Collection Agency on my back

No they can't. Make them prove you owe the debt by sending them a debt validation letter certified mail with return receipt. Asset Acceptance is junk debt buyer very low regard for the fdcpa laws. THey are being investigated by the IRS for filing false 1099's.

Perfect,

Melanie, send a debt validation letter to Asset Acceptance. They need to give the details in writing first. You should be clearly explained about the debt for which they are collecting. If they can't come up with anything, they should not contact you.

Have you received from them in writing? Usually, they should send it within 5 days after calling your place. If you do not receive anything in writing, send the request from your side. Catch more information about debt validation on this page:

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/validation.html

Thanks Tammy! Can you tell me where I can find a sample of this verification letter? I have already spoken with them on the phone, and both people I spoke with were extremely rude. They say the debt information is going through their "validation department" and I will be receiving info in the mail soon. I was also told by their representative, Denise Hester, that the burden of proof is on me that I don't owe the debt. I bought a house 2 years ago and had to clean up my credit at that time. This debt was not showing on my account, nor any debt from Radio Shack or Asset Acceptance, although they told me they "bought" my account in 2001. I'm not savvy to the ways of this credit thing. I have 2 credit cards now that I have had for a little over a year. Before that, I never had credit for anything. They got me upset initially, but after doing some investigating online I am reassured. Thanks for your reply.

There are sample debt validation letters on various websites. Feel free to join our community by signing up. You will find valuable information here and everyone here is very helpful.

I received a letter in the mail yesterday. It references an original account #, RE: Hurley State Bank and Tandy/Radio Shack. It references an account # which Asset Acceptance has assigned to the debt. It has the normal blah blah blah about my option to dispute the debt, etc. I talked to them twice and ended up hanging up on the second lady. They were rude and treated me as if I were a person who avoided debt. They said if I read my mail or answered my phone, I would know what this whole thing is about. When I phoned Radio Shack, they couldn't find the supposed account # in their file, although the person I spoke to did confirm that the account # referenced is a credit card account # Radio Shack would use. I assume that was because of the first number, like Visa is 4 and MC is 5. The representative at Radio Shack tried to pull up an account with the # to no avail. She also tried with my name and my SSN. I would assume that even if they turned an account over for collection, they would still have a record of that account? All I know is that I have never had an account with Radio Shack and I don't even think I have done business with them in one of their stores. It seems like 1987 is an old enough debt that these people are barking up the wrong tree to me. As I said before, I purchased a house 2 years ago and at that time I had to clean up my credit report. At that time it contained a couple of medical bills and a dental bill which amounted to around $200. This supposed bad debt wasn't even on my report? They won't get anything out of me unless/until they can prove that I created this debt and have my signature on file. Thanks to Gretchin and Tammy for replying with your advice so quickly.

Melanie

Have you gone through this ebook of sample letters

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/books/sample-letters.html

You might want to also check your state's laws regarding statute of limitations. This is a 19 year old debt and it doesn't make sense for them to try to collect it now. Send the validation request through certified mail. They must proove the debt before they can collect on it. I haven't heard good things about this company. Keep all your phone calls and correspondence with them documented.

Asset Acceptance is also very well known for inventing fraudulent debts and manipulating credits reports. They get ahold of your ssn and abuse it. This is something that should be brought to the attention of the Attorney General. It also looks like even Radio Shack vouches for you!

I dealt with Asset around Feb/March of 2005, maybe I got lucky. Mine was for a SBC account (which was mine), it was for about $400-, Brenda was the one in charge of my account and she was very nice and respectful. Was informed about them adding interest since the date they acquired the account and the usual bs. I informed her I would pay my debt, but would not pay any interest. Especially since they had it down like from 2001 or something to that effect. How can you charge me interest from 2001 and here it is 2005 and you are barely contacting me regarding this debt. Also told her not to give me the BS about sending out letters and calling. I am not hard to find, as they have found me now in 2005. So we set up payments to be debited from my account monthly. Things went well, had an occasion or two where things came up and could not make the agreed upon payment,gave her a call and we scheduled another date. Paid if off finally and checked my credit report, states paid. Brenda might be one of the good guys over there, who does work with you and your situation. Not sure if it will get deleted but I looked at my calendar from last year here at work and here is her number 800-525-8022 extension 4458. I don't know how it works trying to get a different collector on your account, but maybe it is worth giving her a try. I have just been shocked when i read the horror stories others have gone through with Asset. And it is scary that they pick at your info and try to get you to pay for debts that are not even yours.