Question:
Let's say a debt has been referred to a collection agency by a telco. In
this case, let's pick GTE, since they are sooo coool.
This collection agency harasses the person that supposedly owes. This
debt was never incurred by this person. A person (phreaker?) set up telco
service using this person's name and social security number.
This person that is being wrongly accused of this debt has explained the
situation to the telco, AND the collection agency. This has done NO GOOD.
What can a person do in this situation? Is there some sort of legal
action that the hapless victim can take to get the collection agency off
her back, and clear her credit record?
The most important part of this is to clear her credit record. Can any of
the "credit experienced" lend a hand? How do you get "shit" off your
credit record. Sure makes buying a car easier and less expensive.
Answer:
Q: This collection agency harasses the person that supposedly...
...wrongly accused... What can a person do in this situation?
A: Get the credit FAQ from misc.consumers. In brief, inform the credit
agency that the matter is in dispute, and also inform them that you
want them to stop calling and that further contact will be referred
to your lawyer. Make records of the times called and what you/she
says in regard to calling off the wolves. You/she can file a harrasment
suit if they persist. Send a dispute letter to the telco, ask the
collection agency for their address, and send them a letter too.
Don't speculate about what happened that caused the charge, just state
that the charge is not yours/hers, and you would like it removed from
your/her account. If it makes you feel better, tell them that you
suspect fraud. Nothing more.
Q: ...and clear her credit record?
A: Simple, read the above FAQ. Get one copy of the credit report from each
of the three agencies, they are pretty helpful, and if you ask about
information on correcting bad credit ratings, they will give you info.
The jist of it is send letters to the credit agency disputing the credit
line items of concern. The letters get filed with the report, also there
is a way to dispute the line items so that they expire off of the report
faster. It has to do with the creditor not re-reporting credit, and if
a unanswered dispute from you is filed. Get the FAQ, it's pretty awesome.
