Yep, although you might wanna make sure and wait for another member to confirm it as I am on the fence. Better yet, why don't you ask the Lending Tree guys because they can assist you better...

I'm still a newbie, so anyone with more experience jump right in and tell me if I'm wrong..

First, you need to figure out what the SOL (statute of limitations) is for your state. If it isn't past the SOL, then you can wake up sleeping giants..

Have you read the top 3 posts? If not, then that is the best place to start. They will give you lots of information that you will need to be informed and educated..

Good luck and welcome to the board...

Try to find out if the bills were sold or assigned to collections. if they were assigned you can work with the original creditor and maybe work out a deal where when you pay them in full they remove the collection accounts. try this sappy letter for starters..

Feel free to add more sap as your situation warrants..

It worked for me on a $221 hospital bill..

Doctors name.

123 anywhere rd.

Abu dhabi, ak 99999.

RE: Account # xxxxxxxxxxx.

Dear doctors name:.

I am writing to request assistance in correcting erroneous information pertaining to my account xxxxxxxxxxx shown on my credit report..

I was involved in a nasty divorce in (whatever year the bills were from) that necessitated leaving my home and moving elsewhere. At that time I was unable to return home and my wife/husband at the time was supposedly taking care of the bills. Well for whatever reason, with changes to my address and marital status, perhaps any billings that were sent concerning unpaid accounts, missed me..

While trying to rebuild my life, I discovered these accounts such as yours that were never settled. I am trying to correct my credit after going through this set back by trying to settle these accounts, and doing the best I can..

I am concerned about the negative information now on my credit file. I am advised this negative information you have placed on my files could remain in my credit reports for 7 years after payment is made. However, I have the right to remove any information from this credit report through the suppliers of information, that being you..

I am requesting, because of my situation, a simple letter or fax confirming that you will remove from collections and delete the account from my Credit Bureau files when paid in full. I apologize in advance because I know this is an inconvenience you should not be burdened with it, but my priorities now are to take care of those companies that are willing to work with me first and deal with the rest later. I wish to resolve this matter as quickly as possible by remitting payment in full, if of course the above conditions are met. Thank you in advance for your attention to this unfortunate situation..

Sincerely,.

Xxxxxxxx.

Xxxxxxxxxxx.

Xxxxxxxx, xx xxxxx..

Hunzi.

Is the CA actively pursueing collection? If yes, then you want to validate each debt with them. (there is an appropiate letter in the sample letters area). They have to be able to prove that they have the right to collect on the debt. This will also help you to verify for yourself that you actually owe the money. If they can properly and successfully validate the debts (again they must validate each one seperately), then you can see about working out a payment for deletion agreement with them. This agreement must be in writing and signed by someone with the authority to do so..

Good luck to you and I hope this helps you some..

Fla-tan..

Well, they have never called me or sent me a letter. I don't know if they are really mine or not. They could be, there was a period when I had no health insurance. What type of validation letter should I use. I have looked thru a couple in the sample letter catagory and they don't really address medical bills and collection agencys. Should I send them 7 different letters or just include all the account numbers in one letter.

But now I do believe they will start collection on me now because I have disputed the accounts 2 times already with each credit bureau...

They just called me. A nasty collector told me to pay my medical bills. Also told me it's because of people like me our nations hospital rates are so high. Get this....... He told me his grandmother died because of my actions. She could not afford to go to the hospital because the rates are so high because of bad medical bill debtors like me..

I told him I wanted validation of the debts, he said he sent me a letter and thats all he is required to do by law. Said pay the bill or else be sued for much more plus costs etc .....

I hung up on him. I really need a good validation letter, please post it here for me. I need help in the worst way.............

Even though I know the general idea on this board is not to speak with collectors, I think you should just call the company up and find out what the accounts are for. They'll most likely be able to tell you everything you would need to know to figure out if they are your accounts or not. Here's a tip, tell the collector that you are calling on someone's behalf and that you have written authorization to speak for your client. They won't be hostile with you if they think you are just another professional doing his job. I know for a fact that this works. When I call collectors for my clients, I am always treated with respect.



Think about folks ... it makes sense .....

I wouldn't call them. If you talk on the phone it becomes "he said, she said". get and do everything in writing. My advice...send a letter requesting complete validation. You can find sample letters in the FAQs link at the top. Do not use them word for word though. Make them fit your situation without losing the meaning...

It doesnt become 'he said, she said' if you simply call to see what the accounts are for. Just tell them that you are an authorized third-party just calling to see what the accounts were for. Dont dispute them, dont offer to settle, dont do anything but find out who assigned the debt to the ca. I deal with these companies everyday. Lending Tree credit repair isnt a hobby of mine, it is part of my job..

Just call and say:.

"Hi, Im <insert fake name here> calling on behalf of <insert realname here>. If needed, I do have an authorization signed by <realname> that I can fax to you. Mr./Mrs. <reallastname> has an account listed on her efx/exp/tu credit report from <ca_name>. mr/mrs <lastname> does not recognize this account, nor does he/she have a clue wo would have turned this account over to <ca_name>. Can you give me an idea of what we're dealing with here?".

Dont try to talk like a lawyer to these people. Ive found that 90% of the time you are probably talking to some kid who has a job he doesnt like just so he can make end meet while he is in college. Honestly, I talked to a 4th year aeronautics engineering student that worked for NCO earlier this week. CAs get hateful with debtors because debtors get hateful with them. They dont get hateful with professional sounding third parties because we are just that, 'professional'..

I think alot of people here should really look at the way they deal with collectors and the bureaus. Try being polite and friendly and hold back on sending your silly cease and desist letters and threats of lawsuits..

Id better get off my soapbox before I fall .....

First of all, do not listen to anything odoyle says..

Second of all, the CA committed violations already. CA cannot be rude the way he was. The CA cannot threaten to sue you in order to make you pay unless they actually plan to do so..

Do not ever talk on the phone with them. It does become exactly "he said, she said" because neither side can prove what really transpired. But if you plan to tape record it, then you can do some phone convos..

Just go to sample letters sections and use one of those validation letters. Also make sure to read the first 3 post which are very educational. After that you will understand a lot more..

You should also send a letter telling the CA to only contact you by writing...

Im just telling you what a professional would do. As I tell every one of my clients, 'I cant tell you what to do. I can only give you my advice. However, I do think it is in your best interest to take my advice because this is what I do for a living.'..

And it's very obvious you do not know what you are talking about. You need to search through this board and just read and find out what really works. You also need to learn that CAs are rude, intimidating *******s because that is what works for them. They play on the guilt that most debtors have and they do not care about the debtors problems, situation or even whether the debt is even rightfully theirs. All they want is their money..

As for your comment about the silly letters like Cease & Desist, maybe you should learn that it is a legal right of the debtor. So is validation which does ask anything extraordinary..

You need to read the primers..

And odoyle, if in fact this is what you do for a living, then you are a professional at what you do. However, most people are not professionals at this, but are professionals in their own field of endeavor. For example I wouldn't say to everyone "this weekend, drive to the nearest mountain and set up a cellular communication system or go with me this weekend and set up this combat support hospital. For most people like myself, who is a professional in the truest sense, when talking on the phone with these scumbags...oops, I mean CAs (LOL) I just become irrate at the way they do business. The name calling and belittling people like they are some type of god or something. Who are they to call me in my home and act like they do.

If they do violate the law and they decide to sue you and they broke their word to you, how do you fight it? You can't. "He said, she said"..

Mecro, you need to understand something. I have read the 'primers' that you speak of. There are many helpful tips, but there are a few things that make no sense whatsoever. People like you dont understand that the kid at the ca who works your account is going to be a heck of a lot more helpful if you are friendly and calmly deal with him, than if you get all cocky and throw the fcra in everyone's face..

Im just trying to help someone out, not start a lamer war... Its just advice, take it or leave it; if you dont like what I say a simple, 'my opinion differs'will do, not 'dont listen to odoyle'. We both offer advice on how to handle the same situations, mine just differs from yours. No harm there...

Understand, we are all working for the same goal. Some of us just choose to follow a different path. I take a lot more pride knowing that I can get things done with my words, than I would if I was simply hiding behind the wording of the fcra...

ArmySarge6, I honestly appreciate what you posted. Its not really what you said, but how you said it. Cheers for being open-minded!..

I agree with Odoyle, if you simply want to get some information, call as a 3rd party, you would be surprised at how friendly they actually are. But that is just to get general information, any disputes do need to be done in writing. I have gotten a lot of settlements that included deletions that people were not able to get on their own, b/c the company is looking at it like 'well a professional is involved, and has already told me that they will advise their client not to pay if we don't delete.'..

Really? please share more!.

Ot- did you get my email?..

Yep, thanx Marc. What would you like to know exactly? I would be more than happy to share. BTW glad you are back!!!!1..