Validation Letter Request Too Late?

[johnsal]

Hello everybody!

I am new to the forums and appreciate the assistance with the following two items:

1. I received a letter from ER Solutions, Inc., in WA. It is dated 01/15/09. The letter indicates that they are a "collection agency" and that they are trying to collect in full an AT&T bill. At the time I received this letter, I didn't do anything (I had never received one of these). After reading yesterday in the forums about a validation letter request, do you think it would be too late to request such validation? Upon reading the CA letter again, I noticed in the back of the letter that it says "Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of this debt, this office will assume that the debt is valid."

2. I have fallen behind in paying a CitiBank credit card for more than, I believe, six months now. I called them yesterday to explain that my family and I continue to face financial hardships. They tried to fit me in a repayment plan at 9.9%, but I told them that I wanted to settle this account. The lady told me that they would be willing to take 40% of the $9,700 due. I told them that all I could pay them was 20 cents to a dollar. She consulted with her supervisor and came back to the phone to tell me that they had accepted my offer! She said that I could pay the new balance in three installments, but that I would have to set up the new payment plan before the 10th of this month ('cause of the cycling period). She also said that my credit report would show a "Settled" explanation and that I would be receiving a 1099-C form. Does all of this sound too good to be true? I didn't agree to anything and said that I would call later. Is there something else I should do to ensure the validity of their acceptance? All of this was done over the phone, so I was going to call her again today to ask for her e-mail and go over the details to have a trail of paperwork.

Will appreciate any replies to these two concerns.

[jetscarbie]

You can always ask for validation at anytime...but if it's outside the 30 days...they don't have to honor it. I never think it hurts to ask for validation.

When you settle debts...sometimes the company still tries to collect on the remaining part. Example...say you owe 1000 but pay 400. The company can still collect on the remaining 600.

If you do pay, make sure you get everything in writing. If it's not in writing, it didn't happen.

A 1099 can really mess your taxes up at the end of the year. You could end up owning taxes. Something you might want to think about.

[cbairey]

Hello everybody!

I am new to the forums and appreciate the assistance with the following two items:

1. I received a letter from ER Solutions, Inc., in WA. It is dated 01/15/09. The letter indicates that they are a "collection agency" and that they are trying to collect in full an AT&T bill. At the time I received this letter, I didn't do anything (I had never received one of these). After reading yesterday in the forums about a validation letter request, do you think it would be too late to request such validation? Upon reading the CA letter again, I noticed in the back of the letter that it says "Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of this debt, this office will assume that the debt is valid."

2. I have fallen behind in paying a CitiBank credit card for more than, I believe, six months now. I called them yesterday to explain that my family and I continue to face financial hardships. They tried to fit me in a repayment plan at 9.9%, but I told them that I wanted to settle this account. The lady told me that they would be willing to take 40% of the $9,700 due. I told them that all I could pay them was 20 cents to a dollar. She consulted with her supervisor and came back to the phone to tell me that they had accepted my offer! She said that I could pay the new balance in three installments, but that I would have to set up the new payment plan before the 10th of this month ('cause of the cycling period). She also said that my credit report would show a "Settled" explanation and that I would be receiving a 1099-C form. Does all of this sound too good to be true? I didn't agree to anything and said that I would call later. Is there something else I should do to ensure the validity of their acceptance? All of this was done over the phone, so I was going to call her again today to ask for her e-mail and go over the details to have a trail of paperwork.

Will appreciate any replies to these two concerns.

1.you may still have time to do a DV on ER Soulutions ( I sent one to them on 3/2 and they still havent replied) so i sent another giving 14 days or see ya in court letter today,

2. dont do a "settled" its as bad as a "charge off" have them agree to paid or complete removal from your CR's and get EVERYTHING in writing BEFORE you send any money, we found out the hard way , before I found this site,, hubby settled for 10 bucks less on a account that wasnt even his, shows" settled" a nice BLACK mark, sucks it was 40 "owed" and he sent 30,now we are paying that cost for a lousy 10 bucks

a 1099-c is a tax form saying that "write off" is income Make sure you Report it on your taxes( means you may owe taxes next year)

[katsr]

In my experience a good DV letter, even a late one, very often just makes them go away because they then know you aren't going to fold easily. It worked for me with ER too.

[cbairey]

A subsidiary of collections company Convergent Resources (CRI),

The company operates facilities in Renton, Washington, as well as in Atlanta; Houston; Montgomery, Alabama; and Phoenix.

Contact Information

Address: 800 SW 7th St., Ste. A100

Renton, WA 98055

Phone: 206-322-4500

Fax: 206-322-4838

see if they are even Licenced in your state, make sure you look up both names also,,