Ticket not mine!

[eturbo423]

What is the name of your state? CA

Received collections letter regarding a citation in CA that belongs to someone else.

Facts from collection agency:

1. Apparently same name as mine.
2. I live in IL, collections mailed to my address in IL; first time I've known (ie no past tickets recieved).
3. Never was in CA during the date the violation occured (seat belt violation).
4. Citation has CA license; never had a CA license.
5. Citation has a birthdate of 2/2/60, my birthdate: APRIL 1975!!

I was told by collection agency to pay up ($610.00), go to court in CA, or trial by mail. Obviously I want to trial by mail. Any suggestions / advice on how to prove my innocence?

[TomHartmann]

Very easy to prove. Your ID is the proof.

Originally Posted by eturbo423

What is the name of your state? CA

Received collections letter regarding a citation in CA that belongs to someone else.

Facts from collection agency:

1. Apparently same name as mine.
2. I live in IL, collections mailed to my address in IL; first time I've known (ie no past tickets recieved).
3. Never was in CA during the date the violation occured (seat belt violation).
4. Citation has CA license; never had a CA license.
5. Citation has a birthdate of 2/2/60, my birthdate: APRIL 1975!!

I was told by collection agency to pay up ($610.00), go to court in CA, or trial by mail. Obviously I want to trial by mail. Any suggestions / advice on how to prove my innocence?

[efflandt]

State of IL has a record of your driver's license photo (when their photo machine jammed last renewal they used my previous photo). CA should have a record of the photo on their driver's license. Even if State of IL does not share that information, I would think that they could at least be able to verify to anyone in an official capacity that the CA driver's license data and photo are NOT a match for the IL license.

I would certainly verify who you are dealing with from other sources (like the enforcement agency or court involved) to make sure it is not a phishing expedition attempting to gather identity information.