I received a notice from National Credit Solutions, LLC (dated January 24th) of an alleged "debt, " related to the now-bankrupt Hollywood Video company. The "notice" does not detail what the charges might be for, but does display a "current balance." I never got a notice from the actual Hollywood Video company about any unpaid charges previous to this notice. Because the store location I used to use has been gone for a year or more, this made me exceedingly suspicious.

This is a scam.

These are con artists, who have developed a clever psychological scam. They prey upon the worries of persons who value their credit history. We all do these days. But they ask for a relatively small payment, often negotiating the amount down when you call them, and they know that the video rental business typically offered no proof to customers that rented items had been returned.

They want you to 1) doubt your memory about returned videos and games, 2) want to "make it all go away, " 3) see it as a relatively small amount of cash that you might as well just pay and be done with it.

Don't let them take advantage of you.

By conning thousands of people out of small sums, these criminals are laughing all the way to the bank. Think about how much money they can make if thousands of folks pay them fifty dollars every day. Most of us have to go to work each day and would rather not, and these jerks are happily stealing thousand every day by making you think they can hurt your credit history with their spurious "collection efforts."

DO send then a certified letter asking for:

-- Verification of the alleged “debt”
-- Further information about the nature of the alleged “debt”
-- The calculations used to arrive at the amount they are attempting to “collect”
-- Copies of any contracts or documents which form a basis for the alleged “debt”
-- The address of, and any contact information available for the original “creditor.”

You have the right to do so under federal law.

Don't give in. We're all busy, but take the time to dispute this alleged "debt." Report them to the Better Business Bureau, the FTC, and your state's Attorney General.

This is clearly fraud, and is also a form of identity theft. They got their hands on Hollywood Video's customer database, and they're going to town with it. Take a stand. These are con artists. Don't give them a cent. Don't let them laugh at how stupid we all are.

I just received a letter I owe 125.00 in 30 days to Hollywood Video!! What?? I was one of your best customers that kept you in business, and now I owe you!? I've been trying to call all day and got a busy signal, just got a recording closed to the weather. So I have 30 days to reach you, if not collections. I will win and you will have to pay all the attorneys fees. This is ridiculous!!!

I just noticed the ping on my credit report from National Credit Solutions, a company representing the now out of business Hollywood (HW) Video. Apparently I had late fees on three movies from 3 years ago. I have never been informed of a balance or debt to HW video, but the fees just hit my credit report as a collection for $144. I would have gladly paid the $5 late fee...had I know there was a balance. WE ALL need to call the Federal Trade Commision (FTC) at 877-382-4357 and file a report. You can also go to ftc.gov to file online. They told me if enough people file a complaint, they wil do something about it.

i just went to check ou tmy credit for a loan that should be clean. then this pops up that i owe money to a closed video store before they closed i returned all videoes plus i was a gold member which means they charge me monthly to rent movies and have to return videos before i can rent more let me just say i rented at the westside olympia hollywood video for over ten years spent so much money and for them to turn around and scam me when theres nothing i can do about it really sucks who do i talk to if they no longer execist i read this has happened to people all over the region how to we all fight this i do not want to pay these frauds.


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Hollywood Video sent a flase bill to collections. I was never notified and I found out during a credit check for a home purchase. I contacted the collections agency, (NCS) and asked for a phone number to Hollywood so I could dispute this and they refused to provide me with one. They said they would not help me un less I provided them with receipts of the videos I rented. This is a scam that is happening across the United States. Someone needs to do something.