Utility Account verification/validation

[TeeSharice]

What is legal verification/validation of utility accounts which by most standards dont require a signature to begin an account?

 

I called the Electric company on the phone & gave them my SS# and that in essence started my account. I never signed anything. The account was sent to NCO who deleted because the Electric company couldnt validate within 30 days....NCO says they deleted TL but TU never did. NCO sent me a letter saying they requested CRA to delete & they have returned acct to OC...TU wont accept because it doesnt have proper account number..SPoke with NCO today who says they will resend UDF BUT wanted me to be aware that the OC has NOW sent the "proper" validation. I cant imagine what it is but they said they are now sending it to me via mail.

 

What can I accept as legal validation of an utility account?? Are utility account covered under UCC?

[downandout]

Bump. I'd like to know the answer to this....

[JessicaRabbit88]

Get a copy of the UDF faxed to you. There hoccus-poccus about the "proper" validation is just a scare tactic. Tell them that unless you receive a copy of the UDF that you will pursue this legally. Then fax the UDF to TU - they will delete within 48 hrs.

 

Hope that helps,

Jessica

[TeeSharice]

Jessica...thanks for the reply....another question remains...

Arent Utility bills covered under UCC?? If they should try to provide validation...What are the requirements?? Same as CC?? How could that be since most utilities set up account via phone??

[CargoJon]

I still have a utility hanging onto EQ from years and years ago. It's still with the OC's collections...I sent off verification several weeks ago. What do I do if they don't respond??

[TeeSharice]

SOL is 4 yrs...per UCC...and they cant collect over state lines

[CargoJon]

Is reporting on one's credit report considered collection efforts or attempts? I'm not sure...I'm trying to find a way to get this removed, even though I KNOW it's over 7 years....

[TeeSharice]

Yes, reporting on CR is continued collection activity if done after you've sent DV & verified they received it....Thast said, I think that if it is on therer at all constitutes collection activity.

[CargoJon]

DV...you mean verification/validation?

 

thanks...

[Noni790]

The entire issue of utility credit reporting seems very strange, perhaps because it is new to most utility companies. That is no excuse, they are huge companies for the most part.

 

I continue to have a paid c/o reported that belongs to my DH. The CRA's continue to verify when disputed, the utility company has not even responded to my written requests (3) to remove or give me some/any verification this is mine. (It was paid with a joint checking account is all I can figure as to where they got my name) When I call I am put on indefinte hold. I guess an ITS letter is next.

[CargoJon]

Our gas bil reports in my SO's name...if I had known they reported I would've put in my name for the positive TL...

 

Oh, and what does "UCC" stand for? Are there any links to it around?

 

thanks...

[TeeSharice]

DV...you mean verification/validation?

 

Yes....thats what I mean

[TeeSharice]

Our gas bil reports in my SO's name...if I had known they reported I would've put in my name for the positive TL...

Most dont report unless you go into default....then the CA they give it to reports it...

 

Oh, and what does "UCC" stand for? Are there any links to it around?

UCC= Universal Commercial Code...there is a federal one & most states have adopted it or their own....Do a search lotsof info about it on the board

thanks...

[JessicaRabbit88]

Validation requirements are the same no matter which CA you request it for:

 

Must be able to show that they have the authority to collect the debt

Original contract/agreement that shows that you are responsible for the debt

An accounting of every penny ever paid on supposide debt

An accounting of every fee assesed on debt

 

Hope that helped,

Jessica

[crashcourse]

bump

[CargoJon]

Anybody know who I file a complaint with regarding vioaltion of UCC? It looks like they're trying to collect a debt across state lines (address for OC on CR is NJ, I live in PA) and also DOLA shows as 1998....sounds like two violations to me. Who enforces this?

 

tks...

[repairingmylife]

Bringing back to the top as I have a similar utility question.

 

I have two utilities reporting from a CA on my CRAs. One is from a different state than I live in now.

 

What should be my first step with them?

 

Directy writting the collection agencies for the utilities asking to verify (or validate?? I dont have the proper terminology down yet)....

 

And then disputing with the CRA?

[SWEET1]

SOL is 4 yrs...per UCC...and they cant collect over state lines

 

So uuuhhh if I had a utility bill in Kentucky and now live in Michigan- they CANT collect it EVER???

Or is it just the UTILITY CO that cant collect it? They just get a CA to do it or what?

[amdickens]

This is making sense now....a little.

NCO reporting a collection for a ComEd (Illinois electric co.) in the amount of $ 1164. Requested validation and they sent me a generic print out with just the amounts listed, no social..What was strange about this was the envelope it came in. It was from OC (ComED) with no mention of NCO. I guess this is part where they can't collect over state lines come in..I DV'd again stating this does not accomplish proper validation. They verified with all 3 CRA's too.. SO 2 violations, correct..

[SWEET1]

Im just gonna go ahead and send this c/a a " I am disputing your claims in thier entirety and am also requesting validation pursuant to the FDCPA" letter and go from there its "NOT MINE"

[CargoJon]

Good luck with this...

 

I actually sent letter to OC on my utility and got it removed about two weeks or so ago....

 

Let us know how it turnes out...

[SWEET1]

Thanks CJ I will -

How'd yours respond gimme details plz-

were you disputing Not mine or what? did you tell them they cant collect across st lines or what?

 

see I think where Im gonna run into trouble is

 

I lived in a rental house for a short period of time and am thinkin maybe some one moved in and used MY info for Electric??? I dunno but it is "NOT MINE" thats my new "canned response" can ya tell?

[CargoJon]

Thanks CJ I will -

How'd yours respond gimme details plz-

were you disputing Not mine or what? did you tell them they cant collect across st lines or what?

 

see I think where Im gonna run into trouble is  

 

I lived in a rental house for a short period of time and am thinkin maybe some one moved in and used MY info for Electric??? I dunno  but it is "NOT MINE" thats my new "canned response" can ya tell?

 

My issue with the OC was the dates on the account. Date of initial delinquency occured in late 1996 and it should have been off report for the 7 years. My letter demanded original accounting information including the date of first delinquency leading to the negative listing. They just sent me a letter saying "we have asked Equifax to delete" and poof it was off that day...

[SWEET1]

WOW lucky YOU !

Thats great news hope lucks on my side to cuz dealing with these CRA's really it seems to be a roll of the dice!

[pryan67]

SOL is 4 yrs...per UCC...and they cant collect over state lines

 

Is this true? If so, then how can a CA collect? For instance, let's say that I had an account with Com Ed in Illinois...I still live in Illinois, but NCO is in PA trying to collect in Illinois...would that only apply to the OC, or to a CA collecting for the OC as well?