I'm being sued. Need some info.
I'll start from the beginning.
When I enrolled at West Virginia University I began receiving many credit card offers. I decided on a shiny new Citi card with a $1200 limit, available only to college students. To keep this part short, I eventually maxed the card out and stopped making payments after a few months. I was a broke college kid.
After my short stint at WVU, I moved home and began working at a local production facility. The calls started from United Collections Bureau. Work was slow and my meager wages did not give me much room to pay them along with my current bills. I offered $20 a month as suggested by a few friends (since I knew I could pay that), but they refused anything less than full payment. Also, I asked if they were still associated with Citi. They said no. *Remember this.*
Some time went by and then my neighbor came to me with a piece of paper. It had an account number and telephone number regarding the debt. My neighbor told me that someone was looking for me and requested I give them a call back. The person who visited my neighbor obviously knew where I lived since they were only one house over. They completely avoided my house. I know that because I was home at the time. The next time UCB called, I asked who it was that was sent to my neighbor's home. I was told that he was owed a favor by a local agency, so he called it in. I still have that piece of paper as I believe it could prove to be important. Also, UCB happened to show up on my credit report.
I never admitted to owing the debt, as advised, and after some research I issued a Cease and Desist letter. Following a response, I also requested validation of the debt, providing 30 days for them to do so. 45 days later, I received a statement showing a balance of $1832.23 from an original debt of $1200. There was no original contract included, nor proof of any of the payments I have made, which I requested in my validation letter. I sent a response requesting validation again, but it was ignored.
Months passed and I was hopeful. I had assumed that the collection ceased until I started receiving letters from various lawyers offering their services. Shortly after and only about 10 days ago, I received a notice on my door from the local deputy sheriff. I received my 'you have been sued' letter. The deputy handed me a legal complaint, to which I would need to respond within 20 days or an automatic judgment may be filed against me. Titled as the plaintiff is CITIBANK. This is where I am now.
The breakdown:
I was denied attempts to make payments on the debt.
I was lied to by UCB when I was told that Citi no longer owned the debt.
An associate of UCB provided my neighbor with an account number and telephone number, when no information regarding a debt is to be given.
The current debt is $1832.23 when it was $1200 initially.
I was never provided with valid proof of my debt.
Unfortunately I do not have recordings of the phone conversations, but I have signature confirmation on all letters. I have the paper from my neighbor with the account information and telephone number written on it.
I need some help with finding an appropriate document by wednesday to respond to the current complaint against me, which I have to take to the courthouse. Also, any ideas on the strength of the case I have against them? Possible to counter-sue or best to get judgment dropped?
I live in Pennsylvania by the way. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated as I am beginning to get very nervous.
When I enrolled at West Virginia University I began receiving many credit card offers. I decided on a shiny new Citi card with a $1200 limit, available only to college students. To keep this part short, I eventually maxed the card out and stopped making payments after a few months. I was a broke college kid.
After my short stint at WVU, I moved home and began working at a local production facility. The calls started from United Collections Bureau. Work was slow and my meager wages did not give me much room to pay them along with my current bills. I offered $20 a month as suggested by a few friends (since I knew I could pay that), but they refused anything less than full payment. Also, I asked if they were still associated with Citi. They said no. *Remember this.*
Some time went by and then my neighbor came to me with a piece of paper. It had an account number and telephone number regarding the debt. My neighbor told me that someone was looking for me and requested I give them a call back. The person who visited my neighbor obviously knew where I lived since they were only one house over. They completely avoided my house. I know that because I was home at the time. The next time UCB called, I asked who it was that was sent to my neighbor's home. I was told that he was owed a favor by a local agency, so he called it in. I still have that piece of paper as I believe it could prove to be important. Also, UCB happened to show up on my credit report.
I never admitted to owing the debt, as advised, and after some research I issued a Cease and Desist letter. Following a response, I also requested validation of the debt, providing 30 days for them to do so. 45 days later, I received a statement showing a balance of $1832.23 from an original debt of $1200. There was no original contract included, nor proof of any of the payments I have made, which I requested in my validation letter. I sent a response requesting validation again, but it was ignored.
Months passed and I was hopeful. I had assumed that the collection ceased until I started receiving letters from various lawyers offering their services. Shortly after and only about 10 days ago, I received a notice on my door from the local deputy sheriff. I received my 'you have been sued' letter. The deputy handed me a legal complaint, to which I would need to respond within 20 days or an automatic judgment may be filed against me. Titled as the plaintiff is CITIBANK. This is where I am now.
The breakdown:
I was denied attempts to make payments on the debt.
I was lied to by UCB when I was told that Citi no longer owned the debt.
An associate of UCB provided my neighbor with an account number and telephone number, when no information regarding a debt is to be given.
The current debt is $1832.23 when it was $1200 initially.
I was never provided with valid proof of my debt.
Unfortunately I do not have recordings of the phone conversations, but I have signature confirmation on all letters. I have the paper from my neighbor with the account information and telephone number written on it.
I need some help with finding an appropriate document by wednesday to respond to the current complaint against me, which I have to take to the courthouse. Also, any ideas on the strength of the case I have against them? Possible to counter-sue or best to get judgment dropped?
I live in Pennsylvania by the way. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated as I am beginning to get very nervous.
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