Debt collector tricks - collection debt or account statement ?
Filed Under: Collections
Filed Under: Collections
Here is a true example of a debt collection letter. It is termed a dunning letter. This letter shows another possible scam when a JDB (junk debt buyer) owns your account. Actually two scams: #1 Apex Financial Management, LLC is the wholly-owned CA (collection agency) of Hilco Receivables, JDB. However, one might think that Apex is an internal accounts receivables division of Hilco. Not a CA, which they are. There is no “This communication is from a debt collector.” statement (no, it’s NOT on the back!) In fact, nothing says they are a CA at all.
Another, and more critical one (scam) is the way the dunning letter is presented. #2 It looks somewhat like an account statement, settlement offer notwithstanding, complete with payment stub. The only thing missing is a statement of the interest rate and periodic interest amount. In this case, since the balance has not increased since the original dunning letter (which was, indeed, one), they could very well argue that the information is not necessary. (Some go even further and won’t include a settlement offer, but a full-fledged statement of account.)
That may indicate they are trying to establish an account stated, which CAN, if it’s not objected to in a timely fashion, actually make you responsible for the alleged debt. Or, make it look like you are being “offered” an “opportunity” to settle a delinquent account with an OC. This is made to look as an account. It is a collection account for a JDB. (this sample is taken from debtorboards.com)

If you were to receive this in the mail, you would write a debt validation (see sample on this site) as soon as possible.
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