There are a lot of unscrupulous collection agencies out there who will do everything they can to intimidate people into sending them money. This particular company has purchased bad debt from FNMB which issued the Newport News credit card (formerly Avon fashions) about ten years ago. FNMB became insolvent years ago, which meant that people couldn't even call them to straighten out a dispute.in my instance, I had paid off what was shown as the full balance on the last statement, since the card had been stolen and I closed the account.
What I didn't know was that they tacked on service charges from the day I closed the account to the end of the billing cycle. I moved across the country and the new bill if there was one, was never forwarded. Now seven or eight years later, I'm getting letters and phone calls saying I owe "thousands" but they'd be willing to "settle" for various amounts all around a thousand dollars.
I'm not paying a cent. Now, if FNMB was still around, I'd pay them that service charge amount under two dollars, but not a penny more.
In the case of the person who thinks this may be their debt, they may want to try contacting the actual creditor to find out information. If they say that it's been referred to a collection agency, tell them that you don't care, since you will pay them directly and let THEM settle up with the agency. IF, however, the original creditor is out of business, the law restricts the collection of this kind of debt.
Your better bet would be to send them a Cease and Desist letter demanding that they stop contacting you. Advise them to pursue you legally if they think they have a case against you (this will NEVER happen, since there is always something fishy behind these "debts" like excess interest compounded against the balance), but short of that, NEVER contact you again.By law, they can only respond in writing one more time, advising you of the action or lack of action they intend to take. If they do call, they violate the Fair Debts Practices Act and your next step is to report the company to the Attorney General's office in the state they are located in.
Send your letters registered mail so you have proof of receipt. Also copy your attorney at the bottom. That should be the end of that.
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