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#33 05-17-2007, 05:44 PM

I cannot believe what I am reading, I thought I was the only one. I filed a complaint on ripoffreport.com about them. Even Cleveland BBB has a ton of complaints about them and now I found this forum. How are they still in business or even have a license.
They call my house every minute of everyday for 2 months now. They called one day 74 times. So far this week they have called me 38x 1 day, 33x the next day, 48 times yesterday and 37 times today.
They need to be shut down and put out of business. They are doing more harm than good.

#34 05-23-2007, 03:02 PM

They can't file a judgement against you, only a court can do that. They would need to sue you, in the correct court, serve you papers properly, and comply with all the Fair Debt Collections Act to succeed. These people threaten and take advantage of the lack of knowledge most people have about collection practices and what is allowed by law. You are entitled to know what is being collected, who is making the claim and the original amount of the claim. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. THESE PEOPLE ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

#35 05-25-2007, 06:51 AM

Can they even do this to you? It is in violation of the Consumer Protection Act and I am refusing to pay any debts to them.. They call me at my work saying they have my cell phone number but called my place of work because they knew they could reach me there. I asked them two weeks ago to not contact me at work anymore because of my risk of being released for too many personal phone calls. Are they allowed to continue doing this? And should I pay them?

#36 06-01-2007, 12:29 PM

I received my first phone call today from this company. They left a voicemail. They are trying to collect money from me on an account that I still have with Verizon Wireless. They ran my credit. Why I don't know. What kind of guidance can any of you offer me as to how to get them to leave me alone?

#37 06-01-2007, 02:41 PM

Well I can't believe what im reading. I have been dealing with this company over a debt to Citibank which we had been trying to work out with them directly until they sold it. This woman called our house and screamed at me to get my checkbook and pay her 2800 now. I told her it was impossible. She then continued to berate me and scream at me. She gave me all the information about my husband, his ss number and everything (his acct) and told me to get it paid or she was going to have us prosecuted. My husband called her back the next Monday and offered her a pmt plan telling her that we were seeking counseling for credit and working on getting things straight. She told him he sounded stupid and hung up on him. He called her back and proceeded to try to work out a plan with her and she said "your an idiot" and hung up again. He then called and asked for her supervisor who told him that "we want our employees to talk to you that way" At that point he knew it was useless and told him unless they were willing to take pmts the conversation was over. The supervisor told him he was going to prosecute us. The next day we get another phone call from the same woman verifying from us that we are not going to pay and to let us know that they are prosecuting. ok. well again I didnt hit the lottery overnight so not going to give you all that money but will still be willing to do pmts. she tells him no and hangs up on him. What further steps should we take at this point?

#38 06-05-2007, 08:36 AM

I get TONS of calls from this woman, who sounds like a man..AT WORK, and they use tactfulness like telling my co-workers "we had an appointment to talk at 1pm", etc. The thing that DID freak me out, is a co-worker told them I was gone for the day, but they said they had a locator on my car and I was still there!! Is tht possible? By locator maybe they meant just some other person, watching? It freaked the crap out of me though! Anyway, my dad said they called him and told him 'your son is going to prison for 5-10 years' bla bla....I highly doubt it for an unsecured debt with Citi.

jedijeff13 · #39 06-05-2007, 09:49 AM

Locator? I think it was a total guess, for if they did, we can't even BEGIN to discuss the privacy laws they are violating. To truly put something like that on your vehicle, they would need a search warrant and court permission to install such a tracking device.

Standard desperate scare tactics. Send them a C&D letter so they only discuss debt with you via postal mail. Get a return receipt. Then feel free to bust them every time they call you or anyone else.

#40 06-06-2007, 12:13 AM

Wow. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who is being harassed by these people (Not glad for the harassment all of us are facing, mind). They've been calling me at work, and just the day before yesterday called 3 times within the first 20 minutes of my shift; I'd been advised by Financial Freedom of America to ignore their calls, but since they were calling at work, I had to call them back.

After trying to lecture me for 10 minutes about 'my responsibilities', the woman hung up on me and called back our main company line, wanting (apparently) to talk to our HR person. She had threatened lawsuit and garnishment of my wages while I was on the phone with her, by the way.

The call never got through, and fortunately my HR person just hangs up on these people. Still, a scary bunch.

So anyway, I have a question. In talking with my case manager at FFA, she advised me that it's illegal for them to be calling me at work. Does anyone know if this is true?

#41 06-06-2007, 03:44 PM

A relative contacted me just now with a message saying that someone called for me. She left me the number, I googled it and I reached this thread. Should I be expecting rude calls like that and should I tell my relative to hang up on them?

jedijeff13 · #42 06-07-2007, 05:32 AM

You can find the answer you seek, tmc, right at this link:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.shtm

That is the easy read of the Fair Debt Collection Act. A simple scan a few lines down and you find this:

Quote:

How may a debt collector contact you?

A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax. However, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts.

They will use EVERY illegal tactic in the book. Don't fall for them. Send out C&D letters to keep them in check. And simply tell them that you know your rights and you will not tolerate such treatment. Note what they have done wrong and contact your state's AG if needed.

#43 06-12-2007, 03:29 PM

What is wrong with these people. They have been calling my house asking to speak with a friend of mine. I didn't answer the call the first 3 -or 4th calls. When I did answer.I told them that this person was DECEASED. As of last year. I told them they need to check public records . Well they want to know if I have his SS #, could I fax a copy of the death certificate. Asking all these questions.When I asked why they were calling MY house. I was told they could not divulge any info. I asked them why they wanted answers from me, but couldn't answer mine.(This person did not live here.He briefly lived here about 9-10 years ago. I didn't tell them that tho'). I wanted to know why & how they got MY number. I assured them that this person was as dead as dead could be.They kept calling. This morning again, same thing. They want his SS# etc. Itold them I truly did not have it. But if I did, I wouldn't give it to them. I was trying to tell them to call any other number that they could find for him. And the B---H, hung up on me.I called the # that had been left on the machine. The guy who answered, said yes, he was that person"s supervisor. He also hung up when I told him how rude she'd been. Has anyone been successful in suing this company? It's not about the money so much as the way they conduct themselves. If you don't give them info. They are crude and ugly in demeanor.
I work nights and it's extremely annoying when I am awakened to hear there crap. They must be vying to see whose gonna get the commission. I told her to please post the fact that he is dead. So that they can stop calling my house. FConsidering the fact that he did not live here. I told her it is bordering TRULY, on harrassment. Causing me loss of sleep, making it harder or me to go to work.
At anyrate. I think there are 2 kinds of people who work there. Those that have to, as they don't have workplace skills. And those that want to feel superior. By annoying people. While hiding behind the "anonymous" desk.

SUEBEEHONEY70 · #44 06-12-2007, 10:14 PM

Ok - this is the collection agency that is threatening to sue a relative of mine over a credit card bill that she hasn't paid on in 4 years. She's asked for my help on it, but I've never been in her shoes with a collector threatening to sue me.

I've read elsewhere that a collector cannot sue you - the original creditor has to. Is that true?

I've also advised her to get a debt validation letter out immediately.

Any other ideas? This company calls her every single morning demanding immediate payment of the full amount and will not work out any payment arrangements with her. They have gone so far as to describe the entire garnishment procedure and told her they would consider all of her other expenses when going for a garnishment. I'm thinking with her low income (her husband is disabled and doesn't work), if it went to court at all, the judge would end up setting up a payment arrangement.

SUEBEEHONEY70 · #45 06-13-2007, 02:23 PM

Bump! Anyone able to help? :-)

cajunbulldog · #46 06-13-2007, 02:31 PM

Sue, a collector cannot sue anyone as they are not an attorney.If that threat is made and it is not a attorney licensed in your state,it is a violation of Fdcpa.For your friends peace of mind,send a validation letter with a paragraph in it stating to contact by written method only.Send it certified return receipt. After they sign for it they are not allowed to contact this person and every phone call would be a violation.If they show a desire to not follow the established law collecting,then gather the violations and find a consumer attorney to file suit.

SUEBEEHONEY70 · #47 06-13-2007, 02:35 PM

thanks, Cajun. That's what I was thinking. She said a "paralegal" called her yesterday from this company (or said they were a paralegal) and asked if she was going to come up with the money (it's about $1300). She told them she couldn't come up with that - that all she could do is make payments on it - they said, "fine, we'll see you in court, plus all the attorney's fees and court costs".

So, even if they've bought the debt from the original creditor, they can't sue her?

Somehow I doubt this company has a paralegal on staff, considering all the information I've seen on them here. I guess anything is possible, but it sounds more like a scare tactic to me.

Sorry for all the questions, but she's asked for help on it, and I want to give her some solid advice. I'm pretty certain that if it were to go to court, the judge would end up setting up a payment arrangement rather than a garnishment - she really has no disposable income to speak of that could be garnished.

cajunbulldog · #48 06-13-2007, 02:59 PM

If they own the debt,they can sue. The theory I was putting out is if a person calls you and threatens suit,they are in violation with the one exception of it being a lawyer licensed to practice in your state. The violation would be threatening to take an action they would/could not take. I would need more info on the debt to go any farther. Original creditor,name of people harassing person,and date last payment made on account.