Send them this letter demanding that they validate the debt they are calling about. Send it VIA Certified Mail and request a return receipt:
Today's Date
Your Name
Your Address
Collector's Name
Collector's Address
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
Dear {insert name of collector or company},
I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.
This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:
(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.
I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state)
Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:
because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.
you do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA;
Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.
I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.
Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.
This company contacted me a week ago on my way to work. An "investigator" told me he had a case number and was working a check fraud investigation against me. Imagine my suprise, since I work for a bank! I asked him about it and he told me the debt was under my maiden name which I have not used since 2000. I had all of my id's including my passport changed to my married name and then he claimed the debt was from Ace Cash express in 2005. He gave a name of an apartment complex I lived in while I was first married but the wrong apartment number. I was thinking the whole thing was strange since he had the wrong name and address. He said there was a debt for originally $240 and now was $450. I told him I wanted to see something in writing since I did not remember this. He then told me he WAS NOT A DEBT COLLECTOR, and therefore would not send me anything in writing. He wanted a checking account over the phone. I told him I was not comfortable giving out such information. He said they would arrest me then, so have a nice life and started to hang up on me. I asked him what they do when people want to make payments without accounts and then he told information for a Moneygram. He said as of monday there would be a warrant out for my arrest. Little do they know I work right next to a police station and I am able to chat with the officers on a regular basis. I talked to my husband and we sent a debt validation letter since I am pretty sure this is not my debt. After reading all these posts and also seeing their advertisement looking for debt collectors online they are obviously full of misinformation. I will let everyone know when I get my certified mail back and see if they respond.
This company called my aunt looking for me (I don't know how they got her number). The company stated they are from "Legal Provision??" I searched the phone number and it linked to Vandenberg. The lady did not leave her name, but left the number and case number. She stated on the voicemail that she will "make a recommendation unless I call her immediately". As soon as I called, some guy answered and immediately asked for my name and SSN#. I told him I wasn't giving him that info but will the case number that was left on the voicemail. He yelled at me about not following directions properly and I hung up.