Help with Collection Agency?

[jcf2403]

Here's my problem. Last March I requested my experian credit report and i noticed that there was a collection account for $1400. I called the collection agency and was able to find out that the account was in regards to a vehicle that was towed and stored at a towing yard.

Apparently they put it on my report because i was the last registered owner. I had no knowledge of this vehicle so i started to gather some info and was able to determine that it belonged to my dad. We share the same name and address. The DMV was useless in proving i wasnt the owner because in California all you need to register a car is a name and address. Seeing as how my dad and i share the same name and address there is no way to distinguish who it belongs too.

I called the CA back and notified them that the account belonged to my dad and asked to have it removed. I was unsuccessful in having it removed and they basically told me to take it up with Experian. I sent in a dispute letter to experian and was unsuccesful in having it removed because they "verified" that the info was correct.

1) Seeing as how they only have a name and address to go by, how do they know that it belongs to me and not my father?

2) How much would a validation of debt help me out here?

[CreditCrisis]

hmmm i dont know if this would help or not, but if your dad is willing, maybe you could get him to send a letter in with his ssn stating that the account belong to only him?

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by CreditCrisis

hmmm i dont know if this would help or not, but if your dad is willing, maybe you could get him to send a letter in with his ssn stating that the account belong to only him?

Try a letter from him and have it notarized.Send the ca a demand to produce their papers to prove you owe this.In fact if your sure of your case send a c&d letter,or a foad letter.

[jcf2403]

I have already sent a letter signed by my dad explaining the situation and accepting responsibilty for the account, except it wasnt notarized. i also sent in a copy of his ID and SSN, but it didnt work. Maybe because it wasn't notarized? When i called a few weeks after to follow up thats when they basically told me to take it up with the CRA's.

Their explanation for putting it on my report was that when they sent in the name and address to the CRA I came back as a match.

One thing i dont understand is after i sent in the letter to the CA i also sent the Same letter to Experian and Transunion. Transunion removed the account from my report but Experian didnt. How can one repoting agency remove it and another leave it on?

Should i ask for debt validation and go from there?

[jjgross]

Originally Posted by jcf2403

I have already sent a letter signed by my dad explaining the situation and accepting responsibilty for the account, except it wasnt notarized. i also sent in a copy of his ID and SSN, but it didnt work. Maybe because it wasn't notarized? When i called a few weeks after to follow up thats when they basically told me to take it up with the CRA's.

Their explanation for putting it on my report was that when they sent in the name and address to the CRA I came back as a match.

One thing i dont understand is after i sent in the letter to the CA i also sent the Same letter to Experian and Transunion. Transunion removed the account from my report but Experian didnt. How can one repoting agency remove it and another leave it on?

Should i ask for debt validation and go from there?

Because ex are jerks.Remember to remind the ca that the laws are very clear on reporting that they have to report 100% accurate as possible.Now they have a letter which wasn't notarized should that be enough.If you compare to what they report yes.However common sense now tells us,even though their info is hearsay it's good enough for the cra's.But you word isn't without a witness.Now is the time to demand deletion as provided by federal and state laws,or you have no resort but to file in federal court.Send both ca and cra copies.