conversation: User (The-PageMaster): "I owed a bank less then $500 for an old checking account. It went to collections for several years. I was finally able to pay it off and I did just that in 2014. I remember it took me a few phone calls to find out who actually owned the debt. Anyway I paid it off and thought that I received a paid in full letter. I cant find one so I may never have even gotten one. \n\nA couple months ago I get a call asking if I am going to be home to receive some papers being served to me. He ended up giving me a number to call. I called it and spoke with a woman who asked if I had anyway to  prove I paid this debt. I told her I didn't other then a charge on my statement showing the amount paid to a collections company. She asked me to email that info to her which I did. Nothing personally identifying except some numbers that might be a reference number for the collections company. After that I didn't hear from her again. That was about a month ago. After I sent the email to her I called the collections company I paid, they told me the record was sealed due to age and they couldn't release any of the information.\n\nA month passes and just ten minutes ago I get a call from a different woman pretty much saying the same thing, "File came across my desk, if you can not prove you paid the debt then by our records you still owe it" She said she would give me seven days to look for a paid in full letter and then call me again.\n\nI do not know if this is a legitimate scenario or a scam. \n\nAny advice one way or the other would be sincerely appreciated. \n\n\nEdit 1-17-2018\nThanks so much for all the input. Once I get a chance I will take some time to read what everyone has said."
  Self: "I'd tell them to pound sand. Tell them you'd like a Debt validation letter.\n\n\nNote: This is only a sample. It is not a fill-in-the-blank form letter. Do not copy this letter exactly. Instead, the letter should be customized to your situation.\n\nTo Whom It May Concern:\n\nThis letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on (Date) or in response to a listing on my credit report (Choose Which Sentence Best Represents Your Situation). Be advised this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (8), stating your claim is disputed and validation is requested.\n\nThis is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above-named Title and Section. I respectfully request your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.\n\nAt this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent, I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you and your client for the following:\n\nViolation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act\nViolation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act\nDefamation of Character\n\nIf your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information, during which time all collection activity must cease and desist. Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit.\n\nThis includes any listing of any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated. If your office fails to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.\n\n(OPTIONAL CEASE &amp; DESIST) I would also like to request, in writing, that no further telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices continue to attempt telephone communication with me it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter.\n\nIt would be advisable that you and your client assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action.\n\nBest Regards,\n\nYour Name\n\nCREDITOR/DEBT COLLECTOR DECLARATION\n\nPlease provide all of the following information and submit the appropriate forms and paperwork within 30 days from the date of your receipt of this request for validation.\n\nName and Address of Alleged Creditor:\n\n______________________________________________________\n\nName on File of Alleged Debtor:\n\n_____________________________________________________________\n\nAlleged Account #:\n\n_____________________________________________________________\n\nAddress on File for Alleged Debtor:\n\n____________________________________________________________\n\nAmount of alleged debt:\n\n_____________________________________________________________\n\nDate that this alleged debt became payable:\n\n_____________________________________________________\n\nDate of original charge off or delinquency:\n\n___________________________________________________\n\nWas this debt assigned to debt collector or purchased?\n\n____________________________________________\n\nAmount paid if debt was purchased:\n\n___________________________________________________________\n\nCommission for debt collector if collection efforts are successful:\n\n____________________________________\n\nPlease attach a copy of the agreement with your client that grants (Collection Agency Name) the authority to collect this alleged debt.\nAlso, please attach a copy of any signed agreement debtor has made with debt collector, or other verifiable proof debtor has a contractual obligation to pay debt collector.\n\nPlease attach a copy of any agreement that bears the signature of debtor, wherein he/she agreed to pay creditor.\n\nPlease attach copies of all statements while this account was open.\n\nHave any insurance claims been made by any creditor regarding this account? YES or NO    (circle one)\n\nHave any judgments been obtained by any creditor regarding this account? YES or NO    (circle one)\n\nPlease provide the name and address of the bonding agent for (Name Of Debt Collector), in case legal action becomes necessary:\n\n______________________________\n\n______________________________\n\n______________________________\n\nAuthorized Signature For Creditor\n\n______________________________\n\nDate\n\nYou must return this completed form along with copies of all requested information, assignments or other transfer agreements, which would establish your right to collect this alleged debt within 30 days from the date of your receipt of this letter.\n\nYour claim cannot and WILL NOT be considered if any portion of this form is not completed and returned with copies of all requested documents. This is a request for validation made pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Please allow 30 days for processing after I receive this information back."
  anon_girl_anon (anon_girl_anon): "I've never needed anything like this but I'm saving this post on case I ever do in the future. This is great!"
  