Sherri
Piedmont,#2Consumer Suggestion
Tue, February 21, 2006
They are not a collection agency, they are junk debt buyers. They don't give a d**n if you actually had an account with Charter One..they want your $$ and will lie, threaten and harass to get it. Do NOT send them a dime, instead send them a "cease and desist" letter, as well as demanding validation of this "debt" they claim you owe..and a computer printout from their "database" does NOT constitute validation. Send this Certified Mail, Return Receipt requested (or even Priority Mail with signature confirmation will work)and if you have a fax number, fax it as well (keeping your fax confirmation). Also tell them that IF there is an issue, you will deal with the original creditor, as you do NOT deal with collection agencies or debt scavengers (they HATE that term, but hey, it is what it is!). DO NOT sign the letter by hand...these people cannot be trusted. IF they had legal standing to collect, they would already have your information. Bottomfeeders like Arrow prey on people's ignorance of their rights and fears. Just remember..they have NO power to do a damned thing. However, if you do pay them, you will be "reaffirming" a debt that may not be yours and could get the Statute of Limitations and credit reporting clock started over. Check your credit reports, and if they have put anything on there, dispute it immediately. FCRA violations can net you $1000 per violation, plus costs. I had issues with them a few years ago, with them trying to collect what THEY said was a "charged off" Bank of America Mastercard from 1994..the SAME Bank of America Mastercard that I still have open with a $15,000 limit. Once I did what I outlined above, they slithered away.