About John G. Watts Expertise I can answer questions related to debt collectors and collection agencies contacting, threatening, or suing consumers. I can also discuss how credit reports are affected by debt collectors and collection agencies. My website lists a number of actual cases I have recently filed - www.alabamaconsumer.com. You can also go to my blog at http://www.alabamaconsumerlawblog.com/ which lists information about consumer issues.
Experience I have been a lawyer for 12 years. My background is a trial practice in the area of personal injury and wrongful death. The last couple of years, I have shifted my focus to consumer law. Specifically, to representing consumers with errors on their credit reports (Fair Credit Reporting Act), identity theft (Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) and harassment from collection agencies (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act).
Education/Credentials Graduated with a business degree from Indiana University in 1992. Law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1995.
Expert: John G. Watts Date: 6/11/2007 Subject: Judgement on Credit Report
Question Just the other day I obtained copies of my three credit reports, something I do on a yearly basis. I noticed on two of the reports that I have a judgement. It is with an agency (Cavalry Portfolio) that states it is for past AT&T bills. I never used AT&T. I have no idea what to do first? I am located in Brooklyn, NY.
I’ve been doing some research online am totally confused. By what I read it seems that I may have been served improperly, as I never received notices. On the credit report it says they the debt is from 2006, I haven’t lived at my previous location since July of 2003. My husband and I do not have or ever used AT&T, we have Verizon.
What Should I do first? Contact the credit bureaus? Contact the debt collector themselves? I really can’t afford an attorney and would like to resolve on my own, but it all seems very intimidating.
Your advice/suggestions would be deeply appreciated.
Thank you for your time and help.
Answer Couple of things:
1. Call the court where the judgment is from and order copy of the complaint and the default judgment order. See what this is about. Could be an old phone bill that has now merged into AT&T or it could be a mistaken ID or ID theft.
2. Contact the agency Cavalry and see what they say - if they realize they sued the wrong person give them the chance to fix it. If they do - great. If not, then it will be that much more painful for them to explain to a jury why they didn't fix this.
After that, feel free to contact me and update me so I can give you some suggestions.
Take care,
John Watts
johngwatts@gmail.com
www.alabamaconsumer.com
www.alabamaconsumerlawblog.com
