contacted by collection agency nearly 10 years after my last dealings with BMG

I just followed the instructions in the example letter and mailed it
off (certified) two weeks ago. Just got the reply today. It said that
Columbia House didn't have all of the Fair Credit information I
requested and the debt was dissolved. The reply even said my credit
report will be fixed. This actually worked. Maybe there are other
ways, but this letter actually worked- and we actually owed the money,
Columbia House just didn't have (or didn't want to bother with) the
information requested. Thanks- I might try this with other creditors
to see what happens (but I don't suggest this to others) G. Walters

I mailed this exact letter to Columbia House and two weeks later got
the receipt thingy back. What does it mean if they don't complete the
Section on Delivery portion? There's no signature or delivery date.
Nothing! Is it just hopeless at this point?

What this person needs to do is contact the collection company
directly. Contacting BMG, especially through a third party web
site, is not the best way to handle this.

A lot of people think that debts that are seven years or older are no
longer collectable. This simply is not true. Debts drop off credit
reports after seven years however they remain collectible forever as
long as they havent been paid or charged off in a bankruptcy. It is
entirely possible this debt is 10 years old.

The collection agency likely bought the debt from BMG so BMG literally
has nothing to do with it anymore. Christopher needs to call the
collection agency and and begin a dispute process.

Christopher,
Let me tell you a true (i'm ashamed to say) story.
When I was 16, my older sister was sent a letter from
Columbia House Records. The letter was trying to get her to
re-subscribe to their record club. Well, she
no longer lived at home and I wanted those 5 records
for a penny! I signed her up got my 5 records and
spent the next 2 years sending back everyone of the
postcards they sent, that let me know a shipment would
be sent if they did not here from me. Finally I sent a letter saying
"I" moved.
Six months later my sister, who worked for a correction agency, came
for a not-so-friendly visit.
She was livid. She had seen her name on a collection letter and knew
right away that my brother or I had
been using her account.
Man, those records cost a whole lot more then I thought!
You just may find out someone has been using your old
account.
Maureen

Great letter, Christopher.

I would suggest also printing out a copy and sending it registered
mail with a return receipt so you have a record of a) your
communication and b) the fact that it was received.

Good luck to you. I hope everything is resolved in short order.

It hasn't been ten years - stop exaggerating.

Other than that, I think you have a valid complaint. Good luck.