logo

Debtconsolidationcare.com - the USA consumer forum

CA's contacted me on facebook!

Date: Thu, 03/19/2009 - 21:44

Submitted by anonymous
on Thu, 03/19/2009 - 21:44

Posts: 202330 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 27


I had a pdl a year ago with bmg group. Can't remember the exact one. I defaulted and it was sent to a CA and they called me and I paid them 200 to settle on the balance of 640. So they never gave me a pif and I never heard from them. My 2 other loans were legal and I paid them off on nice payment plans.

Well tonight I was on my facebook and had a message from some man saying I owed 1080 to his company and I should stop ignoring their calls. I have had 5 private numbers call me this week and didn't awnser plus they didn't leave a message. What should I do? Message back on facebook or ignore them. I just worry they are going to contact my friends and family via facebook and I will have embarrassment. I thought this was over in my life!


I emailed Facebook and told them the situation. The only problem is, the guy never said his agency. And he had 0 'friends' on facebook... no picture

Here is what he sent me:

"Dear -deleted for your security frogpatch

This is Ray Harmlow and I have been trying to reach you this week on an outstanding debt that you. The total balance is $1,080.61 with interest. Could you please respectfully awnser our calls when we call you next.

Regards,
Ray"

I know its not like a mean message, but Facebook is not for debt collectors to contact you or look you up. And the fact that he gives ZERO info alarms me. Why didn't he just email me?


lrhall41

Submitted by on Fri, 03/20/2009 - 09:06

( Posts: | Credits: )


I'm curious to see if the OP got any response back from FaceBook's admin. I'm a little speechless a CA would resort to communicating with someone by that method.

Whatever happened to the old standby of calling all the neighbors and asking them to pass along a message? Technology has mad the CA business so impersonal and cold. I miss the good old days. (sarcasm)


lrhall41

Submitted by FloridaRon on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 11:45

( Posts: 1190 | Credits: )


I was attempting to be sarcastic in my post.

I think anyone that has read anything I've posted knows how I feel about CA's calling friends/relatives/neighbors/paperboys/1st grade teachers. I believe strongly that debtors, no matter how much they owe, should expect a reasonable amount of privacy from CA's while attempting to collect on debts. I truly think a message on Facebook is ESPECIALLY not the correct way to contact a debtor. If I were the OP, I would be checking with an attorney to see if this was possibly a violation of the FDCPA, along with taking it up with Facebook, the FTC, and the proper state's Attorney General's office.

Oh, as well as notifying the CA in writing that this is not the proper way to contact me and what legal action I will take if they do it again.

That's just my thoughts on the subject. Sorry if my sarcasm was misunderstood.


lrhall41

Submitted by FloridaRon on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 15:30

( Posts: 1190 | Credits: )


If they posted the message on your "wall", which is viewable to others, then yes it violates the FDCPA as well as the financial privacy/safeguards rule of the Gramm Leach Bliley Act.

As far as sending a private message which only you can see, what law are they breaking? Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending them and I think it's unprofessional. I just think we're too quick here to get the FTC/AG/FBI/CIA/NCIS and attorneys involved, and what are they really going to do?


lrhall41

Submitted by DebtCruncher on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 17:41

( Posts: 2293 | Credits: )


Uhm, hold them accountable for violating the FDCPA?

Well, I think we've all heard stories of hackers breaking into websites and stealing information, haven't we? What if this CA had posted the OP's personal information like SSN, Address, DOB and some hacker got hold of this? I know the OP didn't say this information was posted; however, some idiot collector could have just as easily have done so.

It's hard enough keeping information like that from being stolen when sent through the mail, a debtor shouldn't have to worry about it being stolen off the internet because some CA tried to be clever.

That's why I suggested contacting an attorney and inquiring on the legality of it. If anything, I'm sure, as someone pointed out, this has to be against Facebook's TOS somehow.

I think it's important that we do be quick to get the proper authorities involved as CA's have gotten away with their violations of the laws for far too long. Sure, if it was an honest mistake, I could see it might be jumping the gun; however, I'm sure this collector had to really work to find this person on Facebook.

It was no "honest mistake" to post that letter on a Facebook account. Facebook is not meant to be a vehicle for CA's and collection activities.


lrhall41

Submitted by FloridaRon on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 17:50

( Posts: 1190 | Credits: )


OK, now I have really heard everything here. What's next, doing the same thing on MySpace?
Obviously, it's extremely unprofessional; goes without saying. And let's not forget a violation of their TOS--but it really depends on how much information is given and where it's posted. What did this guy think our friend was going to do--friend him? I mean, really!!!


lrhall41

Submitted by kscornell on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 18:35

( Posts: 4407 | Credits: )


That is just...incredible. Will they stop at nothing? Apparently not...this is like those jerks who kept coming to my door (they don't now..guess they got tired of me calling the cops on them each time).

Besides reporting it to facebook, you should respond with something like this:

Dear Mr. Harmlow

I believe you may have the wrong person for I have received no calls, nor any messages left from you this past week. Further, I do not owe anyone the sum of $1080.61. I must say that contacting anyone for a debt in this means is very unprofessional, you should try sending a letter in the mail like any normal, rational business person would.

Regards,
You


lrhall41

Submitted by goldenbast on Tue, 03/24/2009 - 19:55

( Posts: 2884 | Credits: )