American Agencies

[jojo67]

First off, I've been lurking for some time and reading, learning and had decent success on my own, before finding this site. Thank you all for the good information.

Here's my situation:

I have a collection account listed only on EX with American Agencies, attempting to collect for Pacific Bell, in the original amount of $200, but the current balance is just shy of $400. I've seen many horrible things of this company, the BBB rating is F- .....

I've Dv'd them, twice now though admitedly I didn't know on the first one to send CMRR. THe second one was CMRR, they received Dec. 20 04. This item is listed "In Dispute" on EX so maybe I can't do anymore, and I'm not sure really how that helps me.

Again, PB can't find a debt owed, and I think at the very least if it was valid it was from 1996 or 97, but I can't find anything to verify this. I'm getting to my witts end with this and a couple of others that just insiste the debt is valid.

In speaking with the Department of Finance from Oregon they are licensed in Oregon, under the name of ACA Receivalbles. And yet listed as American Agencies.

I've filled complaint with the BBB, CA AG, FTC, still nothing here. How do I get rid of this one? How do I make it go away? At this point I don't know if the debt is valid or not, and no proof either way.

[LadynRed]

If you last paid PacBell in 96 or 97, the SOL has expired for legal action AND it should NOT be on your reports at all !

SOL in OR is 6 years for open-ended and written contracts.

Send these jerks a C&D letter and tell them never to bother you again as the debt is time-barred per OR Statute !

[jojo67]

Thanks for the advise... I appreciate it....

If you last paid PacBell in 96 or 97, the SOL has expired for legal action AND it should NOT be on your reports at all !

SOL in OR is 6 years for open-ended and written contracts.

Send these jerks a C&D letter and tell them never to bother you again as the debt is time-barred per OR Statute !

I think it's more than past per CA Statutes too, I think I saw something about 4 years written, and 2 years non-contract. Since PB is the local phone co, and at the very last I moved out of CA in 99.

Ok, great, I can send c&D to them, not a problem, but is that going to get it off my Ex report? that's what I'm realy after here. I'd even consider ITS letter, but frankly I'm not sure I have the energy for that, being a dissabled vet and having stress issues. THough I sure could use the money. I'm not sure I have valid violations though. They seem to be the toughest to deal with.

[LadynRed]

You *might* succeed in getting it off your reports if you follow this:

http://community-2.webtv.net/YCHANGE/STORAGE/page13.html

The first letter is the SOL letter, but the 2nd is a follow-up letter to send to the CRA's. The basic strategy is that since the SOL has expired, its no longer a valid debt and if its not valid, they can't report it.

The way to get stuff off your reports is dispute, dispute, dispute. There are many pieces of a tradeline that you can pick at !

[jojo67]

I have to share this,

Of course I'd had an FCC complaint with them since May 04, for this mess. I spoke with the rep in San Fransisco today, regarding amending my complaint and still having no resolution. He let me know on an inside info: he wasn't suposed to share either, but I'm so glad he did. The FTC Attorneies are in settlement negotiations with AA, otherwise known as ACA Receivables. Hmmm, I wonder what that negotiations will involve ? Hopefully the scum wads will be shut down once and for all, but of course, money is good too 8)

So maybe some good news in the future for those that have AA acounts on their CRA Files ?

[mzjazzyazz]

I am having a problem with American Agencies as well. They are trying to collect 400 bucks on a 287 dollar bill for Pacific Bell. Pacific Bell received my money order last week for the balance and American Agencies STILL insist that I owe them money. I asked Pac Bell (SBC) to send me a letter stating that I paid this account. Once I get the letter, I am going to send American Agencies a ITS letter for illegally attempting to collect.

[jojo67]

I am having a problem with American Agencies as well. They are trying to collect 400 bucks on a 287 dollar bill for Pacific Bell. Pacific Bell received my money order last week for the balance and American Agencies STILL insist that I owe them money. I asked Pac Bell (SBC) to send me a letter stating that I paid this account. Once I get the letter, I am going to send American Agencies a ITS letter for illegally attempting to collect.

yea, sounds about right.... PB couldn't even find a debt owed... but wouldn't waste the time to send me a letter to that effect

If you haven't, file with the FTC, speak with Craig Kauffman, Investigator at (415)848-5111... well worth the LD call I think.

[jojo67]

http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=25000360&hAKAID=14&hAddrID=12

http://american-agencies-complaints.us/

http://ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=american+agencies&submit.x=37&submit.y=7

There are tons more, this company is almost scarry in their tacticts... Though as bad as they are I'm finding Cavalry worse. ;(

Craig Kaufman referred to them "what's that multi headed serpant? a medusa? you kill one head and another one comes back for you."

He told me that so many people have filled complaints , they get rid of one and they re-insert constantly, then move to another CRA etc. They re-age, add huge interest fees and the list goes on. This came from the FTC investigator assinged to my claim in May 04.

[mzjazzyazz]

Well, come to find out. American Agencies did in fact buy this account from SBC. I will send them a pay for delete letter today. This really pisses me off, because I don't know how many times SBC told me that American Agencies does not have this account. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

And as far as the late fees go, AA said that on your SBC bill, it does inform you of late charged of 1.5% per month, which is 18% per year, and those charges will begin accruing when your bill goes delinquent.

[jojo67]

Well, come to find out. American Agencies did in fact buy this account from SBC. I will send them a pay for delete letter today. This really pisses me off, because I don't know how many times SBC told me that American Agencies does not have this account. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I wouldn't!! They haven't verified the debt in 9 months with me, and there is an active FTC investigation for this company. They won't delete it, nor will they do anything other than state "You know you owe it, now pay it"! This company changes their names more often than most people change underwear..... They can't be legit if they can't operate as a single entity.

PB couldn't even find an account I owed, if you must, pay Pb or negotiate with them, especially if they state AA doesn't have it. American refuses to close old or paid accounts, they live in the lines of extortion and fraud.

[mzjazzyazz]

So what should I do? I already sent a dv letter and disputed with EX. But now SBC is saying that AA did in fact purchase the debt from them.

What is the SOL on phone bills? 2 or 4 years?

[jojo67]

So what should I do? I already sent a dv letter and disputed with EX. But now SBC is saying that AA did in fact purchase the debt from them.

My advise, contact the FTC, AA won't validate the account, all they will tell you is "you know you owe it,.... pay up!" Don't talk on the phone with them either, they are in the worst of worst. If PB says they purchased the debt, what's the SOL? the DOLA ? how old is this thing?

But get in touch with the San Francisco office of the FTC, ASAP

[jojo67]

Well, come to find out. American Agencies did in fact buy this account from SBC. I will send them a pay for delete letter today. This really pisses me off, because I don't know how many times SBC told me that American Agencies does not have this account. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

And as far as the late fees go, AA said that on your SBC bill, it does inform you of late charged of 1.5% per month, which is 18% per year, and those charges will begin accruing when your bill goes delinquent.

oops, just noticed your edit, surprise, AA charges huge interest and fees too. I did some checking by California Law, this seems to be ilegal, but then I'm now lawer. I also saw soemthing about an SOL of an unwritten contract only 2 years.... someone please verify my understanding on this one..... my poor brain has been crammed with so much I think it's leaking I honestly don't remember anything on any PB bill stating they charged 1.5 per month, but you would have to verify this per the contract. I don't think they have legal ground on this, but then I'm kind of new at all the repair issues. In the past I just let it go, didn't care and figured I was as worthless as my credit said I was. but damnit, I want a house by the time I'm 40, only 3 years from now

[mzjazzyazz]

This account went into collections in 2002.

[jojo67]

This account went into collections in 2002.

When did you first go delequent on PB? because that's the important thing here, when they opened the account is irrevalent, or so I understand.

Then, which CRA's are they reporting to? they are camping only on my EX now, the other two made them go away for good <I hope anyway>

Have you spoke to these jokers on the phone? aren't they a dream to converse with.. ugh... why do they have to be such <fill in adjetives here to describe American Agencies>

[determined]

I just checked today and they are active now. can we still let the bureau know tht when they were reporting in 2003-04 that they were not active to get them to delete? Or now that they are active they can report?

[luperu123]

I wrote them couple of letter to validate the debt, after like the fourth one, I filed in small claims court, they corrected the problem the same day they got copy of the lawsuit.

[jojo67]

This just keeps getting more fun I've waited the valdation period, just sent off a letter to EX hoping they will delete. I've been in contat with Pacific Bel, they can't even find refernce to an account I owe. American just won't go away, even after sending info. I know the FTC is investigating, but that takes forever..... and for all the good that will do for me. Oh well, so i set out again do I send AA the ITS letter at this point ? Do I send another letter, saying hey, you didn't validate this, pac bell can't find any info deloete it now? or what's my next step?

[luperu123]

Have you sent them a debt validation letter more than once?? If you have I think small claims is your best bet.

[jojo67]

It probally is going to lead to that, see what the CRA does with what I sent them for dispute this time, otherwise I'll do just that

[jojo67]

I don't believe it !!!!! American Agencies GONE!!!!!! from my EX report, tonight I'm in uter shock! dumbfounded even....

No clue what that did to my FAKO scores, but will have an idea tomorrow

[Valkyrine]

I, too, have had a problem with AA.

In 2002 I sent them 2 checks (1 current, 1 postdated) to pay the FULL amount THEY wanted ($450) of my Pac Bell account ($232). If I only knew then what I know now!!

Anyway, they NEVER CASHED THE CHECKS!!! I finally stopped-payment on both. I recently sent them a letter - with copies of all my docs, including my uncashed checks - saying that if they didnt want my money, why not just delete the whole darn thing altogether?

Strange.... i havent heard back from them .... lol.

[mzjazzyazz]

I have been getting my problems solved with AA. I am continuosly on the phone with them. They deleted one of my accounts from the credit bureau, and authorized deletion of the other one today. The thing that I have learned that when you call, ask to speak to a manager. Thats the first thing I say as soon as they answer. That will elimate all the bs that u get from the regular reps. SBC still has not forwarded the money to them for the account that they bought from SBC, and SBC cashed my money order. They waived ALL of my late fees and agreed to delete this account.

Everytime I call, I ask to speak to the same person I spoke to the last time. I have been going thru this for almost 2 months.

[jojo67]

I really thougt they were gone, now they re-appeared tonight <grrrrrr!> and with higher balance updated 02/05 (*&^(%*#^*&^ what does a guy have to do to get a break here ? Pacific Bel can't even find a debt I owe, how can they ? I heard they were bad, but I never figured this bad.

(feeling really discouraged here)

[DocDon]

If it shows up on your report after being deleted, they have to notify of the reinsertion.

(ii) Notice to consumer. If any information that has been deleted from a consumer's file pursuant to subparagraph (A) is reinserted in the file, the consumer reporting agency shall notify the consumer of the reinsertion in writing not later than 5 business days after the reinsertion or, if authorized by the consumer for that purpose, by any other means available to the agency.