Got a letter in the mail today from Simple Recovery Solutions saying that we owe a little over $400 that has been assigned for collections. Says the original provider is "Card services". Company is based out of Florida. Gives no other information about it. 800 # listed. Called it and it was an automated deal saying i should leave my name and number and someone would get back in touch with me.

I have no idea what this is about. This the first I have heard of anything like this at all. No actual company has tried to contact me and collect any past debt.

Surely this is some scam trying to get me to pay money I do not really owe.

Yes?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Yes. I would have not even called the number. If they can't identify the exact debt,it's a phishing scam.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

According to the FDCPA you can demand proof of any debt owed, and if its not provided, they cannot attempt to collect the debt.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

is the best way to do this on the phone or via mail?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Certified mail.
Also, advise that any further attempts to collect a debt must not be by telephone. Give zero personal information. That dunning letter said any information obtained can be used to collect that "debt". If they cannot provide you the original creditor, regardless of how many times the debt has been purchased they cannot attempt to collect it and that includes any credit bureau reporting.
If they do not conform to the rules of the FDCPA, you can file a claim against them that will get you paid.
Google FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and use it to your advantage. Powerful tool. Almost destroyed the collection industry and the only reason it did not is because no one knows anything about it really.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

RFDC, that 400 bucks might be on an item you purchased with 0% financing that wasn't paid off yet. The credit card companies best scam. You suddenly get hit with a 20-30% on the original loan.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Oh, I'd be remiss if I didn't say yes this is a scam and don't call me Shirley.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Hmm. We had some credit card debt. Last winter we took out a personal loan through Wells Fargo and paid off all the debt and have just the one loan that has a pretty good interest rate. we make one payment a month on it. Been doing this for over a year. Other than our house mortgage that is the only debt we have right now.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

THanks man. So I sent them a certified letter saying I want proof of the debt? That is all? Just wait and see what happens from that point?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Yes. They must give you the name and address of the original creditor and cease any attempts to collect a debt until this has been satisfied.
You should at the same time dispute the debt, claim that you do not owe it, and demand verification of the debt. This will cause plenty of running around on their part. If they contact you before providing this hard to get information, you are entitled to collect a penalty of $1000.

And yeah, I used to be a debt collector when I was home from College.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Thanks, I appreciate it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

What will likely happen after I send them this letter?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Did this letter happen to come from Wisconsin?

Nah Florida

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Well the next communication by law as I understand it can only be verification of the debt and the contact information of the original creditor.
The cannot attempt to collect this debt by phone or mail until that information has been delivered. Doing so is a violation of the FDCPA. So if it's a real thing I'd expect that they'll send you something verifying whom you owed this to.
Now something I collected on that always surprised people... they'd offer these cards to people, $400 limits say, and they'd come with a "credit building kit" that cost interestingly enough somewhere around ... $350. Don't forget the startup fee of $50 and the overlimit fee that comes along with it.
Now this was back in the 90's... I don't know if that shit still flies but I've seen it.

Consider if someone co-signed you to a loan without your knowledge. It happens. Kids... fucking parents do this shit to their kids all the time.
It's also possible that you've been a victim of identity theft. THis is usually how people find out.

I don't know what happened here... just thinking out loud silently by type.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

you can make some good money if you hire a good attorney.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Go on....

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Thats it, do some homework. Very strict laws about collections. No matter who tries to collect....even Moose or Rocko.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

RFDC, read the FDCPA. I'ts probably all of 13 pages. Shittin readin, savvy? If they violate any of the provisions, you can collect $1000 per violation. That's what bigfan is going on.
Assuming that this is a valid collection agency.
Get your interwebs detective hat on.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Pretty much all debt collection is a scam, even if the debt is legitimate. The laws that are broken in attempting to collect are usually more egregious than the debt itself.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Designed and built out a debt collection agency. We built just enough space to fit a 48 inch desk, chair, phone, computer. I think it was like a 4 x 6 or less space for each collector. Density is what that business is all about.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

And cousin, business is a boomin.

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

You see, my dear, all certified mail is registered...but registered mail is not necessarily certified.

_________________

I found this form on line. I mailed a letter like this to them today certified.

DATE_________________________


To: Debt collector_______________________
Attn: Customer service
Address_______________________________
City, state, ZIP_________________________


RE:
Your name____________________________
Address______________________________
City, state, ZIP_________________________

Account #_____________________________

To whom it may concern:

This is a written request for validation of the debt referred to in your recent letter. The Federal Trade Commission, in 15 U.SC. 1692g, requires that debt collectors cease collection of a debt until verification of that debt is mailed to consumers.

Please provide this information in writing via U.S. mail at the address listed above.


Sincerely,



Name___________________________

Print name_______________________

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

pay your debt, deadbeat

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Big Doug!

Got a reply letter from company today. Says they have noted our account as "Cease Communication" as they continue the dispute process. Our account will not be reported to any Credit agency and they will be investigating the validity of the file, and they will contact us if there is anything else we need to do.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

FDCPA REPRESENT!

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Thanks for your help.

What happens now?

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

You find out if you really owe the debt.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014