Reader mail: American Agencies collecting 10-year old debt
I was contacted by an American Agency representative, who was attempting to collect a 10-year-old debt. He said I owe $300. He was attempting to offer me a settlement amount. I asked him exactly what the amount entailed, and he said he cannot provide me with that information since the debt is so old, but did inform me that it includes 10 years of late fees. I provided him with my mailing address and then went to the American Agency website and sent an email about providing the details of the bill.
Can this be true?!?! This just seems completely ridiculous to me.
Please advise. I don’t have an account number, as this is the first time I’ve heard of this debt. (At least in the last 10 years)
Do NOT pay that debt. Since it is OVER 7 years old, they can NOT legally report it on the credit. And they definitiely can’t get a judgment. Even if the statute of limitations had NOT expired, they’d have to DOCUMENT the debt in court, which they obviously can’t. Nor would they sue for such a small amount.
Send the “cease and desist” letter INSTEAD of payment:
[your name, address]
[Am. Ag. address, it ought to be on their website]
[date]
Re: Cease and desist collection of disputed debt [provide whatever info you have, account #, original creditor]
Please immediately stop all collection activities and do not contact me again. Should you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact me by fax to [#, or if you don’t have a fax, request contact by mail]
Sincerely,
[your name]
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Don’t provide your SSN. Send with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION or signature. They are known liars and won’t hesitate to commit perjury.
When you requesting more information you only encourage more collection efforts and you waste more time on it.
Posted by Christine on 11/17/2008 at 12:13 PM
2003 Suit (appealed, Experian filed credit reports on PACER) • American Agencies - scummy collectors • Reader mail • (1) Comments • Permalink
The new American Agencies blog is at http://liarsandcheats.info/american-agencies-debt-collection-practices/
