I spoke to CIBC directly and they confirmed the settlements, and said its common practice to just quote reference numbers

It doesnt have original but reference #

As per Richard C ( TotalDebtFreedom ) - such letters are common and the seldom put original account #'s

I wanted to know if anyone from ARC received the same style to sorta confirm

Your CIBC letter would appear to have contained your original account #, in addition to account is "Settled in Full". If it's the CIBC account # then you should be in the clear with that. Perhaps fax the letter to Equifax and T/U along with a request for them to update your files.

This was their release letter ( the account # is their internal ref # )

http://img189.imageshack.us/i/46175661.jpg/

Th firm is who is settling the debt for me called them and they said to call CIBC National Collection and they were told that it matches the reference numbers in their system

Its been 1 month since the payment and it doesn show paid in the credit report yet, not sure if CIBC takes longer, infact all I see in my credit report is CIBC Account update on 30th June 2009, and I checked my credit profile today which is 2 business days after the above - so I am not sure if they soft inquired above to update?

I have 2 CIBC with ARC and 1 CIBC with FDR - their settlement letter had original account number

This is another example, Nordon Collection

http://img38.imageshack.us/i/64386291.jpg/

I have TD and AMex one too, both had account numbers and they are all cleared from my credit report

First off, good on you for settling your accounts.

With respect to not having the original creditors Name, Account #, etc., on the settlement contract: Well, I can tell you that when I'm in a position to settle my debts those account details will be on whatever contract I'm signing, along with statements in line to:

"This agreement represents a full and final settlement of [creditor account # & Balance], ARC [reference #], for $x.xx."

"Payment terms: .............."

"ARC agrees to forward a discharge letter to [debtor], as well as, update Equifax and Trans Union of this account settlement, within X days of receiving payment"

The risk that I see with not having such language on ones settlement contract is that perhaps it could later be interpreted that you've only settled a portion of your debt with ARC; leaving the balance to potentially be sold to another agency for future collection efforts.

I recently settled 2 accounts with him

Just wanted to confirm that when they sent the settlement letters, they didn't quote the original account number but their reference # only, similarly with their release letter

I already confirmed with Richard that this is normal practice, just wanted to see anyone who had the same style of letter and if they also were surprised like me?

ok folks, here is some info on ARC

First if you don't owe the government they cannot take your house, money from your pay. they can take you to court IF they thought you owed enough but that takes time.

1 they have to mail you a letter FIRST before they can make contact with you on the phone.
2 they have auto dialers that are your numbers that are put on thier desk and they keep dialing same time every day.
3 they will bully you but you can say no phone calls and do communication through mail or email etc.
4 they sometimes buy your accounts from your past creditors thats why some are relentless. they get all the profits
5 they can also give you a deal because the creditors have an amount they want but ARC want's it all.

they have a collection floor for many clients, they go through staff like you change your socks. the collectors are pressured daily to meet a quota for the month. so if its near the end of the month and your being called watch out they will be persistant.

following om from my talk with the bank re my credit card i recived a letter from ARC stating very clear that i had to contact them within 10 days pr leagal action will be taken. it was quiet a strong letter but having said this there was infomation that was in the letter was just not true.

I then thought i would call the bank and got some snottie Bitch giving me the riot act. [[edited: bad language]] i thought was this woman from the bank working for ARC ????? i kept telling her i was going to keep paying at the bank but would she listen OOOOOHHH NO she kept shouting at me "I had to make any arrangements with ARC" i thought i will call the Better Business Bureau ASAP to make a complaint.

Yes i got that letter lawyers office. Then checked out to see how many cases they sewed were none. Now i got the next letter 50% only 5% lower then the charge off. Shows what there trying on a sol debt here

I received a telephone message left on my home telephone message centre; I called the number and spoke to a staff member (Todd Williams) of ARC he told me an account from a bank ( R.B.C Credit Card $3000) had been passed onto his company, and it had to be paid.

I explained I was currently out of work and that was the reason why the account was not being paid and I had spoken with the bank in question, after telling him I had a mortgage he then said that my mortgage company will foreclose soon and it in my interest to sell the property.

I explained that I have only just started to receive E.I. and I was working with my mortgage company and this was the first time I had ever claimed this benefit, during the conversation he started to get aggressive saying that if I did not place my house on the market within two weeks he will see that I loose it.

The conversation started to get stressful so I told him I had go and would call back next week I called him back an hour later and said the credit card had an insurance policy on it, it was at this point the man got very defensive and aggressive telling what and what I can not do.

I asked him for some sort of paperwork he then shouted at me that he was not Canada Post and they had sent a letter some while ago. I denied this had ever been delivered to my address. He was adamant that he was not going to send any paperwork. After a while he then told me I must give him a fax number. I said I do not have a fax nor do I know anyone with one. He again stated that if my house was not on the market soon he make me sell my property.

When I arrived home I searched the internet and found a number of listings against this company I called the bank RBC they where understanding and I made arrangements to use my local branch to make some payments and if there were any other problems I had to call and ask for help