I'm posting this as a public service. If you receive one of these letters, do NOT call the phone number listed. Even if your phone number is unlisted they can "lift" your number.
What follows is my response to a letter I received in the mail. The letter was from Telegram Notification Service. It had a Telegram Notification logo with the words Mail/Voice Messaging underneath it. It stated that I had a voice telegram was left for me that would be delivered by phone if I call the toll free number (800-283-0705) and enter a "telegram number"
I researched this. It turns out that this is a debt collection agency. This "telegram" practice is illegal. So here's what I responded with:
To Whom It May Concern:
The attached letter was mailed to my former address. This address is incorrect.
Please note: A correct address will not be given to your company. This "telegram" letter is in violation of federal law. As you are well aware, The Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibits the making of false and misleading statements in an attempt to collect a debt.
In no place on this misleading "telegram notification" does it state that "This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose" as required by Federal law.
After researching your company and others like it, I have found evidence that this "telegram notification" practice has been used to "lift" phone numbers that call your "mail/voice messaging" service. I can assume that this is why I am now receiving telephone calls from your company.
During my research I also noticed that this "telegram notification" practice has been litigated against very successfully in the recent past.
Please cease all attempts at communication via telephone at once. If you wish to contact me via mail, in accordance with my rights under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, you may do the following:
I am hereby requesting formal validation of the alleged debt you are attempting to collect. Note that I am not requesting a simple account summary. Rather, you should forward the following expeditiously:
1. Validation that the alleged debt was established, including a signed application for credit;
2. Formal certification that the alleged debt was transferred to a third-party if applicable;
3. Notarization regarding the alleged debt's P&L application to federal or state tax write-off;
4. A complete monthly accounting history from the alleged debt's inception through the present date, including any alleged charges, penalties, service charges, and payments, as well as a certified attestation regarding current status;
5. Documentation regarding your company's compliance including applicable bond, regarding debt collection laws in my state.
I look forward to receiving the requested documentation so that this matter will not escalate further. Otherwise, you are prevented from reporting this account to the consumer reporting agencies. Any further reporting is in violation of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (Sec. 809(b) 15 USC 1692g).
As I stated before, I will not give you my new address. You may instead mail the requested information to the address you have on file. It will be forwarded. If misleading collection attempts continue, the next letter your receive will be from my attorney.
