In too deep :)

[GatorBait]

Ok, I messed up a little when I was younger with my credit. I had a truck repoed and some other small things. It has been about 7 or 8 years since this all happened, and a collection agency called me yesterday. I had recently called to advise them to remove their claim off my credit. They argued and I told them I didn't owe them a dime. I told them that I have never opened a loan with them, or the agency they said they bought the debt from. They said I did so I told them to prove it, or I was sending letters and getting a lawyer. That was almost 2 months ago and I have not received anything from them confirming their claim. The call yesterday was a lot of threats and attempts at bullying me into paying them or trying to get me to say that I owed them. I am at a loss of what to do. The company that they said had sold them the debt is one I have never heard of. Does anyone have experience with this.

[rferg84]

Ok, I messed up a little when I was younger with my credit. I had a truck repoed and some other small things. It has been about 7 or 8 years since this all happened, and a collection agency called me yesterday. I had recently called to advise them to remove their claim off my credit. They argued and I told them I didn't owe them a dime. I told them that I have never opened a loan with them, or the agency they said they bought the debt from. They said I did so I told them to prove it, or I was sending letters and getting a lawyer. That was almost 2 months ago and I have not received anything from them confirming their claim. The call yesterday was a lot of threats and attempts at bullying me into paying them or trying to get me to say that I owed them. I am at a loss of what to do. The company that they said had sold them the debt is one I have never heard of. Does anyone have experience with this.

In college I worked for a large collection agency.

You need to research the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and the Faird Debt Collections. Almost all of them break the law. You need to document every call and threat, record calls if you can and get an attorney to handle it.

Sue them for damages for their violations.

[IowaHunter]

They'll harass you every time you answer the phone or until it's closed.

[Ladybug]

Also I have found that companys sell debt then they get sold again and again. So even though you have never heard of who they got the debt from doesn't mean that it isn't actually one of your really old debts.

But, they should still be able to provide you proof.

[Mike Murphey]

Tell them to send you a letter with all the pertent information included in it. Then you can investigate to see if they are right or wrong....

[Mike Javi Cooper]

Just a note... there is a credit collection agency scam going on right now. We've gotten a couple of calls which were threatening from them... For myself, I just laugh at the guy and asked the fellow where his office was so I could bring the money in person.. He hung up both times..

[Stan R]

SEnd them acertified letter telling them not to call you again. They are then supposed to commnicate thru the snail mail.

Collections are routinely sold and re reported on credit reports.

[GatorBait]

Thanks Stan, these are the reasons I haven't moved forward on the home loan. And thanks to the GS. No one else in my family has these problems, so it is hard to figure out with no frame of reference.

[RascalArms]

They just use strong arm tactics in the hopes of scaring you into sending anything. If the debt has been reported and is on your credit report as suggested, it won't help you to talk to these folks. Hang up the phone and go about your business.

[ladrones]

Just hang up!

[Roy D Mercer]

Go get your free credit report and find out what debts is show that you owe. Then file a dispute with anything you don't agree with.http://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

[txpitdog]

F-R-E-E that spells free....

[mjbtexas]

Go get your free credit report and find out what debts is show that you owe. Then file a dispute with anything you don't agree with.http://www.experian.com/disputes/main.html

actually dont dispute it if you are trying to get a home loan. Disputes will just prolong the process.

[stickman]

I have had a similar issue(long time ago). Texas has laws(fair debt collection act)to protect it's consumers, look them up and use them. Out of state debt collectors are required to have a permit or bonding to collect in Texas. This is not cheap so many do not obtain that therefore making their collection attempt/harassment illegal. I wrote a few letters and demanded all contact with me was to cease immediately, the harassment stopped.

[txdukklr]

Tell them to send you a letter with all the pertent information included in it. Then you can investigate to see if they are right or wrong....

this, you know you had bad debt so instead of pretending it doesn't exist just find out what they're talking about and work towards resolving it.

Resolution may be waiting out the full 7 years for discharge. Most important don't argue with them, you simply writing the reporting agencies and tell them the debt is 7+ and needs to be removed.

By initiating contact with them with no intent to resolve you've given them line of sight into how to contact you.