bogus debt on my old nickname

[oldedude]

What is the name of your state? Ky

I received a bill from a collection agency on a Sprint account that I never had.
The bill listed me as "Bobby" whereas my name is "Robert"
I have not used "Bobby" since I was a minor, some 40 years ago.
Need I even respond to this?
Would I even need to accept a summons if listed as "Bobby"?
TIA

 

[StephenH]

Do the following:

1) Run your credit report and see if there are any accounts open in your name that you did not actually open. If so, place a fraud alert on your credit report, and file a police report.

2) Send a validation letter to the collection agency and ask them for proof that you owe this.

3) Make sure that Sprint did not aquire the company of this old debt. They did merge with Nextel and some other companies in the past.

You may want to check out www.privacyrights.org for more info on "Identity Theft"

 

[oldedude]

Do the following:

1) Run your credit report and see if there are any accounts open in your name that you did not actually open. If so, place a fraud alert on your credit report, and file a police report.

2) Send a validation letter to the collection agency and ask them for proof that you owe this.

3) Make sure that Sprint did not aquire the company of this old debt. They did merge with Nextel and some other companies in the past.

You may want to check out www.privacyrights.org for more info on "Identity Theft"

I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
It doesn't matter if it was an original Sprint account or an acquired account, I haven't had a cell phone in 10 years, and have never opened an account under "Bobby".
I did a DV letter before on another identy theft on a Dell account and each year Dell just gave it to another Collection agency. Three years, 3 DV letters.
But with this, I am not "Bobby" so why respond?
Do I have to accept any summons delivered by a Sheriff when it has "Bobby" on it?

 

[StephenH]

You should get a laywer and and file a "Motion to Dismiss" with identity theft as your defense. You should also check your credit report and place a fraud alert on it.

 

[Debt Guy]

Do I have to accept any summons delivered by a Sheriff when it has "Bobby" on it?

No. But the judge might still award a default judgment. It is always better to accept the summons and then tell the story to the judge. Ignorance is not bliss.​