Would a Debt Validation Letter be the right one to send?

Submitted by java_jenny on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 23:20
Forums

I have a fraudulant charge on my credit report from Verizon - they claim I accepted a $345 collect call (which I did not do).

When I first became aware of the bill, I called thier billing department and was told they couldn't help me because the call was made through a phone on AT&T service. I went back and forth with the 2 companies for months. Now it's on my credit report as an unpaid account.

Would the debt validation letter be the correct letter to send to Verizon?

I do not know how you dispute this specific type of bill, however, a DV letter only works with collection agencies, not creditors (which Verizon would be in this case).

Perhaps you can file a complaint with your local or state attorney general, the FCC, or the FCC.

Thu, 05/29/2008 - 23:45 Permalink

I understand what you're saying but I went back to look at it on my credit report and they have it listed as a collection account so I may try it but am unsure..Maybe I should send them a letter stating the cisrcumstances before I send the DVL but I'm afraid if I send any other typw of letter first that I may screw myself over...

Fri, 05/30/2008 - 00:09 Permalink

A collection account is a debt that is being managed by a collection agent. If I were you I would call your local AG as morningstar said or, call a corporate office and try to talk to someone higher up at verizon.

Fri, 05/30/2008 - 05:19 Permalink

Send a DV letter to the collection agency, not Verizon. If the account is with Verizon's internal collections (a department that in all likelihood, can place entries on your credit report), then a DV letter is useless.

Mon, 06/02/2008 - 08:34 Permalink

Wow all I can think is what kind of call costs that amount of money? I know sometimes verizon can not take care of the billing for a call like that. I had my bro staying with me a one time and he used my number on the net to get some free months of service from some dumb website. One day I opened my bill and found a large payment due. After scanning the bill I found where the charges were coming from. I called my phone company and they put a memo on my account saying that I was denying those charges. I only had to paqy them what I owed verizon themselves which was my regular monthly bill. That left my phone bill in good satnding with them. Next I called the number listed on my bill as verizon directed me to do and told them I was disputing the charges as I never applied for their service and with in two months they deleted all charges. Hopefully you can get your phone company to side with yoju and help direct you.
If anything at least have them make a special note on your regular phone bill with them so it doesn't interupt yopur home service. Next dispute the other cherges with the other company and on you credit report. Alos get out that DV letter.

Tue, 06/10/2008 - 10:31 Permalink