Getting Your Name Cleared with Collection Agencies
Often victims of identity theft have no idea they are even victims until they are called or receive written notification from a collection agency. As far as the collection agency is aware, these consumers are the owners of the debts; therefore they are not as friendly or do not make dealing with collection agencies a pleasant experience. As a consumer, when you have discovered that there are accounts in collections due to fraudulent activity, you will need to clear your name with those collection agencies and get the information removed from your credit profile. Here we discuss how to deal with those collection agencies and get your credit cleared.
Validation of Debts
By law, you can request the collection agency to verify the origination of the debt they are attempting to collect on. Often when a consumer falls victim to identity theft, fraudulent collection agencies will come out of the works claiming they have debts as well. This is why it is important for consumers to request validation from the collection agencies. Contact their Fraud Department directly or speak to a supervisor about getting documented proof of these debts.
Notify the Authorities
It is important that once you realize you are a victim of identity theft, you notify the proper authorities. This includes contacting the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department to notify them of the identity theft. With your local police you will file an Identity Theft Report and with the FTC you will file an ID Theft Complaint form. Use your filed reports to contact the credit reporting agencies and have fraud alerts or even a credit freeze placed on your credit profile as well.
Talk to Collectors
Though this part is dreaded by all, you need to speak to the collectors. This includes notifying their fraud department of the identity theft and following it up with copies of your identity theft reports as well as requesting them to send you proper documentation. No matter what, realize that you do not have to pay anything towards these debts. Often collection agencies will try to tell consumers that in order to have these debts removed, they must pay a small fee. This is against the law and it is your right to understand that you are not liable for any fraudulent charges made under your name.
Follow Up
After you have spoken to the collection agencies, it is your responsibility to follow up in writing within 30 days. Send your correspondence by certified mail and always keep copies of what is said. Never email, fax or even send your correspondence through general mail. Request a Letter of Clearance and follow up with your credit reports to ensure the collection agency has removed the debt.