Like so many other people here, I have never had an AT&T wireless account in my life, and yet I received a debt collection notice from Palisades Collection, LLC in association with FMS Services, for the past due amount of $86.15. What?! Puzzling I thought.
So my first course of action was to call AT&T who confirmed that I had in fact never had an account with them, and they told me to take it up with the collection agency. Smelling a rat, I searched the internet and that's when the horror became clear... This company is extorting people! And getting away with it!
Sure enough, the debt is recorded on my credit report. I have disputed the claim with Experian and TransUnion, but Equifax does not show the ding, for whatever reason. The two agencies are supposedly in the process of doing their homework on the matter.
Thanks to the amazing wealth of information that is available via the internet, I know not to call Palisades directly. I have sent them a very lovely letter (which I found a great example of on this website, thank you very much) requesting validation of the debt. They have 30 days to respond or to erase the mark from my credit history.
By the way, as I understand it, it is illegal for them to report the debt to the credit agencies without allowing 30 days for a response from me. It is also illegal for them to not include my rights on the letter they sent, informing me of my right to ask for validation, etc.
I am sending a copy to AT&T so they know what is happening in their name. If Experian and TransUnion don't do their homework and remove the report, I will send them a copy of the letter as well.
Pending the outcome of the letter to Palisades, I will inform the FTC and my state's Attorney General about this very widespread illegal activity (that I know they are well aware of and do nothing about).
I expect that the letter I send to Palisades will make them give it up and remove the mark on my credit reports and I will never hear from them again. That is what SHOULD happen. If anything outside of this happens, I intend to find a lawyer and sue them. And potentially Experian and TransUnion as well.
I urge anyone in a similar situation to hold your ground with these crooks. Do not pay them. Do not call them. DO not give them any additional personal info that is not on the letter they sent you. Sue if it comes to that. Many lawyers will only charge if you win the case.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. I can't imagine how I would know how to go about all this without your input.
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