Got a call from a collections agency the other day, saying that I owe about $200 for a disconnected phone account with Telus. The line was opened in 2010, and the account had my birthdate and SIN attached to it. I did not recognize the address or the phone number. Whoever opened it never paid any bills, and now it's affecting my credit rating.
I called Telus to confirm that the collections agency was legit, which they were. I asked Telus if they could do anything about it, but they told me that the agency now owns the account so it's no longer in their hands.
I called the collections agency, and they told me they needed a police report in order to proceed with an investigation.
The police gave me a bit of a run around. I went to the East Village office by my work, and they told me that they couldn't file reports there, and that I needed to call a cop to my house to file the report. So I called the cops to come to my house this morning, and they told me that since there's no suspect, I needed to go to a district office to file a report..? WTF? So I went to the district office by my house, and they told me they can actually file a report, but need evidence from Telus.
So I called Telus, and they couldn't send me anything without changing the address on the account, which kind of defeats the purpose of getting evidence. The guy referred me to their fraud department (which by the way is totally stupid because I asked for a fraud department the first time I called Telus, and they told me to call the agency instead, so I assumed they didn't have a fraud dept). I left a voicemail message with them (since they didn't answer...). We'll see if they call me back at all.
I also called the collections agency to see if I could get the address and phone number on file in writing, but they said they couldn't, even though they could give to me verbally over the phone.
I feel so frustrated. I've been frauded and I feel like neither the police, Telus, or the collections agency have helped. It's like wth, I'm the victim. Someone f-ing help me!
Got a call from a collections agency the other day, saying that I owe about $200 for a disconnected phone account with Telus. The line was opened in 2010, and the account had my birthdate and SIN attached to it. I did not recognize the address or the phone number. Whoever opened it never paid any bills, and now it's affecting my credit rating.
I called Telus to confirm that the collections agency was legit, which they were. I asked Telus if they could do anything about it, but they told me that the agency now owns the account so it's no longer in their hands.
I called the collections agency, and they told me they needed a police report in order to proceed with an investigation.
The police gave me a bit of a run around. I went to the East Village office by my work, and they told me that they couldn't file reports there, and that I needed to call a cop to my house to file the report. So I called the cops to come to my house this morning, and they told me that since there's no suspect, I needed to go to a district office to file a report..? WTF? So I went to the district office by my house, and they told me they can actually file a report, but need evidence from Telus.
So I called Telus, and they couldn't send me anything without changing the address on the account, which kind of defeats the purpose of getting evidence. The guy referred me to their fraud department (which by the way is totally stupid because I asked for a fraud department the first time I called Telus, and they told me to call the agency instead, so I assumed they didn't have a fraud dept). I left a voicemail message with them (since they didn't answer...). We'll see if they call me back at all.
I also called the collections agency to see if I could get the address and phone number on file in writing, but they said they couldn't, even though they could give to me verbally over the phone.
I feel so frustrated. I've been frauded and I feel like neither the police, Telus, or the collections agency have helped. It's like wth, I'm the victim. Someone f-ing help me!
Sounds like you're the victim of identity theft versus being defrauded.
Cowperson
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WTF?? That sucks! I wonder how they manage to get your SIN. Did you leave your wallet unattended anywhere? Dude that really sucks...
Oh, this is a landline phone? I read Telus and assumed it was mobile.
Yeah some random land line in Mission. What I'm wondering is why would someone go through all the effort of opening an account in my name just to leave $200 in charges on it??
Also, according to wiki:
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent.
So I would think identity theft is a type of fraud? I dunno.
As much as it sucks, I'd probably just fork out the $200 as opposed to taking the hit on my credit and not to mention avoid the mind-numbing runaround.
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As much as it sucks, I'd probably just fork out the $200 as opposed to taking the hit on my credit and not to mention avoid the mind-numbing runaround.
But even if he does pay the money wouldn't his credit rating still be effected? That seems to be the major concern here.
Identity theft is covered under some home insurance policies these days. Maybe give your home insurer a call and see if they can help you out. Do you know for sure that this phone line is the only thing they have opended in your name? Have you called any credit unions?
You may also wish to contact the three credit reporting agencies to ensure there are not other credit hits under your name and check if there is an issue with identity theft.
Yeah I've contacted Equifax and will be calling TransUnion this afternoon. I'm tempted to pay the $200, but ugh...I feel like I should follow this through out of principle.
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Even if he pays the collection it will still show on his bureau and effect it negatively for 6 years. It will just show paid, instead of unpaid. He will want to wipe it off not just pay it.
So I think I've been frauded
