LVNV Funding LLC: What to do if you find them on your credit report

I just pulled my credit report, seems I had a sears charge from 2002 that I thought was paid, but wasn't I've recently started to get phone calls about 10 a day on both my home phone and cell phone stating that if I don't call they're going to notify my employer and neibors. I looked on my credit and the charge off from Sears was $1,300. LVNV FUNDING LLC says I owe $1,750. Should I send a letter to them? what should I tell them. I'll need to make installment payments are they willing to do that?

First of all you need to make sure that your debt is not out of the SOL. Then send them a debt valedation letter(there are many examples on this forum) send it certified,return receipt. You can also add a cease and desist to that letter,that they only contact you by mail. They will be breaking numerous Fair Credit Reporting Acts,if they give tyour info to anyone else. Keep records of calls,any correspondence,etc.,for your records. Hope this helps...I ahve been dealing with them for months,they refuse payment arrangements,rude,abusive,etc.,so doing this by mail will be alot easier to deal with...Karen

Cathy Bear....DO NOT erase those recordings, the CA is in violation just by leaving those threatening messages, and don't pay these jokers any money. At least send them a DV first. LVNV has a very hard time validating their debts.

I Hate LVNV-Way to go-let me know what happens.LVNV bought my Sears debt that was opened in 1982 and nothing charged on it for 10+ years,the only problem is,we were stupid and have been paying Sears for all these years,probably thousands and thousands in interest,finance,etc. I repeatedly tried to work out payments,just got verbally abuse. Also,they have not validated my debt as the ones who are authorized or anything. I,too,sent a follow up letter to inquire about the DV letter,but no response. Theyalso broke numerous fdcpa reg.,which I pointed out to the in my follow up letter-good luck ...Karen


C-ya......gone from all three reports

LVNV FUNDING keeps raising a debt that they bought from 8 years ago. its was 2k now its almost 4k can they do this.. they are actting like they are a credit card company

Hi Anthony

A debt bought 8 years ago!!! If no payment has been done after the statutes expired and you don't have a judgment against you, the agency cannot report this debt in your credit report. Also, they should not legally force you to make even a small payment on it. One single payment can bring the account within the SOL period and chances of reporting in the credit report will become more evident. LVNV Funding is tempting you to make a wrong move. Don't do it unless you really want to pay off this account above all.

Any Idea what address to send the validation letter to?

Here are the addresses listed on the beginning of the thread.

We have a $3000 LVNV on my wife's credit report and we are about to refinance our house and include this on payoff. It's killing us as a collection.

Question: if we pay them off in full, how can we get them to DELETE the entire collection record? Is this something we can negotiate this or could a letter from an attorney do it? Anyone had experience with these people? They've used several other agencies to send us letters about the same debt (Brachfeld and Associates, Riddle & Associates)...nobody...NOBODY will answer our request for validation.

Any ideas? We want to work with them from a position of some leverage.

Tom, LVNV Funding should not report in your credit file if they don't have your account details. If they would have validated the debt, it would have understood that their collection is legitimate. But, since nothing has been given to you in writing so far, their entry must be deleted from your credit copy. Dispute this item with the CRA and explain that they have failed to validate the debt and hit your credit file. The CRA will check with the company. If your dispute is found correct, the entry will be immediately removed. If it is correct, the debt should be validated by the company surely. Send your letters through CMRRR

In the last month, I have recieved a letter from 3 different attornies representing LVNV on the same account...what the heck is going on??

Same here as guest -- all these different attorneys, nobody will validate -- because they've all been asked.

Now today it's NCO calling (another snake), saying they're working for Providian, but their demand letter shows "RESURGENT/MLN" as the original creditor.

We're ready to pay SOMEBODY, and we want it deleted from the credit report. What do we do? Help!!

Be carefull about paying them,until you know they legally can collect.You might pay them and they may or may not have your debt.I dealt with LVNV funding and their many agencies,sent a dv letter,no response.I then sent a follow up letter,and still no response,this has been going on since Jan.,figure they must have sold it again.The same for NCO,I got one man who was nice and actually worked out payments,except,now,it is paid off and they haven't sent anything showing that...Karen

If you pay on the debt (even $20.00) the clock starts ticking again from the moment of payment. I am trying to help my parents with their debt. LVNV probably bought the account from Sears for a few cents on each dollar owed.

Here's the catch. The collection agency has 30 days to respond to a validation request. If you follow it up with a second validation request and get no response go to the credit reporting agency and dispute it advising that the CA refused to provide validation of the debt. The CRA doesn't work for the CA, and the experience I've had with the CRA was quite pleasant.

You may not have to pay one penny if they can't validate the debt. And it will be removed.

If you pay (even when you don't actually owe) it pretty much automatically validates the debt and it will not be removed. It will however show as paid (in full or by settlement) once you make it that far.

Unless I'm wrong,someone can correst me on this,I don't think there is a set limit on how long a CA has to validate. I know there is alot of talk about 30 days,but I don't think there is a set time. I would follow up with a letter,then contact the credit reporing agencies to dispute,they will look at your claim and see if it can,or has been validated,then go from there...Karen

Hello there. First allow me to explain my situation. I just received a notice on my credit report that LVNV Funding has purchase an account from SAM'S Club that was charged-off in Jan of 05. I have been trying to research who they are and I found this page. There is a lot of good insight in here and I figured that possible someone could help me. The account originated in Tennessee where I was living in 04. I was living in an apartment making just over minimum wage and barely surviving. I since than have joined the military and am now living in Missouri.

1. My first question is what exactly is an SOL and how does it work?

2. How does it apply if my account originated in a state that I no longer reside in?


Here is what is listed in the credit report.

Account Name: LVNV FUNDING
Account Number: this was omitted
Acct Type: Unknown - Credit Extension, Review, Or Collection
Acct Status: Closed
Monthly Payment:
Date Open: 5/1/2006
Balance: $522.00
Terms: 1 Month
High Balance:
Limit:
Past Due: $522.00
Payment Status: Seriously past due date / assigned to attorney, collection agency, or credit grantor's internal collection department


any help would be appreciated.

OH! and one more thing. The date the original account was opened was 3/1/2004.

First the SOL is staute of limitation-it can vary from state to state on how long someone can leggally collect on a debt.The first thing to do is to send a debt validation letter to make sure they are legally bound to collect. You can find many usefull toools and info on the "Guide" button,just above the "POst Reply" button. Send everything certified,return receipt,and keep copies of everything. Is sent LVNV a DV letter several months ago and they haven't validated yet,what they usuallu do is send it through their many agencies,Phillips-Cowen,Resurgent,etc.,do not pay until you get the validation .It doesn't matter that you don't live in the state it was done in.,they can still try to collect,haras,etc. Do not try to deal with these people over the phone,they will be rude,threaten,etc.You can send a cease and desist letter that the only contact with you will be by mail. Hope this helps :D ...Karen

I have an account from this company, it was purchased for a sears account that was charged off in 2003. I recently dipusted both accounts that were in my credit report and they removed the original sears account and not LVNV, I am trying very hard to repair my credit however, I do not want to contact them and have them re-age my account as it is scheduled to be removed in 2010.

They are pretty harassing calling as many as 4 times per day and they have called all my family members and told them details of account one guy even cursed at my father. I am also afraid that by my sending a debt validation letter the communication with them will somehow give them validation and again re-age the account.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.

By the way I live in Ohio and the SOL is thirteen years. So that does not help.

Amy-if you send a debt validation letter,it is by no means saying that you are responsible for the debt. It is simply that they validate to make sure they have legal means to collect. You will find numerous samples of debt validation here and it state that. You need to also send a cease and desisit letter that no communication will be done except by mail. They are in violation(which LVNV is well known for) if they are discussing this with others. Keep notes of who called,when and what was said for yourself.Always make copies of everything you send.When you send the dv letter,they must cease communication until they fully validate,not just give you an amount,etc. Good Luck :D ...Karen

BTW-don't be surprised if you don't hear from LVNV,but start hearing from their other companies,they passed mine around to serveral. I would just send them dv letters,too,but no response yet. Good Luck-they are sharks!...Karen

Thanks for your help I appreciate it.

Send them a letter letting them know it's not your account and that you'll sue them for reporting inaccurate information on your CR. Check out the letter that I sent them a few pages back. Within two weeks of sending that letter, they deleted from all three CRA's.

LVNV is messing up people credit file complaints
So that they can be investigated.

This company has sent me a collection notice I responded ???????I have no knowledge of this account??????? they sent me to another collection company and I responded the same now they have sent me to another collection company. None of the three company????????s have informed me of what this account is for they just keep passing me on to the next. What can I do and what is the statutes for a debt in CA.

Received a letter from an attorney from Kentucky stating that we are be sued by this company. This company has never contacted us. On the summons there is no account number only a dollar amount. If there was an account why is there no account number and why didnt this company contact us themself. This is a Providian Financial Corp. Then on my credit report there is nothing there to state this company has any right to us. What this company closely.

First of all,is it a real summons or something from that attorney?If it is real,it will state that you have so long to reply. Call your court clerk or court house to see if something has been filed,and if so, respond or they automatically get a judgement. I think it probably is just a letter from that attorney. Send them a debt validation letter,certified,return receipt. They must validate your debt.Be sure and keep copies of everything you receive and all correspondence.Good Luck :D ...Karen

I recieved a letter form a group called northland group they say they bought it from Citibank. I knoe I never held credit with Citibank so I called them and sure enough Citibank hace never heard of me, then i started printing out by credit reports nor citibank nor lvnv show up ever! and the only time norland group show up was to do an inquiry, with out my permission! I am trying to get to the bottom of this

Ok, It's been over 30 days since I sent the letter requesting info on the debt collection. They signed my return recepit letter on Aug 5th, so I'm guessing the 30 days starts that day? As of today I haven't received anything by phone (I requested they stop) or by mail. What's the next step to get this cleared up and off my credit.

Thanks for hand walking me through this pocess.

Cathy

It's good to send a follow up letter again to the CA before contacting the credit bureau. Or else, you can directly dispute the item with the credit bureau. They will check with the company and remove the item after knowing it is being incorrectly put in your file. In case, you might have to show CRA your copies of the validation letter sent to LVNV Funding, keep everything documented.

The phone number that i have for the company is different i have 1-888-665-0374

Should I contact them again? I have received anything. I feel bad I know I owe something, just not the amount they claim. Should I send a follow up letter? and if they don't respond request it taken off my credit...even though I know I owned Sears something way back when.

I sent a follow up letter,but still got no response. If your debt is out of the SOL period,don't pay them. They bought this for pennies on the dollar. If it isn't,send them a follow up letter in regards to your debt validation letter. You have to make sure that they are legally able to be collecting this before you pay. You may pay them x dollars,and someone else come along who really has your debt to collect and want their money too. There is no set time they have to respond. Some people think they have thirty days,this is not true. You have 30 days to respond when you get the letter to dispute. Good Luck...Karen :D

I have them showing up on mine as well... I had a debt with Sherman LLC and it was settled, but it was back in 99 and now sherman is reporting as of this month and year, what can I do?

My reply to this is that I just got these pieces of shit adding a bill to my credit report saying they bought an old account. The problem is the old account was already paid off. We need laws to p[rotect us from idiots like this.

Check out our new Community White board info.,click on LVNV for more info.

Karen

I also just got a letter from a collector saying I owe $425+ from 1995, which I do not. and it has been 11 years why get a letter now, Sandiduff You are right something is very weird about this Company. It looks like Fraud to me.

Linniez-Have you sent them a debt validation letter yet? If not,do so,and inform them it is out of the SOL period.Once they receive this,you probably won't hear from them again. Also send a cease and desist letter that all communicaiton be done via mail...Karen

Okk.. I spoke to soon. I had sent the inquire letter to LVNV, but didn't get a response after 30 days, now I just got a letter in the mail from Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co advising me that this law firm has been retained to collect the oustanding balance due. Also, I'm now starting to get phone calls from weltman, weinberg & Reis. Does the statement on the LVNV letter not to call me apply to this law firm? What should I do now that I have this letter from the law firm?

Is LVNV registered in Texas?

Sorry about the question I asked above about LVNV registered in Texas. I am so flustered about finding out I have a judgment against me by them and I never ever heard about them or knew anything in time to investigate. I did not realize this is not the forum for asking questions but rather replying. Is there anything I can do? I cannot afford an attorney. I learned about this action from a letter from a "friendly attorney" offering his services!

Cathy-send a new dv letter to the law offices,too. Blubonnet- Have you received official court judgement papers with a date to respond? Sometimes lawyers are collectors too. I know,I dealt with one,if it's an official court document,respond in the required time. Have you sent dv letters to them? If not,do so,certified,return receipt. Sometimes ,even if it is legal court papers,they will have a negotiator you can set up payments with. But I would definatley send all of them a dv letter. Good Luck-keep us posted...Karen You can ask questions on any forum!

lvnv is a debt buyer that buys debts after the credit card company has written it off due to valid defenses to the debt such as identity theft.

Should I be worried about the law firm? What if LVNV never sent me the info I request in the DV letter after 30 days. At this point should I get a lawyer?

A lawyer's advice will always be helpful. As the collection agency hasn't validated your debt by now, send a follow up letter requesting for the same info and place a dispute with the credit bureau that is placing the item in your file.

i got teh same co as my debt collector .they have taken me to court on teh 28th of this month at my local magistrate for a judgement..i do plan on goin even though i havent had teh debt validated as i did not know about dv until recently and what it is all about. i alos checked my cr and it has them listed on there as a revolving account and opened in 2004.. my original creditor iss till on my report also listed as chrge off and sold to other lender .. not sure exactly but seems to me that lnv has reaged my account wich i think is not legal to do.. does any1 know if that is correct?

ok 1 more ?.. sorry to b such a pain.i called my magistrate to put in a defense.. i have recently found out that my debt is not out of sol yet.. short by about 9 months..but i never had my debt validated as of yet with this company or teh attourneys reperesenting them.. i am goin to send out a dv letter today.. i know tehy may be able to validate but i wasnt aware ubtil today from talkin ot my local mag office that even if i showed up and they didnt i would still get a default judgement against me since i did not put in that i was gonna defend myself.. did i dothe right thing or am i gonna make them madder by doin this?. i am not some deadbeat trying to get out of this just came upon hard times awhile back and the attourney for thsi co would not work with me in anyway. thnx for any advice in advance

I am in the process of buying a house. A credit report was pulled and I was able to take care of some outstanding bills. Now a couple of weeks before closing, another credit report is pulled and LVNV appears. They have in collection an old telephone bill that was in dispute. I never heard from the company and really forgot that I was disputing the bill. Do I have to pay the bill to get it off my account and hopefully not jeopardise the deal?

If you have all your documentaton, tell the loan officer. You know can write a brief explanation of why it isn't paid and if you show your documentation it should not be a problem. Kind of like when you have a 60 day late payment and you go for a mortgage and they ask you to explain why you were late. And you just say it must have been an oversight and they accept that. The lender has to have all their ducks in a row, which is why they ask you to write these silly liite explanations. Why not ask you loan officer?