threat by unknown "Collection Agency"

What is the name of your state? California
I have recieved very threatenning letter/ notification from collection agency in Atlanta, accusing me of debt of more than &9,000.00. When I called them they said they bought the account from City Bank, that I opened a credit card in 1996,when I lived in San Diego. They also claim that they contacted me using address in San Diego, and now I better pay up or they turn my bad credit report to the collection agancy. All of it is absolutely NOT TRUE. I have NEVER lived in San Diego, never had a credit card with City Bank, as a matter of fact I oponed my FIRST credit card in 1999,I still use it and always pay off my balance. The collection agancy refuses to provide any paper work to show account activities and refuse to show me the copy of initial credit card application which has to have my signature: they simply do not have those documents. They are telling me to go to the Poloce Station to get proof/affidavit that I never lived in San Diego.
All of this sounds like a big fraud to me. But what do I do?

[Ladynred]

It very well could be a SCAM, there are a number of these going around.

Get a company name, address, phone number and contact name.

Send them a validation letter, certified return receipt requested, and force *them* to PROVE the debt belongs to you. The burden of proof is on them, not you. If its a scam, you'll never hear from them again anyway. If they are a real CA, then by law they MUST comply with your request and do so within 30 days.

Go over to [url]www.creditinfocenter.com.[/url] They have a bunch of sample letters as well as a good section on Debt Validation and how you do it.

Forget their stupid threats.. they're just trying to scare you. Make THEM prove you owe it. IF there's an entry on your credit report for this, send a dispute letter that the debt is 'not mine' (samples on the other site also). They have to investigate and remove it if they find it to be incorrect.

If you know for a fact this is not your debt, just blow them off. Ladynred is right, it's a scam.