Can I be sent to collections?

[Merlin]

A company said they are going to try and send my account to a collections agency. From the little that I know, the only thing a collections agency can do is just bug someone, unless you actually have their SSN, correct?

Basically, I paid via a credit card for something, the only address the company has is my PO Box address. I understand that you can send anyone to a collections agency for anything, but there is not going to be a way they can take it as far as reporting it to credit bureaus, correct?

Just making sure I have nothing to worry about. The company misrepresented the product that I purchased, I initiated a dispute with my CC company and won. I told the company they can have the product back, but they need to pay for shipping back to them (product weighs about 40lbs, so it's expensive to ship back).

They are now trying to scare me with a collections agency

[WhoCares1000]

Yes, your account can be sent to collections. You would also be surprised on how easy it is to get your SSN and start putting this on credit reports and the like.

When you get the collections letter, I suggest going on the offensive. Simply send a Cease Communication letter to the Collection Agency stating this debt is not yours. Get as close to daring them to go to court as you can get without actually saying it.

As for the original company, inform them that you have offered for them to pick up the stuff and that if this ends up in court, you will simply hand the product over to the attorney who will then have to ship it themselves while using false advertising (amongst other things) as an affirmative defense on why you do not own any money.

[Merlin]

The PO Box has a company name tied to it with my first/last name under it, without an SSN - the post office won't give out who the box owner is (I think?). The billing location and shipping address are both the PO Box address. The company has my first and last name, not my middle or suffix that are attached to my full legal name - such as Steve W Johnson Jr.

You still think it's "possible" to get the SSN? I'm not asking if it's likely, just wondering if it's possible.

I already told the company that I'm not going to pay for the junk they sent, and that they can have it if they want to pick it up.

Sending something to collections is easy, but actually finding the correct person, is hard (at least with the little experience I've had). It's just like suing anyone, I can sue you for your reply to my thread post, but that doesn't mean I'll be able to find you, bring you to court, or even win a judgment against you. You can sue anyone just as much as you can take anyone to collections.

Good call on the letter, I'll be prepared for that if they end up sending something.

[Flyingifr]

Look, you have disputed the matter since day-one. I would continue to dispute it with the CA and tell them bluntly that you have disputed the thing since the beginning, that if their client wants their merchandiose back all they have to do is come and pick it up at their expense and if the CA puts it on your credit file the FDPA/FCRA lawsuit will be immediate and automatic, with no warning.

Then tell the CA to FOAD.

[Merlin]

That's a good way to handle it - I'll have a cease and desist letter ready to go if they ever send something in, although I am still curious how possible it is for them to get my social just based on my name & company that I work for.

Does anyone know the true answer to that? If it's possible, care to enlighten me a bit? I'm really new to all this stuff. I'm 24, I have an 800 credit score, never had a single problem with collections in the past, I'm really just a newbie in the wonderful world of collections.

About 5 years ago, I had a client with an outstanding balance, I ended up calling into a collections agency, with their full name, phone number, and address. Since the client never picked up the phone, the collections agency never did anything about it. It was only for around $200, but it made it seem like you need more than just someone's name to get their SSN these days.

[WhoCares1000]

If you read in the legal thread, you will find that lawyers have access to applications to get Social Security Numbers if they need it. Ever do a filing with the state regarding your business for any reason (including taxes or assumed name)? Do you pay sales tax collected from your business? What about the business itself. Is it a sole-proprietorship? LLC? Corporation?

There are plenty of ways to get an SSN for anyone who really wants it. You would be surprised at how available a SSN is.

[Merlin]

We pay sales tax once a year, my tax return lists me as a partner of the company - we're setup as an S Corp.

There are plenty of ways to get an SSN for anyone who really wants it. You would be surprised at how available a SSN is.

- That's crazy, I would think stuff that like would be completely illegal now with all the identity theft going around.

I'll just have to cross my fingers and be ready with the C&D letter. Thanks!

[MadMonkey]

The PO Box has a company name tied to it with my first/last name under it, without an SSN - the post office won't give out who the box owner is (I think?). .

Yes! When you sign for a P.O. box at either a mail box center or the USPS the piece of paper you sign basically says you can't hide behind the box.

A subpeona or court order will get that information in less then five minutes.

Regarding getting a social security number. Easy. You can do it on the internet, or hire a P.I.