Payday Loan Companies Contacting References?

I would think that they only contact if you default... I had 6 PDLS last year, and I put phony names and numbers for all of the references..Obviously they didn't call, because I got the loans. :cry:

They can only contact them and ask for you. They can not disclose any information about you to your references. You should visit the fair debt collection page. Do a google search for fair debt collection and review the law.

I wish I'd had the forethought to use phony nanmes on the app. These people are relentless. I told one of my references what was going on. The next time they called her, she told them she was going to call the mob after them. Haven't called her since.

This is from the FTC


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I used real names too, but cannot remember if I put their actual phone numbers down or not. I think a couple I put my kids' names on there, so...

"I would think that they only contact if you default... I had 6 PDLS last year, and I put phony names and numbers for all of the references..Obviously they didn't call, because I got the loans"

Thanks.

My main concern is that I plan on stopping automatic debits because they lended to me illegally

That is great info, Fedup--and to the best of my memory, I have rarely received written communication on any of my PDL's. And based on the text of the law, it's obvious that Bass has violated most of it....

Oh come on..we all know that Bass plays by the rules!! :lol:

I think I only received written communication from one PDL, and that was paychecknow. If I remember correctly, they weren't very aggressive.

I only had one of the PDLs call my references, just one time though. I should have used phony names, but I did use phony numbers when I couldn't remember theirs so maybe thats why they didn't call (duh!).

a few months back when I defaulted with paydaymax.com they called both of my references. But 1 they just left a message saying they need to get me and the other they contacted said they were calling me regarding and application i filled out.

I would advise you that if you send any communication to them, such as to stop calling or writing, cease and desist letter, you do it certified and with reciept so that you have proof that you sent it. This would include your debt validation letter to the company or debt collector.

Jeff, Yes they will call your refernces. Especially if you have any of the England companies they are the worst. They called my boss and told them everything. They violate the Fair Debt act because they are ILLEGAL scumbags and dont care. KYSIDE38

Westbury Ventures has totally been harassing me! They send 5 or 6 emails a day. However, they've never sent me anything in the mail to my house. They never even told me what my loan amount is that I owe! They've threatened me so many times and now they are saying I have until 2:00pm to day or they will take further action. They have about 10 alias names! I'm not sure if I should continue to ignore them or if I should just pay them and get it over with! This loan originated in March 2005. It was originally $200. I've paid a fortune to them and they still think I owe them money!

CW,
You need to sit down and figure out how much you've actually paid these people and if it's over what you borrowed (and based on what you posted, it probably is), you need to demand that your file be marked paid in full, or you will be filing with your state's AG. That's crazy that they are doing this and it also sounds like harassment! Good luck...

How can I demand they do this? They act like I'm going to jail if I don't soon pay up? What do you mean I will be filing with my state's AG? What does that mean?

Westbury Ventures has totally been harassing me! They send 5 or 6 emails a day. However, they've never sent me anything in the mail to my house. They never even told me what my loan amount is that I owe! They've threatened me so many times and now they are saying I have until 2:00pm to day or they will take further action. They have about 10 alias names! I'm not sure if I should continue to ignore them or if I should just pay them and get it over with! This loan originated in March 2005. It was originally $200. I've paid a fortune to them and they still think I owe them money!

I just spoke with an attorney. She said if a payday loan pursues this in court, it would have to be a federal case if it's out of state from where you live. She said she didn't know of any state that would put somebody in jail for a misdeamoner liek this. The cost of pursuing this would be more than the cost of the loan which in my case is $200.

Cwtaylor, this is an unlicensed internet payday loan company, not licensed to lend in any state. You need to file a complaint with your state' Attorney General's office as well as the Attorney General's office in the state in which the company is located. Also, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO JAIL, this isn't going to go to any Federal Court either. These people use illegal collection tactice. Respond to their e-mail and demand they mark your account paid in full and also include this as your remedy to the situation in your complaint with both AGs' offices. This company is only trying to scare you don't let their threats get to you no matter how mean, evil, and legit they sound.

How do you know they are unlicensed? The original company was called SJM Platinum B Services. If they are unlicensed and illegal, why should I worry about responding to their emails?

Because this company like the others are not licensed to loan in any state. And when you do your research don't be surprised if they are not licensed to lend or operate in the state they are located in. Because they are unlicensed that is why it is important to file the complaints. Include all correspondences from these companies as your proof of their unprofessional tactics and in some cases, illegal collection tactics.

cwtaylor,

What state do you reside in? I know in Ohio if an unlicensed lender takes the matter to court, they will be arrest for law violations.

I live in North Carolina. My state made it illegal for Payday Loan companies to operate here. They put them all out of business. Unfortunately, I found Platinum B online. Westbury Ventures is located in Kansas City, Mo. Or so they say. They are all very vague about where they are actually located. The last email I got said that everytime they sent me an email and I opened it, it has been noted and will be used against me. That scared me a little but I'm still holding my ground. I'm not going to send them anymore money! They are scumbag thieves!

cwtaylor ~ don't be scared! I am also in NC and I have gotten a lot of information from this site. They are not going to do anything to you. Let them know that you are aware of all their scare tatics and you are not intimidated by them because they are not licensed to do business in your state. Don't let them say that they are not doing business in your state because if they contacted you, lent you money and taking money from your account, they are conducting business in NC. Send them a copy the law where it payday loans are illegal in NC and basically be strong and stern. If you take the time to read a lot of the posts here, you will see how they will try to get more money from you. Let them know how much you borrowed, how much you have paid to date and if you have over paid and by how much. Stay strong! You have the law on your side. I am still dealing with a couple, but am holding my ground. Have not heard from a collection agency yet, but have been threatened to have my accounts turned over, but have not heard from any agencies yet and will deal with that, if and when it happens. But knowledge is a powerful weapon, so arm youself and you will be ok.

Thank you 2nband! I appreciate your comforting words. I am sending a complaint to the NC Attorney General's office today. I also filed a complaint with the FTC. I wish I had kept all those emails Westbury sent me. Sometimes there were 5 - 6 emails per day. Total harassment! I figured it out that I have paid over $1500 for a $200 loan. I was paying $60 every two weeks to reinstate that stupid loan because I could never come up with $200 all at once. What an awful lesson to learn! I have other payday loans out there that I "escaped" from and have not been contacted at all. I guess they figured it's not worth getting exposed.

You are welcome! If you get any more letters/emails, make sure you keep them along with any other correspondence that is sent. All the companies I have/am dealing with, has been done in writing and I have told them the same, that they could only contact me in writing via email or US Postal Service, so that I could have documentation for the AG as to what has transpired between the 2 parties. Route66 keeps telling me that they cannot respond to me via email and has called several times and I had to inform them if they could receive my emails and send me email reminders in reference to payments due, then they could respond to me via email. I have got everything saved in a folder on my computer, plus on a disk. Don't want to loose anything. Also have kept correspondance of things that were marked PIF. You have more than paid off your $200 loan. The cap for small loans in NC is 36%, so you are well above that.

I know for me is had been a hard and expensive lesson learned, but a lesson learned none the less. No more PDLs!!!