Scam Concern

[J&DK08]

A collection agency (don't recall the name at the moment, once I have it I'll edit the post) has recently started calling for my wife. The information they have given me over the phone has me thinking that something isn't right. First they have my wife's maiden name, we've been married for 7 yrs. Next is the address they have is almost 5yrs old and they haven't given me the whole address (missing the apt number). So if you did the math my wife never lived at the address they have under her maiden name. Finally, our phone number (the one they are calling) wasn't at the old address nor has it been listed with my wife's maiden name.

The debt they are calling about isn't on her credit reports and the spotty information has me concerned that it is some kind of scam. When I ask to see something in writing they ask for our address, which I told them I don't feel comfortable giving out. I have told them that if it is a legit debt they would have or be able to get our address. They simply say that it is legit and they can't send us anything without our current address. To which I tell them if "I started giving my address to everyone that called me, anyone could say we owe them whatever."

We aren't trying to be difficult and would pay if it sounded at all familiar or the company sounded more professional (you can hear people yelling and joking and music in the background on every call) and could verify the debt. With a phone number and $9.95 and the internet you can get alot of information about people, so for this company not to have all the blanks filled in worries me. So do I have to give them our address? Any feedback, questions, or advice would be appreciated.

[GettingBetter]

Don't give them any of your personal information. If their information is that screwed up, and you can't find anything about them on your credit report, tell them to bug off! What's the worst they can do? Try to serve you papers at the wrong address? They don't even have the apartment number:D. If you can figure out who they are and where they are located you can always send the a C&D letter and that might take care of it also. Good luck!

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by GettingBetter

Don't give them any of your personal information. If their information is that screwed up, and you can't find anything about them on your credit report, tell them to bug off! What's the worst they can do? Try to serve you papers at the wrong address? They don't even have the apartment number:D. If you can figure out who they are and where they are located you can always send the a C&D letter and that might take care of it also. Good luck!

This is how they operate send to an address that is not current then file in court of course you don't show up dispute the information and ask for signed written contract on offical letter head with statement of payment's if they can furnish tell them to go away.with that type of info i don't think they can file

[chane]

Send them a DV letter and if they can't validate it, send them a cease and desist letter. If it shows up on your credit report dispute it immediately.

If it doesn't come off your credit report, sue the hell out of them.

[JPolito830]

I think these companies are smart enough to not let stay on your report...but again, just sue them if it does

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by JPolito830

I think these companies are smart enough to not let stay on your report...but again, just sue them if it does

Some times they take it off then the next quarter they put it back on in hopes you don't check your reports,that's why you have to stay on top they think were stupid.