Debt Collection

[agen_kolar]

So today I received a lovely little gem in the mail - a $722.00 debt collection letter from a collection agency representing Dish Network. To my knowledge, I have never used Dish Network. I also recently moved into a new place, so how the hell did they find my address here? I looked up the collection agency, and it's legit. I'm wondering if someone isn't just trying to screw me, or if someone got ahold of my personal information.

Has anyone else had a problem like this?

 

[EVILFACE]

Tell em to prove it or stfu.

 

[Morbach]

Tell em to prove it or stfu.

 

[Mesa]

Debt collection agencies are told to STFU all the time but they don't listen. Call them back, get info on what they are after, then call Dish and work it out. If you really don't owe anything, you havenithing to worry about. Bestto communicate and take care of it now or it will hurt you when you try to buy your next house/ car. The resolution period can take weeks to months to complete.

I knowingly flakes on a debt in college and it was a pain. But they can't get what you don't have and sometimes collection agencies willing to settle for less and will work out payment plan.

 

[agen_kolar]

Yeah, I want everything in writing, so this could take a painfully long time to resolve.

 

[Darth Cruel]

Sometimes...all it takes is letting them know you have never had the product and they take care of the mishap themselves. It could be a simple mistake. I once had a Sterling on my credit report...and would not own a Sterling if it was given to me for free. I simply called them and told them there must be some mistake and they took it from there. The next time I looked at my credit...it was no longer on there.

 

[Bamboota]

sounds fishy!

 

[Nitro]

Check it out and contact the Dish Network immediately to find the source of the problem. You never know who has your information or using your name. I had problems like this before with a credit card company and a card I never even had. Turned out for whatever reason credit card offers in my name were sent to my ex wifes residence. She filled 2 of them out and apparently went on a spending binge maxing out both cards credit limit and put my excellent credit into a tailspin. I encourage everybody to check out their credit report at least once a year and resolve out issues immediately when they appear. The longer you wait the worse off you'll be...

 

[316what]

Check it out and contact the Dish Network immediately to find the source of the problem. You never know who has your information or using your name. I had problems like this before with a credit card company and a card I never even had. Turned out for whatever reason credit card offers in my name were sent to my ex wifes residence. She filled 2 of them out and apparently went on a spending binge maxing out both cards credit limit and put my excellent credit into a tailspin. I encourage everybody to check out their credit report at least once a year and resolve out issues immediately when they appear. The longer you wait the worse off you'll be...

Don't you hate it when people only tell part of a story....we want to know what you did to the ex, lol.

 

[Nitro]

Don't you hate it when people only tell part of a story....we want to know what you did to the ex, lol.

Honestly, I did nothing. She was the one that decided to leave because she felt as though she didn't want to be tied down in a marriage (we were together since we were 16 and were together for 12 years- 5 of which we were married w/ no kids). She wanted to drink and party with some of her newly single friends. She blindsided me the day after Christmas back in 2007.

She just couldn't manage her money and when nobody could support her or her spending habits (including her own family) after the divorce, she turned to bank loans that made the problem worse. After her family bailed her out of the bank loan, her roommate (and childhood friend) starting to take advantage of her by asking her to help out more on other expenses in the residence. Her family refused to give her anymore money after helping to bail her out on the bank loan. So she had a bright idea to fill out these pre approved credit card offers that came in the mail in my name and max out both cards ($3000 on one card, $4000 on the other). I had no idea that I had these cards in my name and I was shocked and really hurt that she could've done that to me.

 

[Devil_666]

Don't you hate it when people only tell part of a story....we want to know what you did to the ex, lol.

Honestly, I did nothing. She was the one that decided to leave because she felt as though she didn't want to be tied down in a marriage (we were together since we were 16 and were together for 12 years- 5 of which we were married w/ no kids). She wanted to drink and party with some of her newly single friends. She blindsided me the day after Christmas back in 2007.

She just couldn't manage her money and when nobody could support her or her spending habits (including her own family) after the divorce, she turned to bank loans that made the problem worse. After her family bailed her out of the bank loan, her roommate (and childhood friend) starting to take advantage of her by asking her to help out more on other expenses in the residence. Her family refused to give her anymore money after helping to bail her out on the bank loan. So she had a bright idea to fill out these pre approved credit card offers that came in the mail in my name and max out both cards ($3000 on one card, $4000 on the other). I had no idea that I had these cards in my name and I was shocked and really hurt that she could've done that to me.

Don't you hate it when people are nosy.

 

[Nitro]

Don't you hate it when people are nosy.

Nah. It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Devil_666]

Ok in that case tell me every secret you've ever kept. In detail. NOW!!!!

 

[ChrisCJ99]

Don't you hate it when people only tell part of a story....we want to know what you did to the ex, lol.

Yeah, I'd look into it man. It may be a mistake, but it's always good to double/triple check and make sure it gets resolved...

 

[agen_kolar]

Well, here's an update for you guys:

Called Dish Network, apparently the account was created through our ISP who as Sprint/Embarq. They had a deal with Dish Network. Since my roommate was on the account as secondary, she added Dish Network and paid the bills for it. Unfortunately, when she moved out (months after I moved), she didn't return the equipment. The debt is for late fees from not returning the equipment on time, and then the subsequent no return of the equipment. So, I contacted my former landlord who lived next door to us at the time. She's going to contact the current residents to see if the equipment is still in the house, in which case, I only have to pay the late fees. If they are not, I'm going to try to track down my former roommate to see if she has the equipment. If she does not, then I'm screwed and have to pay for her mistake.

 

[Nitro]

Glad to hear that it's somewhat cleared up. Hopefully the equipment is found for your sake. I'd get in touch with your former roommate to let her know what has happened.

 

[praxitas]

If she added it, then she should at least help in paying back the fee's if not all.

 

[agen_kolar]

If she added it, then she should at least help in paying back the fee's if not all.

Yes, you are entirely correct. However, I moved out of the house because she assaulted me. The last thing I'm going to do is try to get money out of her, because it didn't end pretty. The only way I would demand that she pay is if I cannot retrieve the equipment. In which case, I will offer to split the charges with her. If she refuses, well, I guess we will take it from there.

 

[ChrisCJ99]

Daaaaang. Drama drama.... What the heck is going on out there in O town?!?!

 

[Mesa]

Sometimes these cable/satellite TV companies will work with you in this sort of scenario. It's ridiculous to continue to charge late fees that exceed the value of the unreturned equipment. I would definitely try to reason with them and be as nice as humanly possible. ^^^^^ing and complaining to them won't get you anywhere in this scenario as you are mostly at their mercy. I doubt they'd even want the equipment returned as it's most likely been replaced with newer models.