RJM+Fingerhut=WTH!!!

Chances are that Fingerhut has hired RJM for collecting on the debt, with the hopes of making more money from you. Or, RJM has just collected your information from Fingerhut without their knowledge.

You must make them validate the account and review the details. Once they give you the accurate details, write a dispute letter mentioning that the account is already paid off. Call Fingerhut and insist for a PIF letter.

Looking at this letter I see it seems to have all
the required info:
Orginal Creditor: Fingerhut
Original Creditor's Account #: xxxxxxxxxx

It lists three opportunities to settle (none of
appeals to me considering someone's kid got a years
tuition paid for by my "late charges").

But what surprises me is the detailed information on the back explaining The Fair Debt Collections Act
and information on how to contact the Federal Trade Commission for any questions.

I also believe the SOL has since expired. I think
this all took place in 1999 or 2000. I'm just curious if I should pay this or contact them considering
this has been deleted from my CR and the SOL is
past.

By making a new payment activity, you will be opening up a new can of worms when the item is past the reporting period and with expired SOL. At this stage, sending a dispute letter will resolve everything.

How long ago was this Fingerhut purchase? Most likely RJM has purchased a debt on which the SOL has run.

I really think the purchases were made in 2000 (2001 being the very latest). I'm send a DV letter and see what happens from that.

Ok, I found an old credit report I did a couple of years ago. The date of last activity showing for Fingerhut is 10/2000. They're cutting close with the SOL. I assume if I send (or tell them I will send) any sort of payment, the SOL will be reset?

The SOL has probably already run. I've seen letters almost the same as the one you mention. Those letters offered three ways to pay, etc, and were debts clearly where the SOL had run. RJM put the date of last payment on the ones I saw, one as far back as 1993. What state are you in? Most states' SOL is no longer than six years, with exceptions such as Ohio and a couple of others. They hope you'll take one of the "easy payment" options. Then it will bring the debt back into the SOL, and they'll try to collect the full amount. If your debt is out of the SOL, send them a letter (CRR) te;;ing them that they are trying to collect a debt on which the SOL has run, and to cease and desist all further communications, unless it is notice of a complaint being filed against you.

Hello Law Student.

I live in Penna. I have always assumed the SOL is 7 years.
I was planning to send aletter of validation. You recommend just sending a letter stating that the SOL has passed and to leave me alone instead?

I truly appreciate all the advice I have gotten here. You people are the best.

PS: I can type out exactly what the letter says if you wish.

PA is four years, except for some real estate transactions wich is five. I have an idea already what the letter says. I've seen similar. Indeed I would send a cease and desist letter (CRR) stating that they are trying to collect on a debt in which the SOL has run, a debt, which even if you did once own, are no longer obligated too. Start out with "be advised that to pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Pratices Act ("fdcpa") 15 USC 1692c(c) you shall immediately cease any and all communication with me or any members of my family regarding this alleged debt which you say I owe"...then go on to explain about the SOL has run, etc.

Law student, what is the SOL in OH?

BTW, you can send a letter of validation is you want, explaining how the SOL has run. But seeing that you aren't obligated to this alleged debt anymore, it would really be wasting time in my opinion.

My thanks to you, Law Student.
So if I understand this correctly- the SOL is no longer valid for this particular matter. In such a case I am no longer obligated to pay on (which I already have, 3x over). And they cannot put any negative marks on my CR, correct?

Steelers, unfortunatly the SOL in Ohio is fifteen years I believe, among the longest in the country.
denizen: If the SOL has run, you are no longer obligated to pay it. That's one reason I'd only deal with them in writing. They will telol you anything to get you to pay even a small amount. But, if you pay them so much as a penny, it will start the SOL again. I don't know what they might try on your CR. But you can enclude it in your cease and desist letter, that if any negative remarks are made by them on this alleged debt on which the SOL has run, you will file a complaint in your local court. The debt is over seven years old, and shouldn't be on your CR.

Law Student
San Francisco, California

I found statutes for OH and it gives anywhere from 6-15 years on SOL depending on the debt, it is confusing to me because I don't understand the descriptions, I wish it would say it plain and simple.This is the link to where I found the SOL, but, like I said, this is a confusing topic for me.

http://fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations.html

A credit card would be 15 years I believe. It is odd that verbal agreements and oral contracts are only 6 years. What sort of debt is it that you have?

The one I had in mind was a medical bill incurred in 89, I was a student, had cancer, I was covered on my parent's insurance. My dad signed as guarantor of medical bills. He died a few years later. My mom thought all the medical bills were paid, in 2003 an attorney has certified mail sent to me notifying me I am being sued for the balance from 89. I didn't think it was for real, well, he won a judgement. But, I filed bk and included that in it. He never filed a claim, and my attorney said he can never collect on it. I only wish I knew then what I know now, I would've shown up to fight it mainly because I wasn't the guarantor of the bill. Live and learn.