Posted on
January 6, 2010
at
6:24 pm
First I want to say thank you to whoever created this page, and to the members who make it useful. I've been dealing with a debt issue for awhile and this is the first time I found good, solid information online. So here's my issue. Over a year ago I agreed over the phone to a trial account with an advertising company. They had cold called me after discovering my ad for freelance handyman services posted on craigslist, and I stupidly let them sign me up for a free trial of an advertising account. They were supposed to email me with information on how to sign in, and if I liked it, I could purchase their product. I provided some false contact information in case they were not legit (remember they called me on my cellphone and were asking details such as how many employees I had, what services I performed, etc), but did provide them with a correct email address. The address I provided would have been forwarded to my true address by the post office anyways. They did record me stating it was correct information...Time went by and I never heard anything. They did not contact me via phone, email, or mail (unless I didn't notice the letter). After several months, though, I received a call from a collections agency about my account. The collector addressed me by my false name and I acknowledged that I had signed up for an account over the phone but did not believe that I was supposed to be billed for anything. She provided an account number and balance (well over a thousand dollars) so that I could dispute the issue with the advertising agency. I was unable to reach the advertising agency through their 1-800 number and gave up without leaving a message, eventually LOOSING THE ACCOUNT NUMBER. I figured that I had never signed anything, so why worry? Thinking back, they must have sent me some kind of contract stating that if I didn't specifically cancel, they would start billing me. Well now that debt has grown to about $6000 and has been transferred to a higher level collections agency that discovered my real name and is threatening a lawsuit. It's only a matter of time before they locate me and prove that I am the one who agreed to that free trial over a year ago. I've only answered a few of their calls, and none since they began calling me my correct name. A few days ago they left a voicemail saying it was their last attempt to contact me and to return the call if I wish to resolve the issue out of court. Have I totally screwed myself by providing false information in a recorded conversation? Should I seek an attorney? I plan to fight tooth and nail but am worried I broke a law and will have to pay for something I didn't specifically buy. Thank you
Posted on
January 6, 2010
at
6:30 pm
I meant to add that I now live in a different state.
Posted on
February 5, 2010
at
5:38 am
You did not sign anything and you only agreed to a free trial ..no harm in that. Did you already receive court summons?
Posted on
February 5, 2010
at
5:41 am
It's sounds scarier than it should be ..based from how you told it. If it's not in your real name there's nothing to worry about ... I am not a lawyer, but I don't think giving false identity on something commercial constitutes fraud - giving false identity or information on something official or federal is.
Posted on
February 5, 2010
at
5:43 am
RE: Well now that debt has grown to about $6000 and has been transferred to a higher level collections agency that discovered my real name and is threatening a lawsuit. It's only a matter of time before they locate me and prove that I am the one who agreed to that free trial over a year ago. I've only answered a few of their calls, and none since they began calling me my correct name. A few days ago they left a voicemail saying it was their last attempt to contact me and to return the call if I wish to resolve the issue out of court.Request/Ask them to validate the debt.
