Expert: Barnette Law Offices, LLC - 10/30/2008

Question
I have asked this question with another expert, but still confused. I am in the military and was stationed in Germany.  I had a home phone while I was there, Telekom Company.  This phone was disconnected in 11/07 and a final bill was paid.  I returned to the U.S. in 7/08 and I am in training and not at my final destination until 12/08. I  have no access to my belongings at this time.  I had received a letter from a collection agency out of Denver, Co stated the Telekom Co had turned me over for collection on a bill I had never seen. I have disputed the bill and asked for validation, however the Denver Collection Agency states the German company will not accepted my dispute without proof of my final payment.  I can not access my paperwork until 12/08.  Can the German company place this on my credit report? Can they just refuse my dispute? I have asked for validation from the collection agency in Denver, but have not heard from them.  Can the Fair Debt Collection and Fair Credit reporting protect me from this company? German or Denver

Answer
Josh:

   I seriously doubt that a foriegn phone company would have subscriptions to the credit reporting agencies.  Therefore, my answer would be no.  It is possible but, very remote.

   The German company could as can all original creditors.  However, the debt collector cannot so long as your request for validation was sent within 30 days from your initial communication with them.  They do not have to validate it but, they can't take any future collection activity without doing so.  That would include putting it on your reports.

   Our law would only apply to the debt collector because they are an American company.

       Jason Barnette
       Barnette Law Offices
       http://www.barnettelawoffices.com
       615-585-3885