Universal Fidelity (BBB accredited) violating consumer rights

In answer to your question - I have never had anything to do with them. However, the prior owner of my house seems to have.

At 8 a.m. today, they called my house. They asked for the prior owner, I said this is my number, not his. How did you get this number? And the little witch on the other end started yelling at me.

Does anybody know how I can report them, and to whom?

I looked at this site this morning because I received a call from them, at 8 a.m., and it was for the prior owner of my house. I don't even have dealings with them, and they are total little witches, RUDE.

The number they called me from was 614-789-4821. The caller yelled at me and hung up on me when I asked how they got MY # for prior owner. I called them back at this number and got yelled at again.

Their practices have to be illegal. It's the manner of collections used back in the 70's & 80's. Isn't it illegal to call before 9 a.m.? They yelling, etc?

We keep getting phone calls and when we pick up we get a recording. We have tried to call back now four times. They hang up, or we get a recording that is not in english or spanish. We're retired and have no credit cards or any outstanding bills, so we have no idea what they are calling about.

these people are creeps. my husband called them back, and he has a paralyzed vocal cord, so it is hard for him to talk. well, this girl answered andaccused him of pulling a prank and hung up on him, so I called back and told them they better never call again. just yesterday they called again, and I called the number and some man answered. He said these people have been bouncing numbers off their system, and have nothing to do with them. the number I called went thru to an
oil and petroleum plant. They are going to check into this and files some charges against them when they can find them. so if you get a number on your id 281-647-8931, don't call it back.

:evil: We received a call from UF recently asking for a specific sum of money. We asked for something in writing and the man said he was not in the business of sending bills to anyone that if we did not want our credit ruined that we had better send him this specific sum of money--just a few dollars less that $200. Again we asked for something in writing. He finally told us the company so we called the company. We had opened an account with this company about a year ago while on vacation, bought a couple of items but never received a bill or a credit card from them. We called the company and found out that they put the wrong address on the account the reason we never received a bill. We asked the company to correct their mistake, send us a bill and we would pay it. No word from the company but we are still getting calls from UF.

Perhaps the charges in question were fraudulent?

Same (Universal Fidelity) computer system called me (at least 100 times in the last 2 months, even at night), asked me to call them back to long distance (281) 6474152. I called them. They put me on hold at least 10 times. They do not tell you why they call o who they are. They are very rude and horrible (5 different people I talked with today). It is so bad they know your phone number and can do whatever they want, and you do not even know who they are and why they call you and they do not tell you. They hung up on me at least 10 times but before that they put me on hold for 10+ minutes. End of story is that they can keep on annoying me and I can not do anything. I blocked telemarketers but they say they are not telemarketers. Those people scare me since they have my phone number but I do not even know who they are. I wish there is something we can do to stop those kind of agencies. Is there a legal way?, and if the law can not help us, can we all annoy them at the same time calling them that phone number until they give up? Makes me feel worse than the third world :(

Miguel, send them a cease and desist letter, tell them you only want to communicate via USPS. send the letter USPS certified mail, return receipt requested.

Thanks JCEMT. I have no credit problems or debts or anything. It is just that I moved to new place one year ago and phone company (SBC-ATT) gave me this phone number.
I think the previous phone number owner had problems with many companies that called me over the time, and they stopped doing that after I told them I just got the phone number. But this Universal Fidelity is just too bad harassing, so much. I also read very similar stories to mine and complains about this company in: w w w DOT gigglechick DOT com / erin / blog/ 2007/ 05/ universal_fidelity_2816474152 DOT php , I hope the law had some effective, quick, easy and practical ways for us to be able to stop those companies with such bad practices as Universal Fidelity! , why we all have to suffer the pain of bad actions of few bad companies?, and they can harass anyone and make anyone????????s life feel miserable and helpless? And looks like they are working legally and no law stop them.

This company has called my parents house now a total of 13 times this month. my parents are out of town so I got the call today and called back since they had called 2x today. They were looking for someone of the same last name but does not live here. When I told her this the witch hung up on me. I called back and she apoligized and said my number would be erased. 20min later they called back. I returned the call and said that it takes 3-24 hours. Whatever I got her name and it better stop or I will have to call my lawyer. All the things I've read on this sight, I do not want our name or phone number anywhere in the hands of these people

You can also send them a written request to cease all communications, send it certified mail, return receipt requested. They will be bound by federal law to abide.

I've been getting calls from the the last 5 or 6 months. All they are is a recording saying that they couldn't leave message on the answering machine (duh! I personally took this call) and for me to call a long distance number. I called and got a recording putting me on hold. So I hung up. I figure if it's important they will have a live person call me. I still don't know what it's about. UF operates all sorts of things. It could be a call trying to get me to invest, a collection agency (although from who I don't know), If anyone has an address for sure on these people (I had one in TX) I will send them a letter. I can get anywhere from2 to 4 calls a day - always the same stupid recording.

they call at least once a day and refuse to give any info unless I give out EVERY detailed bit of personal info about myself including what I ate for breakfast that day lol[color=Cyan][/color][color=Green][/color] :evil: . I wont do that so every time they call I hang up.

they are very mysterious about the whole thing and say if I say who I am and my info they can help me more. Screw that . Im tired of there calls and recorded messages saying how they cant leave me a message on the answering machine. I come home and find messages from them saying oh this is U/f we cannot leave a message on your answering machine pls call blah blah blah blah. :evil: :twisted: [color=Cyan][/color][color=Green][/color]and what did they just do leave a message on my machine saying they cant leave a message on my machine.. wtf

they are very mysterious about the whole thing and say if I say who I am and my info they can help me more. Screw that . Im tired of there calls and recorded messages saying how they cant leave me a message on the answering machine. I come home and find messages from them saying oh this is U/f we cannot leave a message on your answering machine pls call blah blah blah blah. :evil: :twisted: [color=Cyan][/color][color=Green][/color]and what did they just do leave a message on my machine saying they cant leave a message on my machine.. wtf

It's all smoke and mirrors. As in, they're blowin' smoke up your a$$.......

If they have something legit to collect on, then they already have your info. I'm dealing with the very same BS with MRS right now. They call, and I just stonewall them unless they're willing to talk. So far, they haven't been, so screw'em.

After glancing through the messages, I thought I need to add. We've been getting the recorded messages for about 3 months for my son, but they never ask for him, only that this is a "time sensitive issue" and we need to respond immediately. So far, I've been hung up on by "Crystal" who is rude, abusive, and also refused to transfer me up the chain. One more call and I think I might try the FTC.

I am assuming they are calling for my daughter. It's always a recording tell you it's not a solicitation and to call this 866 number before 9pm. Never a human.

Welcome to the forum dwal.
I would suggest you deliver the message to your daughter, have her get an account number or reference number for the account then have her send a debt validation letter (you can find a good template via my signature) send it certified mail, return receipt requested.

Yes, I have. In October of '07 I remited some money I owed, and as of today (3/24/08) they have not sent the money to JC Penney. Now, I am stuck with a debt and i have to get my money back from them.

Ed Rodriguez

Hi, I have received 3 calls from these people in 3 days only a recording telling me to call them by 9pm. I have no debt so I have no idea why they are calling me. I think someone else whose mail I have received has alot of debt and my number and address is attached to their situation. I hang up!

UF keeps calling us, just a recorded voice, night and day and we have NO outstanding debts. We think it is due to my daughter's boyfriend running up debts then skipping. He lived with us for a while. I've tried calling the long-distance number they leave but just get recorded messages, over and over again. No voice mail, no numbers to get to get real people. At least his other collection agencies gave us a chance to say he moved.

Universal Fidelity LP
1445 Langham Creek Drive
Houston, TX 77084

Telephone
Main: (281) 647-4100
Client Services: (800) 807-1439

I am dealing with these guys right now over a Chase credit card. They call and harrass me all the time. I have answered the phone once and that is how I figured out what it was. the guys I talked to was kind of rude and kept saying that they were going to get me in trouble legally. I told him that I was a single mom who could not afford a $900 payment on a credit card at once and he would have to wait. I have not answered a phone call since.

I am glad to see we are not alone in being frustrated & angry with Fidelity. We have had repeated calls for a relative that has a debt that they can't pay right now. I refuse to give any informationto them except the truth that they do not live here. They are increasingly rude--one told me not to bust a blood vessel when I said we would file harrassment chgs. I feel bad for the relative, & don't want them to know we get these calls. Are we right not to tell anything? can charges be filed?

I do not want to give my full name for fear that CO reads your posts

You are well within your right in refusing to disclose information to them. You can send them a written request to stop calling you if you wish. Send it certified mail, return receipt requested.

These people are idiots and I don't like there tone either. They do have a website under uflp I have gone through the website and found a place where I can pay on the bill online. They have phone numbers but when you talk to them its like pulling teeth. But they show all there locations throughout the US headquarters is in Houston, Tx.
Here is a phone and fax number from goiath site.
Company Profile
Updated: 16-APR-08
Universal Fidelity L.P.
Private Company, Headquarters Location
PO Box 941911, Houston, TX77084, United States
(281)647-4100, (281)861-0096 fax,
Primary SIC: Adjustment & Collection Services, Primary NAICS: collection agencies
Description: Services: Collection agency; billing and bookkeeping services

You can google universal fidelity and get the info that way too.

Hope this helps you out.

I think uflp is one of the those collection agency who are doing their job and helping their clients to get their money back from those people who have not paid their debts and who dont even want to talk abt their debts. I think collectors can be helpful in planning our finances and pay our bill if we are nice to them as i always had a nice experience wd them they are rude when we dont respect their job.

They just called me and Im in Iraq right I belive it is something my ex wife has done seeings I have ben here for a year, there were not nice at all and I have no idea Ill keep you poster I do know that the nbame I got was Rick Fisher :shock:

Removed by Shazzers
Reason: No solicitating permitted, against TOS rules.

i called the number they left and the woman asked for my phone number, before i would give it to her i asked a simple question: what kind of business is this, what are your services? she just said, "we do different billing" so i asked if it was a collection agency, she repeated her answer, and asked for my phone number again. i found this odd, and didn't give her my number for her to look up. i shouldn't have anything that needs collecting, so i'm researching them now. thank you to the others who have posted. this company sems odd to me so far.

Welcome to the community night_playground.
Universal Fidelity is a collection agency, if they are collecting on a item that you do not believe is yours or any portion of it seems odd (such as the amount) you can request validation. If you like you can use a template accessible via my signature link with instructions.

I don't have a question but a comment. Universal Fidelity called my neighbor asking for me!!! They said I had given their number as a contact person. I did no such thing. I don't even know my neighbor!!! I called the number the neighbor gave me and found out who they were. This is the first contact this company has had with me. If you want to call "calling my neighbor" a contact...

in response to the person who said they called universal and they said "they do different things" is because by law they aren't allowed to tell you that they are a collection agency, because of privacy laws. Say they had your grandma's # and your grandma called them back and said "hey who are you calling for" and they say "Billy", then your grandma asks "What kind of place is this?" If they answered "a collection agency" then they would be releasing information to a third party, cuz now the grandma would know-Billy has a debt in collections-see!

they DO HAVE a toll free number..it is on my bill from them...800-900-7707...I have not called this number yet..maybe it is just to make payment over the phone thing..not sure...but again, this number is on my bill I recieved from them...

I have a number for Fidelity : 866-882-6941
I have tried to call them today but the machine answered. It was saying that I've called after their working hours, but it was only 3:30 p.m ??
I didn't got anything in the mail either.

If you people were responsible consumers than this would have never been a problem for any of you. You try to hide behind certain laws that you think are there to protect you, but none of you look at the fact that if you had read your contract and paid your bill as you agreed than you would have never recieved any calls. Get a grip on your own finances and stop complaining you big babies. "Oh your violating my rights". Grow up and take care of you responsiblities. You people are the reason that people who actually pay their bills have to pay such high interest because the companies have to make up their loses somewhere. You people are the reason we are heading towards a depresion. And if it wasn't for confident collectors our economy would shatter. So the next time you get a credit card or go to buy a car remember its YOUR FAULT you have to pay 17% interest or higher.

if the people here were not responsible, they would simply ignore the matter... people come here because they are trying to be responsible due to the fact that the are often bullied, threatend, lied to or otherwise dealt with unprofessionally and all too often illegally in the name of debt collection.

I don't know how they got my phone and name but they got the wrong person. Never bought anything from Macy and yet they keep calling. I will continue to give them harsh answers.

My mom is being harrassed by this company. They are very rude and my mom is very upset over the phone call she got because they were so rude and obnoxious to her. I am thinking of turning this into the BBB and APS.

I live in a completely different state than a family member of mine, and somehow, after I'm married, they, University fidelity, has contacted me asking about my family member....Can they do that? And, if my family member hadn't given my number or name, how exactly could they have received my number? After all, the lady claimed that my family member gave my number to them....after calling my family member, they acknowledged that my number wasn't given out. Is this legal?

i had a bill collector from UF ask me why I didn't go get a job (I am a stay at home to 3 small children) and then tell me to try and get a payday advance loan (hello? duh) and then basically promise to call him back in a couple weeks with a post-dated check, unless I happened to die before I could make the call. The guy had me crying on the phone.

Don't let these turds upset you, send them a DV letter along with a CD letter advising them to contact you by US Mail only.

I had been getting messages from this company for weeks when I finally answered a call and found out who they were. They are trying to collect a debt on a card I had over 14 years ago that I know had been paid off. I requested information for validation and have not received anything yet. They have not stopped their phone calls though, I get home from work and there are messages from them every other day if not every day. I am glad to have come across this forum and will be penning a request for validation and cease and desist letter.

Here's an idea (maybe you've already thought of it)... have caller ID, and don't answer the phone when they call (Unknown Caller, Univ Fidelity, etc)

I recently dealt with UF because Amex turned my account over to them to collect what I owed. I went into it with a negotiating mindset, and managed to talk them out of $700! I also made sure that I told them that the "how/why" of the debt was none of their business, and I also refused to give them my SSN, but asked if they could use my old Amex account instead (which they did).
I would suggest watching "Maxed Out" which has some interesting insight into debt collecting agencies, and then instead of answering the phone when they call, making a plan to call them instead, and put on your "Super

****" hat. By calling them you take them by surprise, and then, when you have something to offer them, it equals the playing field, and takes them off guard. Always write down their name, and use it frequently during the call, and never get sucked into any emotional games. If you can, record the call on your end - you can even let them know that you are doing so.

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

i keep getting calls from these people
i do not now or have i ever had any account with them
i can not get them to dtop calling me
any suggestions?

It seems so unfortunate the coo: Universal Fidelity cannot answer one simpler question. Howthey got and related my phone number with one oftheir clients. When asked I was told it was electronically, randomed picked. I am not the party to which they have an account for, however, I am tired of receiving the calls for this party.
Is there anyone in a collection agancy unable to get a real job, instead of continuing their high school bullying techniques. Get real people, call the people who have accounts with you and leave the rest of us alone.

I ,too keep receiving calls, I refuse to call them back, let them mail whatever it is they have to me!

They can pull your credit or skip trace your information to locate phone #'s for you. This includes relatives and even neighbors, but it is public information. Most of the time they will get the right person, but sometimes they don't. Maybe you just have the same last name or live in the same area,but please keep in mind, they don't know they're calling the wrong # unless you tell them. So, you may want to try not calling in screaming at the person who answers and more often than not they will remove the incorrect # and apologize for calling you. I have removed several wrong #'s myself today. For every rude person you talk to there is a friendly person who can help you. Your tone of voice and attitude will likely determine how the collector handles the call, so try to remember to treat them with respect too. Despite how some of you may perceive debt collectors; they are not stupid. They are tested and trained in all federal and state laws and regulations. Remember, being rude or having an attitute problem is not against the law, and I can think of plenty of other occupations where this is a much bigger problem than collections. If you are getting a call for a past due bill that you owe; pay it and you won't get anymore calls. If you are not the right person, just call them and aske that they please remove the #.