866-489-0979 - this number from collection agency?

The number is 866-489-0979, they called and threatened legal action. I live in Alabama. I asked them for a faxed copy of documentation for my records and she said that she could fax in one hour and I had two hours to wire my money. I did not wire any money because she never faxed me the documents. She called and left a very threatening message that she was pursuing legal avenues. I contacted my local DA's office who referred me to the sherrif and they told me that they can threaten all they want but this is a civil matter that would have to go thru the proper legal channels. I am terrified. If I owe fine, send me documentation. Am I doing the right thing, please tell me......HELP

Is this a collection agency or a law firm? They must complete the process of debt validation first. I feel that they are trying to scare you so that you send them money in panic. Keep yourself protected and informed. Send a debt validation letter so that you have covered your basis. It is evident from their actions that they don't have the proper details of your debt account. Do you know the name of the original company they are collecting for? Try dealing with them instead.

They can and will threten you with anything to get you in a panic to pay. Don't pay anything until you send a debt validation letter,certified return receipt. You have to make sure they are legally the ones to collect. Try to work this out with the original creditor,if you can. If it has been sold to someone else,wait until you get the dv letter calidated,and never give your bank info to them,if they validate and you send money,send a money order,otherwise they can continue to debit your account,authorized or not,good luck...Karen

That's right Bossy!
Jenn..don't panic and stay strong! We've all been through this and these guys will say anything to get you to pay!
Just hold out for the validation letter~!
Can't find them listed anywhere on the BBB site..

How do I get a debt validation letter?

Send them everything in writing, and also request the same in return.
Also send them a cease and desist on any communicaton other than in writing. If they are a third party collector, blast 'em with some of the fdcpa laws and reiterate the $1000 fine/per offense.

Go to the "Guide" button,right above "Post Reply" button,there are examples there and alot of usefull info-good luck...Karen

Insert your details in this sample letter at the link below. Send it through certified mail with return receipt requested.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com...s/sample6.html

Has anyone ever dealt with this man??? He told me to call him this morning which I did and I asked for everything in writing he said we don't have to and we won't and on Monday morning he will have people at my place of employment and at my home to get the money. I told him no if you can't provide me proof I owe you nothing. And I asked for an address which he said "by laws of our company we don't have to give that out." What do I do? How do I find out what the address is? Because he told me the company name is "United Federal Department" and they are located in Jacksonville Fl. That's bs because when i did a reverse look up the phone number showed somewhere in New York What do I do???????

Johanna, you will get the cover legally from United Federal Dept. They are using their scary collection tactics. They have not proven in writing that their collection attempt is genuine. The debt has to be validated in writing first. Send a letter asking for the debt details to their mailing address through certified mail. If they take any actions, you need to have your side of the story also upfront.

But I don't have their address. So what I'm going to do because I don't have any other available options at this time is wait for the court papers and when they arrive send a money order to the address listed on the court papers for the company persuing legal action. They then have to re-register all of the court papers because the amount they listed is untrue since I will be sending a $5 money order. Plus thinking about it, it does take approximately 3 months at least for the court papers to be prepared.And really why would this company bother attempting legal action when the amount they "claim" I owe is much less than the court fees. Now I understand without properly doing my part yes they can take legal action and not only sue me for what they say I owe them but also come after me for court fees. So I'm thinking smart on this.I appreciate all the advice being given, however, at this time I've done all I can in attempt to obtain the company address. So Monday of this week I will call my Attorney General and ask what he/she suggests. I need to at least TRY to take care of the matter on my side. So please don't take any of this as an attack PLEASE keep the advice coming!!!! It's very helpful!!!!!

They are in-house collectors for Antilles.

Johanna--

Once you get the address, you need to send out the DV letter right away, as soon as possible. The law requires them to stop all collection activities until they have satisfied the request for validation. This includes filing in court. They cant take any action on this account legally once they receive your letter, until they properly answer it. I am going through something similar right now in that we sent out some DV letters last week, and already I have one CA calling me anyways....

But dont let the threats scare you--they make it almost sound like a hollywood movie sometimes, "my people will be at your house within the next half hour...." lol It is just a scare tactic. They cannot have you arrested, they cannot send people to your house, or your work, or to your parents house, etc etc etc, all of that is illegal. The next time one of them tells you this, maybe you should consider calling his bluff and telling him to get right on it so you can gather the evidence needed to sue him for violations of the fdcpa...companies like these operate entirely on the premise that the debtor on the phone has no clue about the law or their rights...if you show them otherwise, they often sing a very different tune in a hurry.

I received a call on my voicemail from this number yesterday. I believe they are representing Eastside Lenders, whom I have filed a complaint with. I have overpaid this loan by $160.00. Are they associated with Ellis Crosby?

These guys are buttheads. My brother dealt with them not long ago. They called him at work and left a message asking him what time he would be there until because they had notified the county sheriff and had an arrest warrant "granted." HA! My brother called the sheriff and, of course, they knew nothing. So he called the company back and told them what he just did. They said the sheriff was wrong then. Wow. Then the man on the phone told him if he paid half of the account (about $2000) that day, he would call the sheriff and cancel the warrant. My brother stated he knew that this particular account was in his ex-wife's name and she at some point filed bankruptcy. So the man told him that he was responsible for it too. My brother told him he had no dealings with his ex-wife on any level and not to contact him.

A couple of weeks later, my niece, who is 12 called my brother and said some man called looking for him and told her that he had to tell her that father her was going to jail because he stole money from a credit card company. The man asked her who she was going to go live with now. My brother called them and told them he was going to sue. Whoever he talked to told him they cannot prove anything. Then he played the recording they left him at work at which time, they hung up. He then received a letter from them apologizing for the "mix-up" as they were under the impression he was still with his wife and it is the "normal practice" to advise the spouse of the situation.

My brother recently filed a lawsuit against them. no court date yet, but I am going just to see exactly what happens at one of these things.

Please keep us posted, as I have a feeling I will be dealing with them soon.