CA HARASSMENT CALLS / UCB COLLECTOR QUESTIONS! NEED HELP!
Date: Mon, 01/26/2009 - 08:55
Had a citibank credit card for a long long time. It was at $30,000 at one point. My husband brought it down for me to $11,000 in the last three years. We could no longer afford the payments which were $560 per month. We were still paying interest on it as well. The card was in my name only and I tried working something out with them. They said they would get back to me. . . . . a little history, - - - I have been a full time student for the last few years so I'm not working. Since I was not working, two years ago, we purchased a house under my husband's name because I wasn't working so all assets are under his name right now.
A few days after last conversation with citi, a collection agency is calling me with yelling, cursing and just plain rude! I asked the woman to tell me who she was and where she was calling from. I asked if she was from a collection agency and the only thing I was able to catch from her screaming was: "what difference does it make where I'm calling from - you owe $12000. How are you paying". I kept asking her to let me speak and she just kept yelling at me so I finally hung up on her.
I called citibank and they told me the account is being handled by UCB - United Collection Bureau. I called and asked to speak to a manager and he was pretty nice and apologized about the situation. He said he could offer me 45cents on the dollar. Came out to about $5600 or so. Sounds pretty good but we don't have the money.
I'm supposed to call him today. Do I send a validation request letter. I can maybe borrow about $2000 max to pay but we can't come up with $5600.
Do I just send the Validation letter to them (CRRR) and not call the guy back or do I try to get him to accept a $2000 offer.
I've filed a complaint with the FTC and BBB (I know it will probably do no good but I'm just exercising my rights). Could I use the harassement to my advantage? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm really scared right now! :cry:
Get a voice recorder....UCB will break the law. We got paid qui
Get a voice recorder....UCB will break the law. We got paid quite nicely from their fdcpa violations.
Thanks, Soaplady Unfortunately, right after the last call and
Thanks, Soaplady
Unfortunately, right after the last call and before I knew they were in violation, I spoke to a manager there who apologized and I'm guessing the harassement calls will stop. I do have my tape recorder ready but I don't know if they'll call again in that manner. Do you think I should send the validation letter and not call the manager back? I was supposed to get back to him today with the offer reply.
Soaplady, I saw a few posts from you regarding UCB. I'm followi
Soaplady, I saw a few posts from you regarding UCB. I'm following your advice closely. . . .
I understand that UCB is a 3rd party collector for Citi. I'd like to settle at some point but right now the amount they're asking is nowhere within our means.
Will they eventually sue? Can I keep them going for a while to bring the amount down? I'm sending them the validation letter the next few days. What is C&D mean. I saw this on one of your posts regarding harassment from UCB.
UCB has no authority to sue and never even refer to attorneys.
UCB has no authority to sue and never even refer to attorneys. I have a friend who used to work for them who gave me the inside scoop. Even saying "we will sue" is an fdcpa violation since they cannot and will not sue.
Guest...I really really doubt you spoke with a manager ...more than likely the guy in next cubicle. It is called a turn over. Wait for the next call....and record it.
Thanks so much . . . soaplady! I'm feeling a bit more relieved.
Thanks so much . . . soaplady! I'm feeling a bit more relieved.
About UCB never referring to attorneys: I had a medical bill of
About UCB never referring to attorneys: I had a medical bill of $375 sent to UCB in Toledo, OH. I asked for DV which I never got. Now I got a letter from an Alexandria Vaneck, LPA, I presume an attorney. Basically same letter as from UCB with her address which is on the same street as UCB.
I called and said I had sent DV to UCB. She said yes they forwarded everything to them. I asked if I should send another DV? She said no, we are preparing an itemized statement for you and will have it out shortly.
Well, sorry you're getting another DV. If UCB had validation, why didn't they send it? Why forward to this attorney? An itemized statement isn't DV. I guess they're getting ready to sue, but still haven't validated the debt. If they file suit, it has to be where I live doesn't it or where the debt took place which is about 1-1/2 hours from me. Still closer than Toledo. I guess if they want to sue they better get ready for a road trip.
Citibank accounts do not give UCB authorization to sue...they us
Citibank accounts do not give UCB authorization to sue...they use there own attorney.
Scooter.....UCB's so called attorney is not going to sue you. They would have to pay for another attorney to sue you in your county.
I think UCB couldn't validate so they sent it along to this atto
I think UCB couldn't validate so they sent it along to this attorney as a scare tactic and telling me I didn't need to send another DV is a diversion to get me to back off. If UCB couldn't validate and they sent "everything" to this attorney, the attorney can't validate either. IMHO.
Scooter, If I were you I would definitely send another DV letter
Scooter, If I were you I would definitely send another DV letter to the new attorney along with a copy of the original DV letter you sent to UCB. I would be sure to state in that second DV letter, very prominently, this is your second request for validation.
Don't fall for their "it's in the mail" shtick! I'm sure they're just trying to stall you so you miss out on your right to dispute.
That's just my opinion, though.
Also, just because no one has ever heard of this Attorney or UCB suing someone doesn't mean it has never happened. I personally treat every CA/Attorney CA as if they can and will sue me, no matter what I have heard to the contrary.
My feelings exactly FloridaRon. Her telling me it was not neces
My feelings exactly FloridaRon. Her telling me it was not necessary to send another DV was another way.
Didn't think about sending a copy of the first letter. Will do that. Thanks.
I just got a call from what was supposed to be UCB. If they ever
I just got a call from what was supposed to be UCB. If they ever give you the number 1-888-461-8803, it is someone who doesn't even work for UCB.
After the rude person called me today trying to collect 100 dollars for a old student loan that wasn't fully paid off, I did some investigating. The call came from one of the Ohio offices. Well I called all of the Ohio offices and none of them even had any debt collections in my name. The extension I got isn't even any of their extensions.
ucb
soaplady is giving good advice, you definately want the DV letter, also go to your local county court web site to see if there is a case against you. I live in Ca and one trick the CA'a like to use is sue before sending DV letter in hopes to scare you, plus they will not send documents to your address, they sent mine to an old address aeven when they had my new address. they wee sending stuff to new address and all others to old. when I went to trial they were shocked I was there, I found court date via website, showed judge proof of there sending papers to old address when they had new one, never validated debt and I was never served with summons to appear, they said they served me personally, on paper it says I was 5ft4 black hair about 175 lbs ha ha I'm 6ft3 230 brown hair. anyways you get the just of it keep on top of it and never give them pesonal info, they have enough already
You people are missing one important thing here. Go to the Ohio
You people are missing one important thing here. Go to the Ohio bar and you will not find Alexandria Vaneck on there. She is not an attorney and I am trying to figure out what the LPA and the only thing I came up with so far is a Lasting Power of Attorney.
If she is representing herself as an attorney and she is not I would call the BAR in the morning and find out for sure. If they verify that she isn't report her.
The number you need to call is 614.387.9320.
http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/atty_reg/Public_AttorneyInformation.asp
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exactly p-tramp.telling people you are an attorney when your not is a BIG no-no.it can and should land this woman in trouble.let's hope it does.
looked her up on line ...there is an attorney Alexandria Renee V
looked her up on line ...there is an attorney Alexandria Renee Vaneck in Toledo Ohio...
Credit Counsel, Inc. out of Miami, FL is representing John Casab
Credit Counsel, Inc. out of Miami, FL is representing John Casablanca acting studio. Yes, I had my daughter's in it and I got taken!!! Bottom line is I owe $3,945, but I don't have the money. My wife was unemployed for almost 7 months and we are way behind on all the bills.
They call, and I explain my situation and when I tell them I can't pay them, or make any promises, they hang up after threatening me with a lawsuit, putting a lean on my house, and wage garnishiment. This has happened 3 times and they call back after 4-5 days. I'm getting tired of it.
The last call this morning, I offered $100.00 per month. They finally agreed, but only with a debit card, or bank account number? I said NO. and then they brought back the lawsuit and wage garnishment again.
All calls have resulted in Hang ups and included abusive language, including calling me a "liar", and the threats.
If I send them a check each month and they cash it, isn't that as good as a contract? Can they still sue me if I send them money and they cash the checks?