ever heard of this company

you probably got the DUNNING letter.that is just a letter informing you of there attempt to collect,who the original creditor is and the supposed balance.there should also be a section stating that you have 30 days to dispute any or all of the debt.that is basically the first communication from a CA.
if it has there address i would send a debt validation letter.send it certified mail return receipt.

it did have a 30 day notice (i was kinda supprised)

when i spoke to the lady at the CA i asked her to send me a debt validation letter and she said that that was already sent. i did recieve it it also had the original creditor name on there

all CA's are going to say that.look on the sample letters on useful links on the lower right of your screen.it should have good DV and C&D letters.you can customize them,print them and send them.

i did send that and then the CA sent me a letter back. is there a sight to find legal collection agencys

what state are you in. It is important to remember that some pdl's do use legal CA's. This is actually a good thing since if your dealing with for example and on line pdl operating illegally in your state, a legitimate CA, may elect to return the account once you make them aware of the situation, or they may be much more willing to work with you.

Did the letter show any signs of them being licensed to collect in your state. I'm not sure how it works, but doesn't a collection agency have to be licensed to collect in the state you are located in?

depends on the state, some require mere registration, so actually issue licenses and some don't care

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as jj said,they probably gave it back to the illegal pdl.

Man, I hope so. I actually made that suggestion to him, that he send it back to the original creditor, remove their tradeline, and let me hash it out with them.

As soon as I figure out what happened to it, I'll be filing all of the complaints.

By the way, and for the record, National Service Bureau, and their d/b/a companies (I know Seattle Service Bureau is one) are fully licensed (not just bonded) in IL

dr, where are you from?. one idea that comes to mind in dealing with an illegal pdl adn legal ca is to remind the CA in writing with a good dv letter is that their attempt to collect a debt that is illegal may expose them to a claim for damages. CA's liek most businesses that have professinoal liability insurance will do anything to avoid a claim since that usually means that if the lose a suit, claim is paid, that they will either have trouoble getting renewed, face very stiff rate hikes etc..

I'm in IL. I didn't come right out and tell the guy that he or his firm may be implicated, but I definitely implied it (was on the phone, and recorded). I also started the call off by asking for his company's IL bond or license info, and told him I would be checking it out with the AG prior to sending them any kind of payment should this debt be validated. That also, didn't make him happy, but he definitely kept his professionalism (props to the man on that)

cool so they know your serious, so instead of sending a dv letter, send them a letter disputing the validity of the debt, stating the reasons why and your intentions to pursue action against the pdl. then you can mention your willingness to pursue any entity that attempts for collect on the debt. make sure you include a statement to the effect that unless they can prove the legality of the debt they are collecting by showing it complies with your state laws, including licensure, you will not discuss the matter any further