Hollywood Video Debt? Not So Fast.

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To Jessica in Oakland (and everyone else): Contact the Attorney General in your state. They will tell you step by step what to do to protect yourself. Following is what the AG's office in Ohio told me to write:
RE: Client Account # XXXX
Agency Acct # XXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
I received a letter from your organization stating that I owe $17.43 to “First Lien Term Lenders Liquidating Trust, the legal successor to Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery.”
I dispute this debt. I do not owe this debt and request written proof that this debt is outstanding. According to the Attorney General’s office in the state of Ohio, you have five days to provide me with written proof of the debt upon receipt of this letter.
I sent it via the USPS and required a signature for delivery. I sent the letter in September 2012 and haven't heard from the parasites since.

Sonya of OH 11:18AM February 05, 2013

I got a letter as well, but my husband and I have moved twice since 2009, so it took a while to get to me. I am not crazy about paying the money since I know that we turned in those DVDs and since I have packed and unpacked twice since then I am certain it would have turned up had I not. However my husband and I are going to purchase a home in 2013 and I do not want anything on my credit. What are the chances that this could turn into a derogatory mark on my credit?

Leeann of VA 12:51PM December 21, 2012

I'm glad I read these posts. I used to rent from Hollywood quite frequently and usually found they were a good store. I did lose a movie once and I paid for it. It's strange but all of these debts are for movies rented in "2009". There's a statement on their invoice that says I might owe for more movies. It sounds like they planned to add more. I'm sending them a letter contesting this debt because I know I paid it.

Ed of OH 1:58PM November 17, 2012

I recently received a million calls saying that we owed them money from a film not returned in 2009-I know we returned that film. I said, "Wait a minute, you are a collections agency? I haven't heard a word in three+ years about this and now my credit is going to be affected?" They said Oh we've sent numerous letters to: then they quoted the wrong address, like an idiot, I gave them the correct address. Now I've received two notices back to back.
More info about how to resolve this would be great.
Jessie Oakland

Jessica of CA 12:57AM September 27, 2012

I got a letter today from them for two movies from March 2009. Two reasons why I know it is bs: (1) I moved out of the area a month prior to the rentals. (2) For Christ's sake, I was in Ireland on my honeymoon during the days of the movie rentals!!!!!

KGL of SC 9:34PM September 17, 2012

I just got a letter this weekend. I called the number on the letter and couldn't get past a recorded message. The phone message states, in part, "Please be advised that this portfolio has been cleared for collections by the attorney general of your state.” Well, I contacted my attorney general's office and was informed that this statement is flat out not true. I'm writing a letter to dispute the claim. We don't owe Hollywood Video anything.

Sonya of OH 1:40PM September 11, 2012

We also got a letter from ARM yesterday, 8/31/12, about 12 movies they say we owe late charges for. The last time we were in the store, they told everyone they were closing and any movies that needed to be returned or late fees needed to be taken care of immediately. We always return our movies in the appropriate time so we didn't give this another thought. We purchased 2 movies and went on our way We work very hard for our money and don't intend to send them a cent.

Pam of IL 2:00PM September 01, 2012

I got a letter from A.R.M. yesterday 8/16/12; on 2 WII games I am sure that if we rented them we returned them on time. Also, I had the premium plan so I should not have any late fees. I can easily pay the $16.68, but will NOT do that, is just not fair, I have to work hard for my money and will not just give it to them like that. Now, I have to take time from my busy day to go write this letter and not just that I will file a claim with the BBB and FTC and also will call or send a copy to the attorney General.

Alicia of CA 1:13PM August 17, 2012

Anyone contacted by any collection agency regarding amounts due for Holywood video services should not ignore the notice. They should respond in writing: This is not my debt, I dispute this charge, and hereby notify you that no money is actually owed. I am instructing you not to contact me further in connection with this alleged debt. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a federal law, you may not contact me further once I have notified you not to do so.

Sally of CA 3:11PM August 11, 2012

I got a letter from them last week on a movie i rented from HV. $19.99 - I know for sure I paid it because i now OWN the movie! Bought it from them instead of returning it cuz they were going out of business, but I answered when they called this evening and they said if i didnt have any valid "proof" i paid for it [from 2010] then I'd still owe - i went in my past bank statements and lucky me DIDNT find anything. :/ so I paid them - but then i found this site! I called Wells Fargo just now to do a canc. pymnt. and they said they would file a claim against ARM Solutions and research if they're legit or not.
- I'll update if anything comes back to me!

Lana of CA 12:03AM August 10, 2012