they don't use real names, complain to citibank about them, have your attny complain to citi, don't give them your attny number, have your attny try to call them, chances are there will be no answer then have the attny call citibank.

in reading this thread, i come up with the following info. Names that ACS are using. Becly ???, Josh Gates,Mike Diaz,Bill Baker,Lynn Trainer,Ray King,Shelly Post,Hugh Arnold, Paul Roberts,Lisa Craven,Richard Brown, Russell Davis , Cynthia ? oh and the president lets not forget Keith Dickstein( If the shoe fits????) Do you see these arte made up names. The Company is BS from the start. Not to mention the phone #'s, call the back . If you work for them . I hope you sleep well at night cuz you will pay in the future.

PS employees of ACS, (i bet the company won't back ypu up)After all you are debtors too.

I just got a letter from Academy Collection Services that says they are trying to collect a $272.39 debt for Pallino Receivables? They are offering me a settlement for 50% of the amount owed. First of all I don't even know who Pallino is and second of all I have no clue what this is for. The letter has the whole standard "Unless you notify this office...yada yada yada" and the "This is an attempt to collect a debt...." but that's it. How do I handle this?

Brooklyn, send a debt validation to the company's mailing address. It is your legal right to know the details of the debt and verify it properly. As the company contacting you is a collection agency, they are forced by the fdcpa laws to give you the exact details. Send your letter certified/return receipt requested. Keep a copy of it documented in a file for records. You have the rights to refuse payment till the debt account is properly presented in front of you. Samples of debt validation letter are available in this forum. Tailor it according to your needs and wait for the reply.

I've been getting collection calls from a law firm called "Riddle and Associates". I did some research on them and found some disturbing stories about their collection tactics. Does anyone know if this firm can legally collect debts in California? They are located in Utah. If they file a lawsuit against me, doesn't a California lawfirm has to handle the case? Please help! Thanks!

Anna,

In California, the collection agencies need not require any specific state license to do business; they are subject to fdcpa and FCRA as usual. IMHO, federal laws are supportive to consumers enough.

Why do you think that they are going to file lawsuit against you? You can negotiate with them. If the figure they are claiming is correct, propose some payment plan, negotiate with them and repay the account. Don't forget to get your payment plan signed by them before you start paying.

Thank you for the info Stan. I appreciate it.

I just received a letter from ACS stating that an account has been transferred to them wanting a total of 430.48. I have no idea what this is for and was going to call and see but now I don't want to after reading all the tactics!

Hi Susan,

Welcome to forums

Don't get upset at the first step. Try to know which account they are trying to collect. Send them DV using CMRRR. Once they receive this letter, they are legally bound to send you debt validation within 30 days. Then you can understand easily if the debt is a valid one or not. You can always dispute the discrepancies, if any.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/validation.html

Once you know the account details, you can try to settle it with your OC directly.

Let us know if you have any more queries.

even if they do, and they might, but doubtful they'll want to spend thousands to get hundreds, whats the worst, you get put on a payment plan. you are not going to jail. Be careful though, They want your cash, and that only.

GIVE ME A BREAK!!! That is the biggest bunch of BS I've heard. All of these complaints are probably accurate. Your company and its employees are harassing, rude, and unethical. You constantly violate the laws set forth under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Why don't you be a real woman and stop your
****in! Just relax and be nice

****Adult term removed - Jason

pissed off,

I assume your experience with them is also not a nice one. File your complaint with BBB, FTC and AG's office. Also work out some payment plan with your original lender and pay them directly.

This is just the most rediculous company I have ever heard of. Don't yell at them....that is laughable. This company has been calling my number for months, and I have told them time and time again that the person they are asking for is not at this number. Sometimes they call two and three times a day even after they have been told they have the wrong number. From now on, when they call me, I will be nice and tell them wrong number, then I will call them back several times and ask for a bogus person. What jerks!!!!! They just don't get it...I was even told by one to disconnect my phone if I did not like it. Well bite my A$$! I do not owe any debt and I am not the person they are asking for. Probably the reason they changed their number in the first place, I will not be intimidated by some punk from Philadelphia that I do not owe a prayer let alone a dollar!

You can speak to your telecom service provider, if they can block this number for you. Also send them a cease comm. letter CMRRR.

My post is like the rest, They contacted me at work out of the blue, talking calm and professional. The female ACS, used lawyer, filing, taking this to court, must have a decision today, and so on. They did catch me off guard and it did send me into panic mode. I do owe a debt to Citicard and will pay my debt.. I informed the ACS associate that I would need to look at my accounts and speak with my spouse before I would be able to commit to a settlement. On my commute home I regained my composure.(YEH!)
1) Learn your legal rights.
2) Learn what rules(LAWS), they(ACS), has to play by.
3) Be professional at all times. (It's Only Business!?)
4) If you owe a debt, attack it! It's modern day bondage!
5) ACS is the "JUNK YARD DOGS" of collection.
When I spoke to the ACS associate the next day, Again she was professional until, I informded her that my employer didn't allow collection calls to employee's. ACS would need to contact me only at home.(Still professional). The associate went on and on pushing for a payment. Finally I had to interrupt her and politely said; "You, nor any other affiliate of ACS is to contact me at my place of employment. "THIS IS MY RIGHT BY LAW." Suddenly the tone and language turned ugly! So ugly, it's "COMEDY"!
Yes, they're a pain. So why not have fun with them!
I'll pay my debt, to Citi not ACS. As ACS informed me I have a few more months of comic phone calls before their contract runs out on my debt and reverts back to Citi.
JOKER