Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Texas

Is this Collection Fraud?

Hi, I got a letter from a collection agency. It claims that I have a 4K USD debt from some account at Montgomery Ward. At this point I am totally confused since I've never opened any accounts at that place. So I call their 800# and tell the agent it must be a mistake. I end up speaking to 3 people in the process. The first one told me the debtor's SNN (but has the same name as me). I tell her it doesn't match mine. Then I talked to a second person who tells me a different SNN. The third person manages to get the last 4 digits of my SNN from me and somehow comes up with my complete SNN. When I try to make him acknowledge that they gave me a different SNN for that account he refuses to do it. I am worried they were trying to get my SSN so that they could somehow pin that debt on me. Is this possible? The collections name is Whitewing Financial Group, Are they ligit?. Last thing thay said was: Don't worry, we'll do some research and if you are who you say you are, you don't have to hear from us again. Should I be worried now that they have my SNN? I just don't want to be a victim of fraud. Thanks so much.


Asked on 6/23/04, 5:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Peter Bradie Bradie, Bradie & Bradie

Re: Is this Collection Fraud?

When you get a letter, respond with a letter, preferably certified mail. State that you dispute the debt, since you never opened a Montgomery Ward charge account, and demand proof that the debt is yours (other than the name being the same).

Check with the other credit bureaus to see whether this debt is shown on your credit report, and alert the credit bureaus that Whitewing Financial may try to change the SSN on that debt to your SSN.

NEVER, EVER give your SSN to a bill collector, particularly by telephone.

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Answered on 6/23/04, 5:35 pm


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