Camco - Bruce Keith - Rockford, Illinois SCAM - BEWARE Rockford Illinois
I was contacted this morning about a debt that was 15 years old. Upon inquiring why I was being contacted after 15 years, she transfered me to her manager, Bruce Keith. He said that a $4,900 debt from the 80's was now at $10,000, but would clear it for me for $1,000. By the time the conversation ended, he agreed that if I was to give him a post dated check over the phone, for $250.00 and then mail 2 other $50.00 payments in February and March, then he would send me a letter of release on the debt.
I told him that I wanted to send him a $$ order and he said that even if I could give them an account #, even if it was an old account, then he could take it to his boss and get an approval for the reduced amount.
When I explained everything to my husband, he was very sceptical, and rightfully so. This caller had caught me on a difficult day and my head wasn't clear. We began looking online about this company and up came this website.
I am grateful that I didn't do more, but from reading others posts, I have done too much already. PLEASE BEWARE and learn from my mistake!
Dee
phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
S
Glens Falls,New York,
U.S.A.
Most collection agencies use independent companies to take the money out and within roughly 72 hours you can reverse it!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 27, 2004
DO WHAT SCOTT SAYS NOW!!
Dee,
Do what Scott says ASAP. Most collection agencies use independent companies to take the money out and within roughly 72 hours you can reverse it! They will never send you a release letter because you cannot be released from a debt for that amount! They will sell the balance to one of their subsideraries and they will chase you for the balance. And just because they send one a letter releasing you from them doesn't mean that releases you from anyone else collecting!
And you are starting your statute of limitations all over again. So if you pay, and then you miss a payment they can screw you now! Scott knows what he is talking about so refer to him if you have questions NOW. I cannot say it with any more urgency. Youo are setting yourself up for HELL if you pay anything.
I even heard of someone cancelling an electronic check and the person from CAMCo simply changed the number on the check and it went through!
Collecting on a 20+ year debt is not illegal, most people think it is. It is the WAY it is collected, and CAMCO uses unscrupoulous means and lies lies lies. They do not follow through with promises of releases and they threaten, manipulate. They also do not follow through with evidence that is presented that the debt is either cleared through bankrupcy, paid years earlier or the collector simply has the wrong person! It happens everyday that the wrong person's info is popped into the acct. I never worked for CAMCo, but I did for a different shady collection agency for about two days and quit.
They have no proof to send you because the info has purged, documents were thrown out or written off years back. They have the burden of proof though, even years later, to prove the debt, not you. BUT IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO TRY TO COLLECT ON IT.
CAMCO always uses the excuse "pay your debts its the right, moral thing to do." More people would be honest and pay on any debts they remember them having if CAMCO wasn't so shady trying to collect! They use means that are illegal, and that's why even if you owe the debt, DON'T PAY ANYTHING ON IT.
Spreading the Truth
Scott
Akron,Ohio,
U.S.A.
call the bank NOW NOW NOW and stop payment
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, January 27, 2004
If you gave them your account # you need to call the bank NOW NOW NOW and stop payment on anything given and put a fraud alert on the account. Then you need to close it down completely and open a new account. Do not pay them a dime cause they just scammed you. Move quickly or they will drain your entire account. I have seen it happen hundreds of times.