Forcing Credit Bureaus to “Really” validate a debt

[utahjeff]

I would like to know two things.

1. How can I force a CB to validate a debt is mine? A local CB told me that some of the major creditors are online and disputes are sent to the creditor electronically. When the creditor sees the dispute, they can just check off valid and move on. I want to force the creditor to look at my records and provide something to prove it is mine.

2. I have also heard that you can demand this validation directly from the creditor. Something like, show me a signed copy of my contract. If the creditor does not validate it for me, how do I get the CB to then remove it from my report?

Thanks in advance.

[LadynRed]

Your hearing is impaired.

1. How can I force a CB to validate a debt is mine?

You can't. Validation is ONLY for 3rd party debt collectors, credit bureaus do NOT validate. They do, or are supposed to, VERIFY.

I want to force the creditor to look at my records and provide something to prove it is mine.

Good luck. Are you ready to file a full-blown lawsuit and go thru the discovery process ??? The best you can do is send them a dispute letter directly. Then you might have to threaten legal action.

2. I have also heard that you can demand this validation directly from the creditor.

No, you can't - not unless you're in one of the states whose statutes say that original creditors are bound by the FDCPA the same as 3rd party debt collectors. Validation is ONLY the law for 3rd party collectors otherwise.

If the creditor does not validate it for me, how do I get the CB to then remove it from my report?

See the 1st 2 answers. In most cases where 3rd party debt collectors refuse to validate, but verify with the CRAs you might get lucky and get the tradeline removed.