I recieved a message on my cell phone from a man claiming to be an attorney representing Bank of America. The message stated that if I cared about the past, because the past effects the future, then I would call him immediatley. He also stated that he had left many messages and that I failed to respond to them.
I called the man back, his name is Robert Ivory. He informed me that I had n unpaid credit card for Bank of America. I was very confused because I've never had a credit card, however, I did have a bank account with them in 1997. I explained to him that over the past 4 years I have been working very hard to rebuild my credit and that this information was not on my credit report.
He had an answer for everything! He stated that even after a debt goes off the credit report, the origional debtor (i.E. The bank) has the right by law to collect the debt. He stated there are no statues of limitations. He asked me alot of questions. The questions led to me thinking that my ex - husdband may have took the card out in my name.
Mr. Robert Ivory, transferred me to a man named Don Bauer, lead Fraud Investigator for the company. We talked about the possibility of fraud and he discussed with me my options by law to claim that this was fraud. He said that if I were to have disputted this debt when the debt was on my credit report, that the process would have been to simply sign a document and I would not have been responsible for the debt.
However, because I waited until now to dispute it, my only alternative would be to go to court and that process would cost me around $10,000.00 in total because the courts would need to see a handwritting expert. My head was swimming. I was so heartbroken because there is alot of pain surrounding my marraige. He asked me to hold. After a few minutes, Mr. Ivory answered the phone and said that Mr. Bauer was willing to state that this was fraud and they could settle the origional debt of $36,000. Oo for $1,300.00.
Being so very naive and clueless to the fraud epidemic, I agreed. I felt actually thankfull to them for bing so gracious and understanding. Mr. Ivory then transferred me to the office manager named Craig wilshire. He took post dated checks, my bank info and even my Social Security number. What a fool I have been. I am reporting this to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, affialiates of the FBI.
Any one in the same boat should report these scumbags. They are good at fishing for info. I looked ARA inc. Up and reports stopped in July. They let time pass so people forgot about them and they are trying to perfect their crime.
Make a report at www.IC3. Gov
0 comments