Some collection agency mistakenly identified me as someone else with a delinquent (same name with different middle initial ), I've called them up and confirmed verbally that I'm not the one they are looking for.

But they clearly associated MY phone # with my name (althogh the add they had was obviously of the other guy). So it appears that it's one of my CC company was responsible for this mess-up. However, when I asked the agency about who was the one who originated this mis-info, they refused to give me the answer:rolleyes;

FWIW, I also happened to have closed Capital One account few days ago.

Now, my questions are:
1. Will this mis-info affect my credit score?
2. If so, what should I do?
3. How can I get the name of the company that originated the mis-info?

TIA.

 

check it for the next few months to make sure. If it pops up, dispute it.

 

Yes, this can affect your credit score and unfortunately it is all on you to make sure it doesn't. You probably cannot get the name of the company that sent this account to the collection agency because you are not the actual debtor. Kind of backwards logic, but thats how it works. You'll have to work with the collection agency now.

Contact all the Credit Reporting Agencies and put a fraud alert on your Social Security Number: Equifax, Experian and Trans Union. (I think... its been awhile since I had to deal with them myself and there may be name changes, etc) Usually contacting one will get a fraud alert on all 3 reports, but you should really contact all three yourself. When you put an alert on your credit report they will automatically send you a free copy of your credit report (which you are entitled to one free report a year from each company anyway). Sometimes info will be on one report that isn't on the other so it is important to see all 3 of them.

Also, contact the collection agency and ask for their procedure to dispute a claim. You will probably have to fax them a photocopy of your license, social security card, maybe some other info to prove that you are not the person they are looking for. You should also send them everything they ask for via registered mail where they have to sign for it so you have proof they got it. Demand that your name and your information be removed from the account they are trying to collect on. I'd even follow up in 30, 90 and 120 days with them to make sure it has been removed and not added back in. Accounts get moved around in these agencies and you may think it has all been cleared up but they'll move the account to another department and your info will suddenly be back on it.

You can put a short statement on your credit reports saying that you have been mistakenly connected with "person with the same name/different middle initial" too. Unfortunately, this may not be the last time you are mistaken for this person.... so whatever documents you have to dig up this time... Start a file so if it happens again you have everything handy and ready to send off.

Google FDCPA... that is mostly about rights of the person who actually has the debt being collected on, but there are laws about when these agencies can call you, how often, what they can do after you you tell them not to contact you. Individual states may have stricter regulations too.

This is far more common that you think. It is a pain to have to deal with collection agencies... they will not believe you at first.... just stay calm... if the person you are speaking with isn't helping you, ask to be transferred to someone else. (FYI, asking to get transferred to a supervisor will often just get you the jackass in the next cube) The point is to get to someone else who will hopefully listen to you and tell you what you need to send in to prove you aren't the person they are looking for.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions...

 

Fraud alert is a good idea but, remember that for most of the Credit Reporting Companies they only leave it in place for 90 days

 

Correct, but I believe the statement (about being mistaken for someone else) stays on longer and may increase the time the fraud alert stays on the report.