How can I get information from this number 888-274-9847 - Mrs associated
Date: Tue, 11/27/2007 - 20:24
Here's the backstory: We have been getting automated calls asking for my wife by her maiden name for the last couple of weeks. Out of curiosity [and with her consent], I finally 'pressed 1' the other night, just to see what it was.
I got a fellow whose name I didn't catch, demanding to know if I was [wife's name]. I allowed that I was her husband, and I was getting tired of their automated calls. He jumped up and down for a few minutes, demanding to speak to her [ain't happening!]. When I told him he could either talk to me or stop calling, he started yelling and hung up. Google says the number [888-274-9847] is MRS associates.
Today at lunchtime, I got another of these calls. This time, there was an actual person on the other end. Again, the caller wanted to speak to my wife [she was there with me at the time]. I explained again that I was her husband, and that he could darn well talk to me or do without. He started asking for my information, and I didn't give it... Only that she was present, I was her husband, and that I'd be happy to help him if he'd just spit out what it was that he wanted. He said he couldn't tell me unless I gave him my information... After a couple of bars of this dance, I told him that if he couldn't say what he wanted, I'd have to be going. He retorted with "you don't think that's going to stop us, do you?" This last was delivered with a definite air of menace. He started to say something else, but by then I'd pretty much had it with this guy. I wished him a nice day and hung up.
Nobody on this end is trying to dodge anything here. The reason I handle these calls is that my wife suffers from severe depression and anxiety disorders, and that her condition has been pretty fragile of late. This is on the order of a disability, she has been hospitalized for this condition before. I see no reason to allow some bottom-feeder to cause her unnecessary pain. Especially for profit.
Current status: I rather expected another lame attempt from these people this evening, but it has so far failed to materialize. After two weeks of automated calls and the pitiful attempts at communication(?) that I've detailed above, we still have no idea what debt these folks are trying to collect. We have recieved nothing from them or any OC by mail. I've pulled her Equifax report. There are no collections or chargeoffs listed. All accounts are noted 'pays as agreed'.
This is becoming very stressful, in part due to her condition. I understand that I need to demand validation, but of what? How can I find out what I need them to prove?
Thanks for taking the time to read this rant. Any reasonable suggestions would be most appreciated.
Lawstudent told me that the CA has 5 days to send you something
Lawstudent told me that the CA has 5 days to send you something in the mail after they talk to you for the first time. So if this were me I would tell mrs associates that your wife is not well enough to speak on the phone and if they do not want to deal with you then they should send a letter. and that you know that under the law they are required to send a letter. I don't know if it is the state that I live in but the CA that called for my hubby ended up talking to me. ANd I am dealing with 2 not so good ones right now. I would also call your states department of financial institutions and find out if MRS is licensed to collect in your state and then tell them what is going on. When the calls started and that you have not recieved anything in the mail from them yet. Keep a record of when they call and what was said. I did and my DFI wrote the 2 CA's a nice little letter on my behalf and I have not heard anything from them, yet. Your DFI will probably start a case file and any letters going from your state to MRS, they will send you a copy of it also. But I think you did great and kept your cool, and not letting them get to your wife. Keep up the great work. and I am sure someone else will come along with better info for you.
If legal in your area, record the calls or at least keep a detai
If legal in your area, record the calls or at least keep a detailed log of them. They should have sent you something in the mail within 5 days of first contacting you (as per the fdcpa). Evidently, they are already in violation. Send them a letter demanding validation of the alleged debt (I believe a template is in the DIY section of this site), and state that you'll only be dealing with them by mail ( a partial cease communications). Send this registered, return reciept. If they call after getting this, ask the collector who is calling if he/she would like to be a party to a law suit, and that you are exploring your legal options as to suing their company. Then hang up.
A Consumer Should Demand Verification Immediately in Writing
A consumer who receives any initial phone call from a DC should immediately send a demand for verification letter to the DC via CERT/RRR. A consumer can check with the internet for an address. A consumer is entitled to a "5-day" letter upon first oral communiction unless already sent.
FWIW, that's my original message at the top of this thread. Betw
FWIW, that's my original message at the top of this thread. Between stress, tired, and lateness of the hour, I was having problems figuring out the forum system this site uses. I think I gots it now... :)
puddlejmpr wrote:
Quote:
So if this were me I would tell them that your wife is not well enough to speak on the phone |
I thought about this, but I didn't want to give them any more ammunition than I absolutely had to. I explained to their rep that I was her husband, that I was handling the call at her request, and that she was present at the time. I also told him that I'd do what I could to help him, but that his choices were either to speak to me or to do without. Didn't think to tell'em to send a letter or DV at the time. I was just trying to get the basics: name of OC, $amount, like that. I didn't get any info, but I haven't had another call [yet...]. That oughtta count as a small victory.
When it finally dawned on the guy that I wasn't going to let him speak to my wife, and I wasn't going to knuckle under, he started on a tack that he needed information from [about] me. I gave him nothing. No name, rank, or serial number. Only that I was her husband and that I'd talk with him if he'd get to the point.
My question for you is this: What / how much information about me is he entitled to have, and why? It seemed as though he was after the info to establish my relationship to her, but could he have just been fishing? I'll work with them to a point, but no way am I going to hand a loaded weapon to a known enemy.
How much of your information did you have to provide to the CA you were dealing with on behalf of your hubby?
Law Student wrote: Quote:If legal in your area, record the call
Law Student wrote:
Quote:
If legal in your area, record the calls or at least keep a detailed log of them. They should have sent you something in the mail within 5 days of first contacting you (as per the fdcpa). Evidently, they are already in violation. Send them a letter demanding validation of the alleged debt (I believe a template is in the DIY section of this site), and state that you'll only be dealing with them by mail ( a partial cease communications). Send this registered, return reciept. If they call after getting this, ask the collector who is calling if he/she would like to be a party to a law suit, and that you are exploring your legal options as to suing their company. Then hang up. |
For my sins, I'm in Vermont, which is kind of a grey area for recording calls. I'll check into it further, but I believe our laws are silent on that particular issue. Regardless, I think I'm going to get some equipment next month and start recording anyway so I can use the tapes to make notes.
I will be sending a DV / partial CND letter in the next couple of days, as soon as I have things straight enough in my mind to write a coherent letter. Do I need the details of the debt in order to do this? Or can I get results with just her/our name[s]? Sorry to sound like a idiot here, but this is all kinda new to me.
JAM wrote: Quote:A consumer is entitled to a "5-day" letter upo
JAM wrote:
Quote:
A consumer is entitled to a "5-day" letter upon first oral communiction unless already sent. |
About the 5-day rule... Would that be 5 from the first time I spoke to them? Or 5 from the commencement of their automated calls? If the latter, they're already way over the limit, though I may have to pull phone co. records to prove it. Otherwise, I can wait a little longer. Also, is that postmarked within 5 days, or delivered?
When they called they asked for him and I told them he was at wo
When they called they asked for him and I told them he was at work. Then they asked for his work number or a cell phone number, I told him that I was not allowed to give those numbers out and that I would not have given it to him anyway. I also told him that I was his wife and I would be handling this matter. He didn't ask my name or anything.
I understand about you not wanting them to know about her condition. And with the 5 day letter, it is 5 days after you spoke with them.
puddlejmpr wrote: Quote:I also told him that I was his wife and
puddlejmpr wrote:
Quote:
I also told him that I was his wife and I would be handling this matter. He didn't ask my name or anything. |
That's kinda what I was thinking. I see no reason for them to have my personal info for this, unless they're just diggin' for another handle. I don't feel like giving them one at the moment.
To date there have been no more calls [but I forgot to turn the phone on yesterday after work]. Also, nada in the mailbox. Go figure.
Thank you very much for your kind help, puddlejmpr.
No problem :) I hope things work out with you on this.
No problem :) I hope things work out with you on this.
MRS?
Umm,
We've gotten two of these calls, automated, left a message asking for my husband's ex-wife's new husband by name...
I jumped on to google the number, and found your thread rather interesting.
My, what a tangled web they weave! Husband's ex'es new husband s
My, what a tangled web they weave! Husband's ex'es new husband seems like quite a stretch.