to prove to them that I'm not him, and when they ask who I am I tell them to call the courthouse. BTW, they get really upset when I mention that I never had time to check the guy's credit history before buying a house from him.....:)