DoI have to pay a collection agency if it says that I owe money but can’t/won’t say why?
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DoI have to pay a collection agency if it says that I owe money but can’t/won’t say why?
I recently called by an collection agency regarding a $1003 bill I had from a cell phone account 3 years ago. My ex and I clearly remember paying it off. They say that they “bought” the bill from the cell phone provider and they only have the amount I owe and my name. I called the privider and after getting bounced around they told me that they sold the bill and didn’t have details anymore on the account. No one can tell me why I owe this money yet the collection company keep saying pay up. It keeps hitting my credit and such. Am I legally bound to pay?
Asked on November 9, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Maryland
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If the third party collection agency claims that you owe money for a delinquent bill that it purchased from some alleged creditor of you, but refuses to provide you with any information showing the debt or that you owe it, I would not pay it. You need to be aware that there are many entities and people out there trying to defraud people with claimed debts owed that they purchased.
I would get as much information about this alleged third party debt collection company and report it to law enforcement as a possible scam. Good luck.
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