Has anyone heard about synthetic identity theft? Ca it really happen? How preventive measures can be taken?

We keep hearing a lot of things about debt settlement and consolidation. But, my question is, can you settle debt with a collection agency?

I just recently found out I have a debt from 6 years ago with a Housing Authority. It is from an apartment I lived in apparently I owe them money for paint and stuff or what not which the collection agency didn't tell me that because they don't know what it is for all they can tell me as a company name. I have offered to pay the collection agency a monthly agreement but they will not give me any receipts or any documentation of this information. I need a letter from them in order to move into my new apartment which I'm currently getting help with Section 8 housing.

How long it should take to pay off 50K student loan debt?

How can I stop debt collectors from calling me? I'm a victim of identity theft.

I have a shell acct that is under a debt management payment plan. But my shell acct is being handled by a centralized recovery department. I cannot get any help from that dept and all I want to know is where I can print from shell statements from. Ever since my acct got locked out by shell, because of the recovery dept I have not recieved an statement since feb 2015 and I would like to update my quicken and dmp acct with the correct info. Is this the right place to go for help since no one can help me over the phone?

Got a call from a debt collector few days back. I asked him to tell the last 4 digit of my Social Security Number. Just wanted to see if he was a fake debt collector. The collector said that he can reveal my SSN. He doesn’t have that information. Really? Should I ask him to send a debt validation letter? Or, it isn’t required any more?

I know that settlement hurts credit score, the reason might be I'm not paying the full amount I owe. But, I'm a bit confused with debt consolidation. Some people say that it can reduce credit scoe, but others say it's good for finances. Please advice - Can debt consolidation affect your credit score If yes, how much?

If a person's income decreases and has debt, then what he/she should do? Is tehre any way out or has to file bankruptcy?

WE energies in Wisconsin is suing me for old utilities bills. Three bills put in my name in 2007, 2008, 2009. They acknowledge someone else called in and used my info saying they were Mrs. Flood. No payments were made on any of the three accounts. I discovered in 2010 and called to protest. Spent 200 hours fighting. Finally got their loss control guy and he told me I needed to find the person or persons who did this, wear a wire, get them to confess, testify in court, and if and only if they received a felony convictions would they release me from the bill.