They told me I owe money to Cox Cable. I called Cox Cable and was told that actually OVERPAID the last few months (I set up my bank acct to automatically send them a payment every month for my internet service). Cox Cable rep said to just ignore them - probably fraudulent.
Call but never leave a message. Calls after 8 pm almost nightly. Not sure who it is as I dont awnser calls from people I dont know and if you dont leave a message.... well your just sol then
I got a call from them several times saying they were from Cox Cable and I had an outstanding bill. I have not had an account with Cox in more than 2 years so I knew something wasn't right. I contact Cox directly and they confirmed that I did not have any outstanding bills with them, they did not know who was contacting me or why.
When they call they are requried by law to give you their name, name of company, address and phone number, if they do not give you this at the beginning of your call, they are in violation. It doesn't matter who they are talking to, to give you this information. Write it down along with the number that showed up on your caller ID, the date and time.
If you are getting called in regards to a bill you do not owe, you can't stop by just calling the company and go by word that "You don't owe us any money" or "Ignore them" you must ask them to send you something in writing last bill amount, last payment made and remaining balance. From that point you must make a copy and send them a letter stating you are requesting this debt to be taken off your credit report and have them send you a letter stating the account has been closed.
For the statute of limitations, get an attorney and allow him/her to handle it. Debts can be bought out over and over again by institutions keeping that bill active, while drawing interest at the same time. If you have a letter stating a bill has be written off, don't ever throw it away! If you have settled a debt, keep copy of the settlement letter!
Many times bills will accidentally slip through to a collection agency due to a computer glitch in the system, bill collectors only do their job, but they have to do it right.
If you owe a medical bill, send in $1 - $5 a month, you are making an effort to pay opposed to not paying anything at all. They can't call you if you are making some kind of payment every month.
As for the others who are getting calls for people who no longer live there or have a persons old number, again get the name of the rep who is calling you, name of company, address and phone number, send them a "Cease and Desist" letter, send it certified so that you get confirmation they did receive the letter. If they call again, answer the phone get name of rep, (caller ID will tell you who it is) tell the you sent in a "Cease and Desist" letter on ____ date and received confirmation they rec on ____ date and now you are going to turn them in for harrassment.
Ask for mailing address. Send certified letter telling them to stop calling. As long as you're not the person they are looking for. If you are person tell tehm in cert. letter tell them you only want to be conntacted by mail.