Correct mailing address for AACC?
Date: Thu, 09/30/2010 - 14:15
I'm at my wit's end about AACC. I first heard from them in early July 2010, with a few calls to my house, hanging up when I answered. After a few days of that, I had a voice mail saying if I stayed on the line, I was acknowledging who they said I was (scarily, they used my actual name). I wasn't home for that call, so I couldn't hang up if I wanted to. A few days after that call, I received a bill from AACC for $227.00 saying the original account was with Sunoco. First of all, I've never visited a Sunoco gas station. Second, my wife and I have always had excellent credit; we have no debts, old or current. It was rather jarring to be contacted by a collection agency, so I searched the web and found many complaints about AACC and other bottom-feeder CAs. I learned more than I ever wanted to about zombie debt, SOL, debt validation and cease and desist letters.
I used the info I learned and sent AACC a letter requesting validation of my alleged debt. Certified mail, return receipt requested. I got the postcard back showing they had received my letter, then I heard nothing from them for 5 weeks. They sent me their own version of a "debt validation" document: one sheet of paper on their letterhead with the exact same info from the first bill they had sent. There was one important piece of info added, though: the last four digits of a social security number which they claimed to be mine. Aha, I thought. I've got 'em now. The digits were not even close to mine. I sent them a cease and desist letter, with copies of their first bill and a copy of the "debt validation" with the incorrect ss# circled. NOT MINE. I mailed the c&d certified mail, return receipt requested and got my postcard a few days later. They HAD received it.
From everything I've read on the different debt and scam forums, a cease and desist letter will usually put a stop to CA harassment. Just my luck, my letter seemed to intensify my problems with AACC. I've been getting calls from them every day for the past two weeks. They call and leave a silent 4 second voice mail. If there's one thing I've learned from the forums, it's to NEVER speak to a CA on the phone. I have caller ID and I absolutely won't pick up the phone if it's someone I don't know. It is extremely annoying to say the least to have a CA calling on a daily basis. I thought the cease and desist letter would stop them, but it hasn't. About a week ago, I sent copies of everything to the NJ and MI attorneys general and filed complaints against AACC. I haven't contacted the FTC yet, as I know they just look for complaint patterns against particular companies. I'll get around to it, but my goal now is to get AACC off my case.
My questions to this forum are:
1) Did I send my c&d letter to the correct party to be effective? I sent it to AACC's PO Box (2036) in Warren, MI. I read on a "Who-called-me" forum yesterday that a c&d should be sent to AACC's "registered service agent" in Michigan: The Corporation Company, 30600 Telegraph Rd, Suite 2345, Bingham Farms, MI, 48025. Has anyone ever heard of this or sent something to this address? The forum entry was from 2008, so I don't want to waste my Certified postage if this isn't a valid address.
2) Is it common for a CA to keep harassing you after receiving a cease and desist letter?
3) Probably most importantly, how did AACC get my name, address and (unlisted) phone number for a debt I never had? I know there's no real answer, but this troubles me greatly. My wife and I don't have any children or relatives, so there's no one living at our address who could've possibly generated a debt. And why is a false ss# attached to my name and address? Is this just a trick AACC used to get me to call them?
I'd much appreciate any advice or info anyone can give me about my situation and how to stop the harassment. I know I can get $1000 per call if I take AACC to court, but I really don't have the time or money to pursue that course. I just want the bottom-feeders to leave me alone. It's NOT MY DEBT!
I used the info I learned and sent AACC a letter requesting validation of my alleged debt. Certified mail, return receipt requested. I got the postcard back showing they had received my letter, then I heard nothing from them for 5 weeks. They sent me their own version of a "debt validation" document: one sheet of paper on their letterhead with the exact same info from the first bill they had sent. There was one important piece of info added, though: the last four digits of a social security number which they claimed to be mine. Aha, I thought. I've got 'em now. The digits were not even close to mine. I sent them a cease and desist letter, with copies of their first bill and a copy of the "debt validation" with the incorrect ss# circled. NOT MINE. I mailed the c&d certified mail, return receipt requested and got my postcard a few days later. They HAD received it.
From everything I've read on the different debt and scam forums, a cease and desist letter will usually put a stop to CA harassment. Just my luck, my letter seemed to intensify my problems with AACC. I've been getting calls from them every day for the past two weeks. They call and leave a silent 4 second voice mail. If there's one thing I've learned from the forums, it's to NEVER speak to a CA on the phone. I have caller ID and I absolutely won't pick up the phone if it's someone I don't know. It is extremely annoying to say the least to have a CA calling on a daily basis. I thought the cease and desist letter would stop them, but it hasn't. About a week ago, I sent copies of everything to the NJ and MI attorneys general and filed complaints against AACC. I haven't contacted the FTC yet, as I know they just look for complaint patterns against particular companies. I'll get around to it, but my goal now is to get AACC off my case.
My questions to this forum are:
1) Did I send my c&d letter to the correct party to be effective? I sent it to AACC's PO Box (2036) in Warren, MI. I read on a "Who-called-me" forum yesterday that a c&d should be sent to AACC's "registered service agent" in Michigan: The Corporation Company, 30600 Telegraph Rd, Suite 2345, Bingham Farms, MI, 48025. Has anyone ever heard of this or sent something to this address? The forum entry was from 2008, so I don't want to waste my Certified postage if this isn't a valid address.
2) Is it common for a CA to keep harassing you after receiving a cease and desist letter?
3) Probably most importantly, how did AACC get my name, address and (unlisted) phone number for a debt I never had? I know there's no real answer, but this troubles me greatly. My wife and I don't have any children or relatives, so there's no one living at our address who could've possibly generated a debt. And why is a false ss# attached to my name and address? Is this just a trick AACC used to get me to call them?
I'd much appreciate any advice or info anyone can give me about my situation and how to stop the harassment. I know I can get $1000 per call if I take AACC to court, but I really don't have the time or money to pursue that course. I just want the bottom-feeders to leave me alone. It's NOT MY DEBT!
It's likely someone with your same name that they ran a skip-tra
It's likely someone with your same name that they ran a skip-trace on. The fact that they continue to call you after receiving a C&D is troubling. Frankly, I'd contact an attorney and sue them for harrassment and violating the FDCPA.
