Collections 13 Years Later

[tngal]

What is the name of your state? I live in TN, but this is a NY debt.

I got a letter from a collection agency for a verizon phone bill for my parents old phone number. They are deceased. The phone account was not in my name. I called the agency (afni) about this, and they said the account was in my name, which I said, no way would it be. They said I could fill out a fraud affadavit etc...etc...because I had an account from 91-94.

After hanging up and doing a bit of research on Verizon, I see MCI is part of them now. I did at some point have a MCI acct, but I didn't owe them any money. Everything owed was paid. However, of course all this time later I do not have any of this stuff to show this.

Is it past the statute of limitations for this debt? What would be the best course of action to take, as I have never had to deal with a collection agency.

Thanks for any help.

[JETX]

Originally Posted by tngal

Is it past the statute of limitations for this debt? What would be the best course of action to take, as I have never had to deal with a collection agency.

Pretty simple. Send them a 'cease and desist' letter.
[url]www.creditinfocenter.com/forms[/url]

[debtcollector`]

Originally Posted by tngal

I live in TN, but this is a NY debt.

Is it past the statute of limitations for this debt? What would be the best course of action to take, as I have never had to deal with a collection agency.

Possibly, but there is no way to say without more information.

You need to request validation. There is a good sample letter at helpwithcollections/samples.php

If it is yours, you should negotiate a settlement. The account is outside credit reporting regardless of the SOL issue. Negotiate the best settlement you can and save the paperwork.

DC

[longsally111]

Originally Posted by debtcollector`

Possibly, but there is no way to say without more information.

You need to request validation. There is a good sample letter at helpwithcollections/samples.php

this is correct, you should

If it is yours, you should negotiate a settlement.

Not if the account is out of the SOL.

The account is outside credit reporting regardless of the SOL issue. Negotiate the best settlement you can and save the paperwork.

find out if the account is outside the SOL. If it is, send them a C&S letter and thats the end of it.
DC

dont do anything without validating. Do not bother to validate if it is outside the sol

[pcgumshoe]

If it is yours, you should negotiate a settlement. The account is outside credit reporting regardless of the SOL issue. Negotiate the best settlement you can and save the paperwork.

NO NO NO... if it is outside the SOL, this debt cannot harm you UNLESS you wish to seek service from the same provider and even then it may be barred by SOL.

Get the validation. You can call them and ask to speak to a supervisor. Verify the account number, address and any other information. If you request "WRITTEN VALIDATION" they may just send you a letter saying that they checked with the creditor and the creditor said it was valid... that's not validation, but in their eyes some times it is.

I had same problem with Verizon. I had a phone back when I lived with my parents in 1999, they sent me a letter trying to collect (they probably bought the debt after it expired and were trying to get me to pay by mistake (well that's what I would call it).

After I called them, I asked for "When was the date of FIRST DELINQUENCY?" They stated a date outside the 7 year FCRA requirement and I said, "In accordance with my rights under the FCRA, I hereby demand that you cease and desist all attempts to collect this debt including reporting it to the credit bureaus."

And, as always, take names and copious notes!