[seisenbaugh]

I recently received a collection notice from Encore Receivable Management Inc that was for money I allegedly owed EXCEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
This amount, however small (less than $60), was something I absolutely KNOW is NOT owed. When I had EXCEL as my long distance carrier ALL my phone charges were paid thru my "local" billing carrier -- VERIZON.
In discussing this matter by phone with two staff members at ENCORE ... a Nora Opercio and a Kristine Campo ... I was treated like pond scum and when I threatened legal action was berated even more so.
I contacted VERIZON and the business and collections office there, acknowledging I am a perfect customer with them, sent me a letter that I could Fax to ENCORE verifying I have NEVER been delinquent with them.
I faxed this info to Ms. Campo (Kampo?) -- employee designation #M20 -- requesting she contact me back to advise this issue has been resolved. No reply. I called and got her answering machine. NO return call. I called again and spoke to her directly but she was "busy" and promised a call back. NO return call.
I want the courtesy of a reply!! Her number there is 702-407-4520.
And I want to know if I can launch a Class Action lawsuit against EXCEL and/or ENCORE for bogus credit billing?

[Not so Lucky]

File a complaint against Encore. They are famous for this. When filing your complaint with the consumer protection office in your state, have all documentation ready to send with the complaint. Also, file a complaint with the BBB.

[seisenbaugh]

That suggestion is fine but it does not solve the issue at hand.
On principal I refuse to pay for a debt that is NOT mine. Yet this would appear on my credit bureau as an "unpaid collection".
I want the legal means to prevent this from happening and to sue the parties responsible.

[curlycarl]

You have a case against the collection agency for misrepresentation of your accounts. As per the fdcpa laws, the charges applicable will be section 809( b ) and can recover the extent of the damages. You need to hire an attorney that specializes in the lawsuits of FDCPA violations.

At the same time, you must dispute with the credit reporting agency on this item. They are reflecting this account inaccurately in your file and thus, hurting your credit worthiness. It needs to be verified immediately.

Collectcorp dose this as well... guard your credit report.

[LCW]

Because this involves a telecommunication Compaany, under the fdcpa the Federal Communication Commision is the agency you would need to file a complaint with. In addition file a complaint with your state attorney general as well as the Nevada Attorney General (that is where Encores is). For good Measure, I would also file a complaint with the FTC as well.

My experience has found complaints to the BBB are subjective and have little effect and carry almost no weight with many companies, especially collection agencies of low ethical and moral standards.

[Not so Lucky]

Encore is also in Lawrence, Massachusetts and Olathe, Kansas.

[LCW]

I beleive Olathe, KS is their corporate office.

[Not so Lucky]

When we were dealing with Encore, on the caller id, it showed up these three places. Just thought I would give the info.

If you have the money sue everybody involved!!!
I was in the unfortunate situation of trying to get student loans when a collection agency frauded me out and ruined my credit. I obviously didnt have money to sue the jerks or I would have believe me.
Lost my last year of college because of COLLECTCORP!!!

[LCW]

you were unable to get student loans becasue of a collection item? Was this private financing or Federal? I was able to get federal Stafford Loans immediatly after filing a bankruptcy, so a open collection item shouldn't prevent you from getting federal student loans. IF you only have a year left, when you recover, go back and finish.

I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't finished school to go back and get their degree. It doesn't really matter what area it in just so long as you have the piece of paper.. Most companies require a degree for increasingly meanial jobs.

[Not so Lucky]

I was surprised that my husband was able to get stafford loans to continue with his bachelors degree with our credit in the shape it is in. I do know that the college financial aid department will help you get the loans needed to complete your degree. I am wondering if that is why my husband got his loans without any problem.

[john]

I agree with Clay, do not let the negative marks in your credit report hurt your academic sessions. Review the credit report in an extensive manner and list down all the incorrect items for disputing them. Monitor the reports regularly so that any fraudulent activity can be detected instantly. Most of the times, collection agencies are responsible for ruining our file. Place your complaints at the local consumer protection office as well as the BBB and the FTC. Make the authorities aware of the illegal businesses so that they are shut down.

I was applying for a bank loan because the school I was applying for was private.

I was accepted in a program that was allowing people with limited university ( 2 years). However, the next intake year they needed a full pre med course to be accepted.

When I applied for my loans for that year I was denied because Collectcorp lied to the credit bureaus.
By the tim,e I got it all straightened out it was too late to pay my holding fee and lost my spot.

In order to re-apply I would need to take the 4 year pre med course for the following year. (Chiropractic)

I complained to the RCMP, BBB, and the Govt.
All I got was that they took the fraudulent info off my file so it was done with!!

[john]

Collectcorp Fraudsters - Those like you, who go through such sensitive situations can only realize the pain from the depth. I can only pray that you don't have to go through such hard times again.

[Not so Lucky]

Today I received a letter from Encore stating that they apologize for the claims of violating the fdcpa laws and they make a practice to not violate these laws, but consumers need to understand they have a job to do and they are just doing business. Then they close the letter stating, thank you for letting them know about their employees. I thought to myself, what a crock and waste of postage. I am taking as a sign that they are in trouble because of their collection practices.