Blatt, Hasenmiller, et al
Date: Fri, 08/03/2012 - 15:23
Last March (2011) I received a letter from Blatt, et al in regards to a CitiBank card that I couldn't pay and had fallen behind on. I contact CitiBank that same day (March 27) and asked to settle or set up a repayment plan. I was informed the account was charged off and CitiBank no longer owned the account.
I came to the conclusion that Blatt must be the owner, even though they said they were acting on behalf of CitiBank. I sent Blatt a total of three letters, asking to verify they owned the debt and details of how they arrived at the sum they stated I owed (which was different from what I remembered)
Blatt responded by 1st, sending me an exact duplicate of the first letter they mailed to me and then secondly, a bunch of photocopies of summaries of my old credit card statements. None of these summaries provided purchases, charges, or cash advances on them. Nothing was sent stating Blatt owned this debt.
After my third letter, I did not hear from Blatt again until July of 2012 when the sheriff served me with Blatt's Complaint.
Within a week of being served, I filed an Answer, New Matter and a Motion to Strike a "Verification" they included in the Complaint from someone who allegedly worked at CitiBank and had information on this account. This "verification" was not notarized, this person did not state how they had this information and in what capacity they are employed by CitiBank.
I have a few questions - if CitiBank still owns this debt, why did they not want to try and settle with me?
If Blatt owns this debt, why are they filing papers in court "on behalf of CitiBank"?
Should I contact CitiBank again and find out if they still own my account?
Should I send an offer to settle to Blatt?
FYI - My New Matter is asking this judgement be dismissed as Blatt has not proven I have a relationship with them, and therefore a lack of standing.
I came to the conclusion that Blatt must be the owner, even though they said they were acting on behalf of CitiBank. I sent Blatt a total of three letters, asking to verify they owned the debt and details of how they arrived at the sum they stated I owed (which was different from what I remembered)
Blatt responded by 1st, sending me an exact duplicate of the first letter they mailed to me and then secondly, a bunch of photocopies of summaries of my old credit card statements. None of these summaries provided purchases, charges, or cash advances on them. Nothing was sent stating Blatt owned this debt.
After my third letter, I did not hear from Blatt again until July of 2012 when the sheriff served me with Blatt's Complaint.
Within a week of being served, I filed an Answer, New Matter and a Motion to Strike a "Verification" they included in the Complaint from someone who allegedly worked at CitiBank and had information on this account. This "verification" was not notarized, this person did not state how they had this information and in what capacity they are employed by CitiBank.
I have a few questions - if CitiBank still owns this debt, why did they not want to try and settle with me?
If Blatt owns this debt, why are they filing papers in court "on behalf of CitiBank"?
Should I contact CitiBank again and find out if they still own my account?
Should I send an offer to settle to Blatt?
FYI - My New Matter is asking this judgement be dismissed as Blatt has not proven I have a relationship with them, and therefore a lack of standing.
Quote:I have a few questions - if CitiBank still owns this debt,
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I have a few questions - if CitiBank still owns this debt, why did they not want to try and settle with me? |
Citibank rarely sells their accounts...they place or assign them to CA's or collection law firms. Once assigned, Citi will no longer work with you. They have a contractual agreement with the CA not to get involved.
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If Blatt owns this debt, why are they filing papers in court "on behalf of CitiBank"? |
If Citibanks name is on the summons, Citi still owns the account. You assumed they had sold it when in fact they did not.
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Should I contact CitiBank again and find out if they still own my account? |
Citibank already told youthat Blatt was handling the account.
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Should I send an offer to settle to Blatt? |
You need to call, not write.
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FYI - My New Matter is asking this judgement be dismissed as Blatt has not proven I have a relationship with them, and therefore a lack of standing. |
Sorry, that wont work. You were told by Citibank that Blatt was the assigned collector. Blatt does not have to prove any relationship to you.
FYI....Blatt doesn do any of the debt calculations...Citibank does. Your interest is continuing to accrue and now they have tacked on court and legal fees. Do you have the cash to settle it??
Quote:If Citibanks name is on the summons, Citi still owns the a
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If Citibanks name is on the summons, Citi still owns the account. You assumed they had sold it when in fact they did not. |
No, I did not assume CitiBank sold my account - their representative told me this when I called and inquired about the account. I was told "we no longer own it."
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Citibank already told youthat Blatt was handling the account. |
No, CitiBank had never mentioned that Blatt was handling the account. CitiBank only stated they did not own it.
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You need to call, not write. |
I don't think it would be very good practice to try and negotiate a settlement via the phone. I would think things of that nature need to be written.
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Sorry, that wont work. You were told by Citibank that Blatt was the assigned collector. Blatt does not have to prove any relationship to you. |
No I was not told by CitiBank that Blatt was the assigned collector. When I say Blatt is acting on behalf of CitiBank, I am speaking from the way they listed themselves in the caption of the complaint. Citibank c/o Blatt.
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FYI....Blatt doesn do any of the debt calculations...Citibank does. Your interest is continuing to accrue and now they have tacked on court and legal fees. Do you have the cash to settle it?? |
I understand this, however I still believe I have the right to see how that sum was arrived at.
Quote:I came to the conclusion that Blatt must be the owner, eve
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I came to the conclusion that Blatt must be the owner, even though they said they were acting on behalf of CitiBank. |
You did make an assumption even though Blatt told you the account was sold. You kept asking for proof that they owned the debt....they don't own it so there was nothing they could send you. Even the notice they sent you would have indicated who they were collecting for.
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I don't think it would be very good practice to try and negotiate a settlement via the phone. I would think things of that nature need to be written. |
They will not negotiate thru the mail especially with a court case pending. If you have the cash to settle, you call and negotiate. If you come to an agreement, then you ask then to fax you a settlement agreement.
As for the balance, sure you can ask them to provide it. Or you can call Citibank collections.