Northland Group - Super Long Recorded Messages?
Date: Thu, 01/22/2009 - 19:33
The message was one of those pre-recorded ones asking the debtor to call a "Sarah" back. But that's not the kicker!
Is starts off with the typical "this is a very important call for (insert debtor's name here), if you are not (insert debtor's name here) then hang up now." It then states there will be a 3 second delay, which counts off with 3 beeps. Then it states "by continuing to listen to this message, you agree that you are (insert debtors name here).
Pretty standard CYA type of pre-recorded message a CA leaves thinking it keeps them in compliance with the fdcpa. Of course the fact it's left on an answering machine seems kind of stupid on the part of the CA, though.
Go figure.
As if that weren't enough, though, the message then goes on to tell (insert debtor's name here) to make sure they are listening to the message alone and gives yet another countdown. I guess to give the debtor time to run everyone out of the room so they can listen to it in private?
I started laughing out loud at the recorded message left on my answering machine giving the listener (which wasn't the debtor, mind you) time to clear everyone else out of the room so they could listen to the message in private?
Has anyone else ever gotten a message quite like that?
Keep in mind this was left on my answering machine and goes on for about 5 minutes. The machine finally just cut it off.
Must have gotten as tired of recording it as I was of listening to it.
Do you think it would really be in compliance just because of th
Do you think it would really be in compliance just because of the warning and the delay? Good gravy, I hope not!
No, I really don't feel that way. Here's why. For a CA to
No, I really don't feel that way.
Here's why.
For a CA to even think they should have to leave a pre-recorded auto-dialer message like that, then they must think they are calling the wrong number or a third party. If they think they are calling the wrong number or a third party, then they also realize they can't release any personal information regarding the debtor to a third party. In my opinion, that pre-recorded auto-dialer message does just that: releases personal information regarding the debtor to third parties. It included the debtors name and the fact they were a CA attempting to collect a debt right in the message. So I sure didn't have to be a rocket-scientist to put two-and-two together and neither does anyone else that might have listened to it.
It's human nature for someone's curiosity to get the better of them and these types of "CYA" messages allow for someone to get information regarding a debtor they don't need access to. In my case, I was listening to the message so I could get a call back number so I could call Northland to tell them they were calling the wrong number. Unfortunately, my machine cut out before the the message even got to the point of giving a call-back number; I had to get it from the CID.
Which I did, by the way. I also recorded myself telling the guy I spoke with my entire number and the fact they had the wrong phone number and not to call back again. So in a month's time when, somehow miraculously, my number has popped back up on their auto-dialer and I start getting calls from them again, I'm not going to give them another warning, I'm just going to sue them.
I have had it with CA's trampling all over people (be it debtors or third parties) and breaking the law and not being held accountable for their actions.
