Dealing With Internet Gambling Debt
Date: Sun, 09/30/2007 - 12:31
Hey... Just wanted to provide everyone with a letter I came up with to deal with any annoying/pesky collection agencies that are trying to illegally collect on internet gambling debts within the United States. Hope it helps whoever needs it.
[quote]MONTH XX, 2007
VIA EMAIL, FACSIMILE & CERTIFIED MAIL # XXXXXXXXXX
Collection Agency Name
Collection Agency Address
City, State Zip Code
RE: ACCOUNT # XXXXXXXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is in response to your correspondence dated [MONTH XX, YEAR] in regards to the above referenced matter. Please be advised that I have received a number of harassing phone calls from your company concerning this alleged outstanding gambling debt that was incurred on the internet gambling website (WEBSITE NAME]. Please be advised that an unknown individual without my authorization accessed my computer, my account and my personal financial information to incur this debt. When I discovered this had occurred, I immediately contacted my financial institution and reported the incident. After an investigation, the institution refunded me the unauthorized amounts that were taken. I have explained this to [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and [COLLECTION AGENCY NAME] on a number of occasions, but have been met with indifference to my circumstances, hostility and blatant disrespect. Please find an [PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE] recently sent to your company dated MONTH XX, 2007 concerning this matter enclosed as verification of past attempts to resolve this situation.
Furthermore, please be advised that [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and my financial bank should have never allowed these funds to be removed from my accounts in the first place for the purposes of illegal internet gambling under the current laws of the United States. "The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act" of 2006 is clear in that it prohibits the usage of electronic fund transfers, credit cards and bank checks in placing bets/wagers with internet gambling sites worldwide (i.e. BoDog.com, PartyP**ker, P**kerStars, etc.). [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and my financial institution should have never authorized these transfers/charges to be processed since they were illegal under the current confines of United States law. In addition, the state of [AUTHOR'S STATE] has clear laws that detail illegal internet gambling debt as unenforceable and uncollectible. As a collection agency that prides itself on “professionalism†and “integrityâ€Â, you almost assuredly already know this.
Please be advised that this is your SECOND NOTICE that Account # XXXXXXXX concerning outstanding debt to [GAMBLING WEBSITE] (and/or its affiliates) is false and under dispute. I do not wish to be contacted by [COLLECTION AGENCY] or any other affiliated company in regards to this matter until I first receive correspondence including a debt validation letter that also details the information listed below.
- Verification that this debt is collectable under the current laws of both the United States and the state of [AUTHOR'S STATE]; and
- Identification of the original creditor; and
- Proof/verification that this original creditor is a valid and legal enterprise able to operate and conduct business within the United States and [AUTHOR'S STATE]; and
- Copies of any documents that provide verification that this collection company owns this alleged debt or has been assigned to collect this alleged debt from the original creditor; and
- Copies of any documents that provide proof/verification that I incurred this debt; and
- Copies of any documents that show I agreed to pay this debt; and
- Copy of the original agreement or application with the original creditor establishing the alleged debt; and
- Copies of any judgments issued in regards to this debt (if applicable); and
- Proof that you/your company is licensed to collect debts in the state of New Jersey with your corresponding license/agent numbers; and
- An itemized report in regards to how this supposed debt was calculated that includes all corresponding fees, penalties and interest; and
- Copies of any documents detailing the alleged activity in which this supposed debt was incurred; and
- A complete chronological payment history in regards to this debt, beginning with the original creditor; and
- Proof/verification that the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account.
If you attempt to contact me in any shape or form in regards to this alleged debt prior to providing me in WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE the debt validation letter with the requested information/documentation requested above, this type of communication will fall directly under Fair Debt Collections Practices Act §813 Civil Liability [15 USC 1692K). If this occurs, I will have no choice but to report this matter to the State of [COLLECTION AGENCY'S STATE] and [AUTHOR'S STATE] Attorney General’s Office, file complaints with any/all appropriate federal oversight agencies/committees, file complaints with all corresponding better business bureaus and proceed with whatever legal options are afforded to me under the full extent of the law.
From the date you receive this letter, you have 30 (thirty) days to validate this debt and provide all appropriate corresponding documentation. If your office fails to respond to this validation request within 30 (thirty) days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion requests must be mailed to me immediately for my own records.
In addition, please be advised that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the three major Credit Bureaus (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action may constitute fraud under both Federal and [AUTHOR'S STATE] State Laws. If after your investigation you are unable to validate or verify this debt, you must remove any and all negative marks concerning this alleged debt from my credit reports. If after your 30 (thirty) day investigation period any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent concerning this debt, I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, defamation of character and libel.
If your offices are able to provide the debt validation letter with the requested corresponding proper documentation, I will require at least 30 (thirty) days upon receipt of this information to investigate this matter. During such time, all collection activity must cease and desist.
In conclusion, I would also like to request that NO TELEPHONE CONTACT be made by your offices to me in regards to this matter. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including/but not limited to computer generated calls, direct calls or correspondence sent to or with any affiliates/third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit in court. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the residential address noted in this letter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[AUTHOR]
Enclosures
cc: [AUTHOR'S ATTORNEY], Esq.[/quote]
[quote]MONTH XX, 2007
VIA EMAIL, FACSIMILE & CERTIFIED MAIL # XXXXXXXXXX
Collection Agency Name
Collection Agency Address
City, State Zip Code
RE: ACCOUNT # XXXXXXXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is in response to your correspondence dated [MONTH XX, YEAR] in regards to the above referenced matter. Please be advised that I have received a number of harassing phone calls from your company concerning this alleged outstanding gambling debt that was incurred on the internet gambling website (WEBSITE NAME]. Please be advised that an unknown individual without my authorization accessed my computer, my account and my personal financial information to incur this debt. When I discovered this had occurred, I immediately contacted my financial institution and reported the incident. After an investigation, the institution refunded me the unauthorized amounts that were taken. I have explained this to [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and [COLLECTION AGENCY NAME] on a number of occasions, but have been met with indifference to my circumstances, hostility and blatant disrespect. Please find an [PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE] recently sent to your company dated MONTH XX, 2007 concerning this matter enclosed as verification of past attempts to resolve this situation.
Furthermore, please be advised that [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and my financial bank should have never allowed these funds to be removed from my accounts in the first place for the purposes of illegal internet gambling under the current laws of the United States. "The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act" of 2006 is clear in that it prohibits the usage of electronic fund transfers, credit cards and bank checks in placing bets/wagers with internet gambling sites worldwide (i.e. BoDog.com, PartyP**ker, P**kerStars, etc.). [GAMBLING WEBSITE] and my financial institution should have never authorized these transfers/charges to be processed since they were illegal under the current confines of United States law. In addition, the state of [AUTHOR'S STATE] has clear laws that detail illegal internet gambling debt as unenforceable and uncollectible. As a collection agency that prides itself on “professionalism†and “integrityâ€Â, you almost assuredly already know this.
Please be advised that this is your SECOND NOTICE that Account # XXXXXXXX concerning outstanding debt to [GAMBLING WEBSITE] (and/or its affiliates) is false and under dispute. I do not wish to be contacted by [COLLECTION AGENCY] or any other affiliated company in regards to this matter until I first receive correspondence including a debt validation letter that also details the information listed below.
- Verification that this debt is collectable under the current laws of both the United States and the state of [AUTHOR'S STATE]; and
- Identification of the original creditor; and
- Proof/verification that this original creditor is a valid and legal enterprise able to operate and conduct business within the United States and [AUTHOR'S STATE]; and
- Copies of any documents that provide verification that this collection company owns this alleged debt or has been assigned to collect this alleged debt from the original creditor; and
- Copies of any documents that provide proof/verification that I incurred this debt; and
- Copies of any documents that show I agreed to pay this debt; and
- Copy of the original agreement or application with the original creditor establishing the alleged debt; and
- Copies of any judgments issued in regards to this debt (if applicable); and
- Proof that you/your company is licensed to collect debts in the state of New Jersey with your corresponding license/agent numbers; and
- An itemized report in regards to how this supposed debt was calculated that includes all corresponding fees, penalties and interest; and
- Copies of any documents detailing the alleged activity in which this supposed debt was incurred; and
- A complete chronological payment history in regards to this debt, beginning with the original creditor; and
- Proof/verification that the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account.
If you attempt to contact me in any shape or form in regards to this alleged debt prior to providing me in WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE the debt validation letter with the requested information/documentation requested above, this type of communication will fall directly under Fair Debt Collections Practices Act §813 Civil Liability [15 USC 1692K). If this occurs, I will have no choice but to report this matter to the State of [COLLECTION AGENCY'S STATE] and [AUTHOR'S STATE] Attorney General’s Office, file complaints with any/all appropriate federal oversight agencies/committees, file complaints with all corresponding better business bureaus and proceed with whatever legal options are afforded to me under the full extent of the law.
From the date you receive this letter, you have 30 (thirty) days to validate this debt and provide all appropriate corresponding documentation. If your office fails to respond to this validation request within 30 (thirty) days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion requests must be mailed to me immediately for my own records.
In addition, please be advised that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the three major Credit Bureaus (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action may constitute fraud under both Federal and [AUTHOR'S STATE] State Laws. If after your investigation you are unable to validate or verify this debt, you must remove any and all negative marks concerning this alleged debt from my credit reports. If after your 30 (thirty) day investigation period any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent concerning this debt, I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, defamation of character and libel.
If your offices are able to provide the debt validation letter with the requested corresponding proper documentation, I will require at least 30 (thirty) days upon receipt of this information to investigate this matter. During such time, all collection activity must cease and desist.
In conclusion, I would also like to request that NO TELEPHONE CONTACT be made by your offices to me in regards to this matter. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including/but not limited to computer generated calls, direct calls or correspondence sent to or with any affiliates/third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit in court. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the residential address noted in this letter.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
[AUTHOR]
Enclosures
cc: [AUTHOR'S ATTORNEY], Esq.[/quote]
Cas
Great letter Hates Internet Casi, Im sure it will be a big help to many here.
all the best,
Luke
