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Help! My GE retail bank account which I owe $3887 on was charged off in early Feb. I just got a letter from Patenaude & Felix, APC. saying” that the debt has been assigned to them to initiate collection efforts regaring the delinquent outstanding balance to the client. To contact them to eliminate further collection action.” Should I request verification for the debt before calling them? Are they going to sue me right away, as I haven’t received any phone calls from them yet or any other indication that they are indeed suing me besides them being a law firm. Will they let me set up payment arrangements before actually suing me? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can pay them a lump sum of $500 or even $750 now and then monthly payments of $100, but I don’t know if they do that type of thing. Help!!

I have been on a roll cleaning up my credit. but its been quite a frustrating journey. I was on a roll getting things deleted. So, I sent of a Debt Validation letter to a CA for a old Time Warner cable bill from Nov 2009. They took over a month to send me back validation, which were two bills that were sent to my old address that I never received because i moved. Is this validation? They also took the opportunity to update TU, EX and now have added it to EQ by putting "Completed Investigation of FCRA dispute". They also added it to my report as of Feb 2011. estimated to be removed 09/2016. Isn't this incorrect like re-aging? What should I do next? I was thinking should i just try to send a PTD letter. Please help with any advice.. I'm pleading .

So Sorry I have tried searching to no avail and have spent hours looking and reading the threads....Sent CA debt validation letter and 8 days after they signed for my letter they sent another standard collection letter. Is there a sample letter regarding continued collection activity? I have won a couple of cases I took to court previously(with an attorney) but all I really want is the debt deleted and an agreement not to resell or assign to another debt collector....I know the info must be here somewhere--can someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks much

Hello Creditboards! Newbie here! I just graduated from the University of Kentucky and want to clean up my credit before I decide to obtain any loans in the future. I have an account in collections at the moment from college housing. They pretty much claimed we trashed the place and wanted two other roomates and I to pay $832 EACH for damages. They had an appeals process where I supplied photos of the property before we left but they didn't budge. I was stubborn at the time and let it go to collections. Fast forward to 2014. I sent the CA a DV to dispute the charges. They sent a letter back stating: " Your dispute has been investigaated; however, we have yet to find sufficient evidance to validate your claim. It is very important that you provide our company with all documentation supporting your position. In the event that new information is obtained which places doubt on the validity of this debt, we will promptly update our records accordingly. " Then they loaded the letter with a bunch of crap and included a copy of my lease and an itemized printout. The charges they claim I owe are listed under refund and forfeits, and utility charges totaling to $832. Is this proper documentation? and where should I go from here? Thanks for any help in advance.

When I went through this process a few years ago for the first time, I read I should never use my own address, rather have all correspondence go through a PO Box. As I pick up where I left off, I'm wondering if a PO Box is necessary. I recently updated my address on my credit report to my current home address. Doesn't that make it automatically available to all CAs on my reports? Should I still use a PO Box, or just let all mail go to my home address? Thanks!

Hello All, I have recently explained that I have 3 charge offs. Only the OC's are reporting on my credit report. I have contacted them several times in attempt to pay them in full in exchange that they recall the debt; but they keep transferring me to the CA. The boards suggested that I DV the CA. If they cannot validate, what would happen to the original OC tradeline? Am I wasting my time DV'ing? Also, because the CA's are not reporting should I include a statement saying something like do not report to any of the bureaus? What can I change/add or any advice is greatly appreciated!!! Here is the letter: To Whom It May Concern, This letter is being sent to you in response to your recent communications. I dispute your claims in their entirety and request validation pursuant to the FDCPA. I am not requesting ”verification" that you have my mailing address, I am requesting a validation, that is, competent evidence that I have some contractual obligation to pay you. Also, please provide the following: · The original creditor's name, address, and date of last activity · What the money you say I owe is for; · Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe; · Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe; · Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account; · Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state; · Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent · Agreement with your client that grants you the authority to collect on this alleged debt, or proof of acquisition by purchase or assignment · Agreement that bears the signature of the alleged debtor wherein he or she agreed to pay the creditor Please also be advised that this letter is not only a formal dispute, but a request that you cease and desist any and all collection activities. I require compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter within 30 days or a complete withdrawal, in writing, of any claim. It is inconvenient for me to communicate by phone. Send all communication to the address above.

I'm in the process of sending out DV letters to couple of CAs and was wondering what kind of personal information to include or if I should include anything at all? DL, SS, etc. I was a bit weary of providing too much or too little information. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. FYI..I just discovered one of the reporting CAs is not bonded in Texas.

I received a collection letter that is within the SOL and is not reporting on any CRA (yet). Should I send a DV letter or ignore it for the time being? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

4 years ago had an emergency and went to hospital. Had $500 ER fee but forgot my insurance card so they put me in the system of owing them $500. I procrastinated filing paperwork and got stuck with the bill going to collections when I moved states (this was in FL) ..In anycase, the debt is mine. have been trying to repair last few years and negotiated all debts (thanks to this form). The original creditor has since been bought out and while they would surely take my $500 or negotiated rate, they do not have record of me owing them any money or that I even went to the ER. So basically I'm dealing with this scumbag collection agency now. Originally, few years back I sent CA DV letter. However, the address on negative CR item was incorrect. Letter was returned to me. Looking back, I'm positive they put this address on reports so all letters get rejected and you have to go find their address online. Because I was working on all my other items that had responded to DV letters, I didnt follow up with this one as much as I should have. CA has two names with same address and legal affiliation with each other. CA used one of their names to add on one of CRA and other one on another CRA. At same time I received undelivered letters to CA few years back, I disputed online with CRA and both they were removed. Months later, CA played hokie-pokey by ensuring that they made sure each of their company names filed one time with CRA on the collection. Kept disputing online since was frustrated with undelivered DV. Eventually all went away and seemed to stay off. 2 Years later, the CA added back the collection to CR. One mark on two CRA using one of each of their company names. Finally this time I looked around on the internet and found several addresses for their company. I sent DV letters to 4 locations and duplicated the DV letters in both of their company names. One of the addresses worked and a successful copy for each company name they filed with was delivered and signed for return receipt certified. In between this period, I disputed online for no knowledge of collection, since first delinquency date was current over 3 years off. Got items removed from two CRA. They they played the hookie-pokey again resubmitting the collection with different company name on different CRA. Received no response with DV letter. It's been 36 days. Now, I get a new update on 2/3 CRA that show the collection as an "Account" right beside my credit cards and read "Potentially Negative Closed" with all of the information about the collection wrong or missing. I'm pissed. The two CRA that they attached this "Potentially Negative Closed" on, the CRA didnt even have a collection on the report when this was attached. For some reason, it seems that this is the wrong place for this collection to be on my credit report for medical from CA. I'm positive that these scumbags have broken the law somewhere here or at least have legal rights for removal based on the following: Incorrect address on CR. Years back and recent addresses were all the same. Couldn't be one time thing or mistake Adding by multiple of their internal company names at one time. How can "two different" CA own one account. Adding and marking CR as "potentially negative closed" after 10 days having received DV letter on CRA where the collection didnt show up. My report went from 723 to 589 just like that with this one item. I'm sure I messed up here somewhere in handling this one account the best way.... but I'm unsure of how to move forward. I want to go for their jugular if they've violated any laws. Pride might get me, but getting this removed ONLY is simply not an option now. I want their head! lol Sorry this is a long rant ....i got worked up any help on where to go from here or something they might have done illegally I would GREATLY appreciate it.

About a month ago I sent Verizon a debt validation request on an account I did not know existed that showed up on my credit report. I have attached copies of the original letter I sent, as well as the response I received today. In the response Verizon is, I am assuming, claiming that my debt validation request may not have been signed and sent by me, and are requesting me to contact them via telephone. Now I have some suspicions that this may be an attempt at cutting off snail mail communication with them, and I am not sure how to respond to the letter. I am hoping that someone can help me. I am going to hold off on calling them for now. Thanks for any help in advance. Here is the response from Verizon: SEE BELOW FOR LETTER SANS BAR CODING And here is the original letter I sent:

I sent a DV letter to Calvary Portfolio almost 2 months ago. Today I received a letter stating that Calvary acknowledges my dispute and the request for account validation. It goes on to state the they have already ceased collection efforts relating to the alleged account. It also states that they will contact me again and either provide validation or an update on the account status within 60 days from the date of this letter and that no collection efforts will be made unless and until account validation is provided. My question is should Calvary still be reporting this to the Credit Bureaus as this account was still listed as of today. Also should I dispute this again and if the credit bureaus come back saying this was verified I could provide them with the letter that Calvary sent stating all collection activity is top until and if validation is provided. Any thoughts, comments and or suggestions welcome.

How do I do a debt validation with the mrsassociates collection agency that assumed my amex cc?

I need help please. I financed a car approx 6 years ago with a finance company that "specializes" in helping those with unfavorable credit. So I have a high interest rate but I needed a ride. Fast forward until last year. I had some financial setbacks and a couple of slow payments, then towards then end of the year I missed a payment or two. I looked into refinancing with a credit union, and was informed that I could, but they were showing that I had made all but one payment to the finance company. So I contacted the finance company and asked how was my balance approx still at $10,000 and I've made all but one payment. The rep said, oh, well you had some slow payments, and you missed a payment. I asked if they could send me my payment history and how they calculated the amount. I didn't get anything. I emailed them twice requesting it, didn't get it. Well, I didn't make any more payments. They started repossession. They have been unable to obtain the vehicle. Now I have received a letter from a lawyer's office stating they are attempting to collect the debt. I sent them a validation request. They sent me another letter just stating what the amount was, the name of the finance company, and a partial account number. I responded requesting once again validation- in bold, requesting a breakdown of how the amount was calculated. I also requested in the letters to cease repossession and collection attempts until that was provided. I haven't received anything else from the lawyers office, it's been 30 days. A couple of days ago I received an envelope with a card that said contact this person urgently, it had a phone number, but no company name or any other identifying information. I researched the address on the envelope, it was a repossession company. What can I do? All I want to know is how they came up with their amount. I have my contract, I can't figure it out. Is there any hope? Do they not have to provide that information to me? Any suggestions or advice on what my next steps should be?

Hello everybody. Like many here, I have been a long time lurker. The information that you have all been so kind to share has helped me gain three new unsecured TLs in the past year and a positive trend on my credit scores. The only baddy still on my reports is due to fall off in October. It looks like my success has awoken a JDB. I have recently received a payment request from Mercantile Adjustment Bureau for a very old Citi debt. It is at least 4 years past Maryland's 3 year SOL. As I understand the situation, I should send a DV in response to this initial dunning letter to provide FDCPA protection to me. And based on their response (or lack thereof), I should be prepared to FOAD them on the next round. Is this correct? Regarding the DV letter, is it better to ask for specific information from them, trying to get them to jump through as many hoops as possible? Or is a short and sweet "please send me validation and don't call me" kind of letter just as good? There are many samples provided advocating both extremes. I'm perfectly content giving them as many opportunities to hang themselves with violations as I can, since I'm in gardening mode and the situation appears pretty safe for me at this time. If I can finally have a chance to recoup that monthly membership with Legal Shield, I'm game for making lemonade with their lemons. Thank you all for your input. I'll be sure to post the eventual DV for critique as well.

I called Citi Bank/Fingerhut about five minutes ago and told the CSR that my account doesnt show as IIB-I asked her if she could send me a letter showing that I was no longer liable for this account. Well I went to the fax amachine and picked up the letter and this is what was sent to me: Dear Customer: Werecieved your request for Validation of Debt. Your account has been sold to another lender; therfore you will need to contact them regarding this matter. Now what should I do from this point? I am left clueless w/this letter. I dispouted with TransUnion at thousand times and yet it still comes back verified.How is that possible if they sold it. The CSR even told me that I disputed in October. Can anyone help me with this delima?