Question for Bbdancer, CatDad, Echo, Spiffiman or knowledgeable contributors?
I am 20 years old, and pulled my credit report about 3 months ago. I found three collection accounts on my credit report.
I first disputed the accounts with the credit bureaus, who all verified the accounts. These accounts are not mine, I know they are not mine, for a business in a state I have never been to.
My next step was to send the collection agencies a certified letter requesting validation of debt, that was over 2 months ago, no response from any of them.
I was doing research on Y/A and found out that now I should dispute the accounts with the credit bureaus again and send certified mail with copies of validate letters, that they failed to answer OR I should contact the credit bureaus for something called Method of Validation.
My question is can anyone help me with a sample letter or tell me how to word a letter to the credit bureaus saying they should delete the accounts because the collectors did not validate. I am not good at writing letters, I feel inadequate.
Also should I list all three accounts on one letter to each bureau?
Lucille
Ruben
Send a letter (regular mail) to each of the credit bureaus. Include a copy of the letters requesting validation. In your letter indicate that these are not your debts (all three) and that the collectors failed to respond to your validation request.
Did you indicate in your first dispute that you suspected ID theft? Do so this time. You may even want to make a police report — you may have to insist the police actually make a report. Get a copy of the police report and include that with your dispute to the credit bureaus.
Stay away from form letters. Most are chock full of errors and are confrontational. You are much better off using your own words. Keep it short and simple.
It sounds like you’ve been reading on some “credit” site. “Method of Validation”??? The credit bureaus merely send initial disputes to the creditor asking for verification. The creditor just has to come back and say yes that correct. End of verification. No proof required.
Emma
If you are 100% sure that this is not your debt, then try this: Send a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt to the credit bureaus stating:
Notice of Fair Credit Reporting Act Violation
This alleged debt from [insert name] that was recently validated is not mine. This frivolous validation of a debt that does not belong to me has damaged my good credit rating.
Per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, I am requesting
- the written communication with [insert name] that led to validation of this alleged debt
- I am requesting a copy of the signed contract with my signature for this alleged debt.
Receipt of this letter is being time stamped. Failure to validate within the 30 day time frame will be documented.
————————–
If this step fails and they again validate a debt that is not yours, then your only recourse is to sue for Fair Credit Reporting Violations. Have you ruled out identity theft?
Alexander
Contact the Federal Trade Commission toll free @ 1-877-382-4357 and explain the situation to them. To be on the safe said, you should put your name on fraud alert through Trans Union Fraud Dept. Their toll free # 1-800-680-7289. They’ll notify the other 2 bureaus and must be renewed every 90 days in order to keep it active. What happens next is if someone applies for credit using your info, they must contact you before it can be processed.