Utility collection letter addressed to "Occupant"


(MA)

I moved into my apartment a few months ago. Recently, I received a collection letter from a utility company addressed to my apartment, but in the name of "Occupant". The start date of the collection is a while before I moved into my apartment. The end date is a few weeks after I moved in. Since moving into my apartment, I have used this utility but have paid them in full from the date I moved in. Should I contact the collection agency to explain that I have paid in full since I have been living in my apartment, or do nothing since the letter was addressed to "Occupant" and not in my name? Thank you.

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Jun 11, 2011
 Utility collection letter addressed to "Occupant"
by: Debtcollectionanswers.com

It sounds like the former occupant of your apartment may have moved out owing money to the utility and that the utility does not know that there is someone new living there. Did you initiate new service in your name before you moved in? If not, the utility probably assumes that the former tenant of the apartment still lives there. Therefore, you should initiate new service in your own name as quickly as possible; however, you may have to clear up the problem you wrote about first so you are not at risk for losing your service.

Write the debt collector a letter stating that you do not owe the debt the collector is trying to collect from you and explain why. Be sure to include the date when you moved in. To prove when you moved in, you may want to include a signed copy of your lease but be sure to black out any personal information related to your finances so the collector does not have access to it. Make a copy of your letter for your files and send the letter certified mail with a return receipt requested.

If you are unable to resolve the problem on your own, get help from a consumer law attorney in your area who helps consumers who are having debt collection problems.

Do not ignore the debt collector's letter. As I said, if you do, you risk the loss of your services. And, get the utilities in your own name ASAP if they are not already.


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