Fingerhut ripoff St. Cloud Minnesota

Here is my story and hope this will help you all. I purchased some towels back in early 90's which I paid immediately. A few years later I attempted to buy a new computer with the intent of paying it off as soon as I got it. Two months I called Fingerhut and was told that they sent it over a month ago. Explaining that I never received it I was refusing to pay for something that I did not receive. After much nagging they agreed to dismiss and cancel the order. I told them that they should have sent the order certified return receipt required to prove that it was received.

So years later I received noticed that I was in collections with a company called Jefferson (dont remember the rest of the name) but I refused and disputed the bill on the fact that it was never received and fingerhut dropped the bill. I never heard anything after that.

Now last year I was checking my credit report and was shocked to see collection agency called Midland Collections. So I called them a asked what they were on my report for. They explained that I owed more then $3000 from an old Fingerhut bill and was being charged interest till it was paid off.

Boy was I upset and told them the same thing. That I never received the order and fingerhut dismissed the bill/order. They said that I would need to send a letter stating that I was disputing the bill. Which I did and also contacted all three credit bureau's and told them that this was an illegal debt collection.

Fast forward now: the credit bureaus all deleted the Midland Collection report on my report but Midland was still sending me collection letters demanding full payment of the bill. I demanded for proof of the debt and proof that I received the product (they still have not complied to this order). I sent a certified letter to both the old Fingerhut Comp. and Mideland Credit demanding proof the bill and if they do not proof the debt within fifteen business days that they must accept the debt to be void and null.

ALSO - I contacted the State of Wisconsin Consumer Affairs office in Madison, WI about the illegal attempt to collect both on a debt that does not exist and even if it did was past the seven year limit. Now with then in action they notified Midland Credit that they were not registered to collect debts from residents of Wisconsin so they sent them to proper forms to file with them and to include almost a yearly $500 fee to do business with Wisconsin residents.

They also told me to no longer talk to them but thru the state agency. They also demanded proof of the debt to be submitted within seven business days but Midland Credit went silent on both issues. The state sent me a letter back and more or less told me not to talk to them and if and when I ever hear from them to send them a copy of all the letters that I receive from them.

SO my suggestion to the rest of you is to certify return reciept required all letters to the collection agency and Fingerfut. And then send a complaint letter to your state consumer affairs office (might be with the Department of Agriculture) and let them know what is going on. If the state gets enough complaints they will take legal action. I know our state is very aggressive on collection agencies. So I hope this helps. Don't take their illegal practices but fight fire with fire. Get the government involved that is what they are for. You pay taxes so use them to help you.

Benn
Eleva, Wisconsin
U.S.A.