Complaint Review: Merchants Credit Guide - LVNV Funding - Chicago Illinois
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- Author Confirmed
- Merchants Credit Guide - LVNV Funding 223 West Jackson Blvd Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.
- Phone: 888-249-1033
- Web:
- Category: Con Artists
Merchants Credit Guide - LVNV Funding Ripoff Credit Scam Chicago Illinois
*Consumer Comment: Also a victim of scam by Merchants Credit Guide Co and LVNV Funding LLC
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My husband received a letter at his place of employment today, indicating that Merchants Credit Guide Company, Representing LVNV Funding, LLC. indicating that he owed an outstanding balance ($2400) on a citibank visa that defaulted in 1992.
We just did a refinance on our home, so we know for sure that there is nothing negatively reported on his credit, and there is no way that a credit card company is not going to wait 13 years to get their money back. They knew his previous address from 13 years ago, his SSN, real scary stuff.
Thanks to your site, we figured out this is a scam, but what action do we need to take to prevent his credit from being adversely affected, or to prevent these people from opening lines of credit in his name? Further, does this guy have the abililty to report against credit? We have already contacted the police, who told us to contact the Post Office as this is a mail scam, and the FTC.
Sharon
Helmetta, New Jersey
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 08/22/2005 12:28 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/merchants-credit-guide-lvnv-funding/chicago-illinois-60606/merchants-credit-guide-lvnv-funding-ripoff-credit-scam-chicago-illinois-154549. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#1 Consumer Comment
Also a victim of scam by Merchants Credit Guide Co and LVNV Funding LLC
AUTHOR: Christina - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, August 22, 2005
Your suspicions are right...what Merchants' Credit Guide Co are doing is illegal and they are scammers.
I received my notice from them in July on behalf of the original creditor, Sprint Communications Com. Apparently, I had a debt with Sprint (which isn't true...Sprint has verified the only account I've had with them is for my cell phone) and Merchants' Credit Guide Co bought it from LVNV Funding in 1997. After contacting MCGC, I was convinced this was a scam but what scared me the most was, they had all my vital information (SSN, previous addresses, etc.). I was worried about Identity Fraud.
I filed a complaint with the FTC but after receiving their response, there was really nothing they can do. They suggested sending Merchants Credit Guide Co a certified letter requesting validity of the account in question. Also, to file a complaint with your state's Attorney General's office. I've done that and am in the processing of filing one with the Illinois Attorney General's office because this company is based in Illinois.
I was fortunate enough to contact a local attorney for advice, especially when this one has experience in dealing with Merchants' Credit Guide Co on numerous occassions in the past. He said they (MCGC) are known for buying old debts and "re-aging" them to. Meaning, making old debts that have been taken care of in the past and bringing them current. They are also known for making up fictitous accounts and try to collect money from victims. Whatever you do, don't pay these people a penny.
Upon my research, I've come across numerous sites regarding these fake collection agencies. There are a lot of them out there. What we can do, as consumers, I've checked Merchants' Credit Guide Co with the ACA (American Collectors Association) on their website and there is no listing for them. I've sent an email to the ACA informing them of false advertisement with a collection agency using the ACA logo in their notices to persuade consumer of its validity. I'm waiting on their response. Accordint to the ACA, to file a dispute with a non-ACA member, you must contact either your Secretary of State or Attorney General for directions. I did just that and all I was told to fill out a form. I'm in the process of doing that now. So, we'll see what happens once I get a response.
As to your question regarding reporting to the credit agencies, no...they can not report false debts or old debts (ones that have gone beyond the Statute Limitations...depending on your state) to any of the 3 credit reporting agencies. If they do and it shows on your report, they are going against the law. You may check your reports for free by going to AnnualCreditReports.com. So far, it hasn't shown up on any of my reports.
Definitely send them a cease and desist letter. This letter is used to validate a claim. You may find sample letters by going to this site:
http://www.creditinfocenter.com/forms. This site is a very informed site and you can get a lot of your questions answered by checking it out.
Hope this helps.
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