dwright19 1 Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Equidata has placed two collection accounts on all 3 CRA's. The original amount was $712 owed to a cable provider. Equidata bought the debt and is now splitting the debt in two and reporting as separate accounts. They did send a payment ledger from the OC that shows the full amount of $712 under one account number. The amount is from damaged equipment and a late payment. Equidata has one collection account for $185 for service and on for $527 for equipment. Are they allowed to buy this one debt and split it like that? What can I do if anything to get this taken care of. This is a validated debt but I am unsure if them splitting the account will work out in my benefit. Thanks in advance Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 5, 2013 Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 What do you mean it's a validated debt? You already sent in a letter? Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2013 Yeah I sent a letter requesting DV. They replied with: Located in the Suddenlink Residential Agreement paragraph 1, Agreement states, "Customer agrees to be bound to this agreement by: (i) executing a copy of the service order presented to Customer at the time of installation, (ii) ordering a service,or (iii) using one or more Services at Customer's location." Activation and use of the service is acceptance of the Residential Services Agreement. The attached payment ledger serves as validation of debt. Contact our office for information on how to reconcile the account(s) or on how to return your cable provider's equipment. You can satisfy your account by calling our office and paying your account in full at no additional charge using your check, Visa, Debit, or MasterCard. Equidata, Inc. Federal law requires we inform you this is an attempt to collect a debt by a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Also attached to the letter they sent me were screen shots of the payment ledger that i suppose is from Sudden link. It shows account activity and the services I was charged for and the fees for cable equipment and late payment. Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 So......... I am only down to pay for deletion or debt settlement??? Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Also, the 623 method. Link to post Share on other sites
nascar 961 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Equidata bought the debt and is now splitting the debt in two and reporting as separate accounts. How many "accounts" did you have with your original creditor? If you had only one and collector is reporting more than that, seems to me that the debt is being misrepresented. If they can split one into two, what's to stop them from breaking it into 3, or 4, or more? Appears they're trying to damage your credit rating to the greatest extent possible. Time to contact an attorney in your area. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 How many "accounts" did you have with your original creditor? If you had only one and collector is reporting more than that, seems to me that the debt is being misrepresented. If they can split one into two, what's to stop them from breaking it into 3, or 4, or more? Appears they're trying to damage your credit rating to the greatest extent possible. Time to contact an attorney in your area. It was only one account for a cable company. Equidata is the one breaking it into two accounts. Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I'd follow nascar's advice and seek counsel. It could mean a deletion plus and tidy $1K. Link to post Share on other sites
BV80 2,794 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 I agree with the Admin and Nascar. As I stated before, if Equidata was allowed to create more than one entry by dividing up a bill, what would stop credit card companies from doing the same thing on a credit report by breaking down a billing statement into one entry for charges you made and another entry for fees and interest. It's not allowed. Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Alright I have contacted a Lawyer to see if we can possible get my $1000 plus damages. I will keep you posted on how this turns out. Thanks to everyone that replied to this! Link to post Share on other sites
BV80 2,794 Posted March 6, 2013 Report Share Posted March 6, 2013 Good luck! Sending good thoughts your way! Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Would the below be the law they are possibly violating by splitting this debt and dragging my credit rating down by reporting it twice? § 808. Unfair practices [15 USC 1692f]A debt collector may not use unfair or unconscionable means to collect or attempt to collect any debt. Without limiting the general application of the foregoing, the following conduct is a violation of this section:(1) The collection of any amount (including any interest, fee, charge, or expense incidental to the principal obligation) unless such amount is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt or permitted by law. Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Also, misrepresentation. Section 807. http://www.creditinfocenter.com/legal/FDCPA.shtml#807 Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Thanks I overlooked that one I guess Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Your lawyer should know what to go after, but always pays to be self-educated. Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Well I cannot find a lawyer that wants anything to do with this. Im not sure why not I have contacted several and have not heard a single reply from any of them. What are some other options I can go with in this situation? Link to post Share on other sites
Torden 246 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Most lawyers prefer to take cases with large returns to them. Water sharks are flabbergasted and feel so insulted because they will take whatever they get whenever they get it. Link to post Share on other sites
BTO429 456 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Are we overlooking a claim for fraud????? Financial injury??? FCRA??? I would say they intentionally reported this way because they know that one account would not hurt you as bad as two separate accounts. Link to post Share on other sites
admin 896 Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 Michael T. O'ConnerThe Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. 900 Jackson StreetDallas, TX(214) 670-9989 Russell Van Beustring The Law Office of Russell Van BeustringHouston, TX(713) 973-6650 Link to post Share on other sites
nascar 961 Posted March 14, 2013 Report Share Posted March 14, 2013 Well I cannot find a lawyer that wants anything to do with this. Im not sure why not I have contacted several and have not heard a single reply from any of them. What are some other options I can go with in this situation? Did you try calling Amy Kleinpeter? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Did you try calling Amy Kleinpeter? Thanks for the additional contact info. I put in some emails and calls hopefully I hear back soon Link to post Share on other sites
cjb3 13 Posted March 30, 2013 Report Share Posted March 30, 2013 Are we overlooking a claim for fraud????? Financial injury??? FCRA??? I would say they intentionally reported this way because they know that one account would not hurt you as bad as two separate accounts. And don't forget the Texas FDCPA. Link to post Share on other sites
Seadragon 840 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Are you in North or South Texas? also some of the bigger firms may not be hungry look on the NACA site for a texas attorney. Also send a letter to The Texas AG for unfair business practice. Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Are you in North or South Texas? also some of the bigger firms may not be hungry look on the NACA site for a texas attorney. Also send a letter to The Texas AG for unfair business practice. Link to post Share on other sites
dwright19 1 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I'm in the Houston area Link to post Share on other sites
