A few weeks ago, when I tried to obtain a car loan, I was told that I had a past due account with Heilig Meyers Masters. I knew that I had paid this account off in 1996, so I started doing some research. I discovered that Heilig Meyers had gone bankrupt and in their process of transferring their accounts to various companies, things got really messy.
I also discovered that a company called Palisades OSI was dba as Heilig Meyers Masters Trust and has my alleged collection account. Afraid to call them due to their past history of identity theft, I sent a letter to them stating that I wanted a copy of my file to prove that I owe them money. I also sent a letter to Experian explaining the situation and disputing the alleged charge.
Today, I received a letter from "Portfolio Support Department" stating that they are unable to locate my account and they need my social security number to continue the search. What is strange is that this letter is on plain paper with no letterhead. Also, there is no signature, no phone number to locate anybody, no contact name, and no address. Furthermore, the envelope just has an address in the corner with no company name.
This is very strange. Why are they so afraid to put their name on the envelope and letter? They did, however, give me a fax number. But I am not faxing a response to them from home because I do not want them having my phone number (which shows up on received faxes in the upper left hand side).
What I do know is that I am not giving them my SSN. I suspect that Palisades is fraudently creating false accounts so that people will contact them. Once they are contacted, they try to get your SSN so that they may one of two things, or both:
Locate your bank account and seize it OR
Steal your identity.
I am interested in getting a list of contact names that are willing to join me in pursuing a class action lawsuit. I ask that ALL contact names be sent to me by using the rebuttal box below so that we can come together and do something. Also, please send me your stories. The more, the better.
I also ask that as many of you contact the attorney generals in your state. We need to get as many complaints out there so that action is taken FAST. And whatever you do, don't give Palisades any information about you.
Come on guys... lets get together and do something about this. I know a business lawyer that I went to college with. I want to get a list of names together so that I may take this case to her.
sorry, allowing you to give a competitors name would instigate others to just file against their competition, to only come back later to suggest their company your comments on this policy are welcome! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report. Emily
Chandler, Arizona
U.S.A.