Palisades ripoff Englewood Cliffs New Jersey
On my credit report i have a collection account from Palisades collections saying i owe on an old AT&T account( which isnt mine) for $498. I sent them a certified letter stating that i wanted them to prove that this was my account and that they were to stop calling and only respond by mail. They sent me a computer copy of a old AT&T bill with my name on it, thats it. They said that was all they needed to verify that i owed the bill. They now are calling everyday and the credit reporting companies (transunion & experian) say that this is verified and will remain on my report. Can i sue Palisades or the credit companies? please help. this has killed my credit score and I cant buy a house now.
Todd
bethel park, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Don
Belleville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Identity theft???
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, July 13, 2006
You say that they sent you a computer copy of a bill. Was this an actual copy of a bill or something just showing charges and your name? Was your SSN on the bill? I ask this becuase you say this bill is not yours. If they can show that it is your name and is attached to your SSN, it definately could still be identity theft. However, if they can show it in your name and your SSN, the burden of proof switches to you to prove that it was not you who started the account. Their proof that the debt is yours is the name and SSN. Now asking for a document with your signature may also help to prove that this was not you.
John
Memphis,Tennessee,
U.S.A.
Go After AT&T
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, July 13, 2006
Simply file suit in small claims court in your area. You may have to name Cingular as the defendant since they took over AT&Ts accounts a few years back. They will have to prove you were indeed a customer and owed that money. They won't be able to.
Since the sold a phony account to Palisades that should be an FDCPA violation and should get you at least $1000 plus court costs. I suspect Cingular will go after Palisades before your case reaches trial to avoid any bad publicity. Push for the $1000 if they try to settle out of court. Good luck.