endless validation

You're probably right on both counts. It's just hard to know for sure.

First things first--check your credit reports. If theres a debt collector on there for the account, send them a certified DV letter. Be sure to ask them if they are the owner of the alleged debt or if they are assigned to it by the current owner. If you ever requested validation from the current owner of this debt, and they keep sending it out to other debt collectors as assignment, then they are breaking the law. Have any of these debt collectors sent you anything in writing? If so, those letters may identify who they are collecting for. One more thing--what state do you live in, and how old are these accounts? They may be past the statute of limitations in your state, in which case I would skip the step of asking for validation next time and simply tell them to get lost, that the debt is past the SOL and that they are no longer to contact you regarding the matter.

The debt collectors (mostly lawyers) have all sent me letters. I have not sent a DV to the original creditors directly. I only sent them to the agencies who sent me collection letters on their behalf. In each letter I request: 1) validation of debt 2) proof the debt was assigned or sold to the agency on the letter 3) name and address of original creditor 4) cease and desist of collection activity. Every DV letter gets sent certified with return receipt.

(these are regarding credit card accounts)

in a least one case, the account had a new account number when it went to a new agency which made this process even more confusing. I realized it was same account because it was the same original creditor and dollar amount.

I live in NY and these accounts are about 1 yr old. SOL doesnt apply yet.

I must also add that I don't know as a matter of fact that these debts were transfered to new agencies. It could also be that they all have the account, and the previous agencies are being quiet because of the letter I sent. I have not verified exactly what happened.