I got a phone call last week from a "collection agency" claiming I owed an amount of money for a past due account. They wouldn't tell me how much it was for, and said the name and address of who I owe this money would not show up on the debt letter because of privacy issues. However, I NEVER HAD A CHARGE ACCOUNT with the so-called company I "owe". I talked to a Chris Matthews, and he said this is past due by 8 years. How can I owe this when I never even had a charge account with this company? I got this letter today (9/8) and it says I need to either pay in full or give them phone numbers to call me at to make payment arrangements. How can they say I owe for something I never had to begin with?

Terrence

So Terrence, let me see if I got this right...they won't tell you how much you supposedly owe, and won't tell you who supposedly owe this to! Is that right? I don't understand why you just don't send them a blank check(just kidding)! On a serious note now, you don't who this collection agency is? I guess maybe you should check you credit reports to see if there is anything there. You can't really send a debt validation letter if you don't know who you are dealing with. Mostly, try not to worry about some jerk threatening you. Do you have the phone number that called you?

This is a very common scam that collection agencies pull.
Unfortunately they have you in their system and theres nothing you can do about it. Keep a close eye on your credit file because when you dont pay them whatever they want they will destroy your credit in hopes that you will give them money to fix it. If you dont pay them they will then sell your file to some other scam agency. You should put a fraud alert on your credit file ASAP.
I wouldnt be too worried about accual identity theft as it is probably the collector phishing around for someone who will bite.
I Wouldnt give them your name or any personal information under any circumstances and when they call again inform them that you will be filing a complaint - and make sure you accually file.

[Bossy4455]

Terrance-send them a debt validation letter,this explains what that is at http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/validation.html also send a cease and desist letter that all communication be done by mail. Whatever you do,do not give them any money-it sounds like they are just fishing for info. Alo,if it was 8 years ago,it could well be out o fthe sol period.Keep us posted! ...Karen

[Bossy4455]

Also meant to put this in for you to look at http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/...mitations.html hope this helps...Karen

[redshoes10]

I just put something on here about this company
after reading your story. They are a bunch of
scammers. Don't deal with them! When you have to
deal with them, make copies of your letters and
the FTC told me today to send everything certified
and make sure you get a return receipt. When I
sent a letter to them in March 2005 I got nothing
back until May 2006 saying they entered a judgment
against me in County Court. I wrote them back
explaining they never notified me of their intent to
file suit and that they had to provide a proof of
service. I haven't heard anything from them since,
but it's on my credit reports.

Asset Acceptance filed a small claims action against me for a debt that is almost 7 years old. As a matter of fact, the original creditor does not even show up on my credit report anymore. While researching the laws to respond to this action, I discovered that Arizona requires collection agencies to be licensed in this state when trying to collect a debt. Asset Acceptance is not a licensed collection agency in Arizona, therefore they have no jurisdictional standing to collect the debt. I have filed an answer and counterclaim against them. First, the statute of limitations for bring such a suit in Arizona is 3 years. Check your local state laws before paying any debt. They may try to sue you but if you respond that the statute of limitations is passed, you can get it dismissed. Second, I claimed that they violated te FCDRA by reporting different amounts to all three credit bureaus and then a different amount in the small claims action. I also claimed that they violated the FCDRA by contacting me twice at my place of employment after being instructed not to do so. Third, I also made the claim that they are not licensed in Arizona. We will see what happens. I am filing a complaint with the Department of Finance and the BBB today.

The first thing I would do when any collection agency contacts you is find out whether or not they are licensed in your state as a collection agency. If they are not, send them a letter in writing to that affect and then file a complaint. Maybe if enough of us get together and do this, we can put them out of business.

On a side note, I used this same type of pleading in a small claims action against Midland Credit and obtained a $1,000 judgment against them for violations of the FDCRA. Good luck to you all.

[Bossy4455]

Thanks guest-it sounds like you knew your rights and were able to follow through. Why don't you sign up for the forums,it's free,and others could benefit from what you have done and gone through. Congrats.,and good luck-keep us posted...Karen

I am now dealing with this company via a attorney. I will let everyone know what happens. There are statue of limitations on collecting a debt. Call your local Attorney Generals office. and complain complain complain maybe a office will take the case. Not my bill either.

asset acc bought an old debt of ours on a repo, does asset have any valid right to sue us, which is what they are doing

Hello, I was served papers today from Asset Acceptance for a credit card that was charged off in 2003. What is the statute of limitations on this? Do I really have to go to court and pay all of their legal fees in addition to the charged off amount? Please advise, court is just a few days away. Thank you.

I have been receiving letters from thie bogus entity named Ass-et Acceptance, LLC. No such accounts have even existed. This entity is a scam artist.

[BuildingWealth]

Rmflorida, don't avoid the court date. Explain your part to the judge. Which state SOL are you looking for? It should be the one where the account was opened by you?

I just found out that $13 has been on my account for a little over month now. just pennies... but i also just found out I have owed Wakefield & Associates $37 for over a year now... i guess. I haven't been contacted on either. Just pennies here so I don't deserve to bitch as much as the rest of you.... sounds great though... just let it out.

****Adult term removed - Jason

This is the follow up. I received a letter from asset they are closing the account and taking no further action. Keep everything in writing. Statue of limitations vary from state to state. Some consumer protection laws also prohibit them from collecting interest. Please call your local Attorney Generals office. Or go on the web page for your state. Some states have class action lawsuits against companies who unlawfully collect debts. and again keep everything in writing.

hi all. i just read most of this forum and i hope it doesn't get to the extremes - to the court - for me. i just received a letter from asset acceptance saying that i had claimed fraud for a debt and to provide proof of such. i called their number on the letter to see what is up. the debt is for citibank - which i KNOW i don't have any debts with, except for student loans which i have been paying every month so far. even my credit report is fine. and not to mention, asset acceptance had a middle name which i dont have, other than that, the first and last name are mine. so i called them and found it shady that there is no one to pick up the call and told me to leave a message. so i searched the name and found this site!

the information is a lot! i'm trying to absorb it all.

can anyone give me advice as to what i should ask them when i call them tomorrow? and what i should not say about myself?

i just remembered that my dad had a similar letter from them too! isn't that nuts? and the thing is, it's not even his name! only the last name is shared. is asset acceptance known for searching for names and just sending out random letters to all names that match or that are similar?