I received a letter from Midland stating they recently purchased my old CITIBANK USA account and as the "new" servicer of my account they would like to find a positive solution to my predicament. They are going to offer me a 25% discount from the balance owed originally, (oh boy 25% off) as long as they receive it within 30 days. They also declare they are going to provide the following courtesies to me for doing so. #1) Notify the credit bureaus that the debt is "Paid in full" #2) Immediately stop all recovery activity on this account (what nice people... Wait, isn't that required by law?)
I order my "free" credit report at the beginning of each year from the Big 3, Esperian, Equifax and Transunion so I can go over and dispute anything that looks suspicious or may be possible identity theft, which has become very rampant within my state during the last few years. Although at this writing I am still awaiting this year's reports but at best can state that I have never received anything regarding a Citibank USA account being in arrears since 1987 when I began acquiring my reports. So I begin wandering if this is a fraudulent attempt to collect on a non-existent debt. Calling the 800 number would be a waste of time, so I sent a letter to the NCRA (National Credit Reporting Association, Inc) and looked for remedies at the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act).
My best course of action is to send a certified, return receipt requested to MCM, dated with their mailing address atop a Re: (file #/acct#) amount of debt claimed and begin my letter: Greetings, I am writing to give you notice under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act that I dispute the above-referenced debt and request that you verify it. I also request that you provide me with the name and address of the original creditor along with copies of all documents which pertain to the above-referenced account and alledged debt. This letter will also serve as a reminder that you must cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until you obtain verification of the debt and the name and address of the original creditor and mail that information to me. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely, (Your name and signature). I hope this helps others that have come across the same thing in their mail. Also, if any legal firms would like to begin a class action suit against these individuals that make their living by fraudulent schemes, count me in.
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