My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: CA (residence) original creditor (MO I think)
I am in situation where another collection agency is trying to collect on a debt that I had disputed with the first collection agency a year ago.
The first collection agency eventually stopped sending me letters because they could not verify my debt and nothing was reported to any of my credit reports.
Earlier this month, I got a call from an unknown number and when I picked up, a lady asked me if I was ready to make payments over the phone for my debt to the original creditor 3 years ago.
I told her that I was unaware of this debt (truth) and I also mentioned to her that someone contacted me last year about this but were unable to verify the debt.
She started with some legal mumbo jumbo to which I said that my story has not changed since last year and I don’t see why I should pay when the previous collection agency could not verify my debt.
I asked her to correspond with me via mail.
Two weeks ago I got a letter from the company stating that I have 30 days to dispute this debt. I am also getting calls but I don’t pick up 1-800 numbers but she always leaves me a message.
My question is, how many times do I need to go through this cycle?
Can a second company legally attemtp to collect even though the first company could not collect - I am assuming because they could not verify debt?
It is getting really annoying and they are threating to put it on my credit report, if I don’t pay up.
Thanks,
Nick

