Meet Ralph and Phyllis Eaton. They have a Dodge van with the license plate 854-RJL.
In August the Shelton couple got a collection notice from Evergreen Financial Services telling them they owe $258 for a parking ticket written in Wapato, Wash. on July 15, 2006.
"We've never been to Wapato," Phyllis said.
When she called, they asked if anybody had used their car. She said no.
What Evergreen Financial Services didn't know was that Phyllis is battle-tested. She's been fighting bone cancer for four years and this ticket was just one of life's sparring sessions.
"The older you get, the more it seems like whatever it is, you have to fight for it. When this came I said, here's another fight."
Phyllis says she asked the company to get back to her with more information. They never did.
Ralph has no intentions in giving any money to settle the matter.
"We don't want to pay this ticket," he said. "It don't belong to us at all."
So I called the Wapato Court, got the ticket myself, and surprised the Eastons with the ticket. They had never seen it before. In one of the boxes is the license plate number of the offender: 854-RSL.
Close. "But that's not the same," Ralph said.
Remember the Eatons' license plate is 854 RJL. In fact, the name of the vehicle owner is written right on the ticket. It's a person named Rodriguez who lives in Toppenish.
"Terrible, it doesn't make sense," Ralph said. "There ain't nothin' on there that is correct."
So I decided to fax the correct information to the collections agency. A day later, Evergreen Financial Services dropped the collection notice. I also spoke to the court to make sure there isn't any future court action taken against the Eatons.
If this happens to you, try to get a copy of the ticket from either the police department or from the court.
In this case, I hold both parties accountable. The agency better have proof before sending out notices and if the person's name and address is on the ticket, the court should send it to that person. In this case the court admits to dropping the ball.
For consumer concerns, e-mail Jesse to or call toll-free 877-51-JESSE. Follow him on Twitter at .
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