I have just studied a "new" illegal tactic that's fast becoming popular with the less than legit collectors out there...and some of the more legit ones.
Creditors/collectors responding to a "Debt validation, Debt verification, or document demand" or other correspondence demand letter with empty Certified Return Receipt envelopes...
Therefore claiming receipt by the addressee with the tracking "green" card or online receipt document but, in fact, sending nothing but an empty envelope.
This technique is also used to confirm addresses for skip tracers.
This is called MAIL FRAUD. Gun carrying law enforcement officers within the US Post Office like this sort of thing because it keeps them employed and busy.
Always examine the envelope at the Post Office BEFORE signing for it. Take a small flashlight and illuminate through the envelope and detect if there is, in fact, written documents.
Sometimes, there will be no return address or a fraudulent return address on the envelope. The addressee probably won't even recognize the return address provided.
The "green" card may or may not actually make it back to the agency. Verification of delivery is confirmed online at the Postal website, downloadable by anyone with the tracking number.
Nifty, huh?
If you decide that the envelope looks legit, open the envelope WITH POSTAL EMPLOYEES present, at the desk. Confirm the presence of appropriate documents.
Confirm it's not just newspaper clippings...another little trick these dirtbags use.
If the mailing is fraudulent, demand the mail fraud complaint form(s) immediately, before leaving the service desk and annotate, or if possible have the Postal employee actually write a short witness statement on the form.
It is theorized that as consumers become more and more educated about law, the FDCPA and consumer rights they are increasingly capable of protecting themselves from collections.
Coupled with declining collection effectiveness and rising delinquent accounts desperate creditors and their collectors are pulling out all stops and finding more marginal procedures to find and dunn debtors.
Be carefull out there!
Forever vigilant,
CPO
Creditors/collectors responding to a "Debt validation, Debt verification, or document demand" or other correspondence demand letter with empty Certified Return Receipt envelopes...
Therefore claiming receipt by the addressee with the tracking "green" card or online receipt document but, in fact, sending nothing but an empty envelope.
This technique is also used to confirm addresses for skip tracers.
This is called MAIL FRAUD. Gun carrying law enforcement officers within the US Post Office like this sort of thing because it keeps them employed and busy.
Always examine the envelope at the Post Office BEFORE signing for it. Take a small flashlight and illuminate through the envelope and detect if there is, in fact, written documents.
Sometimes, there will be no return address or a fraudulent return address on the envelope. The addressee probably won't even recognize the return address provided.
The "green" card may or may not actually make it back to the agency. Verification of delivery is confirmed online at the Postal website, downloadable by anyone with the tracking number.
Nifty, huh?
If you decide that the envelope looks legit, open the envelope WITH POSTAL EMPLOYEES present, at the desk. Confirm the presence of appropriate documents.
Confirm it's not just newspaper clippings...another little trick these dirtbags use.
If the mailing is fraudulent, demand the mail fraud complaint form(s) immediately, before leaving the service desk and annotate, or if possible have the Postal employee actually write a short witness statement on the form.
It is theorized that as consumers become more and more educated about law, the FDCPA and consumer rights they are increasingly capable of protecting themselves from collections.
Coupled with declining collection effectiveness and rising delinquent accounts desperate creditors and their collectors are pulling out all stops and finding more marginal procedures to find and dunn debtors.
Be carefull out there!
Forever vigilant,
CPO
Comment