I didn't even know who Columbia House was until I tried to get a loan and was denied due to the new "delinquency" on my report. Apparently they are a company that sells DVDs like a club membership. At any rate, I never had anything to do with them. No contact, never even looked at their website. However, they are stating that I owe $99 and they "sold this debt" to National Credit Solutions who posted it on my credit report.
How did they do that? They have nothing for me. How did they get my social to do this? I contacted columbia house through email at [email protected] and at first they seemed intereted in helping. I told them there was a report of $99 with them but that I don't have an account with them, never ordered or received any items from them. They acted like they were helping, asked me to fax in documentation. I did. Then they stated:
Since we are no longer the creditor of the account, we are unable to service the account. We have forwarded your inquiry to the Capital Management Ventures.
I wrote back 7 more times saying to them that they have to help me. They are the ones stating I have this original debt, they have to prove it. Give me account information, who ordered these items? When? To what address? What credit card did they give when placing and order? Where is the tracking number that shows it was delivered to an address I lived at while I was living there? What phone number and address do you have for me? How abouut my full name? Social? They have nothing. Because the account isn't mine. After they acted like they would help by asking me to send in a fax, they now refuse to communicate with me. Each email I send to them states the same thing:
Since we are no longer the creditor of the account, we are unable to service the account. We have forwarded your inquiry to the Capital Management Ventures.
I have gotten this email again and again. I tried to file with the BBB but they are not members from what I could find. I couldn't find a place to file the complaint with. I disputed the item with transunion however it's been almost a month and I haven't heard anything. Why can they do this? Is there not some law some where to protect people? I mean, if they can just pick someone out of a crowd and say, "HEY, YOU! Yeah you! You owe me $100. If you don't pay me, I will black mail you and ruin your credit so you can't get a car, a home, or a cell phone." If they can do this, why can't I say, "Hey, YOU, yeah you, Columbia House, you owe me $100,000 and if you don't pay me I will black mail you and file a claim with Dunn and Bradstreet (the credit bureau for companies). If they can do it, why can't I? I mean, that's what they have done here
Oh, and by the way, when I contact Capital Management Ventures 230 Chandler St Duxbury, MA 02332 (800) 261-0275 as Columbia house states, no one answers, they ask me to leave a voice mail, or send them an email. Columbia House, Capital Management, National Credit Solutions and Capital Assistance Group are all in this scam together. They are all partnered together. Columbia house couldn't make money actually selling legitimate dvd's to people, so they are in a new business. They sell fake debt to these three collection agencies, which are actually all the same, all under Capital Assistance Group. They sell them these fake debts which aren't real and that's how Columbia House makes their money now. I tried contacting them all, I tried contacting the credit bureaus and the BBB. I don't know what else to do. I want to buy a home and this has lowered my credit score about 100 points. I just don't understand how this is legit. Oh, and when you ask for a invoice or proof, they just send you something that says your name, your "account number" some move titles and that's it. This "proof" that the account is yours actually has no real information.
Can anyone help me? I don't have money to hire an attorney, and I shouldn't have to. Who protects us???
Did I mention that in the beginning when I was emailing Columbia house they sent emails to me that made such statements as:
We have been unable to locate an account in your name with the information provided. and Thank you for letting us know that you did not authorize this membership. 'So, if this is the case, why do they refuse to tell the bureaus this so the item can be removed??
Please help me if you know anything!