United Collections Bureau (UCB) bought my debt
Date: Tue, 11/02/2010 - 18:34
I am wondering if anyone can shed a little light on my dilemma - apparently, Sherman Financial bought my charged off debt from HSBC (Best Buy account) - it is right around 4K - got a random call from UCB last week demanding that I make some kind of payment.
Mind you, I had no idea that my account had been purchased or anything - the collector from UCB was really trying to strongarm me to make some kind of arrangements that day and I hadn't even received anything in writing from them.
The call escalated to the lady's supervisor because I started spouting about fair credit reporting and FDCPA - the supervisor then tries to bully me into making a payment telling that the burden of proof lies with me. Ok, whatever, I tell the guy I need to think about some things.
Later on, Theresa (the gal I spoke with earlier) calls me back and after explaining that she has been in this business for 22 years and I am lucky my account has been placed with her. She then tries to get me to arrange for a settlement of 70% of the original debt. I tell her I need to be notified in writing of this debt she then CALLS Best Buy, with me on the phone and pretends she is me - giving all of my pertinent info and acting like she is me. He tells her the debt has been sold.
OK - so I tell her I need something in writing. She is still trying to bully me and I tell her I have a right to request that they validate the debt. She says I am not sure what you mean by validate the debt and I said - if you have been in this business for 22 years, surely you know what a validation of debt is - she then tells me that she is going to end the call.
Lo and behold, today I finally get the letter (which according to bully supervisor was sent 2 weeks ago).
SO - do I now request the validation of debt?? Has anyone settled for a reasonable sum with these people?? They obviously bought my debt for a fraction of that 4K - and I don't want to pay them anymore than I have to!!
Please advise, any help anyone can provide is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks much!
It doesnt sound like UCB bought the debt....it sounds like Sherm
It doesnt sound like UCB bought the debt....it sounds like Sherman bought it and placed it with them.
So Best Buy said it had been sold...by the way, did you give the collector permmission to impersonate you? Did Best Buy tell you who it had been sold to??
Soaplady - no way did I give her permission to impersonate me!
Soaplady - no way did I give her permission to impersonate me! It was like she was showing off that she had all of my important info. Best Buy told me that the debt was no longer with them and that it now belonged to Sherman Financial. The collector told me that UCB was a branch of Sherman or something. She was a little vague. I had called Best Buy after the first call from UCB and they told me that it was with Sherman. After Miss 22 years calls me back and I tell her my debt is not with them she tries to ask me who they said it was with - I, of course, do not volunteer this information and she says "Watch this" - and then calls Best Buy and impersonates me - even gave my name and everything. It was unbelievable!!
What is the difference if Sherman bought it and placed it with UCB?? I am not familiar with this after things get charged off - appreciate your guidance. I have found many of your previous posts - wish I would have recorded that phone call!!
Pretty sure UCB is not owned by Sherman.....UCB as far as I know
Pretty sure UCB is not owned by Sherman.....UCB as far as I know is an independant agency. They would just be working the accounts that sherman assigns.
The impersonation part kind of bugs me....in would almost be running that part past an attorney.
UCB is a huge FDCPA violator....I would suggest recording them and have a little fun. I got paid out well for their violations.