Palisades calling again!

[mullie]

Hi all! I have an account in collections. This account was written off and transferred to a Palisades CA. I haven't paid anything on this account since July 2001. I was with a debt consolidation company but this account was never settled. My only contact with them was a validation of debt letter I sent to them in Jan 2005. My Experian CR account history for this account shows following:

30 days past due as of Aug 2001
60 days past due as of Oct 2001
90............................Nov 2001
120..........................Dec 2001
150..........................Jan 2002
180..........................Dec 2003 to Nov 2005, Feb 2002
Charge off as of Dec 2005, Feb 2002

My questions are:
1. Why is there a range of dates on the 180 days past due?
2. Why are their 2 charge off dates?
3. When does the statute of limitations clock start on this account?
4. What should I do with Palisades? Dispute? Use SOL? Hire a lawyer?

Any info will be much appreciated. Thank you!

mullie

[Trish]

That is just the way the company's can report it (30,60,90 and 180 day lates).....It is showing that you were consistently late for 6 months back to back.

EX just reports it that way, not sure why.......it's not really 2 charge off dates......it just will update to show the status is still a charge off (the OC will usually update this every month)

This account is WAY out of SOL. For reporting and for collecting.
The SOL date starts on the first 30 day late month..... so that being Aug 2001......this account is 8 years old.

Palisades is very obviously a junk debt buyer and a bottom feeder. They bought that VERY OLD account for pennies on the dollar and are hoping to find a stupid consumer and get them to pay.

If this is on your CRs, dispute it as obsolete/too old to be on file.
You can send Palisades a FOAD letter
Tell them they are attempting to collect on a time barred debt and if they don't cease ALL collection activity immediately that you will file complaints with the proper authorities. That oughta shut em up.

[Trish]

Here ya go...
I just posted this sample letter - you can modify it fit your situation.....it will get the point across.

Validation Letters

[mullie]

Thank you for the quick response and for the info Trish. Heres the thing. The CA did not mail me anything for years, they just started calling for me again. (although thats not my phone number anymore, they are calling my brother who moved into my old home) My brother hasn't spoken to anyone at the CA as their calls have been a recorded message asking me to call them back and reference a case#.

Should I call them? or wait till they send me something in writing?

Thanks again!

mullie

[Trish]

If you know the Palisades file/acct #, you can just google their address and send them the FOAD letter referencing the acct.

If you are not sure of the acct #, you can call them BUT.....DO NOT under any circumstances give them ANY of your personal info. Never give them your social. They should be able to find you by your name.
If you are going to call them, just let them know that you got the message and was wondering what it was regarding. Ask them for an acct # and the original creditor.... (you can even ask when the debt is from but trust me.....you don't want to get into an argument about SOL over the phone - it's pointless with these guys).
They will most likely want you to pay something over the phone.......but just say no thank you, I will take care of this by US mail.......where can I send the payment to? And get their address. Just remember to stay calm and not give out any info.

[TonyPyke]

mullie,

I just wanted to emphasize what Trish said about not releasing any personal information about you and to follow her instructions EXACTLY!

If you give them information, they will be able to update their database and use that to report to the CRAs, making it even more of a nightmare for you.

As Trish said, simply state you are returning their call and will settle the situation via mail, you just need the account # and address.

If they say something like..."Sir, I have to verify privacy with you before I can give you the account #"...don't fall for it. Complanies allow you to make payments on any of their customer's accounts and you don't have to verify information. It's just a loss prevention tactic that they use.

Let us know what the results are...I'm curious to know. Good luck!

[mullie]

Thank you so much for the info Trish and Tony. The account# you are talking about is that the case# they (Palisades CA) are referencing or the credit card account#?

Also Palisades phone calls are just pre-recorded messages asking me to call them back, never a live person. They also haven't sent me a letter in the mail, so I don't even know if they have my address? Is this their usual tactic? Just to call?

My dilemma is should I initiate the contact by calling them back (even though they've been calling the wrong # (my brothers house) or just wait until they mail me something?

Thanks,
mullie

[Trish]

The file number would be the reference number or acct # Palisades assigned to the debt..... not the cc#.

If they haven't mailed you anything yet, they probably don't have your present addy.
I would just call them up and act dumb about the debt.......then ask where you can mail payment to.......then send them the letter.