Thanks for the info. I did give him my email address but have not opened it yet because I am at work. About 4 yrs ago, husb and I experienced some financial hardship. This year, I have been trying to pay back what was owed, one at a time. I am making progress, however, it's a slow road. The fact that I called this company back, shows that I am interested in paying, if it valid. The collectors I have been working with and have worked with have all been kind and willing to work with me. These guys are rude and demeaning...
Particularly note the following:
"What if I don't receive a debt validation notice after the first communication?
It's possible the debt validation notice was included with the first communication. Under the FDCPA, this is allowed as long as the notice is made in writing. Perhaps you missed the debt validation notice."
Correct Slim but for the initial mailing to be a valid notice it must contain all the required elements as specified in the FDCPA:
§ 809. Validation of debts [15 USC 1692g]
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing --
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.
(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.
(c) The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section may not be construed by any court as an admission of liability by the consumer.
Received several calls from these people at my work, finally left a message. Extremely rude. Saying we have an unpaid debt. This is not the case, we regularly check our credit reports. They are offering a 1/2 amount deal. Requested they send he information to my home for review. Again extremely rude, said they previously sent. I told hen if you sent it they must have sent it to someone else, as the debt is not ours. My wife and I don't even have a credit card or have ever had one, ententially!