Steve
Bradenton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, October 21, 2010
Rebecca,
First, let me say that you should NEVER speak to any third party debt collector on the phone! This will NEVER bring positive results for you. In almost every case it makes things worse. STAY OFF THE PHONE!!
You may not realize it, but these collectors are trained in how to "bait" you with misleading info and you jump up and correct them, and now they have the info they need, which is something they did not have before you talked to them. Trivial info, all adds up. For example, you tell them not to call you at work. Well, now they know you have a job. Just an example.
Second, you never said how old the charge off was. This is VERY important as the "statute of limitations" may have run out already, which would make the "debt" legally UNCOLLECTABLE.
You should IMMEDIATELY get copies of your credit report from all 3 major credit bureaus and see if there are any collections, or worse yet...public records such as judgements that may be fraudulent.
Also, send a CEASE COMMUNICATIONS request to them IN WRITING and via CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECIEPT REQUESTED. Be sure to put the certified# on the top of the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. Now, when she "forgets", you can pick up an easy $1000, plus costs for the FDCPA violation.
STAY OFF THE PHONE!!!!
TERRY
PHOENIX,#3General Comment
Wed, October 20, 2010
well #1 you admitted you owed the debt . #2 you never paid the balance off . #3 just because they never repoed the unit doesn't mean the bill is not owed . #4 when they charge off a debt ,it does not mean the debt is forgiven ,the main lender usually sends to a collection agency for collection of just debt .