Does anyone know - they rolled my account hands to hands

Did all the other agencies identify them to be under the same umbrella or they came up as a new agency. If they do not disclose the fact that they belong to same group, how could you know that the validation provided by LVNV will work or not? You should request for validation to the agency who you are going to pay, that is my understanding.

LVNV (fka Sherman) are real idiots. The affidavit you received was probably boggus. They are junk debt buyers, which means they purchased your debt for pennies on the dollar. Remember:
1) you are in no way morally obligated to the alleged debt.
2) they can't prove anything.
3) check your state's statute of limitations (when was the Date of last activity?) Many times they buy debts many years old, and they hope to sue and you won't show up (to get a default judgment), or you'll send any sort of payment and re-start the statute of limitations.

Never sent companies such as LVNV a single dime!

Stella,when I asked if they were part of LVNV(which I already knew),they danced aroun the issue. I said how do I know that you aren't some nut who got my phone # and are trying to scam me,they finally sent me the standard piece of paper saying I owed debt,blah,blah. So that' when I sent a debt validation letter,per their own letter,it said I had 30 days to dispute. So with them saying that,I figure that they still have to validate,although O may be wrong.But I thought they werem't supposed to contact you during that time. By the way,mwtx, I noticed you haven't signed up for the forums,why don't you sign up,it's free and you can enjoy other benefits and become a larger voice!!

SOL for this account is live or not? If SOL has expired, you can tell them that you are not interested to pay it.

However, there are reasons for paying the account too. A past SOL account should be paid in full so that you do not risk the chance of falling behind with your payment again. If you decide to pay it, obviously the agency that contacted you last is going to receive the money. So you have the right to ask for some written document from them.

They sent me a letter like that about a Sears account I had paid off in a home refinance. I sent them documentation showing the payoff to Sears. Then about 3 months later I was contacted by another company who had gotten the debt from Sherman. I then sent them the payoff documentation. How can companies sell an account that is paid (it was a settlement for less than the full amount)?

Kathryn, Let me tell you I like your signature, it makes me emotional.

Now, did you settle the account with original creditor? Chances are they have sold the balance after settlement. Could any of the companies validate the debt? If they cannot validate it, the item can never appear on your credit report.

wow, phillips and cohen weren't interested in a payment plan? I've got two payment plans going with them now. And although I have heard horror stories about this agency, they've never gave me any problems.
As far as validation goes, I have yet to receive FULL validation from ANYONE--EVER. The only thing close was a list of the last six payments I made on an account in 2002 and the amount owed. THis happened twice-once was from a lawyer that ended up suing me and they won...so guess that changes the whole theory of what validation is. Its soooo confusing, isn't it!??

Thanks all for the info. Unfortunately,I last paid Sears in Dec. 05,and LVNV purchased the account in Jan 06. The thing that irks me is I haven't even used this card for over 13+ years,no charges,nothing. I am payin for thing I bought in the previous 13+ years. But they,over the years have added finance and other charges and like idiots,we have been paying them since this account opened in 1982. So actually we have only been paying for their charges not ours. The way I figure,I hace paid for anything we ever charged with Sears about 10x over. As far as phillips-cowan,no,they wanted it all or else an amount that would equal a car or house payment. I just keep saying over and over I just want to make payments and pay this off. They are also the ones who contacted wells fargo and told them to contact me that i needed financial help.Got my returned receipt today for my debt validation,but don't expect anything I requested in it. Should I go ahead and try to call them again and start with the "can I make payments " discussion again or wait to see what they send on the dv letter? Thanks for all your help and letting me ramble :)

Be careful with these debt collectors who buy old debts. First find out the statue of limitations in your state. Most states are 4 or 5 years some are 6. If its over that year amount tell them the statue of limitation for collection has run. Do Not Make A Payment if the time is up because that will start the clock running again.

You do realize this thread is 5 years old, don't you?