Jul

30

How long does a collection agency have to respond to a request for more information?

Filed Under Collection Agency 

Barbara T asked:


I have been contacted by a collection agency regarding a debt that I believe is beyond the SOL. In a show of good faith, and hoping they will stop any further action, I have requested verification of the account, payment history, etc. How long do they have to respond? I don’t want to be sitting on pins and needles forever.

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Comments

4 Responses to “How long does a collection agency have to respond to a request for more information?”

  1. Judy on July 31st, 2009 8:46 pm

    For some reason, my collection agency never sent me anything in the mail.
    I’ve heard the same thing from people here.
    Secret – I knew the bill was over 7 years old. I told them this and hung up. Called the bureaus, and after 7 years they have to take it off because of statute of limitations.
    Hehe. It was for a cable box.

  2. stan c on August 2nd, 2009 3:21 am

    They have 30 days. Make sure you sent the request 1 certified and 1 regular and made a copy. If that was not done, it is best to resend it. If the certified letter comes back unsigned, do not open it because that’s the proof the letter was sent. You can also request your free credit report through annualcreditreport.com or call them toll free @ 1-877-322-8228 for all 3 free reports. If there is no degatory info on the report, the SOL probably ran out

  3. slimick on August 2nd, 2009 6:28 am

    30 days….If you did not send your request via certified mail + return receipt, then resend it this way/

  4. Sgt Big Red on August 5th, 2009 12:11 am

    Under section Sec. 1692g. Validation of debts, there is no set time limit for the creditor to respond to your request.
    Being as the debt is beyond your states SOL, they will in now doubt forget about it and ignore your request.
    Most collections agencies purchase “time barred” debts for as little as a penny or less per dollar owed. So they will not want to spend money or time trying to collect this.

    If they are showing on your credit report, send copies of your letter to all three CRA’s via certified mail/return receipt. The CRA’s will then have 30 days to validate the debt. If the creditor can not validate the debt. the CRA’s as required by the FCRA will remove the item from your report and send you notice of such action, along with a current credit report.

    This collection agency violated the FDCPA (Sec. 1692e. False or misleading representations) by knowingly attempting to collect or take action on a known time barred debt. You could include this fact when you send dispute notice to the CRA’s

    I would give them 30 days to respond, if they do not respond with all the information as required by the FDCPA, then go ahead and dispute it with the CRA’s

    Hope this answer is of help to you
    LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The answer provided here is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor presumed to be legal counsel or professional legal advice

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