Genesee Valley Associates called from 800 392 3100 & threatened to sue

What state are you in? What they can actually do after getting a judgment depends on state law.

I would first check with the state bar of your state to see if Douglas Radcliff is really a licensed attorney. If not, he committed a fdcpa violation.

If Genesee Valley Associates does show up to serve papers, make sure you accept them so you know exactly what they are asking the court to award and why. Make sure the amount is not inflated. You can't fight anything if you avoid service.

First of all, Genesee Valley Associates can't seize anything from you, bank account or otherwise, unless and until they actually get a judgment against you, so try not to worry about that for the moment. (I know, easier said than done, but try.)

Have they sent you any documentation proving that you owe this money? If not, send them a letter asking them to send you all the documentation they have proving that you owe this money. Inform them that they are not permitted to take any further collection activity unless and until they give you the documentation that you require. Send the letter Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to Genesee Valley Associates so that you have proof you sent it and that they received it. Their February 19th deadline is probably a bluff (a scare tactic), but just in case it isn't, you might want to send the letter Priority Mail, or even Overnight, to make sure that they get it ahead of the deadline that they've set for you.

If they receive your letter and sue you anyway, they are violating federal law, and you can countersue. If they receive your letter and don't validate the debt, federal law prohibits them from taking any action against you. Finally, if Genesee Valley Associates *do* decide to validate the debt, it typically takes a few months for that to happen, during which time you can start learning about the laws regarding all this, reviewing ways you can handle the situation, and so on.

Don't be scared of people like this. Once you've learned about all the different ways you have legally of protecting yourself from Genesee Valley Associates, you'll be amazed that you were ever afraid of them. Good luck.

Yes I was contacted by comypany called : "Genesee Valley Associates" yesterday(2-26-07) about my money I owe, they told me they are going to file a atterney on me, they say they will settle for lower amount right over the phone right now, I told them I dont have it!
They that this can take place at my home or employment, some will come to me to proceed with me going to court!

Genesee Valley Associates is coming up as being from New York. Phone number not giving me squat.Let me dig deeper and we'll see.

Courtesy of www.bbb.org.

Quote:

Courtesy of secretary of state New York.

They also have called and threatened us as well, they have gone as far as contacting the neighbors around us continuing their harassment, we have turned all this into our attorney, we agreed to a payment with them and Genesee Valley Associates ran it through our account for 6 times the amount. Now they will deal with our attorney.

Saying that you want proof of your debt makes me laugh. I'm a bill collector with a well respected company. I don't have to threaten anyone or use unlawful tactics. It makes me laugh to think Genesee Valley Associates you owe the debt to sent you numerous statements and letters trying to resolve the debt and you wait until an attorney's involved to scream foul play. Just pay your bill!!!

Oh what a riot! How about I pay the original creditor and cut out your commission completely!Genesee Valley Associates you can go flip burgers,you might earn more money there! :lol:

Credit bureau information is now being used for a fake debt collection scam. If you receive a call for an alleged debt that they claim is nearly 7 years old or more for a loan of many thousands of dollars possibly from a Utah credit union. Warning, this is a scam. If the caller is calling from Genesee Valley Associates with a phone number of 585-278-1691 and the caller uses the name Mike Rush and leaves a call back number of 1-800-921-0001, be aware. He will tell you that you owe $10k or $15k and he is willing to except $8k or $4k to settle the debt, hang up and call the federal trade commission or use this link, FTC.gov and file a consumer complaint. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act you are entitled to verification of the debt. A phone call is not verification! Also if the debt is over 6 years & 9 months old they can not collect it, even if its valid, except in rare circumstances and then only as directed by your attorney. In other words this type of scam is the last desperate act of a collection agency (Genesee Valley Associates) that is powerless to get some free money or a scam by someone that has your personal info.

Cajun...not to defend Genesee Valley Associates but when you are dealing with contingency collection, the CA gets paid even if you send the $$ to the OC. It is called a Direct Pay and is basically a gift to the collector since he gets credit without doing any work.

Contingency collections work under a contract for a specific period of time. During this timeframe, any payments made to the account are credited to the CA like Genesee Valley Associates.
Now if you are dealing with junk debt buyers, sending payments to the OC will get you nowhere since they no longer own the debt.

I know that Soaplady! In that case he gets his money and my blood pressure stays right at the normal level it should. I just prefer not to deal with a CA (Genesee Valley Associates) unless a person has absolutely no choice in the matter. The reason being is I am just like you,if they can't follow the rules,we are going to court!!

A debt in most states never becomes invaild. It will just fall off your CBR starting after 6 years 9 months. That does not mean you are obsolved of the debt. Also, most accounts will continue to gain interest after the chargeoff date. The only thing Genesee Valley Associates cannot do, per the contract signed for the account, is change the rate of which the interest gains. The verification you ask for should be able to be provided by either your own records, or your CBR.

To respond directly to the Cajunbulldog: A CA will usually respond to what the debtor gives them. I am a debt collector, I have had many good experiences with debtors on the phone as well as many bad experiences. The debt collector will never state that they are going to sue someone who is wanting to take care of the bill. So pay your bills or pay the price!

It seems that collections agencies (like Genesee Valley Associates) have a reputation - one that has been reinforced in my view by the comments made from an employee of such an agency. I will not pay a debt created by my ex-husband and I will not respond nicely to illegal methods of collecting. Harrassing and threatening to sue me are not methods to which I respond to - but my attorney will be happy to assist you.

I also have been contacted by the Genesee Valley Associates. They have called my family and my workplace demanding that I answer due to a "time sensitive" matter. My office manager has told them to contact my attorney and *SURPRISE* - my attorney has heard nothing from them.

Good luck to those having to deal with similiar issues.

Guest,you tell me to pay my bills or pay the price.Believe it or not,I have no overdue bills.I simply volunteer my time to help people here that are harassed by the 99% of collectors that do not follow the law. My last experience with one of your kind thankfully fell into the 1% that are good at their job and can collect without insulting people.Needless to say,she verified debt and was paid in full on the spot. I have no qualms with people paying their bills as long as collector,attorney,or even creditor follows the law. I am dog tired of companies taking advantage of their customers. All the harassment,judgements,and inflated bills accomplish is pushing that debtor into bankruptcy and then everyone loses.

Surprising, I just got a call from Genesee Valley and it has all the phone numbers listed in this thread.
They left a message saying they are representing "Sams"
and that we need to contact them to have input on their decision making process on this "File".
We owe no money to Sams, and have not been a member for years. Although, she did not mention it being a collection..
This strikes me as odd.

Hey, does anyone know what ccc stands for, there was a call at my work today stating that i had been notified by ccc, but i did not talk to anyone. They talked to a co worker.

If the debt created by your ex husband is under your name and ssn, you would still be legally responsible for it even if the divorce decree states otherwise. The cc contract supercedes the divorce decree so in the eyes of the law is more important.
Did your office manager provide the name and number to your attorney? if not...how is the CA supposed to know?

You can not get blood from a turnip! If the person can not afford to pay the original debt, how does demanding the entire amount NOW!!! solve anything. I think if a person offers a suitable, affordable payment plan, it should be excepted. I don't believe that people go out and add up debt with the intentions of not paying it. I think something must have happened to cause the person to go delinquent. Most collectors that I deal with get more out of me if they are personable, jerks don't get crap, ring my phone off the hook if you want, that is why the "ringer off" button is there and answering machines were invented. All I am saying is #1 I will work with you if you treat me like a human being, #2 I did not intend to end up in this boat, so don't accuse me of or get nasty with me on the phone. I am a human being and I have feelings too.

It seems that this company searches for high dollar debt that has been charged off from companies. I was contacted by them, however, my debt cannot be collected since it has been over 4 years since the payment/activity on this account. (CA State law). Lesson - be an informed consumer and use the rights that you are legally entitled to.

Oh boy does this get more and more fun for me???I, too, was contacted by the people at Genesse Valley Assoc in March of 2007 - Here is what happened to me:


Phone Message from caller ID ???585-278-1691 Genesee Valley Assoc???
Message stated case file 555-xxxx, they request a return call at 1-800-921-0001

Returned call when I got home. I just figured it was a call about a resume or something.

A receptionist answers, asks for case # then I am transferred to representative ???Marie Jacobs??? who says they are a collections/process serving firm. I ask the name and she says Genesee Valley Associates. They ask to verify my name, past addresses. She claimed they are the 5th in a series of collection agencies trying to collect on a debt from Bank of America MasterCard # 5432-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx.

She claims I have a collections balance of a little over $12,000 from the Bank of America MasterCard from 2002 that was opened in 1993. She says it stemmed from a delinquent balance of just over $8,000 that was at an 18% interest rate then indicates they are willing to take 40% discount for settlement of $7,500. She also says they have a work number of (818)-xxx-xxxx listed on the account.

I indicated I did not owe this amount, haven't had any revolving debt since April of 2001 and why is it that if 5 different agencies had been trying to track me down, had apparently had my correct contact info and I had only moved 1 time since the alleged time of the debt. OH and yet, I called her within hours the same day of her contacting me now? She had no worthy response to that . So, I asked what are the next steps to disputing this debt? She said she didn't know and offered no help. I said I'd do some research and get back to her the next day. Something wasn't right.

After researching a bit, pulling my credit reports, calling banks, checking info on the FTC website, checking other websites???
It turns out that credit card number's issuing bank is Bank of New York
I called B of NY, again, not my account.
That phone number they claim as my work number is a Violin Shop in Studio City, Calif, somewhere I've never been to.
I called B of A - it's not my account and BofA's charge off dept was really confused and actually got on a 3 way call with myself ad ???Marie??? to talk to them to figure out what the deal was. GVA claimed they didn't have all the file info in front of htem and it could take months to get the file and info. I then asked what she was looking at if she had all this info, but couldn't back it up.. then the lady from BofA talked over both of us and said not to pay a dime until they come up with something. They have to validate that debt.

So, after a few weeks I hadn't heard from them and knew time was running out to send a VL, so I called GVA back to get an address. They then asked what it was pertaining to ??? I said a credit card. They asked for a case number again, so I gave it to them thinking I would be given the appropriate address or transferred to ???Maria Jacobs??? again ??? wrong.

I was transferred to a Supervisor named Mark ???something??? . I simply asked him for the mailing address ??? he asked why.
I said so I can mail you something.
He asked what ???
I said it didn't matter ???
he said there were different addresses.
I then said ??? oh, because you're a telemarketing firm so you have to find the right dept? He got defensive and said they were NOT a telemarketing firm.
I said well, that's how you're listed on the internet. ??? do you have a web presence?
??? he then got VERY defensive and said I'd better do my research better
??? he kept asking if I was me, I said yes then he got into it saying ???Well, you owe us a lot of money???
I said ???I don't owe you any money???
he said ???yes you do???
I told him that the FTC says he has to give me their address ??? he then says ???the FDC? What's that?!??? I said ???no, the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission??? he said oh, he'd ???like to know what law that is???. (yea, made no sense to me either???)

I finally had enough. I said that if they were to contact me they were to do it in writing. (I knew I was well within my rights on that one. They need to put everything in writing so I could prove this is a false accusation on my credit.)
I heard a sort of disbelieving ???What!???? kind of noise on the other end before I hung up and noted the call.

So then I contacted an attorney. It makes me grin because it turns out GVA is not licensed to do business in my state.

I haven't heard anything back after the attorney called, faxed and wrote a letter to them... only then did they send a sad, flimsy letter via fax that they claim they sent to me stating what I allegedly owed them ??? but with no validation???

Over the past couple of months they broke a TON of laws in their contacting me about a false debt, checking my credit report with no cause, giving me someone else's credit info, leaving a message for anyone to hear, recording the calls and not saying they were recording them.. oh, the list goes on an on... Anyone out there who has had any dealings with GVA ??? watch out for any and all violations! If they have pulled this kind of stunt with you - go after them legally and help put them out of business!

You say PAY your BILLS...well BUD let me tell you if you collectors would work with people instead of threaten and sue I guarantee more bills would be cleared up.We dealt with one awhile back made payments & etc they then sold our bill and the new jerkoff collector stated we had to start from scratch well sorry we already paid more than 3/4 of the debt so guess what it got dumped on bankruptcy so see if you COLLECTORS would shut up and just listen to people and TRY to work things out bills would get paid.BTW it really wouldnt KILL you people to be nice not nasty,cuss us out and be a total jerkoff and threaten jail when you cant jail someone for their bills!!

My family and I also are being hounded by this man. He has called my brother in law and now my house. He also threatens to send people to my home or place of business. How does he know if I work or where? (I don't by the way-work). Shouldn't he already know this if he is going to send someone out? Anyway, thanks for the advice. I can't believe I found this board. I 'Googled' the guy's number and here you all were. Thanks again!

After reading all this, I can't wait to call those losers tomorrow...

What gets me is, they are calling my fairly new cell phone number and my parents house... two numbers that may only possible be connected thru recent student loans i apply for.

You all who have dealth with them, need to call the state atty general in NY. I know I will after speaking with them tomorrow.

They have been calling me everyday for the last few weeks. I called them back to find out it was a debt for $400 and some change from NTB in 2002. I explained that I was underemployed for a while and was finally able to start taking care of it. I asked them for verification and they said they sent it to my old adress where I lived 4 years ago. I asked them to resend it and they refused, saying they would only fax, then accused me of stalling. I said I didn't have a fax machine and to please send it to me via mail. The guy said that it wasn't his job to track me down like a hound dog and that if I didn't want to pay, they would be sending it forward (whatever that means). Again, I said I was willing to pay if they sent me verification and after the conversation got more heated, the guy hung up. I called back and asked to speak to someone else and they gave me him again. He got just as nasty, I said I was the one with the money and they weren't and if he wanted it he had to send verification of the debt. He, again, refused. I, regretablly, got nasty back and hung up. I don't think these people are very smart. I offered them a resolution, but they didn't want it. I attempted to resolve this professionally, but instead was treated with obstinance and rudeness.

"GENESEE VALLEY ASSOCIATES COMING UP AS BEING FROM NEW YORK".CAJUNBULDOG AN EXPERT AND A GREAT MODERATOR OF THIS FORUM.
http://www.whocalled.us/lookup/8003923100

http://www.whocalled.us/lookup/8009210001

Seeking information on a relative. "Marie Jacobs" left the call back numbers listed here along with a "case number" on the answering machine. I have not returned the call because the vagueness of her message sent up flares.

I could find nothing on the internet about the company either which further raised my concern. I found this page eventually and had most concerns validated.

I would appreciate any advice with respect to dealing with these clowns. If I have to speak to them, I will inform them that I will be recording the conversation, which usually shuts frauds/telemarketers up immediately. I live in MA, (don't hold that against me!). Are they lawfully permitted to call me? When does it become harassment?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

And to all of the loser CA's out there, I pay my bills, so what gives you the right to harass me in the name of someone else's ALLEGED debt? And based on the info provided here, the next step would be to threaten me, right?

Maybe I'll talk to the CA when they leave me their home phone number.

Leaving a "case number" on your machine is probably a violation, as well as fraud, if indeed they have not begun the process of litigation. You have the right idea, record the calls (if legal in your state). If they begin some empty threats, send a partial cease and desist letter saying that you'll only communicate via mail.

Message to those here saying, "Just Pay Your Bill"

I will not pay ANY JDB collector a dime. And if sued,no problem. The judge in this county always throws those JDB NUTT cases out of his court. So there.

Thanks for the info. I doubt they have begun any litigation process because of the lack of written notification which I would believe that a telephone contact would supplement.

Thing is, it's not even my concern! I have never countersigned any documents and I find the audacity for anyone to contact me about anyone else's debt, relative or not, to be below the belt.

I'm hoping that my failure to respond will make them go away. If not, I'll follow your advice and send a cease and desist letter as I am not party to their claims...

What is with this people!?

Some Leo guy called my parent's house and asked for me, he KNEW MY PARENT'S NAMES, now how do they know this???? this is pretty scary! anyway i found this website searching for the 800-921-0001 so Im telling my story, for what i see these people are ABSOLUTLY crazy so Im not calling them back or giving them no information. I dont care! they are full of SH*T!


Thanks for the info guys!

XO

OK....there are a few things that debtors always tend to forget. We are only calling because you did not pay your bill. I am not sure why any of you are on this board, because according to all of you, "I pay my bills". Are there mistakes made by collectors calling the wrong people, yes. It happens. But you cannot expect a debt collector to always be nice considering what your fellow debtors put us through on a daily basis. You feel comfortable sitting back being able to blame everything on CA's and "JDB's" but a lot of the balme needs to be put on yourselves. It is called personal responsibilty. Are all collectors nice? NO. surely not. But I can assure you neither are most debtors.

As for contacting relatives, associates and neighbors you can complain about it all you want but it is perfectly legal. Read your credit card contracts and the fdcpa before you speak.

alright collectorman...lets get some things straight.

1--there are far too many CA's calling the wrong people. I dont care what you or anyone else has to say about this....that is obvious by looking around here. I also happen to be one of those people.

2--you couldnt be more full of it when it comes to "why is anyone on here?....would you like examples of people who post about debts that they freely admit are theirs? There certainly are enough of them....so if you cannot be honest here, then go back to work and get off this forum. At leasr when you are at work, you get paid to lie...here, all you do is piss people off.

3--regarding relatives...if you collectors knew how to contact a third party according to the law, you would see so many complaints. As we speak, a member here just filed an answer to a suit by a CA....they contacted her mother in law numerous times, didnt contact her once, even sent the summons to the mother in law, who lives in a whole different state! FOLLOW THE LAW AND NO ONE WOULD HAVE A REASON TO COMPLAIN ABOUT YOU.

"do collectors make mistakes? yes...."

Tell me something--why are there so many lawsuits against CA's recently? Why is that number on the rise? Then again, why do we even have a law like the fdcpa?? If you people didnt harass, abuse, and treat people like crap all day long, there would have been no reason for that law to begin with.

Quote:

I think that if most of the people on this board had to actually sit in our (collectors) seats for a day and call debtor after debtor and have them lie, whine, and curse at you for no other reason but I am doing my job, most would not be able to handle it. After people curse at you for calling them 3 times in a month-calling that harrasement-and attempting to sue you over that. After enough debtors bounce checks and then tell you they had to buy something not necessary (I just got off the ohone with a debtor who bounced a payment so he could buy a pinky ring) you become a little more callous. When debtors start treating collectors with the same respect they want to be treated this industry will start to clean itself up. I personally pride myslef on how patient I am with debtors, and there are many other collectors out there doing the same. Instead of just ragging on us all the time, maybe some positive feedback would help.

I gotta say. debt collectors Prey on the shameful feelings most of you feel by not paying. FREE yourself of that crap. Money is only an object of winning or losing. I slep very well at night knowing I have accumulated $100,000 plus in debt......why don't you people wake up. DEBT IS GOOD-YOU ARE AHEAD when you are in debt. Here's a simpe example,lets say you loan me $100 and I don't pay you back-NOW WHO's AHEAD and WHO's BEHIND??? wake up people.

You gotta really change your mode of thought. The worlds most financial successes are millions and billions in debt all over the country. Wake up. I have zero shame.....actually more pride if anything. I took, now you will have to break it from my talons in order to get anything back. I once maxed my business credit card and told the credit card company that if they didn't extend my credit line by another $7 grand, that I won't be able to pay what I owe. I convinced them the $7000 would assist me in recovering the my initial lost and that all future payments would be made on time-WOOLAH-they did it. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul. Once you get over the shame....you will be free.As I mentioned previously-I can't see why people say debt is bad?? As far as personal goes-ALWAYS pay back a friend on time, but in the business world, money is never ever personal. To the credit card company you are nothing more than a risk, or an investment. They are in the businesss of taking risks,and just like any business they will have to win some and lose some....but it is NEVER PERSONAL.They will put on the act that it is, but remember that debt collector could really care less whether he collects or not.....what the hell does it matter to him?

I got suckered, They called my parents, I got mad and sent in a payment that was in dispute. Now my parents are getting calls from Huffman, Weinberg, Obrien for the same paid off debt, threating summons on all, NY State does nothing to stop these preditors. They and Huffman, Weinberg, Obrien are in violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Don't even return their calls, Get an Attorney....

Hi Friends,
I just got a message from GVA, from Marie Jacobs with the same return 800 number, and a case # 555____. I returned the call, but it was after hours apparently. I am so grateful to have found this website. I will call them on monday to see what this about, but it all stinks to high heaven, esp. since I have amazing credit, and have always payed all of my bills on time, in their entirety...and what is really fishy is they contacted me at my Mother's home...I have not lived there in over 25 years! Any advice for when I talk to these creeps? Anyone for a class action lawsuit? Thanks to all who may have some advice for me.

Cheers

[color=DarkRed]Offensive post removed as per forum rules - Mike[/color]

You debtors need to learn to be accountable! Having an unpaid credit card balance is the same as walking into a store and stealing the items. Instead of sitting on your butts and complaining you need to be proactive in paying this off! Stop crying victim!

Oh...REALLY !!!!! LOOK WHO IS TALKIN??? We know that it is our moral obligation to pay off our debts. You better not give us lectures on morality and responsibilities. Neways MORALITY is a big word, and I think this does not exist in your dictionary. What say now???

I will learn morality when my bankers and creditors do.Debt and credit is a strict business decision and don't ever let anyone guilt you into a moral discussion as it is pointless. All credit is based on risk models and come with inherent risks. Since no creditor that I have ever heard of bases credit on a moral decision,why should a consumer be making a business decision based on morals!!Really dumb idea in my opinion.

A credit card company signing somebody up for a credit card at 30% interest with an annual fee that has no job or works part time making 6 bucks an hour is a poor business decision on a CC companies part. Then the CC proceeds to financially **** their victims by charging horrific fees and penalties when that person can not pay and they try to strong-arm the person into paying by trashing their credit or using the legal system. I submit to you that this is as much stealing as your example Michelle.

[color=Red]****Adult term removed - Jason[/color]

For the record, debtors are not forced into taking a cc with 30% interest and then being charged the fees that are in the contract they are signing. That is there decision. If they can't afford that card I have no sympathy for them what so ever.
Bullgog, I agree with you that there is no morality in the situation. But explain to me why it is ok for a debtor to scream and yell and curse at a collector on the first phone call just because he is aking them to pay for what they are obligated by contract to pay? How can that debtor expect any courtesy in the matter? A collector is NOT a customer service agent!

I just started getting calls from this Genesee Valley Associates myself yesterday. It is funny that one poster pointed out "6 years and 9 months", as that is about how old the particular account they say they are calling about is! I have not heard a thing since the statue of limitations for the OC to sue passed, and all of a sudden, when the account is about to fall off of my credit report, I am getting these calls? I have heard that there is a new scam going on where agencies are buying up old debts for pennies, and pressuring people into paying something...anything. They are making a killing doing this!!! I've also been told by a friend of my who works with people to help repair their credit that some of these companies use tactics to "re-age" your account, and start the statute of limitations over again, opening the door to sue. She advised that the best thing to do was to not talk to them, but what do you do when they call you every single day?

For the debt collectors here, I did default on some debt years ago, soon after my divorce. My ex-husband ran up a bunch of debt in my name. I paid on these as long as I could, but it finally came down to pay the debts or feed the kids. I then worked with a company to help me get back on track. I made settlements with all but this one creditor that Genesee is calling me about now. I tried to make a settlement with them...an amount that was more than the actual principal amount of money they loaned me...and they very rudely turned me down, insisting that they would only settle for the FULL amount on their records, which included outrageous interest and fees. When this creditor became unreasonable, I just cut off contact, and decided it wasn't worth it. Now that the account is about to fall off of my credit reports, they sell it off to this Genesee, who I'm sure is going to harass me for days to come! I refuse to play into their scam!

I didn't read all before posting, but strange...the same Marie Jacobs called me! I, too, was concerned when I looked this company GVA up, and found nothing but this forum! I was trying to find their address to send a letter requesting that they validate the debt, but I am not able to find a definite address!

I think I will do as some have suggested. In Texas, it is legal for me to record my calls. I think when they call tomorrow (because I know they will), I will record it, and ask for an address and such as another poster has. I have not received a single mailing from GVA...the phone call yesterday was the first I've heard of them having the account, and they sound pretty fishy. I will post tomorrow and let ya'll know how things go. I have a feeling I may encounter the same defensiveness and backpeddling. My husband was thinking that maybe this GVA didn't "buy" the debt at all...that he heard somewhere that some of these "scam" companies are pulling folks credit reports and looking for old debts that the original creditors may have forgotten about or decided were not worth the effort. These "scam" companies start calling claiming they bought the debt and threatening people to pay...telling them they will accept a lesser amount. They get away with this, because there are enough people out there who do not know the law or their rights, and just hand over the money out of fear!!! Scary, but with all the stuff going on these days, it wouldn't surprise me if this is exactly what is going on!!!

My suggestion to anyone reading (and I plan to take this advice myself), if contacted by a "collector" on an old debt:

1. Search the web. This was my first step, and all I found on these guys was this post. RED FLAG!!! If you find a web site and address, respectfully send them a letter requesting that they validate the debt (I know what the CA's will say, but this step is essential to protect from scammers). If you cannot find anything on the web, proceed to #2.

2. The next time they call, as them for an address to send a request to validate the debt. If they are legit, they should (and are required by law to) provide this information to you freely. Write them and do not give them any money until the debt is validated. If they refuse to provide this information and/or get defensive about it...RED FLAG!!! Proceed to #3.

3. Inform them that by law (Fair Debt Collections Act), the are required to give you an opportunity to validate and/or dispute the debt. As such a request must be received in writing, they are required to provide their address information to you. If they continue to be defensive and refuse you the information....REALLY BIG RED FLAG!!! Proceed to #4!

4. Advise the caller to cease and desist all phone calls, and advise that you will only accept further communications in writing. Start keeping a record of any phone calls after your request to cease and desist, and notify your local attorney general if they continue. It does not matter if the "collector" is from your state or not. Your local AG can pursue the matter for you if the "collector" continues to be in violation. Many states also have local collection laws which may come into play,

If you are in a state that allows the calls to be recorded, go for it!! I do know for a fact that in Texas, only one party to a conversation has to give consent, and that party can be the person recording the call. I've got my shortcut button on my phone, and will definitely be recording tomorrow!

I see some collectors here saying "Just pay your bills"; however, stuff happens! Divorce, death, illness, job loss, etc. Not everyone who defaults on a debt is a bad person just out to open accounts and not pay them! I see one person here said that after a divorce "it finally came down to pay the debts or feed the kids". As a collector, put yourself in that position! If you lost your job tomorrow, and you had to choose between paying your credit cards and feeding your children, what would you do?

I also saw comments asking why do people feel that they need to validate a debt...they know what debts they have...just pay them. Well, as has been pointed out, there are people out there committing fraud. Creditors sell debts all of the time. At the same time, there are alot of scams out there. One should always validate a debt claim before just handing over the money! Credit reports only carry so much informtion, and if the person asking for the money cannot provide more information on a debt that is on the credit report, chances are they really do not own the debt in question and are just a scam. If I make a payment, I want to make sure it is going to be to the entity who really owns the debt. Other wise, I am just throwing money away, because I will be paying someone who will take the money and run, while my debt remains unresolved!

Just as I suspected...I called Genesee back and when I spoke to Marie, I asked for an address where I could write to validate the claim. At this point, I was still being nice. She was like, "Validate what?" I explained to her that under the Fair Debt Collection Act, I had the right to write to request that any claim of debt. I advised them that they do appear on my credit report and I have not recieved a letter from them. They claimed they sent a letter, but I told them no letter was ever recieved, and again stated that they are not on my credit report. She then said it was on my credit report....that it was there under the original creditor's name. I asked if they were a representative of the original creditor. She was like, "Who? Genesee Associates?" I affirmed, and she said that yes, they were. I then said that if she were a representative of the original creditor, she would have no problem giving me an address so that I could request validation. This is where the call started getting ugly! She continued to change the discussion as to not provide me an address. I told her (calmly) that I looked them up on the web to locate an address, and all I could find on them were people complaining about harassment and that Genesee was a scam organization. I advised her to cease and desist any further phone calls to me or any member of my family, or I will report it to the Attorney General. She was like, "Fine, but the unpaid debt will remain on your credit report as a charge off debt." to which I replied, "No it will not, as the law states after 7 years such must come off of one's credit report." She asked me how long ago I thought it was that I made the last payment, and I explained over 6 years ago, and at that time I tried to work with the ORIGINAL creditor. She was like, "See, you admit to knowing what this is about...you are just refusing to pay the debt!" I again asked why she would not give me an address. She said she had no problem giving me an address, but then never provided the address, but kept arguing about how I was avoiding the debt. She then claimed that the original creditor sold them the debt (after saying before that Genesee was a REPRESENTATIVE of the original creditor). I then said they should then have no problem giving me an address so that I could validate. She was then like, "I can give you the account number, your information...." I explained that that was all stuff that could be found on my credit report, and that a validation required providing more detailed information. She continued, "You know you bought _____, and now you do not want to pay for it!" I called her on this one, because what she said I financed through the original creditor was something that I never financed under the original creditor, but financed under another creditor and I had paid that account in full! I again reasserted that Genesee was a scam organization, as they were not able to provide anything that one could not get from simply pulling my credit report! She said if they pulled my credit report, it would show up inquiry. I told her that Genesee did not show up as an inquiry. She was like, "See, you just admitted it." However, I explained that this did not mean they didn't pull my report at an earlier time as for it to not show up recently or that they pulled it using a different name. I reasserted that various web sites listed her and some guy named Mike, and described the same type of back-peddling when they inquired about an address to validate the account...indicating that they were a scam. She was like, "Mike who?" I ended the call reasserting that they are to stop calling me, and I would be reporting them to the Attorney General!

As a collector for a third party collection agency, I don't think that you folks really understand the industry. One the account leaves the OC, it is bought and sold very often. The paper trail is sometimes as hard for the collectors to follow as it is for the consumers.
Having that been said, assuming that a company is a scam just because some disgruntled person wrote it on a webpage is no way to go about it. I do agree with our guest from Texas, all debts should be validated and if you know what the account it, being cordial to the collector will usually get you a really good deal on it. Just because another agency treated you bad, does not mean that everyone will.
To "confused one"...most collectors I know have been in the same situation. It all comes down to how you (and they) approach it. Personally, if I heard someone state that it was due to a divorce that they could not pay thier bills I would be more then sympathetic. problem is, getting people to speak with me rationally and calmly is half of the conversation sometimes. I understand that other collectors could have been mean, but I have had plently of girls be mean to me but don't start yelling at them everytime they come along!
So here are some suggestions from the other side!
A) ask for any settlement or payment plan offers in writing. Be ready for them to want to fax it. Their paycheck depends on you paying so time is of the essence.
B) talk it out with the collector. Ask them for the best possible settlement. Don't be afraid to make a counter offer. If we know what you are willing to pay, chances are our willingness to drop the amoount will go up.
C) Don't expect us top be nice when you are yelling at us.
D) If your phone number is not listed, we have to call you relatives to verify or update location information. Imagine you were owed $5000 from someone...would you just not call their parents to find them?
E) Just because a statute of Limitations is up, and the account is not on your credit report..does not mean you don't owe the money. There things are just tools. A way for consumers and lenders to help track what is going on. A debt (in most states) is owed for life. So until it is paid you should always expect a call.
Thanks for reading...

Problem is, most of the problems are coming from the junk debt buyers! These are the folks that buy old debts that no one is interested in pursuing any longer. They buy them for anywhere from less than a penny per $100 to 25 cents or more per $100 owed. These junk debt buyers then routinely use illegal tactics to break people down to get them to pay...even if they pay just one payment and stop paying again, the junk debt buyer has made way over 100% profit! And many of these junk debt buyers do not report any payments you may make accurately on your credit report, or fraudulently sell it to another junk debt buyer after a person has paid it in full to the first junk debt buyer!

In my very personal opinion, ONLY the original creditor should be able to collect money on any debt. They may hire an agency or attorney to do the leg work for them, but it should come down to the original creditor getting the money. I do not agree with lining some junk debt buyer's pockets, while the OC gets only a few bucks for selling the debt!!! The OC cares about gaining and keeping customers...so they are not going to use sneaky tactics to get you to pay! They don't want complaints against them with attorney generals and such...they don't want the negative attention! Junk debt buyers, on the other hand, do not care! They don't have to worry about gaining and keeping customers, and if they get only 10% scared enough to pay up, they are making a huge profit! They will do whatever they have to....including breaking the law! Enough complaints are made, they close shop, and open up under a new name, and start the harassment all over again!

I tried being nice to the lady from Genesee Valley; however, the moment I asked for an address so that I may validate their claim (and I asked very nicely, by the way...."Could I please have an address where I may write to request validation of this debt?"), she went on the super defensive! The call did not have to turn ugly, and not once did I cuss at her. All she had to do was say, "Yes, our address is....." But the lady at Genesee immediately went on the defensive, and though she kept saying she had no problem giving me the address, she would always immediately return to arguing the validity of her claim against me. I asked several times, "What is the problem with just giving me an address?" Each time the answer was, "I have no problem giving you and address, but....." and she would go on stating why she thought Genesee had a valid claim against me, and then saying that I was the one arguing!! I have the whole phone conversation recorded (in Texas, that IS allowed). "We sent a letter on 8/16." "Well, I did not receive a letter." "Well....I can't control if people read their mail and throw it away!" That was her real response!!! My husband had a similar situation with an account he was sure he paid off years ago. When he stated (nicely as well) that he did not receive any correspondence from them, and asked for an address to request validation, the response was, "Sure, sir, no problem. The address is ________. We will also send another notice out to you today." With that, they said their goodbyes, and my husband proceeded to send a letter requesting verification of the debt, which he still has yet to get a response from!

And with the original creditor, in my case, I did explain very nicely to them that I had gone through a divorce, was trying to make ends meet, wanted to know if there was some option (other than immediate payment in full), etc. The guy I talked to had me in tears by the time I finally hung up the phone, going so far as calling me a bad parent for not paying my debts (when I tried to explain I was unable to pay due to having to feed my kids and keep a roof over their heads), and said that CPS should be called out on me for child neglect!!!! I was being nice, offering to fax to him my divorce papers and pay stubs to prove to him I wasn't giving him some sob story! What I got was name calling and terrorism! I tried a couple of more times to work things out...getting different agents on the phone each time, but still got the same rude treatment. I decided I did not need the abuse (had enough of it in my marriage), and cut off contact! After the SOL, they sold the debt off, and now I'm dealing with these junk debt buyers!!!

As for how I would react if someone owed me money? Well, I could promise you I would show a lot more compassion! I am owed money...lots of money in child support and medical reimbursements from my ex husband...an amount in the $10,000's. My ex has not been in my son's life, and believe it or not, I have filed a motion to drop all child support arrears when my husband adopts my son!!! The reason I had to do it that way is because a judge will not drop the child support obligation unless another parent steps up to the plate...judges want kids supported by 2 parents. Some think it is the dumbest thing I could do...letting my ex get off scott-free...but what worth is it to me to expend energy and money to get money out of him that he will not pay voluntarily?

Also, if I did loan out money, if the person hit hard times and couldn't pay me back, I WOULD forgive them the loan. On top of that, even if the person didn't hit hard times, there would be a point in time I would just give it up...5 years, 6 years...I would just let it go! Not worth the stress! And that is the truth!