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03-12-2009, 09:07 AM

Hey Guys....I have been reading this site for the past 3 years. This is the first time I have ever posted. The material on here as really helped me manage my debt and at one time I was in the payday loan trap.

Just curious....

I had a collection agency call me that I have never heard of today. The gentleman identified himself as Christian Lafferty(I'm not sure of the spelling) said he was calling regarding a legal matter and it would be in my best interest to contact him ASAP. The number he left was 716-218-4832. The number that showed up on caller id was 716-218-4899. When I call back, some gentleman answered the phone just by speaking his name and that was it. When I get to Christian finally he tells me that he is collecting on a payday loan from 3 years ago to Global Payday. It was way into the conversation that I finally found out the company name....Greystone Alliance collection agency, physical address 255 Great Arrow Ave, Ste 15, Buffalo, NY. I do some research and find that this is the same location that Elite Recovery opperated out of.
Also, it was at the end of the call before he identified that he was a debt collector and any information received would be used to collect a debt.

I'm just curious.....
I haven't received anything in the mail yet. He said they just got the debt today. Is this a violation of the FDCPA to call before I receive anything in writing?

Also, I don't even remember if I paid this debt or not.

Has anyone else out there every heard of this company?

I'm sorry for the long post but it just threw me off. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

beli2005 · 03-12-2009, 10:04 AM

No, not that I know of. Almost all collections (Legal ones) will call at least once first. However ONCE you get the call, they have 5 days to send the dunning letter.

Second is Global Payday legal in your state do you know? Do you know if the collection agency is legal to collect in your state? You can e-mail or call your states DFI and they will be able to tell you.

If they are illegal, can you go back to your bank and get bank statements for the year that they are saying and look at the roll over fees and add them up to see if you paid the principal back?

Second I would check your credit to make sure they haven't tried anything funny by putting it on your credit report. If they have before talking to you, that is in clear violation

HTH

NASCAR_Devil · 03-12-2009, 11:12 AM

Beware of any calls from the 716 area code. Western NY is a "wretched hive of scum and villiany" to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi. If you have not already done so, next time they call, verify you are the consumer they are seeking, verify your address and inform them you'll expect their dunning letter w/in the week. End the call. Do not allow them to engage you in any conversation.

sassy_lil_brandy · 03-12-2009, 11:24 AM

for some reason I cant read the replies that people are posting....I posted this as a guest but then decided to register for the site

sassy_lil_brandy · 03-12-2009, 01:30 PM

You guys are the greatest! Again, I have been reading this site for at least the past 3 years. And all the info has been such a huge help.

As far as the bank statements, I had a different bank then. I can't even remember who I was banking with. I'm in Kentucky and I'm not even sure if they are legal in Kentucky. I got myself in the payday loan trap a few years ago and after stumbling upon this site I found out how to get myself out of it. I did file complaints with the Attorney General on all of them. When I looked through my bank statements back then I had paid most of the 3 times the amount they had loaned me. That's when I got smart and closed my bank account and told them they weren't getting another dime from me.

beli2005 · 03-13-2009, 08:12 AM

Sassy, since your in KY i'm assuming this is an Internet loan?

If it is, your safe, as all internet loans are illegal in the state of KY per KY DFI (I have e-mails from two people confirming this). You can e-mail them yourself.. and they'll get back to you in a few hours usually.

If the idiot calls back, just ingore the call. Or better yet, let DFI know that they are trying to collect on a illegal loan.

sassy_lil_brandy · 03-13-2009, 08:17 AM

Thank you so much for the info. I forgot about telling them about the collecting on an illegal debt stuff. Great advice.

03-16-2009, 05:46 AM

What can I do about this company? They have called five different relatives of mine and said that I was being sued. When I talked to them they would not tell me who they were collecting for,the amount they just wanted my bank info to make payments. I told them it would be a cold day in hell and they better send me something in writing. What can I do to get them to stop calling since this is illegal.

sassy_lil_brandy · 03-17-2009, 07:55 AM

You can send them a cease and desist letter. You can find a copy of the letter on this site. They should be able to tell you who they are collecting for. Have you received anything in writing from them?

03-22-2009, 07:45 PM

I have received calls from these people as well. After looking them up and realizing they may be a bit on the shady side, I called the number back to see what they wanted. The person on the phone said he was collecting on a debt for something that happened over 5 years ago. Someone else called several days before but I have yet to receive a letter. When the guy called (the time I called back) he said the case was new and no letter had been sent out. How could that be if I was called at least 5 days prior? Please be careful. In this recession, people are trying everything.

03-27-2009, 08:42 AM

I got a phone call from a man claiming to be a lawyer and that Greystone Alliance Buffalo NY is a lawyers office Bank of America Hired to Sue me, it is a valid debt, but I just dont have the money since I lost my job last year to pay, he threatend to take me to court, he was asking for all my bank account information (which I didnt give) I simply hung up, I havent received ANYTHING in writing and this isnt the first time they have called, its been WAY longer than 5 days, what should I do?

03-27-2009, 02:41 PM

My mother has dementia and lives in a retirement community. This Greystone Alliance is calling her to try to get information on me. I KNOW I DON"T have any outstanding debt and have not received any calls or mail from them. It is very upsetting to her and to me. What can I do to stop this?

04-02-2009, 01:27 PM

This person, also from a Ms. Howes, called my parents home (I don't live there), and when I called back ,she let me know of a debt that I do not have! When I asked why I hadn’t received any documentation about this debt, she told me that she HAD sent it. Then I asked her where she had sent it (after some discussion) she quoted some address in Brooklyn, NY. I have NEVER EVER lived in NY! NOT ever, and there is NO way I or any of my bills would be associated with New York. This, coupled with the fact that she just wanted me to make arrangement with her for money, no questions asked, let me know that something was up! You’ve been warned!

04-14-2009, 06:53 PM

if you dont anwser their call, they will call your relatives. Isnt that harassment?

07-21-2009, 09:13 AM

If you owe them, the best way to redeem yourself and stop the harassing calls is to pay them. Just ask them to send verification of the debt by mail. See if you can find records that prove you indeed paid them. If you did not pay them, ask for a settlement amount and get that in writing. Then PAY THEM. It does not matter if it is illegal to offer these loans in your state. You owe them. Pay them & keep up with the proof until eternity. They will aggravate & humiliate you to no end. I know.

Also, if this is not your debt, PULL YOUR CREDIT REPORT TODAY! You may be a victim of identity theft. (Relatives ARE THE WORST!!!!) ALERT the social security administration, the credit bureau & the police. Get it all in writing. Move quickly!!!

07-24-2009, 07:54 PM

Why is it you people complain about your debts. You know you owe them why all the fuss on past debts from 5 years ago that were sold off to collection agency's. Yes collection agency's call your parents, grandparents, place of employments beacuse you keep moving and hiding from your debts..... You didnt have a problem when you used your credit card to take out your high maintenance girlfriend to dinner and pay for it with a credit card that you couldnt pay back! Just settle with them and improve your credit report.