Clueless collection agency calling me

[Talon]

Not long after I got my cellphone, this collection agency started sending me automated calls about someone named Victoria (last name deleted). Unless I got a sexchange op, that can't be me.

At first I thought that if they haven't the courtesy to use an actual person to call in, I can't be bothered to call them. Now they're auto-calling every day, sometimes as early as 7:45am. I don't like to be annoyed, it gives me gas :p

Compounding my annoyance is 1) the message claims their number is toll-free, but when I tried to call, I get a message saying long distance charges will apply. 2) When I try to call in, I get another message after the first saying the call can't be completed as dialed, and I'm disconnected. Grr!

Whenever the Clueless Collectors leave a voicemail, part of it gets cut off. This weekend I actually picked up and listened to the whole spiel. At least now I have name, it's Canadian Bonded Credit. End of message says press "0" to speak with an agent, but that doesn't work either.

Now I'm at a dead end. Anyone else get this, or have any ideas what to do next?

[tollbaby]

Ugh. I hate those guys. These are the people who got nasty with me on the phone when I said that "dwanala umbulala" or whatever it was, doesn't live here. The woman actually said to me "well why should we believe you're not her?"....

harassment charge, anyone?

They STILL call me 5-6 times a week, but I've disabled my answering machine. (I can tell from the call display LOL)

[TNT]

I'm having the same problem, but with a different company. I find it totally annoying that they deluge me with calls -- 3 a day at the start -- and then expect me to call them back to find out what their problem is.

If this is at all legitimate, it's got to be one of the silliest tactics I've ever seen. Fortunately, they've cut back to two calls a week.

[powerboy]

With me, it is Capital one, calling me. I had to change my number because of them. The calls are for me, and I tell them I am going to pay, and do, when I get paid. But they call every day.

My mom keep getting called from Bank of America. They were calling for someone that does not live there. Ofcourse I answered once, and told them, that no one lived here by that name. The woman got pissey with me, and told me that I will get sued for lying to them. Told them to go ahead, but it will be a waste of time.

[Lyse]

You might want to check out the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm) . In addition to the federal act, each state has specific requirements for debt collectors (example, it is illegal to contact anyone in Idaho on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday for a debt). This is the act that governs what a collection agency can and cannot do. No calls before 8am or after 9 pm, no multiple messages left on a single day, and some states even further restrict the number of times that a debtor can be contacted during a week. Perhaps the most important thing is that you have the right to request no contact from the collection agency by simply sending them a letter to cease and desist contacting you.

I'm not sure about Canadian law, but I would imagine that they have something similar.

---------------------------
Supernatural Survival Rule #2: Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

[MadMike]

My 13-year-old son has been getting calls like that on his cell phone. He says they've been leaving messages several times a day. I should probably call them and tell them to knock it off, but I keep forgetting.

[hawkchick11]

I think some collection agencies are idiots. My grandparents (dad's parents) keep getting phone calls for my mother. My dad and mother have been divorced for 10 years now and have never lived at my grandparents house. The one day I answered, told them she didn't live there, GAVE them all of her information (new married name, address, home phone and cell phone numbers) and told them to stop calling and... they still call my grandparents.

[ditchdj]

I've read that this is a big problem. That's mainly because of the explosion of the "debt buying" industry, where third-party companies buy old debts from other companies and credit card companies for pennies on the dollar and then go out to collect on them to make money. If it's not your debt and they wont stop harassing you, you can file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission and your state's Attorney General's office. Trust me, it DOES work. If you dont believe me then click below on the implosion of "CAMCO"

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/204627_camco21.html

Also, even if the debt is legitimate you can stop them from contacting you by writing to them, via certified mail. This is a letter I have used (feel free to rip it off :D )......


To: -insert debt collector's name
Re: -insert debt collection account number/name of original creditor

Dear Sir or Madam,
You are hereby notified under the provisions of Public Law 95-109 and 99-361, also known as the FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, that your services are no longer desired.

---You and your organization must CEASE AND DESIST all attempts to collect the above debt. Failure to comply with this law will result in me filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and this state's Attorney General's office.

---Furthermore, if any negative information is placed on my credit bureau reports by your company after receipt of this letter, this will cause me to file suit against your company. I will seek all legal remedies available to me by law.

Since it is my policy to neither recognize nor deal with collection agencies, I intend to settle this debt with the original creditor.

Sincerely,




(Works every time!) :angel:

[MadMike]

For awhile after my ex moved out, I was getting all kinds of collection calls from her. They were legitimate, she was one of those people who can't seem to grasp the concept of paying her bills.

Luckily, the took my word for it when I told them she didn't live there anymore. They asked if I had a current address for her, but since I didn't want in the middle of that, I told them I did not.

My wife's former upstairs neighbor wasn't so lucky. He apparently inherited his phone number from some deadbeat, and the collectors refused to believe he wasn't who they were looking for. They were calling him constantly during the day, which really sucked for him because he was a third-shift truck driver. He eventually had to get his number changed just so he could get some rest.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I had a bond company calling me at my old place, looking for my ex-room mate, who had exited my house literally on the end of my foot and with a rapidly developing shiner.

Told them I had no idea where she was, but if I ever found out, I'd call them and let them know myself. :devil:

[ditchdj]

My wife's former upstairs neighbor wasn't so lucky.

That's the main problem with the debt-buying industry. They are NOT collecting debts on behalf of "clients". They're simply just buying old debts (some that cant even be taken to court because the Statute of Limitations has run out on them) and collecting them strictly to make money themselves. They dont even care they have the wrong person. Anyone they choose to target is just an name and account number that has money to be made off of.

[nick1091]

I've read that this is a big problem. That's mainly because of the explosion of the "debt buying" industry, where third-party companies buy old debts from other companies and credit card companies for pennies on the dollar and then go out to collect on them to make money. If it's not your debt and they wont stop harassing you, you can file a complaint online with the Federal Trade Commission and your state's Attorney General's office. Trust me, it DOES work. If you dont believe me then click below on the implosion of "CAMCO"

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/204627_camco21.html

Also, even if the debt is legitimate you can stop them from contacting you by writing to them, via certified mail. This is a letter I have used (feel free to rip it off :D )......


(Works every time!) :angel:

That's exactly right, and as someone who's been in the collection industry for about 7 years now, it's things like this that have really messed things up. As it stands now any Tom, Dick or Harry can pretty much buy some letterhead and get a phone line in their mom's basement can become a "professional" debt collector. It's really made it hard for even legitimate collectors to collect on debts truly owed.

In addition to ditchdj's template, I would add that anyone who advises a collection agency, or even the collection arm of a company they're being contacted by, to stop any verbal communication, to furnish them with a validation of the debt - that is, a written accounting of exactly what they owe, and any signed contract, invoices, etc that substantiates that amount. A lot of collection agencies falsely inflate true balances - it's a win-win for them in that they'll either collect the whole amount, which is of course great for them, or at worst, have more room to negotiate a settlement.

[Ryu]

yeah, never confirm how much they say you owe or the statute of limitations resets from that point everytime you confirm your debt

[nick1091]

Two other quick things that might help people out in these kinds of situations:

1. By law, a collection agency can't threaten you with actions that they don't regularly do/plan to do as business as usual. In other words, let's say a collection agency contacts you about a $200 bill which is outstanding. They can't threaten you with a law suit unless they routinely take people to court for such a small amount, and so few of them do, as it's not at all cost/time effective.

2. If any of the debt is listed on your credit report and you've disputed it in writing, make sure to cc a copy of your correspondance with the credit agencies (Experian, Equifax, Trans Union) and periodically check your report to see if it's been removed/modified. If an agency continues to report on a debt you've disputed (or asked for documentation substantiating it which you've failed to receive), you can actively pursue the agency in question civilly for slander of credit.

[Crazyredhead]

I have a collection agency trying to contact me. It is for a (supposedly) 6 year old Amsouth bill. I was with Amsouth about 6 years ago when I closed out my account (with a credit balance). I never heard anything else from the bank for the past 6 years, and recently I started getting this letter from the collection agency stating that I owe them. I told them that I am not sending them anything just because they said that I do. I closed out that account and got back around $9.00. I contacted the bank and they dug it out and said that it was an auto payment that came in after the account was closed. The bank said that they cannot stop these and they have to pay it. I have never heard anything from the bank in all of these years and it isn't on my credit history, and it has never stopped me from opening up any bank account (BOA).

Is this actually legit, and can they legally collect on this? I should make them wait 6 years, if at all. I'm not sure if I want to pay them anything. If I do, it will be to the bank and not to the collection agency. The collection agency said that they have been sending me letters over the past few years and since I am not receiving them, they refuse to send me anything else, for fear that my personal info could be stolen.

[nick1091]

Is this actually legit, and can they legally collect on this? I should make them wait 6 years, if at all. I'm not sure if I want to pay them anything. If I do, it will be to the bank and not to the collection agency. The collection agency said that they have been sending me letters over the past few years and since I am not receiving them, they refuse to send me anything else, for fear that my personal info could be stolen.

That's a typical lie - they won't send you anything in terms of backup because they have nothing to send you.

Just send them a letter (certified, preferably) asking them to substantiate the balance owed, and if they can't to cease any correspondance. If you really feel like making them jump through hoops, ask for something from AmSouth assigning the debt to them. They'll probably never be able to supply that either, because usually once the debt is sold, the original credit wants nothing to do with it.

[Crazyredhead]

Well, it is now on my credit report. I just got my annual one and it is there in bold type.

[ditchdj]

Well, it is now on my credit report. I just got my annual one and it is there in bold type.

Just write out a "dispute form" and mail it in and it'll be taken off.

[Strange Magic]

Lets not discount the liberal use of airhorns,whistles and assorted other things to make life rather ...uncomfortable for the callers.