First off, let me say that I pull my credit report everyday since January of this year after I discovered a number of fallacies in it in fall of 2006.in doing so I am able to dispute incorrect information in my credit report. Here is the long and short of it:
May: Opened account with them for a car loan and car was voluntarily turned over to them. Assured that my balance owed would be zero due to the circumstances.
Sep. 2005: After pulling my credit report there is a collection account reporting from Centrix in the amount of $1495. Sent off letter to them and never heard back.
Jan. 2006: Pulled my credit report again and noticed Centrix is still reporting for the same amount of $1495. Filed a dispute immediately with all three credit reporting agencies (CRA).
Feb. 2006: All three CRAs report back that the debt has been verified by the creditor at $1495. Received a letter from them that the "pay-off" amount was $1495. I disagreed but I decide to let this fly for the time being.
June: I dispute the same account with the CRAs again. TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax verify the account with a balance of 10000,1495, and 0 in that order. I contact TransUnion and they state that the creditor (Centrix) reported back with that number. I immediately dispute again.
JULY - Here's the run down for today, 18 July:
9:32AM: I contact Centrix directly. The first operator that I talk to tells me the account has been transferred to a third party collection agency (CA). I ask what the amount is on the account, and she says that she does not know — it's not in the file! I request the number of the CA and am given 888-372-3872. (I just called that number before filing this report and it is to Verizon Sales in case anyone wanted to know...) I explain that the party reporting the information is Centrix themselves and not some third party. I ask how they had verified — albeit wrongly in my opinion — the account for three years at $1495 and in one day it jumped to over $10k? I'm placed on hold.
10:01AM: A supervisor comes on the line. She immediately asks for my SSN, name, and adress. When she asks for my home number and office phone I refuse to give it to her. She retorts, "Well, if you won't give me that, I won't give you information." We verbally spar, and I give her an old disconnected number. She checks it comes back on the line with, "That's not even a valid number." I explain the situation to her as I have done so here. She places me on hold TWICE for 22 minutes total. (It is 10:39 at this point.) She comes back on and says they found the account information and the balance owed is in fact — GUESS WHAT?!? — $10,000! I say how is it possible that they have reported the balance as $1495 for three years, and in one day it jumped to over $10,000. She says, "Well, you'll have to take it up with the credit bureaus. They must have made a mistake." I say, "So, you're telling me they made a mistake for THREE YEARS in a row and you guys confirmed the MISTAKE for the PAST SEVEN MONTHS!" She acidly replies, "Look sir, that is the amount owed." I state that I will be contacting my state attorney general. (It's 10:47 at this point.) I end the call.
11:03AM: I call them back in hopes of getting a different supervisor. At first another regular "collection agent" says they cannot give me any information, then she puts me on hold, come back on and says that it was transferred to a 3rd party. I say, "Look, I am not saying this account is mine, but you guys have reported bogus information on my consumer credit file. I am simply trying to reach a resolution to this matter." She states, "Well, sir the amount owed..." and then abruptly says, "Hold on sir." (On hold again...) Another lady answers the phone and identifies herself as Lillian. She states that "The amount due on the account is $10,000." I ask, AGAIN, "How can this be the case when you guys sent me a letter in February that the balance was $1495 and then you confirmed as much that same time. Furthermore, you also reported to the other two credit bureaus that the balance was $1495 in June the same time you claim to have reported $10 to TransUnion." She says, "Well, it was a mistake, you can't fault us for making a mistake, and in your heart you know you owe the debt." I say, "Ma'am, first off — don't put words in my mouth. I don't owe any such debt, and you arer in direct violation of both FCRA and FDCPA." She says, "I don't have time for this..." I say, "So, you're telling me that the balance is $10,067 and that there has been an error in reporting all this time?" She says, "Sir, don't YOU put words in MY mouth." I retort tersely, "I'm not putting words in your mouth, I'm asking a damn question." I then end the call...
We'll see where this will lead, but I feel that people should know about these guys and beware.
Joel
Lawton, Oklahoma
U.S.A.
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