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  • #1

    Help dealing with annoying collection agency

    Seems like I got what could be a nasty one on my tail right now. They called me at work three days in a row, the woman talked over me and would not let me off the phone when I said I was at work and could not talk. I said yesterday that they can't call me at work (off today so don't know if they called there). I've already been called twice today, once with a message and same yesterday.

    I was just want to cover my ass so I don't say something that they can use against me. I know not to give any more information than they already have and get something in writing.

    And I would pay it off if I could but I just can't right now.
    I would have a nice day, but I have other things to do.
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  • #2
    I would double check to see what the laws are for collection agencies in your area. If you're in Canada, this article from the CBC may be some help (I honestly can't recall where you are, sorry!): http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/4-thin...tors-1.1153120

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    • #3
      Indeed. Check your local laws. IF you're in the US, they CANNOT call you at work. Tell them to stop doing so, the next time they try, and hang up. Do NOT agree to anything, not even to "work with them" or "make arrangements," as that could be considered an agreement to pay whatever it is they're calling about. Tell them you want to be contacted in writing ONLY, via Certified Mail, and that the first mailing must contain evidence of the debt.
      "For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like using Crayola Crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola Crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel." - Jeremy Jahns (re: "Dancing Mad")
      "The difference between an amateur and a master is that the master has failed way more times." - JoCat
      "Thinking is difficult, therefore let the herd pronounce judgment!" ~ Carl Jung
      "There's burning bridges, and then there's the lake just to fill it with gasoline." - Wiccy, reddit
      "Retail is a cruel master, and could very well be the most educational time of many people's lives, in its own twisted way." - me
      "Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down...tell you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens...makes her a home." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, "Serenity" (2005)
      Acts of Gord – Read it, Learn it, Love it!
      "Our psychic powers only work if the customer has a mind to read." - me

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      • #4
        If you are in the U.S. they are breaking a number of rules in the fair debt collection act. Send them a letter requesting a break down of the claimed debt an also request that all further communication be by U.S. Mail. If they try to call you after that you can actually have the debt declared null, though that's a process. The point being that you've already told them not to call you at work, so they are breaking the law anyway. Get it in writing and you are even more strongly protected.
        At the conclusion of an Irish wedding, the priest said "Everybody please hug the person who has made your life worth living. The bartender was nearly crushed to death.

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        • #5
          Quoth mathnerd View Post
          If you are in the U.S. they are breaking a number of rules in the fair debt collection act. Send them a letter requesting a break down of the claimed debt an also request that all further communication be by U.S. Mail.
          I was going to suggest something similar. Mention the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Collection agencies have to follow it, or you could own one, if you know what I mean...
          Skilled programmers aren't cheap. Cheap programmers aren't skilled.

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          • #6
            Thanks for the advice so far. They've already called me 4 times today with only one time leaving a message. I've started making note of it. I don't have anything in writing from them so I don't have an address to write to. But if they do call at work again it would be my pleasure to hang up on this bitch.

            I'll look more into the other things.

            Thanks again!
            I would have a nice day, but I have other things to do.

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            • #7
              There's also a legal limit on how many times they can call you. Get that request for validation of debt and communication in writing only to them asap. I forgot to mention: send it certified with receipt.
              At the conclusion of an Irish wedding, the priest said "Everybody please hug the person who has made your life worth living. The bartender was nearly crushed to death.

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              • #8
                Quoth mathnerd View Post
                There's also a legal limit on how many times they can call you. Get that request for validation of debt and communication in writing only to them asap. I forgot to mention: send it certified with receipt.
                I second this!

                Mathnerd is absolutely right. I think that the legal limit is twice per day, but I don't know for sure.
                Skilled programmers aren't cheap. Cheap programmers aren't skilled.

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                • #9
                  Document the times and dates, with names, too.
                  "For a musician, the SNES sound engine is like using Crayola Crayons. Nobuo Uematsu used Crayola Crayons to paint the Sistine Chapel." - Jeremy Jahns (re: "Dancing Mad")
                  "The difference between an amateur and a master is that the master has failed way more times." - JoCat
                  "Thinking is difficult, therefore let the herd pronounce judgment!" ~ Carl Jung
                  "There's burning bridges, and then there's the lake just to fill it with gasoline." - Wiccy, reddit
                  "Retail is a cruel master, and could very well be the most educational time of many people's lives, in its own twisted way." - me
                  "Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down...tell you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens...makes her a home." - Capt. Malcolm Reynolds, "Serenity" (2005)
                  Acts of Gord – Read it, Learn it, Love it!
                  "Our psychic powers only work if the customer has a mind to read." - me

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                  • #10
                    I would also Google the phone number to see if there are complaints against that number. I have dealt with and am dealing with "collection agencies" that are just scam artists. They call me and tell me that I am going to jail if I do not pay up, they say that they will have the police at my house to arrest me by the next day. These people are using scare tactics to get people to pay them money and people actually do pay! Read all you can about the Fair Debt Act and let them know that they are doing illegal collections. This is the USA and absolutely no one will go to jail if you do not pay a debt. The worst that can happen is they will take you to small claims court and win a judgment against you, once they win a judgment they can garnish your pay checks but only for a certain amount each month.

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                    • #11
                      I work in collections now, but the debt I collect is secured debt so it makes a bit of a difference in the collections practices. I'm guessing yours is unsecured? Since you've said they can't call you at work now that should put a stop to it, and marked in their system. If they try again that can get them in trouble. As for calling you at home/cell, 4 times a day is reasonable per the policy we have at work. We can only leave a message one a day though, but that is a company policy, I think the limit is twice a day.

                      Depending on what state you live in, there may be certain calling rules they must follow. You have a couple of choices, learn to recognize the number and and ignore it, or you can request they contact you only by writing. If your debt is a secured debt, such as a car, it is in your best interest to keep in contact with the debtor by phone so you know whats going on, and have an idea of when you HAVE to pay else your property goes up for repossession.
                      "I try to take reality one day at time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

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                      • #12
                        They called me at work again and I had it out with them and they ended up hanging up. So we'll see where this goes.
                        I would have a nice day, but I have other things to do.

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                        • #13
                          Request a mailing address from them; and use the broken record technique. Other than that, nothing from you except hanging up.

                          Then get advice from small claims court, or a lawyer, or ... well, you know.

                          I suspect the advice will be to mail a request for evidence of debt. With all further communication being documented in writing.

                          But I Am Not A Lawyer. So.
                          Seshat's self-help guide:
                          1. Would you rather be right, or get the result you want?
                          2. If you're consistently getting results you don't want, change what you do.
                          3. Deal with the situation you have now, however it occurred.
                          4. Accept the consequences of your decisions.

                          "All I want is a pretty girl, a decent meal, and the right to shoot lightning at fools." - Anders, Dragon Age.

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                          • #14
                            Yeah... If they try calling you at work again tell them they are violating the fair debt collection act and you will report them to the FTC. That should get their attention. (It would ours!)
                            "I try to take reality one day at time, but sometimes several days attack me at once."

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                            • #15
                              Send a letter certified mail asking for details about this debt and demand that all communication be by snail mail.
                              Is it legal to record calls in your state? If so, those will go a long way to proving legal violations.
                              I'm trying to see things from your point of view, but I can't get my head that far up my keister!

                              Who is John Galt?
                              -Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

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