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INAMIBLE · Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:42 pm Subject: Leaving Hand Written note at Home

I just came back to my apartment and I found a hand written note on my door. It says to call a toll free number (877-836-3100, Nashville, TN), to ask for this such person at such ext. It says it was urgent and there was a case number. I called during the night and it looks like the name of the office is : Grant & Bagel Associates and that "your call may be recorded for legally purpuses"

Can either collection agenices or law firm do this?, just leave a hand written note at yoru place?

I file banckcrupcy about 2 years ago, so, not much money I own.

Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:21 pm Subject:

Wow...I have never heard of that happening before until now. That's definitely weird. So they basically came to your house? Can you say invasion of privacy and trespassing? LOL!

I'd report what happened. What is it they're seaking, exactly? Did they explain the debt you owe?

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 12:27 am Subject:

INAMIBLE

With the tecnology that comes with the internet and computers, firms and companies can easily find out certain little details. There is a certain collection company that knew a debtor worked at a place with multiple buildings and asked which building they were in. The site I'm talking about is google earth, and companies can find out the name of the complex and see what your home looks like from a satellite in the sky. Perhaps this company called your apartment complex (after finding out the name of it) and ask for them to leave a note...saying your phone wasn't working.

Now...on to the note. It wasn't official, so you can choose to disregard it if you want. It wasn't put in your mailbox, and it wasn't left on your voicemail. Anyone could have left that note. They know where you live, so why didn't they send you something certified. This is a form of harassment.

I also did a seach on the company with the BBB. Checking both the name and phone number I could find anything. Be leary when calling the company back...and if you have a voice recorder, you may want to record the phone call.

Regards-
Mike

chianti · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:38 pm Subject: ellis and crosby

i recived a call from tyoday at my jod saying that if i did not pay them $560 that they would come and arrest me by 7pm the want to talk to my boss and everything i think this is kind of crazy

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:13 pm Subject:

chianti

Welcome to the forums!

First off, I would like to tell you that you cannot be arrested for being in debt. The only way you can ever be arrested is if you default on a court ordered judgement (which usually ends up in a garnishment). If you change jobs and don't report it, then maybe.

Second...if this is a collection agency who is violating FTC regulations...you may want to consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) and with the FTC.

Can you tell us what debt they are trying to collect on, and the name of the company that is calling you.

There is currently a company out there that is harassing people that is under investigation already.

In any situation, though, you have a right ask for valiation of debt.

The following is a template you can mail to them...as well as telling them to cease and desist telephone contact. YOU HAVE THIS RIGHT!!!!

template:

Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234

ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL

Date:

Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on
September 30, 2002). Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a
notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC
1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is
requested.

This is NOT a request for �verification� or proof of my mailing address,
but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and
Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with
competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:

What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you
say I owe;
Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
Identify the original creditor;
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported
invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau's (Equifax,
Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both
Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found
on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you
represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for
the following:

Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Defamation of Character
If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as
requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days
to investigate this information and during such time all collection
activity must cease and desist.

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could
be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult
with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any
information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or
invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no
provided proof that it is.

If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30
days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must
be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such
deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be
made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your
offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not
limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to
or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will
have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST
be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order
before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct
your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

Best Regards,

Your Signature
Your Name

end of template

Make sure that they have a license to be collecting as well. All this information should be provided to you. A license number should be public even if you don't have an account in collection. They may mail you a letter stating most of what you requested. Until you have gathered all the information requested, you have every right to dispute the debt.

I hope that the interigation doesn't scare you. There is no debt prison, and NO ONE is coming to your work. If you have a main work line that then gets transfered to your desk---you may want to inform your employer. That's up to you.

Remember----you're in control. But as always, try to resolve the matter and stay debt free. Protect yourself.

Best Regards-
Mike

Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 8:10 pm Subject:

If they come to your home like that again and leave a note on your door I would go and file harrasment charges.

Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2005 9:27 pm Subject:

Chances are this is the apartment complex. They might be getting phone calls with request to have a note left on your door. Remember with technology today it's very easy to find out the name of someones apartment complex, and then look up the phone number online.

Another question (which I didn't really think to ask) is this company based locally?

If this company is based locally then (well either way) you have a right to file harassment charges. Fr them to come to your come to your home trying to cllect on a debt--is considered harassment and I would consider talking with an attorney or the local police.

Regards-
Mike

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:37 pm Subject:

As per the collection practices, leaving a note on the door sounds illegal. There has to be someone in person with a valid identity card trying to collect a debt from the consumer. Doing anything behind the picture is completely illegal.

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:48 pm Subject:

Did anyone find anything on this company with the BBB, or the FTC?

-Mike

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 12:59 pm Subject:

Grant & Bagel Associates has suddenly popped up in the business. It has no records in the BBB as well as other government bureaus.

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:10 pm Subject:

Are we sure we're spelling the name correctly?

I called the 800# to listen to the message and it sounded like Grand Beagle & Associates.

-Mike

Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:13 pm Subject:

Mike

I tried my search with the spelling you have put here and also called at the given number. But still, have not reached to any result.

Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:36 am Subject:

I have never even heard of companies like a law firm leaving notes on the door like that unless it was like a eviction notice other than that I have never heard of a law firm just coming to your door just leaving a hand written note thats pretty bazaar

Chenny · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:13 pm Subject: Letter from Attorneys of Law

I joined Bally fitness club on December 2004.After 4 months i cancelled the contract with that club since i am going back to my country due to my personal reason.As per contract i can cancel the contract if i submit the copy of my one way air ticket for their proof.I sent the copy of my one way airticket with delivery confirmation mail.Bally also received that mail.

I came back from my country on august 2005.Presently i received letter from law firm stating that i have to pay $2000 to Bally club.I checked my credit report,it showing negative points due to bally.Bally screwed my credit report and still asking me to pay $2000 within 30 days through Attorneys at Law .

Did that law firm will file case on me? Did they will ask me to appear in court?
Please let me know how to handle this situation.

Regds
Chen

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:06 pm Subject:

Chenny

I would mail the lawfirm or whoever is representing Bally's a letter of validation. Do you still have the information that you oringally sent to them. This should of been reason enough to have the contract cancelled.

I also was in a similar situation when I had a fitness membership in Oklahoma City. When I moved to Ann Arbor, I was being contacted on my cell phone (which was still the OKC area code and phone number) to pay. I explained to them that I had moved and needed to provide proof. The contract was eventually cancelled and taken off of my credit report.

Having the information that you originally sent would be greatly beneficial. You can use the template below, as well as sending any copies of what you sent in will be all you need to send.

template

Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234

ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL

Date:

Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on
September 30, 2002). Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a
notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC
1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is
requested.

This is NOT a request for �verification� or proof of my mailing address,
but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and
Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with
competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.

Please provide me with the following:

What the money you say I owe is for;
Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you
say I owe;
Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
Identify the original creditor;
Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent

At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported
invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau's (Equifax,
Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both
Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found
on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you
represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for
the following:

Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Defamation of Character
If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as
requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days
to investigate this information and during such time all collection
activity must cease and desist.

Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could
be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult
with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any
information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or
invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no
provided proof that it is.

If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30
days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must
be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such
deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.

I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be
made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your
offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not
limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to
or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will
have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST
be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.

It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order
before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct
your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.

Best Regards,

Your Signature
Your Name

template ends

Let us know what happens, or if you need anymore help.

Regards-
Mike

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:28 pm Subject:

Hi Chenny

*Name:
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