This relates to certain illegal activity that is being performed by rjm on a nation wide basis. Essentially, rjm buys old debts and then reports the old debts (even if more than 7 years old) as a new debt to the credit reporting agency so as to "reset" the statue of limitations. What they are doing is illegal as it violates the fair credit reporting act which requires credit holders to report accurate information. What is of further concern is that rjm then misleads non informed consumers that the fraudulent information they are reporting to the credit agencies is legal when rjm clearly knows that it is not. The following is what is going on with me right now and hope it helps others. So — here's the story so far:
Recently, I was reviewing my credit report and rjm acquisitions popped on my report saying that I owed $99 for some unknown account opened in January. I then found out it was for direct tv. The only problem is that I dont have direct tv (and have never had it since i moved into my house 10 years ago) as I have always used regular cable. I first disputed the account with the credit agency; however, they would not remove it form my credit report. I then contacted rjm and informed the representative that I never had direct tv at which point he gave some old street where I had lived 10 years ago. The representative then told me that by confirming that I had lived there 10 years ago that this meant the bill was mine. I then asked for a copy of the final bill which was from direct tv to prove that the bill was mine as I was never informed of any outstanding balance from direct tv. He then said he could not provide a bill from direct tv. I then asked him what the date of this "final bill" was from direct tv and he informed me it was 2001. The problem is that in 2001 i did not live at this "old" address nor did i in 1999, or even most of 1998. He then said; well you did confirm you once lived there so it must be your bill. What is most concerning is that rjm reported this bill occurred in "2007" when in fact they knew this date was not true (even on the phone they said it went back to 2001; and i know that this bill must go back even before 2001).
I then asked the representative how they could knowingly report false information to the consumer credit bureau's. He then misleading said that it was because "rjm" acquired the debt which resets the starting of date of debt to the time rjm aquired the debt; which I guess means it reset the collection reporting period from starting in 1998 to January. This type of fraudulent reporting activity by collection agencies is illegal under the fair credit reporting act. After some further discussion, the representative said that he would report the information to credit agency as a paid account. However, I told him this does nothing as the the issue for me is that this does not delete the information from my credit report as it would just show up as a paid collection for next 7 years. I hung up after this as i couldnt take it any more.
It could be that that this bill from 1998 is really mine; however, I have a big problem with the way rjm went about falsely reporting the dates to the major credit agencies so as to restart the statue of limitations as this is flat out illegal. I also find it very concerning that rjm would outright lie to me saying that because rjm aquired the debt in 2007 this resets the statue of limitations to beginning in "2007" even though the bill dates back some 10 years ago. Even if i wanted to pay this bill, there is no way I would as this means it would be on my credit for the next 7 years as a paid collection, It is a catch 22.
According to law, as of December 29,1997 the reporting period runs 7 years (7 years plus 180 days) from the date (month and year) of the last delinquency (known as "last missed payment). So, regardless of how long a creditor waits to charge off, sell or transfer a debt, they must report the true and correct "delinquent or last missed payment" date (month and year) that preceded the creditor's action."
I did write rjm a letter that in part said I request you report the information accurately to the credit agencies and so you dont violate:
"Section 1681 of the fair credit reporting act:
" (b) Duties of furnishers of information upon notice of dispute
(1) In general
After receiving notice pursuant to section 1681i (a) (2) of this title of a dispute with regard to the completeness or accuracy of any information provided by a person to a consumer reporting agency, the person shall -
(A) conduct an investigation with respect to the disputed information;
(B) review all relevant information provided by the consumer reporting agency pursuant to section 1681i (a) (2) of this title;
(C) report the results of the investigation to the consumer reporting agency; and
(D) if the investigation finds that the information is incomplete or inaccurate, report those results to all other consumer reporting agencies to which the person furnished the information and that compile and maintain files on consumers on a nationwide basis".
I want others to know what is going on as i believe this is happening to a lot more peoply than just myself. The manner in which rjm is attempting to collect debts is illegal and is at the very least negligent, and more likely deliberately fraudulent. My case is still not resolved. I did report rjm to the ftc and hope others will do same. It almost seems like some type of class action suit may also be in order.
0 comments