Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
May of 2005, I received a letter from Rickenbacker Collections. They claimed that I am responsible for a towed 87 Toyota and demanded that I pay $1,600.
I wrote back to tell them that they got the wrong person. While they got my first and last name right, my middle name is way off (A quick look at the yellow page would reveal 20+ people with identical name as me). I also told them that I've never own any Toyota in my life (I was 21 at the moment).
In the letter they sent to me, it says that if I dispute the claim in writing, they would send me validations. But they went quiet. I assumed that they found the right guy and forgot everything altogether.
Sep 2006, I had an opportunity to look at my credit report. Apparantly, Rickenbacker notify the credit bureau and that lowered my credit score. I called Rickenbacker up to explain the situation. After a run around, they told me to get the registration from DMV (never told me what registration) and send it to them along with my social security number. I have a problem with giving out my social security number.
So far, I have looked at my credit reports from the 3 credit bureaus (Rickenbacker only showed up in 1) . I contested the claim.
I am wondering if there is anything else I could do?
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
I would contact the Department of Motor Vehicles, and give them the information on this car (whatever they sent you), and see if the DMV can verify that you are not the registered owner of the car. You could feel very safe about giving the DMV the proper numbers to prove who you are, and let them know why you are needing thier help. I don't know if it will help, but it is worth a shot. The DMV might have suggestions for you also, since they deal with cars and ownership (or lack there of lol!)
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
I am sorry for not being clear earlier. English isnt my first language.
When I said "send them my social security number" I meant that Rickenbacker wants me to send them my social security number. I am not comfortable with that
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
No, I understood that part. I figured, if you did not want to send them this information, then you could prove that the car in question was NOT your car, with the help of DMV. I figured you would not mind giving this personal information to a government agency (DMV) to prove the bill is not yours.
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
Sounds like a great idea. I'll stop by DMV when I have a chance. I am wondering if you know specifically what is the name of the document
The mail rickenbacker sent me only said the towed car is a "Toyota 87" and nothing specific.
So I just ask DMV to give me a list of every cars I have ever owned?
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
That may be what you want, I don't understand how ANY company can put you in the owners seat of a car, and not give you the liscense plate number, or registration information? Did they just pick a name out of a phone book, and say we will call him the owner? I would call the company, and ask what the liscense plate number, and the registration number is. You can ask for the vending number also, and punch it in at a site, to see if anything comes up. Have you contacted an attorney? I would ask for your name and adress only to be displayed, and yes, a copy of every car you have every owned a title to. If this is not enough, I would sue them for the amount to be taken off your record, and your lost wages to take them to court, and see if they can be held responsible for any other damages (not to mention the consultation from an attorney). I would take them to small claims court, where the burden of proof for ownership would be on them, and they would need to SHOW how they came to you as the owner. Let me know how this goes. If this account had been handed over to a collection agency, then it may be harder to obtain this information.
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
It sounds like the towing company, and the collection agency has been sued together for simular claims, or people not owing the money (like 1000). Here is the page and link on this.
http://www.cardreport.com/wwwboard75...ges/58438.html
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
This sounds close to your story, but this person let his car get towed, but read it anyhow, it is very suspicious.
http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6386
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
Thank for the links Turbowray, actually, I had searched the forums and found those posts myself.
And I did a research on Rickenbacker last year and saw their legal battle in SF. Like I have said, after i wrote them a letter, I assumed that it was over so I forgot every. (Good thing I scanned and kept an electronic copy of what they sent me and still have the word document that I sent them)
I am contesting
About the similar name thingy...
My real name is Son Nguyen (elsonlam1 is just an internet name).
A http://www.zabasearch.com/ search shows 76 people with the same name as me (son x nguyen) in california along (52 of these people live in the same city as me). The person they was looking for has a different middle name than me (Son K Nguyen). zabasearch shows 84 Son K Nguyen in california along
http://www.intelius.com/ shows 59 Son X Nguyen and 78 Son K Nguyen in california. All in all, there are 294 Son Nguyen in california.
The other day I was helping out my mom at her restaurant and some guy paid by credit card. His name is Son Nguyen too
Re: Rickenbacker Collections - Mistaken Identity
I know a DR. Nguyen too lol! Keep in touch, and let me know how this all ends up. I hope you get out of it, and get it taken off your credit report.