NH Charge off Date/NCO Fin. Pushy

[nhcredit]

What is the name of your state? NH

A NCO Financial called me and said that I owe them $7000 dollars for a Visa account that was written off by Associates/Citibank back in July of 2002. That's more than 2 years ago. They say I made a $10 dollar payment in May of 2002.

I asked for full verification of the debt. 'Steve' said that wasn't allowed, I had to pay first and/or be sued to get that info. I said well please send me a statement in the mail, he said they did... it was mailed on Monday of this week.

He said they'd settle with me for $4000 dollars, I think I can get better, as the original debt is $6600 per Steve.

2 Questions:
a. What is NH's write off law, can they still collect on this debt?
b. Should I try to settle with them? I can't afford $4000 straight up, but could make payments (maybe).

All help is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

[ihatearizona]

[I asked for full verification of the debt. 'Steve' said that wasn't allowed, I had to pay first and/or be sued to get that info. I said well please send me a statement in the mail, he said they did... it was mailed on Monday of this week.]

Collection Agencies HAVE TO verify the debt if you ask for it to be done. You will need to send a WRITTEN request for verification and it MUST be sent certified mail, return receipt (for you to have proof they received it).

Go over to http://www.creditboards.com to find several verification of debt letters.

 

[Ladynred]

NO ! You don't want VERIFCATION, you must demand VALIDATION. Validation, per the FDCPA, says they must PROVE the debt is yours if you ask. All 'verification' will get you is your name, address and phone number spat back at you, that does NOT prove the debt and it proves NOTHING about any payments since charge-off.

If this debt was written off in July 2002, then it went deliquent about February of 2002. SOL for credit cards in NH is 3 years and that will expired sometime in Feb 2005. I wouldn't pay them squat right now. In 4 months they will have no legal way to enforce collection of the debt.

Beware this $10 payment crap.. they will LIE even when you know you've made NO payments to them at all in the intervening years !

Validation - demand validation. Creditboards.com has sample letters but www.creditinfocenter.com has more info about the process and sample letters too.