I received a call today from that number at 9:07 am. Says UNAVAILABLE but the number is stamped: 775-412-4499.

I did some research on the Internet and found out a few thousand other people are getting the same calls. Apparently, to collect old debts from 1999 and back. Maybe you got a call from them, too? 

I don't have any old debts, but I did used to do some programming for the old Chilton/TRW firm in Dallas, TX in the late 1980's when they modernized their three floors of file cabinets of consumer credit microfiche to computers. Today this firm is now -- Experian. 

Suffice it to say, I went to the FTC do not call and complained and I asked the FTC (in the comments box) if they could please drop a small tactical nuke on the building where these calls are coming from.  I hope I don't get a visit from some government people now by saying that. We'll see. 

Here's the law people:  There is NO debt public or private that can be collected on after 7 years.

If you have a debt that is older than 7 years and say it went to collections 7 years, one month ago... the debt is no longer collectible. This is different of course if you have an ACTIVE installment loan, car or of course a mortgage. I'm talking about the debts that you need to get rid of on your Credit Bureau reports that you haven't paid or confirmed in years. 

Most of us have a bill we forgot to pay (or didn't want to pay) to the Yellow Pages ad. Or the Verizon bill that your kids ballooned up to $703.19 when your airtime charges were .33 cents a minute on an old bill from December 2002. 

Cleaning up your credit reports is really child's play. But you have to know the rules; Meaning what to say, when to play dumb and shut up and when to take action with a letter, a #10 envelope and a stamp. 

You have to write letters to the (3) Credit Bureaus and you must be diligent. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a law that allows consumers to demand valid proof of any debt when you challenge them with the credit bureaus.

They get 30 days to confirm your debt is valid. Fortunately for you (the consumer) many businesses are going out of business now, or are being sold or merged with other firms. All too often, your account with that company can get really buried in a roll up acquisition. This is a good thing because when you go to DEMAND the Credit Bureau confirm the debt... in many cases they can't.

Getting the Credit Bureau to confirm your debt has to be done within those thirty days. If the debt is still there on day 31, you simply inform the Credit Bureau they did not confirm the debt and pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act... the debt must come OFF by law. 

Now -- I am NOT advocating ways for you to legally dump valid debts. But sometimes, we all have a few dings on our credit for silly or stupid bills and for some reason it sort of hangs onto your Credit Bureau.  I got hit with a bad experience with credit card theft and I've done a pretty good job at getting rid of the bad credit Klingons on all of my (3) bureau reports. 

STEP ONE: It is important to NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE to any collection agency that you have disputed the debt, but ignore it. Never Never Never confirm your debt is valid. That resets the CLOCK on the 7 year time limit.   Bart Wilson? Verizon bill?  I don't think so. (this needs to be your standard reply. Just be sure to use your name.. not mine. Hahahahahaha) 

STEP TWO: Wait your seven years, deny the charges/debt on your credit bureau and start with Trans Union first. They are the easiest to push over and easiest to quickly remove any challenged debt(s) you have..  Once you clean up TransUnion, then work on Experian and Equifax.

Many large cities have an Experian or Equifax in your home town. Dress up nicely. Make an appointment and take your cleaned up TransUnion report with you along with your drivers license, any utility bill and your SSAN card. 

Never Never Never (I mean NEVER) send copies of this information in an envelope and mail it to the credit bureaus. This is why ID theft is skyrocketing. Too many thugs working in the Credit Card Theft cartels have relationships with local mail carriers. They get paid to open up envelopes, copy your information, the envelope gets sealed with tape... and you will never know. 

Until it is too late.

Good luck to all of you and fight fire with fire and report this 775-412-4499 bastards to the FTC do not call list.

If anyone know where they are, I will personally make a visit to them and our attorneys will bury them in so much legal paperwork, their grand kids will still be paying the bill.

Knowledge is Power.  Power to the people.

-- Bartman (the one and the original)