Got a strange call (at work!) from a Palisades Collections regarding an AT&T account which they claim has never been paid. I can't verify it, and they refuse to submit proof that a bill is owed! They call out of the blue, want you to pay them right away, and expect payment within 24 hours, all without verification as to the amount owed!
According to the Federal Trade Commission, under the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act, written proof must be submitted within 5 days of contact, with the amount owed, the name of the creditor and what actions will be taken if the amount is not paid.
Instead, these fools tell me I must submit proof that the bill has been paid, because "they can't justify taking 3 months to prove to me something I should already know"!
AT&T can't verify my account because it is too old. And I'm not one of those people who keep bank records and paid bills, so I can't verify it.
They've threatened to take me to court, and all I can say is... GREAT! It's gonna look pretty stupid on their part in front of a judge when he realizes they refused to submit proof to me that the bill was owed. And even if the bill is owed, who are these guys? How do I know if they will even take this off my credit history if it is paid?
Their negotiation tactics are non-existent. Paying without proof of debt, and threatening to put me in court smacks of extortion, and I won't tolerate it.
How about you?
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