What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Jersey
Back in July of 2000 I get a letter from a collection agency saying I owed Verizon $91.67 and is dated 03-08-03.I had no clue about this and sent a letter(certified) asking for validation of said debt.Roughly 60 days later I get another letter from a differant Collection Company showing the $91.67 on the letterhead and enclosed is a "copy" of a current monthly Verizon bill dated 09-09-2002 and the amount of this bill is $48.77.I sent off a certified letter asking for better proof as this was only a current monthly bill which showed no balance due or request for late payment.
On Oct 19 2009 I get a letter saying they want to offer me a deal and settle for 50% off the $91.67 but before I can respond I get another letter on Oct 26 2009 saying they recieved my letter asking for verifacation on the $48.77 amount(which I never sent..only for the $91.67)and this has been placed in a dispute status and no collection activity will take place.
I wake up one morning and have a alert from one of my Fico monitoring companies saying there is a negative on my account and when I go to look I see I had been turnt in to Experian for $91.67 by Palisades Collection.I call and as we start to go over my account before I even mention it being on my report I ask about the validation response to my letter for the $91.67 and am told it is not worth it to us to verify that debt so we dropped the case and the $91.67 is not due.I then ask her than why have you reported it to Experian and my answer was, it was a mistake and is being taken off right away.My Fico score was high 7's and do to this action by Palisades now is low 7's.
Now onto the $48.77,I am told this is a differant bill alltogether...I am totally confused as I used Verizon through 2006 on both my home phone and buisness phone and still to this day use it for buisness and never got a late letter or a termination letter.I have never known a utility company to let you go 3-4 years oweing them monies and yet still providing you coverage.
My main concern now is with my Fico scores and any further damage to them so when she asked me if I want to settle for $36.58 on the $48.77 I tell her...look I am a heart patient along with having diabetis and against my better judgement and still disputing this charge I am going to pay it to save further agrevation to myself but before I do I want two letters one saying the $91.67 is no longer due and it will be rtemoved from my reports and one saying I am paying the $48.77 to satisfaction and this accouint will be closed.I recieved both letters...paid the $36.58 through my online bank account and low and behold another alert for Experian for $12.00.I called and was told it was not recioeved by the date specified (13th of Nov),a copy of the check shows the date of Nov 13 but not deposited untill the 18th.I had even spoke to somebody at Palisades and tole them I could not get out of the house and the check is being sent directly through my bank but the first day I could pay it was on the 13th...she said fine we will wait a few days.
I called after seeing the new alert and was told we did not get it "ON" the 13'at this point I said ok listen to me FORGET about the $36...I am in the process of filing a small claims case against you for Libel and she asks why..I said defamation Libel,fraud and illegal collecting practices....you reported to Experian a debt that was NEVER validated and she said well we took it off,BUT it is still on there and she said it could take 30-90 days to go away.So in other words it take no time to get on there but months to get off?.The woman says sir what do you want me to do and I said I want the $12.00 taken off with a letter saying it is closed and will be removed from my reports.
I guess it is to late to make this story short LOL but I wanted some input on filing this case and if you think I have one.This has been going on since July of 2009 and I have spent so much time and anguish dealing with it.It is not about the monies but I am sick and tired of people treating others this way and just thinking they can get away with it.I still remember one woman saying to me after I told her I was going to small claims..."go ahead it will only cost you money".I am going to seek $1,000.00.
Thanks for your input
Back in July of 2000 I get a letter from a collection agency saying I owed Verizon $91.67 and is dated 03-08-03.I had no clue about this and sent a letter(certified) asking for validation of said debt.Roughly 60 days later I get another letter from a differant Collection Company showing the $91.67 on the letterhead and enclosed is a "copy" of a current monthly Verizon bill dated 09-09-2002 and the amount of this bill is $48.77.I sent off a certified letter asking for better proof as this was only a current monthly bill which showed no balance due or request for late payment.
On Oct 19 2009 I get a letter saying they want to offer me a deal and settle for 50% off the $91.67 but before I can respond I get another letter on Oct 26 2009 saying they recieved my letter asking for verifacation on the $48.77 amount(which I never sent..only for the $91.67)and this has been placed in a dispute status and no collection activity will take place.
I wake up one morning and have a alert from one of my Fico monitoring companies saying there is a negative on my account and when I go to look I see I had been turnt in to Experian for $91.67 by Palisades Collection.I call and as we start to go over my account before I even mention it being on my report I ask about the validation response to my letter for the $91.67 and am told it is not worth it to us to verify that debt so we dropped the case and the $91.67 is not due.I then ask her than why have you reported it to Experian and my answer was, it was a mistake and is being taken off right away.My Fico score was high 7's and do to this action by Palisades now is low 7's.
Now onto the $48.77,I am told this is a differant bill alltogether...I am totally confused as I used Verizon through 2006 on both my home phone and buisness phone and still to this day use it for buisness and never got a late letter or a termination letter.I have never known a utility company to let you go 3-4 years oweing them monies and yet still providing you coverage.
My main concern now is with my Fico scores and any further damage to them so when she asked me if I want to settle for $36.58 on the $48.77 I tell her...look I am a heart patient along with having diabetis and against my better judgement and still disputing this charge I am going to pay it to save further agrevation to myself but before I do I want two letters one saying the $91.67 is no longer due and it will be rtemoved from my reports and one saying I am paying the $48.77 to satisfaction and this accouint will be closed.I recieved both letters...paid the $36.58 through my online bank account and low and behold another alert for Experian for $12.00.I called and was told it was not recioeved by the date specified (13th of Nov),a copy of the check shows the date of Nov 13 but not deposited untill the 18th.I had even spoke to somebody at Palisades and tole them I could not get out of the house and the check is being sent directly through my bank but the first day I could pay it was on the 13th...she said fine we will wait a few days.
I called after seeing the new alert and was told we did not get it "ON" the 13'at this point I said ok listen to me FORGET about the $36...I am in the process of filing a small claims case against you for Libel and she asks why..I said defamation Libel,fraud and illegal collecting practices....you reported to Experian a debt that was NEVER validated and she said well we took it off,BUT it is still on there and she said it could take 30-90 days to go away.So in other words it take no time to get on there but months to get off?.The woman says sir what do you want me to do and I said I want the $12.00 taken off with a letter saying it is closed and will be removed from my reports.
I guess it is to late to make this story short LOL but I wanted some input on filing this case and if you think I have one.This has been going on since July of 2009 and I have spent so much time and anguish dealing with it.It is not about the monies but I am sick and tired of people treating others this way and just thinking they can get away with it.I still remember one woman saying to me after I told her I was going to small claims..."go ahead it will only cost you money".I am going to seek $1,000.00.
Thanks for your input
