Help with collection Agency??

Question

Ok here is my problem. About two weeks ago I began recieving phone calls from a number I did not know, so allowed the phone to go to voice mail and no message was left. After a couple of days of this I started answering the phone to where someone would always hang up. Well needless to say I finally answered the phone "Don't hang up" and the women on the other end informed me that she was from a collection angency and that I have not paid my Old Navy bill since 2006! Well 2006 was a busy year for me I got married and moved from my parents house. I do not remember buying anything or recieving a bill. Why after 2 years are they decided to get in touch with me? I do still get mail at my parents house but never did I get any bill or information about it going to a collection agency. They also wanted me to give my checking account over the phone to pay this bill, which I did not do. They also stated that the bill was $260 which was more then the original $80 because of late fees. So how can resolve this without getting screwed? I want a bill in the mail and I told the women this over the phone and she just said OK and hung up. Please Help

Answer 1

Send them a letter via Certified Mail + Return Receipt stating:

Per the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I am requesting written validation of this alleged debt.

Never, ever give debt collectors your bank account numbers...This is like giving keys to your front door to a total stranger. Once they have this info there's nothing to stop them from taking our more than you authorized. This can lead to huge bounced check fees.

Answer 2

Make sure whatever they tell you, you get in writing. Collection companies are notoriously...shall we say...experts in "miscommunication?" I've been screwed a million times by collection companies, promising that after I pay, it will be removed from my credit report, and then someone telling me something different...

Get a copy of the bill, all the fees, and everything in writing, then, if its a bunch of BS (which you shouldn't rule out as a possibility,) dispute it via your credit report.

You probably didn't receive a bill for awhile because they closed your account, and THEN sent it to a collections agency. Now you're hearing about it.  

Answer 3

If and when they call again ask them to send their documentation for your review. They can mail it to you. Upon receipt review it for accuracy and decide your next plan of action. Do you plan to pay it in full? Then do so. If you plan to pay it in increments do so. If you don''t plan to pay it at all then don't.

Any arrangement you make, get it in writing. Nothing else will do.