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Thread: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

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    Senior Member Lillionaire's Avatar
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    Default Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    Some people from a debt collection agency are calling me, saying i owe T-mobile $1500 or something like that, all the way back from 2008. They said that I got a phone, canceled early after maybe five months or so, and that I incurred some kind of penalty fee.

    Even though that's possible (I did lose phones and get new ones, and I'm a little bit mixed up about it), I'm thinking it's bullshit because $1500 is ALOT of money, and I'm pretty sure I would've been aware if that was the penalty fee or whatever.

    ALSO, I asked about the details, and the address that I supposedly stayed at is in WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND- where I've never been to before!

    Okay, so, what should I do? File a police report? Is that a pain in the ass and more trouble than its worth? Should I pay the debt or get bad credit instead? Or...? I really don't know. For starters, I figured I'd go to some T-mobile place in the mall or something, and get that sorted out first.

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    Banned Melonie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    The logical starting place is to send an official letter to the creditor requesting that they prove the validity of this debt. Include a blurb that points out that the Woonsocket RI address is incorrect ( provide them with your actual address at the time the debt was incurred ), and that you have no documentation or recollection of this debt. Do not make mention that 'it's possible' that this debt is really your responsibility.

    At this point, don't even consider paying this debt. The hope that the collection agency will get 'something' out of you is your major bargaining chip. And, along those lines, paying this debt without a specific agreement between yourself and the creditor that this debt will be 'removed' from your credit report as a condition of payment will NOT materially improve your credit score ( for the next 3 years at least ).

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    Default Re: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    Ask them, to spell your name letter by letter. My dad was mistaken for debt b/c of a misspelling. Tell them you never lived in that area. Go to the cell company and ask them to pull your name up, if that isnt possible, go do a credit check from 2008, if nothing is there from t-mobile from 2008 to current years, let the credit company know. Be careful with your information on sending them the papers. Dont pay them anything until you know your detials and information with the cell company and credit history.

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    Default Re: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    this happens to me all the time because of my common name. send a (written) letter back denying the debt (regardless if its valid or not) and request all the documentation they have that in anyway links you to this debt so you can have your lawyer review it (regardless if you have a lawyer) and state that your lawyer will contact them if neccesary. you can google for form letters to this affect. also request that they only contact you at mailing address etc going forward (wherever you want) 95% of the time, that stops the calls. If its a valid debt, you need step #2, but in general fuck them unless they can send proof of debt.

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    Featured Member Vamp's Avatar
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    Default Re: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    The first thing I would do is check my credit report ...

    www.annualcreditreport.com is a free government sponsored website. The report itself is free.

    Check your report for any wrong information ie addresses, debts, names etc
    Then i would call the credit reporting agencies and have them flag your report. What that does is make it impossible for someone to pull your report with you being notified. I would then dispute all of the information that is incorrect.

    Transunion http://www.transunion.com/personal-c...s-freezes.page

    Equifax https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freez...onalIDInfo.jsp

    Experian https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

    Only after I had all this information would I talk to Tmobile. It is easy to rattle on about identity theft to a rep, but without any serious action done, they wont take you seriously.

    Not only that but it will prevent this from continuing. Tmobile may not be the only one. So if you are going to clean up the mess, clean it up completely. It is do able it will just take some time.

    If you have any questions please feel free to pm me.
    Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them. ~ Mark Twain


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    Default Re: Debt Collectors calling me, but it may be Identity Theft

    One debt collector tactic is to get you to make even a minimal 'token' payment that 'resets the statute of limitations'. Then they can use your payment as 'evidence' you admitted to the debt.

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