I have been contacted by a creditor — which is odd because it is a debt that was transferred out of my name after my divorce.
But… they had all my info — name, SS, address (an old one though) and former place of business. I asked them to send me e-mail out lining the debt. I received an e-mail and after an hours worth of checking I have found out that:
No company by that name exists in the city listed in the e-mail.
The domain name on the e-mail address does not go to any website
The address listed for them is, in fact, a restaurant
My gut reaction would be to tell them to screw off but if by some slim chance this is legitimate, I need to know that (to deal with my ex wife on the matter). What is a hard and fast way I can verify if they are a legitimate company or someone who has gotten ahold of my credit information is just trying to scam money out of me.
Interesting note: when I got on the phone with them, I was not arguing at all, or disputing anything… and they just kept dropping the number — from 2,300 to 1,500 to 900 to 600… and honest to go, I was saying nothing to prompt them to do this.
Any thoughts?
-
Recent Posts
Domain Resources
- Acer Laptop
- Bluetooth stereo headphones
- Domain Name Defined
- Domain Name Registrar
- Domain Name System
- Edit Images Online
- Hostname
- iphone hub
- Laptop Batteries
- Learn How to Convert dvd to AVI
- Most Expensive Domain Sold
- portable air conditioning units
- Subwoofer enclosures
- Uniform Resource Locator
- Verified Domain
- Web Hosting Service
- Web Site
Your are being scammed by what I call scavengers,
They picked this old debt up from another collector for mere pennies on the dollar. They may have bought this old debt for 15 or 20.00
You were forgiven the debt in your divorce, the debt is most likely beyond the statute of limitations.
You have every right to tell them to get screwed.
Many people from fear that their credit will be affected or for moral reason will go ahead and pay these scavengers.
Whatever they collect is pretty much pure profit for them.
Forget them and tell them good bye.
You owe nothing.
the link I have attached explains in great detail
Good Luck
Tell them to send you a first demand letter. It will have their company info on it and the name of the original creditor. I find it really hard to believe that an actual collection agency or creditor would send you a letter via email. A collection agency would never send one by email because email communication is not a secure way to send communication due to privacy laws.
I am pretty sure they have gotten a hold of your credit report and are scamming you. Be careful and check your credit. You can find out if it is valid by calling the agency te debt was through to begin with. If you don’t have contact on the debtor google the company.
Good Luck
cease all email communication. if any of this is legit,
they can use US mail, which makes all the mail fraud statutes applicable.
If this was a joint debt that your divorce decree gave to your ex, you may still be liable to the creditor. Basically, if your ex didn’t pay off the debt, they can still come after you. You may have to pay off the debt then go after your ex for reimbursement.
Secondly, don’t screw around with phone calls and email. Send the collection agency a certified, return request letter asking for validation of the debt to include copies of contracts and other documents proving the debt is yours.
Another factor is how old is this debt? If it’s beyond the Statute of Limitation (SOL), the timeframe to bring lawsuit, for your state, you can send them a certified, return receipt letter telling them to cease and desist all contact.
Chances are this is zombie collection agency trying to beat a little money out of antique debts.
Good thing you checked this. They could work for a collection company which is why they have your information. I would check your credit report to see if they show up. If not, I would ignore them or report them to the police, fraud unit. If they do show up on your credit report you can report it to Equafax who has a department who handles disputes, even fraudulent ones. I had a crooked dentist try to charge me for work he never performed. I was advised by a creditor to dispute it via Equafax. I won and the collection was removed from my report as well as the collection company never bothered me again.