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Duplicate Content removed as per forums rules - Mike

I started getting calls at my work all of a sudden, they call my home phone, and cell.leaving me rude messages, Like today i got a message that it is in my best intrest to call them immediately by 4:30pm pst,and telling my voice mail at work to pick up the phone now or I will be sued! Can they threaten like that? How do I get them to stop? I can never really get an answer out of them! Her name is Ms. August, and a Mr. Black and so on! I called and no one will tell me who they are I get over 10 calls that is NO JOKE! a day at work,and cell they only leave 1 or 2 messages and they are RUDE, DEMANDING,THREATING! Can some one please tell me what to do? the phone # always changes but the one that is the worst is 800-441-6881...Thanks

This is the WORST company in the world! Someone stole my credit card and I couldnt prove it except I dont own anything they said so I was kind and making payments thru another company who sold it to ACS WELL... I expect a call everyday --usally when I am in class .... and sometimes twice a day (O JOY!) and even sometimes I get teh crappy line " this is in the final collections dept..." but the worst was when they called (UNAVLAIBLE) and marked it "URGENT" -- I hear urgent I think my Grandma is DYING not some stupid debt.... these people are the scums of the earth... there is a place beside Judas in hell... for collectors!

If anyone has been victimized by Academy Collection Agency's unlawful acts, please send me an e-mail and let's get in contact to find what we can collectively do about this

email address removed as per forum rules - Mike

For some reason these people are calling me and everytime they call I'm not arount to answer the phone, I think it's because I keep my phone on vibrate. But anyhow, if you owe money and obviously don't have the money to pay it back, just don't answer the calls, after 3 years, they leagally can't call you anymore. And if they sell to another Collection Place, to reactivate the 3 year law, tell them you don't owe them anythingthing because they were not the origianl collection agency. If they keep calling, keep track of their calls and record them, report to the attorney general, and they will stop calling otherwise, find out where they are located and pay them a nice visit.

Cover your grounds in legal terms by sending a cease and desist letter. See this page for more information about how it works.

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/commentary.htm#805

A template of the cease and desist letter is available in the thread below. You can use this letter as per your situation.

http://www.debtconsolidationcare.com/template-cdletter.html

Refused to listen to my side. Wanted me to pay a "debt" that was unjust and later resolved, inspite of them not because.

i too get calls re my neighbor. pisses me off to say the least.

Multiple people Academy Collection Service keep calling my number and leave messages with a call-back number in my voice mail for about a month. I called back once when I received their first call and a lady from ACS received my call. She (and also all messages in my voice mail) even couldn't get my name right (only know half of my first name), but she wanted me to provide my social security number ! I certainly can't give to them. Then, the lady said bye-bye. They still keep calling my number and continue to leave message for almost a month now.

I never have any debt in my life and have just checked all my credit reports and they are no problems! How can I stop them to call me ? If they really have something on me(which I don't know and must be a fraud), why they just send a mail with details?

Send a cease and desist letter. Academy must stop calling your place following the FDCPA laws.

They called me once out of the blue, don't even know how they got my number. The first lady hung up on me. I made the mistake of calling from my job, and they called and left a message to call, but it was on my bosses voicemail! I am gonna have to lie and tell them that they can't call it, that I do not live or work at that number. Always call from a blocked number! There are a lot of post, but it seems as if nothing can be done!

I have gotten a few calls (~ 1 a month) for the past 3 months from ACS8002200605 - that is what the caller ID says. I have never had a message on my voicemail from them until this afternoon. The message states, and I quote, "This is Darla. You need to contact me back immediately re: a claim filed against you in my office. My number is 1-800-220-0605 x. 5696. (long pause with much noise in the background) You have until 5pm to return my call if you want a say as far as this is resolved. A few questions... 1) Who/What is ACS? 2)what claim? 3) what office? 4) 5pm today? (only 3 hour notice?) 5)what needs to be resolved?
What should I do???? I have no clue what this is about, but after doing a search and finding this, I am scared!

Now believe it or not my ex from over 5 years ago used my phone number as a contact number on a credit card. Thank God they called to look for him, because I gave them the 411. But when I called to find out what type of company they are, they told me they could'nt give out my ex's personal business. Have they not seen the internet.... DUMB!!!!

These people are ruthless. They have threatened me, to call my place of work, to sue me, etc....At first I was intimidated, but now after reading that they do this to everyone, I am pissed! I researched the laws about debt collection and they first have to submit a validation of the debt owed, on paper, with the debt amount, name and address, etc. I got none of the above...just nasty phone calls. I dont take well to threats. So has anyone had any luck filing a complaint? Have they taken anyone to court?

Ok, I haven't paid CitiBank in 3 months, for mutiple reasons. ACS contacted me by phone, Sherry Crane, stating that they were going to take me to court, contact my employer, garnish my wages, etc(all illegal). I was taken by surprise, and paniced. They wanted a settlement of over $3,000 or me to pay $1500 immediately and pushed for a decision right then and there. I said I couldn't come up with that amount, and she said "well then we will sue you"

I contacted Citibank and they said my account would be handed over to ACS and I would have to speak with them.

So ACS has continued to call and harass me, and threatening me.

They just called my mom again, and she went off...telling them that I am in the process of paying my debt, we will not be going through them and if they continue to call and harass us, they will have to deal with our lawyer....and guess what??? She HUNG UP.

I am contacting Citibank and telling them that I am going to pay them off, but I am only paying them directly. I guess if they want their money, they will have to accept that, Right?

Where can I get a cease and desist letter???

I worked for academy for over 3 1/2 years , the management are cut throat , ruthless individuals . They push the collectors to push the envelope, optimize the grey areas... Break the law. They advise you of intimidation tactics that they prefer and have used in the past. Illegal tatics that are clear violations of the fdcpa. They encourage the use of "bully tatics" to meet their clients monthly quota , but if you the collector get caught up by a consumer, and a complaint is lodged , those same management types leave you all by yourself to take whatever the punishment may be. Most of the time its termination of employment. The facts are that academy sucks from the inside out. Academy collection service sucks for you and also for the employees .. Only top tier employess reap any real benefit. They try to make robots out of the collectors and actually turn good collectors bad. Academy sucks !!!!!!!!

Phil Ex 2538 called my stepson threatening to sue my husband, which I understand is not legal in Texas, then called my husband. When I called Phil back he wouldn't listen to me and got "huffy'. I reacted also which I shouldn't have, and told him to quit calling my stepson and husband's work number to which he replied that he would call every number he had as many times as he had to to, to get payment...When I told him it was illegal and I could sue him, he said he hopes I do sue him. Any thing I can do?

When dealing with any collection company, just make it clear that they will NEVER receive a penny from you, no matter what. Remember, they are just loosers with a crappy job, they sound important on teh phone, but the truth is that they are amung the least important people you will ever deal with in your life. If they call a 2nd time, ask alot of questions to waste there time.. such as. Who is the origional creditor? When was this account opened? What is the balance on the account? What is the name of your company? Are you an attouney? What is the name on the account? Is that the only name on the account? Can you send me a copy of the origional application that was used to open this account? When was the last charge made to this account? Can you send me a copy of signed credit card receips? When was the last payment made to this accouunt? What account was used to make this payment? What is your name again? Could you spell that please? What is your callback #? Now the point is to waste there "valuable" time, after asking 20 questions and keeping them on the phone as long as possible, oyu have just taken $ out of there pocket and out of the pocket of the company they work for. While they were wasting there time talking to you, they could have squesed a payment out of someone else on there list that they might not have time to call at the end of the day. Yuo have also rung up there phone bill on a fruitless call. Remind them of this. Again make it clear that you will NEVER pay them and every tme they call, you will make it a point to waste as much of there time as possible and will make every effort to turn your "account" with them into a net loss for there company (even $10 or $20 spent on mailings, phone calls and wasted employee time is a net loss they rather not incur). Try to request documentation, a large packet containing receips, applications or statements cost at least $3 or $4 to mail, not to mention the time it takes to gather hat stuff together and place it in an envolope. Above all, do not let them intimidate you, wheather you owe the debt or not, it probably will not help you to pay a collector since the origional creditor has most likely dinged your credit and paying the debt will not do much, if anyhting to improve it- especially if there are several "negative" items on your report.

Keith dickstein (owner) billy fuller (pres) bill morrow (vp) jan stier (vp) .. These are a few "important" people at academy . When someone is rude with you, or just exhibiting unprofessional behavior .. Call 1-800-220-0605 or 215-281-7500 and bug the hell out of one of these folks or all of them.

I have started recieving calls from this company, they are rude and talk over me. It seems that everyone there is a supervisor. I asked them to call later in the day as it was inconvient to wake me up at 9am and quoted the particular part of the fdcpa (805a) and they said that it wasn't inconvient. When it was to their convience, they kept mentioning the call was being recorded, but when I pointed that out to them they blew it off.

I dont see how looking up neighbors info & calling them to "deliver a message" is allowed. I dont owe them the money. I have no clue who they are.
I had no clue our neighbors bills or money problems till Academy decided to look up MY PHONE NUMBER and ask about them. If they spent so much time looking up my info, couldnt they have just looked in public records and seen the ppl forclosed and hit the road a year or two ago? Duh.
Down here neighbors are acres & acres & acres away. Even if they still lived there, Im not wasting my time or gas to go tell em - pay ur bills lol lol

Funny - I just received a call last night and this morning from 215-32-0424, no messages left. When I Googled the number, I found all this conversation.
Do not ignore the phone call! If you do your credit can be impacted. Instead, request all correspondence by certified mail within 30 days whether the debt is yours or not. If you don't contest the debt, they CAN get a judgement or garnishment from you or ruin your credit.
collection agencies have started a booming business by purchasing old debt for pennies on the $$$ that have been written off the originating company. Usually they start calling right before the 7 year statute of limiatation is about to expired. ACS is required by law according to Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (fdcpa) to provide you with PROOF of the debt. This could be the original contract which I guarantee THEY DO NOT HAVE in their possession.
Also, depending on your state location, each state has a statute of limiations for collecdting debt depending on the type of contract, oral, written, installment, etc.
I know this a pain to have them harrassing you especially if the debt isn't your obligation but you must or risk becoming a victim to their ILLEGAL practices of threat and misrepresentation. If you check out the (FDCPA)you will find your rights as well as form letters that you can send to ACS. They can be sued by you for violating your rights.
Don't lose you cook, beat them at their own game.
I'm not an attorney, nor am I providing legal advise just been down this road before and want to help you exit the highway.
Do some homework, knowledge is power. Even if the debt is yours, at least you won't be shaking in shoes and awake at night terrified. They have specific guidelines to follow and if they don't, you have recourse. Document everything as though your life depended upon it, spend the extra to send all correspondence registered so you have proof of a receiving signature.

I want to thank the people who run this forum, as well as everyone who has posted their informative advice. After being contacted by ACS recently, I googled them and found this place and all of the great information posted in it.

They have misrepresented themselves to me as "Legal Services for Citibank." They have called me repeatedly at work after I told them not to. They have called my co-workers liars when they were telling the truth, then called me a deadbeat and said I was "acting like a child" when I called them to complain about their illegal behavior.

Throughout all of this, they have yet to even tell me how much I supposedly owe.

After reading the advice in this thread, I have contacted the Attorney Generals for PA, NV, and my own home state, as well as the FTC and the ACA, which they are a member of. I haven't quite gotten around to the BBB yet, but I will also be contacting them, as well as any other organization I can think of that might get something productive accomplished.

As well, I have a letter of validation printed out and ready to send off tomorrow via certified mail, return receipt requested, and will be enclosing a complaint to Mr. Dickstein outlining the fdcpa infractions they have committed to date in their dealings with me. I will also be recording all phone calls, and it's just unfortunate that my state requires that I inform them of this, since it will probably change their behavior on the phone and I would really like to catch them on tape doing more of the same so I have it as evidence.

That said, I have a proposal to make here...

It's amazing to me that they are still in business after all this time with the way they conduct their business, and perhaps it has something to do with the fact that not enough people are informed of their illegal tactics. If we can get the press to report on their practices, we might be able to shut them down, or at least get the authorities breathing down their necks so closely that it forces them to shape up.

It seems to me that enough reports must have already been filed against them by now to actually accomplish something if the authorities actually cared to enforce the laws, so why hasn't anything been done? I think if the public becomes aware of this problem, it should pressure authorities to act on these complaints.

My local news does a segment that focuses on consumer issues. Does anyone here know if any of Philadelphia's local news stations has a similar program?

I'm not very familiar with the newspaper "Philadelphia Inquirer," but from what little I've seen of them online, I think they might be willing to run this story if a few people contact them about it.

Along with local Philly TV stations and newspapers, we might be able to get a national outlet or two to pick up on it as well.

Anyone have any suggestions along these lines?

I received a call from this company today, looking for information "about a neighbor" of mine, a person named Brian (I won't use the last name for his privacy, but I have know idea who he is). The caller did not identify themselves, but I found the call creepy enough to look up the number I saw on my caller ID. Are they really looking for people to give up their neighbors, or should I be worried about something else they might be up to? I don't have any collection issues (unless there is an identity theft problem that has cropped up this month--I check my credit regularly). I know I can block their number, but is there something more I should do? If they are simply looking for a way to get to this other person, is this practice legal?

OMG! I am having the same problem. They've been calling me for two years now for someone I don't even know. I've been telling them this for years now and they still call me and get very nasty on the phone. They threatened to take my house, car, business, garnish my wages (too bad I own my own company) if i didn't give up this person they were looking for. Any ideas on how to make this stop besides a lawsuit? please email me at email address removed as per forum rules - Mike
if you have any ideas! I'm open to all!

These people have been calling me for the last two years. any idea on how to file a SUCCESSFUL complaint? They're calling for someone I've never known.

I have an issue with this company. I was contacted by them because my father and I have the same name... they gave me info that matched my own and I had medical bills I was late on. I honestly made some mistakes myself, but this company pulled some slimey moves on me and tried to have me pay my fathers bills on the false pretense that they were my bills. I was careless and have no one to blame but myself. When I found out that it was indeed my fathers bill I called and talked to Josie Grace ext 2571 to find out what was going on. I was amazed at the change. She was nice to me when she got me to start a payment plan, then when I call back later to tell her the mistake she yells and tells me I lied to her and that all this is my fault. She told me that she said what the bills were for but she had never told me, that was my fault for being stupid. All in all though, they tried to draw money from my companies account, something that they should know not to do. I'm told that they can tell what name is on an account, if this is true then that was an illegal action on both our parts, me for giving a false account and them for using it. I was fired for this, my company knows it was human error on my part but when I tried to find out what was going on through Academy, I talked to manager Evan Price and he pretty much told me too bad so sad and that he would only talk to my father. Okay, so my father calls, they won't help in any way and get angry when my father tells them he is unemployed and can't pay. They mark it down as a refuse to pay but won't help. So, I'm fired and my company doesn't know what to do... I don't know what to do... and then we both find out about all these complaints. I'm hopeing this will help and hope that something happens to this company so that things like this won't happen to anyone else.

Amanda Quick (800 441 6881 x2756) Has kept calling my being very menacing and threatening without giving much information--like who or where they are located. My web search only yeildced this site. ARE THEY FOR REAL AND LEGITIMATE?

I was unfortunately killed in a car accident 2 months ago, and somehow they still call me, how they got this number I will never know. But not much they can do now since they are not welcome here.

Funny thing is I was on the way to the bank to get them their money to take care of a small debt, Well even thogh I'm dead I am glad that "Josh Gates" didn't get his commission.

Can anyone tell me if I can ask for a DV letter after having already spoken with ACS (today)? They told me that I had to call them back between 8-8:30 tomorrow morning to tell them if I accept the proposed settlement. If I don't, they said they are going to sue me.

I am up much later than I should be, but it's only because I have been reading all of the posts about ACS.

Thank you so much for having this forum/website. I was so scared and worried earlier today. Now I know that I can request a debt validation letter from them, and I don't have to let them bully me. I want to pay my debt back, and I have been trying to work with the original creditor to do so. I will call Citibank again tomorrow to see if I can work with them directly.

Thank you again for this website.

I too have had a run in with this Academy company or what ever they are they keep calling me tailing me I owe them money but they can never tell me what I owe them the money for........Paul Roberts seems to be the man in charge beware of this scam

This company is so rude they keep calling me on my job everyday harrsing me getting real nasty with me threating me about legal matters. If I don' pay the money and I am in franklin tn please do something about this right away. :x

These people have been calling my cell phone since July. I told them the first 3 times that they had the wrong number. They wanted MY name and social security #. I gave them the name and my address but I don't give anyone my SSN. Well the info I gave them wasn't good enough and they still call everyday at least 3 times a day for the past 6 months. I just ignore them and erase the messages. The messages are VERY rude sounding.

I have been geeting calls as well. I have a debt I know, I used my credit card to pay for books for schooling. So the girl I talked to asked me what I did w/ my student loans,why couldnt i ask my parents for the money. All she wanted was 30% which was 1700 ok if i had that kind of money sitting around i wouldnt be in collections. I work in collections as well so i know the debt is mine and i need to pay it i know what its like to be yelled at. So i talked to the people as i want to be spoke to...but the girl told me that i needed to stop trying to do things my way or no way because it was in their hands now so its their way or no way... I also told them to stop calling my parents house where i do not live and provided them with the correct # to reach me. They still continue to call my parents when someone request a # to be removed it is to be done! The next girl i spoke with was very nice and told me that the person i spoke with had lied to me i didnt need to pay 1700! I would never speak to one of my debtors the way they spoke with me and not to mention the fact that the girl broke every privacy law this would be fdcpa #3which states not to communicate w. any such person more than once unless requested to do so by such person or in erroneous or incomplete and that person now has correct or complete location #5 no mail or messages left (communication) left conveying there is a collection or debt
section 804 3 basic rules
1)do not misrepresent
2)do not convey a message by person or machine that subject owes a delinquent or outstanding debt
3)do not harass

I am most certainly not in a 215 area, and i get 215 320 number-it is long distance for me, so why would i not get an 800 number showing

If its a wrong number why wouldn't i just say wrong number and hang up, I have no reason or desire to carry on a conversation with someone who is calling a wrong number, more investigation should go into a phone number search before calling, I have had this number for 6 years.
If I know its a wrong number calling I don't have to explain anything to you, and that's not being rude, it's just none of your business. Do better research

I got off the phone with those ACS goons this morning in tears. I knew they were just using tactics to scare me and intimidate me and thank God I didn't give the guy I talked to (a "Mr. Smalls") the benefit of knowing he'd made me cry. They told me they were going to pursue legal action and refused to even hear me say that I was trying to pay, but couldn't do the full amount, I had to pay in installments. He said, "okay, I'm putting you down as a refusal to pay." He said that he was the head of the legal department and had no supervisor. I filed a complaint with my home stat's atty. general and also with Pennsylvania AG and I suggest everyone else does, too. You can file with the PA AG online. People make mistakes and shouldn't be treated like crap when they're trying to re-pay debts in good faith. Thanks.

I just had a call from "Amber Brady" from ACS this morning at my place of employment. She started the conversation saying that I had a "complaint filed against" me. I thought a guest filed a complaint. She then stated that I owe Citibank $1610.00. She also stated that they're removing all of my interest and late payment fees for a total of $1200.00. If I could pay it all today the total would be $1127.07. I informed her that I could not do that and that the current account was in a debt relief program via Genus Credit Co. She then informed me that Citibank doesn't accept 3rd party debt relief. However, upon review of my citi statement I see that the company has indeed accepted the payment. Is she lying? Should I take the account out of the program? She asked how much I could afford to pay. I told her I could only pay $300 now. She then said my only other option would be to pay 3 $379 payments, which isn't bad, but on top of my car loan, rent, credit program, insurance, student loans, I can't afford that. I told her I would call her back today to let her know what I could afford, but I don't want to be harassed by her just because I can't meet the $379 payment. I know I owe the company, however, this is why I have enrolled in debt relief, I'm not hiding from my debt. I genuinely want to pay it off. Should I work with ACS or stick with the debt program?

JRH, Citi will take any payments you (or someone on your behalf) send in. What the Debt Rescue companies do not tell you is that collection activity will continue. You will still charge off and depending on the amount owed and where you live may still be persued through the court system of that state. If Citi says you can not pay $100.00 a month, the Debt Rescue company will not be able to pay $100.00 a month on your account either.

Does anyone know if they can add interest to
your account???? They keep adding it to mine.
I talked to a lady today and she insisted that
the only way I could pay them back was by
giving 3 post dated checks. I asked if there
was somewhere I could send a check each month.
She wouldn't even try to work out a payment
schedule with me. She just wanted me to pay
like $5000.00. If I had it, would I have this
problem???

So can they add interest to your debt?
Can they collect from another state? I live
in MN.
Thanks!

Does anyone know if they can add interest to
your account???? They keep adding it to mine.
I talked to a lady today and she insisted that
the only way I could pay them back was by
giving 3 post dated checks. I asked if there
was somewhere I could send a check each month.
She wouldn't even try to work out a payment
schedule with me. She just wanted me to pay
like $5000.00. If I had it, would I have this
problem???

So can they add interest to your debt?
Can they collect from another state? I live
in MN.
Thanks!

oreos? I just saw several posts of yours, hold on I'll research it for you!
;)

I have also been receiving these phone calls from Academy Services. They think that I am Michael Licudine, whoever that is. I looked up Michael Licudine on the internet and the only one I could find was a 16 year old boy that had died in 2005. It seems like alot of these people that Academy is trying to call are dead. Anyway, they have called me at several different numbers, but the most frequent one is 1-800-220-0605. They tell that it is regarding an account that I have with Academy Services and it's urgent that I return their call. They also tell me to ask for Paul Roberts at extension 4176. These calls happen amazingly often - 2 or 3 times a day. I just keep hanging up. It sounds like that is the only thing that I can do because others are saying how they call Academy back to straighten things out, but Academy just gets rude and still calls.

I have been receiving calls from a Mr. Paul Roberts x4671 about an unpaid account . When I called him, he wasn't available. The young man that I spoke to continually asked for my SS #. Yeah, I am going to give that to them. He could find nothing on file by using my name or address. After going through this for a while I asked for a manager and was told they had the wrong phone number. I hope this is the end of it.

I'm am currently dealing with Academy collections also. I am trying to take care of my credit, so I was given their number to call and settle my account. Well they lady I spoke to Monica Russo ext. 2587. Demanded to recieve payment the same day. She wanted me to pay my phone. She gave me a settlement of reducing my bill from $8,000 down to $4,000. I was thinking this is a good deal. I was going to pay the $4,000 by mail not by phone, because they will take all your money in the bank or max out your credit card. Never pay by phone!! But luckily my uncle is an accountant and he told me the credit card I orginally maxed out and never payed is forwarding it to ACS and only paid maybe about $500 for this account and is trying to make $3,500 off of me. So I made an offer with Monica Russo for $1,000 and they still refuse to take it. But I think they will give up and take it. I advise all of you to act like the bigger man and you make the offer and stick with it. :)

My husband has an account currently with Academy. It has taken them almost a month to send us a first notice. This is his last credit card in collections from a period of unemployment. The other 3 have successfully been paid....by the CA's. Got them all on violations! Tape recorder is always plugged in and ready to roll when that PA area code 215 shows up on the caller ID!!

I have received a call a day from these people. Very tough leaving messages! First a "Frank Carroll" called me and said that I should call before it goes to court. Then a "Bill Mazur" left a mean message... read a speech first...

you leave a name and 800 number, but no message what is this call about? this is my place of work and it is against the law for you to harass me here, if i owe money. send me a letter and stop calling my job.