First Source Advantage & ACI - Should I go on the offensive?
Date: Tue, 10/26/2010 - 18:42
First Source has not left any type of reference number and has not sent me any mail whatsoever.
ACI has left a reference number and I could go to their website to see what they are calling me about. However, in order to see it I have to provide the last four numbers of my SSN. I do not want to verify anything with them or give them any info.
SO, is it possible to send a DV letter without them sending me anything? How would I address this with First Source? I guess with ACI I could use the reference number they gave me.
I worry that these two outfits will not send me anything and I will lose any ability to dispute their request and demand DV.
Should I remain silent or should I go on the offensive and force them to verify any debt they may claim I owe?
Thanks for any help you provide :)
there is a problem with "going on the offensive" without even kn
there is a problem with "going on the offensive" without even knowing who they are looking for. It is possible that they are calling you looking for someone else, or that this could be identity theft. Here is what you need to think about--in order to verify the last four of your SSN, they would first have to know what those four numbers were. If thats the case, then you arent protecting anything by not telling them, because they already have it. Also, the last four of your SSN is pretty worthless without the rest of your SSN to go along with it.
I would play it like this instead--the first thing you need to do is find out who they are calling for and why they are calling. So, call them back. When they ask about the SSN, inform them that you are willing to verify the last four of your SSN, ask them what the last four is that they have. If they give you the correct 4 numbers, then verify it. If they do not, of course, then tell them that that is not your SSN. Do not volunteer the info to them--if they know your SSN, then they will have the correct numbers. But this call is important--you need to know why they are calling your number. So, I would call them, verify the SSN, and then find out why they are calling you. And then, once you find out why they are calling, say something like, "OK, so now that you know you have reached me, I will await the initial dunning letter that federal law requires you to send me within 5 days of initial contact. Thanks for calling, and have a nice day"....and HANG UP THE PHONE. Do NOT get into discussion about making payments, or a settlement amount, or anything else. You need to force these companies to follow the law because many of them dont.
Oh, before you do this, what state do you live in? Most states allow you to legally record a phone conversation as long as one party on the call consents. IF you live in a "one-party" state, then you dont even need to tell them youre recording. I would NEVER speak on the phone to a debt collector without recording the call if I could help it.
But I would not even think about disputing a debt when you dont even know why they are calling. Think about it--you would basically be saying, "Hi, I dont know what debt youre calling about, or even if youre trying to call me at all, but whatever it is, I am telling you that it isnt mine and I dispute it..." When you think about how that sounds, it becomes clear why that would be a waste of time.
Thank you skydivr, I see your point about verifying what ACI may
Thank you skydivr, I see your point about verifying what ACI may claim I owe by using their reference number and the 4 of my SSN.
Turns out the two companies have sent notifications and I have everything I need. I am sending a DV right away.