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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:18 pm Subject: Not my debt

A few weeks ago I got a notice from CBCS claiming that I owed a debt to Comcast. I sent the letter back and explained to them that I have never had service from Comcast and it is not even available in my area.

Today I received another letter from the claiming to be the proof that I owed the bill.

The bill is someone that has the same name as me BUT who lives in a different state! The only thing we have in common is our name. I have lived in the same state my entire life.

How do I get these yoyo's to realize that I am not the person they are looking for?

I do not want to give them my SSN or any other info, what should I do? I do not want this appearing on my clean credit report.

Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:36 pm Subject:

Send them a debt validation letter (you can find one in my signature) be sure to send the enclosure as well. Send it to them certified mail, return receipt requested.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:03 am Subject:

make sure that you send a copyu of the letter they sent you--dont send them back the original. You will want that as proof if they try to pull some funny business.

But in your DV letter I would mention that they are looking for someone who lives in a different state and that you have never lived outside your state.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 1:48 am Subject:

hi john! i understand how it feels to be burdened with unnecessary collectors. how did you come to know that this other person with the same name resides in a different state? did you find this out from the letter they sent you? that means, they have the address of this other person in their records, and now you need to provide your own address proof. sent this with a cease and desist letter. i just hope this works out. do keep us posted.

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:00 am Subject:

Originally they sent me a collection notice with my correct name and address. I sent the notice back to them explaining that I have never had any service from the creditor. Yesterday I received a letter telling me here is the proof of debt that I had ask for (I did not ask since I knew it was not mine).

They sent me an actual copy of this other person bill they owe Comcast. The person has my same name but lives in a different state.

I have lived in the same county in a different state my entire life.

This letter from them yesterday they are saying is the verification letter. So I do not think it would do much good to ask for another verification letter, would it?

Thanks!

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:02 am Subject:

Oops, I was not logged in. The reply above (guest) is me.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 7:05 am Subject: reply

you need a validation.it shows the debt as yours in no uncertain terms.send a dv and a c&d letter.
certified mail return receipt.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:16 am Subject:

At this point a DV wont help you because they think they already provided proof of the debt, and you already found the problem. In many cases, when the CA thinks they already validated the debt they wont bother putting any more effort into that, and while its a fdcpa violation, it still wont resolve the problem for John.

John--the rest of the address on that bill, is it the same as yours except for the state, or is it different?

Also, what is the date on that bill they sent you?

I would send them back a certified letter, with copies of what they just sent you, and explain to them that they have the wrong person, that you never lived at the address on the bill or even in that state. If possible, if you can provide some kind of proof of your residence at the same time that this account was open, it may help. If the bill is, for example, from last year, I would send them something that shows what your actual address was at that time. Perhaps your drivers license was last renewed a few years ago, and the issue date is before that date on the bill. I would then photocopy my license, showing that information, and send that in the letter to show them what your true address was at that time.

Then, I would include a cease and desist statement in the same letter. Inform them that you have made every effort to demonstrate that they have the wrong person, that you have never lived outside of your state at any time in your life, and that they are to immediately cease all contact with you, pursuant to federal law.

If that isnt enough to wake them up, if they keep trying anyways, then I would sue them for violating the FDCPA. Either way, you will come out of this one just fine, its just a matter of what it will take to get there.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:16 am Subject:

Did you have service with Time Warner? The agreement between Comcast and Time Warner expired last year so now Comcast is trhe provider in some cities where TW was.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:18 am Subject:

FYI--this one's mistaken identity. They actually sent him an original bill showing that the service address was in a state he has never lived in. Skip-tracing isnt always an exact science, it would seem....

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:19 am Subject:

Sometimes skip tracing= eeni meeni minee mo...

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:33 am Subject:

Send them copies of utility bills at your current address during the time they claimed you had service with them.

Guest · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:54 pm Subject:

Thanks all, I will be copying a few bills and my license to send the morons.

The address of the debtor is in no way similar to my address.

I've never had any dealings with Time Warner or Comcast.

They simply have the wrong person and it is a pain that I am the one who has to prove my self the wrong party.

Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:56 pm Subject:

Dog gone it, I did it again. The above reply from the guest was me.

Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 2:00 am Subject:

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