I checked my credit report yesterday and saw a collection that has been on there for several months from a company I didn't recognize. After furthur research, I realized that this collection originated from One Spirit Book Club and was sold to RJM. I haven't been a member of this book club in many years, and when I was, I paid my invoices and cancelled as a very happy customer, I had not had problems with them and I never received a bill for anything outstanding.
Now apparently I owe them 46.00 for some unknown item. I have no idea what it is, and I have never received a single bill from One Spirit or RJM. How can I correct a debt if they never bill me for it? They have ruined my credit and I don't even know if the charge is valid.
I emailed One Spirit and asked them for my old account number, an invoice for the item, and how they even came about my SS# since they don't request that information from members. They didn't answer the latter question, gave me my account number (which does not perfectly match the one listed on my credit report from RJM) They also said they had sold my account to RJM and could not help me. I would like proof that I owe anyone anything!
So far I have filed complaints with the BBB on both One Spirit and RJM. I figured One Spirit is the real problem if they aren't even billing the customers, they are waiting several years and then selling some old debt to a bill collector who is changing the dates and putting on the credit report. I asked them for their corporate information but haven't had a response yet.
I plan to file complaints on both with my Attorney General as well, and I am sending a certified letter demanding validation to RJM. I read somewhere else that they can keep doing it with other companies. Can we get together for a class action lawsuit against these guys? Another idea I had was, we should all write letters to our reps and senators and ask them to pass a bill that gives us protection from fraudulent credit reporting. Something like, the company has to prove to the credit bureau that it is valid, and then the bureau has to notify the consumer in writing BEFORE it is put on the report to give the consumer time to either pay or dispute it before it ruins our credit.
My husband and I have been working so hard to raise our credit because we plan to buy a house in the spring. Now this is really going to hurt my interest rate, and I am not about to lie down and take it, win or lose, I'm not giving in without a fight.
0 comments