Credit
Phoenix,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, March 05, 2004
This is to all three people in this section; you ALL have a way out! Credit Resuscitators spealize in helping consumers get the upper hand against collection agencies and harassing creditors. The first step is to mail a letter of dispute. DEMAND they provide you with proof of the debt with a copy of a contract, note or some other instrument that has your signature! This needs to be mailed via certified, return receipt mail; this ensures they actually SIGN for the letter. At this point, you wait. You are always better off going directly to the creditor, rather than the reporting agencies. Going directly to the creditor greases the wheels of justice and allows them less time than contacting the reporting agency. Usually, you will get an initial response claiming they are investigating your dispute. This is normal; they are putting you off. Give them the alloted 30 days then send a follow up letter certified, return receipt mail. It is at this point that they need to put up or shut up. This is the last letter you are required to send them and if they still cannot provide you with PROOF, they have to cease reporting the debt and cease collection of it. If they continue to run you through hoops, you do have recourse! File complaints with the Federal Trade Commission, as well as your State Banking Department. These two offices regulate collection agencies. You can also sue in small claims court, for a small fee. You would be entitled to a minimum of $1,000.00 and if they have failed to produce proof of the debt by the end of sixty days, they probably CAN'T prove it is yours!
Chrissy
Richmond,#3Consumer Comment
Mon, February 09, 2004
I just ran my credit report today to see why I have not been able to open new accounts lately, and found that I supposedly owe $169.00 to Palisade Collections, and it's been assigned to an attorney. I don't know where this originated--it does not say AT&T any where on the credit report, but it does say that the acct. was opened on 3/1/2003, which I have no record of any old accts. I would owe on--opened on that date. I went online to find out any information I could about Palisade Collections and came across this site. I can not believe this company is trying to get away with this kind of crap! I want justice, as I'm sure you all do, and I say we all make sure that happens to bring an end to this company getting away with furture lies and deceptions!
Mario
Corpus Christi,#4REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, February 05, 2004
I have a negative collection item on my file that does not belong ,..what do I do? Help.