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CAMCO - Capital Acquisition And Management Company CAMCO attempted to collect money from me claiming I had an unpaid credit card debt with Chase Manhattan Bank Rockford Illinois
Here is the story of E.T. and how she almost decame a victim of the big, bad CAMCO, aka Capital Acquisition and Management Company.
To the best of my knowledge, I have endeavored to be as acccurate as I can in relating to you the following events. If I made any mistakes, it wasn't on purpose.
DISCLAIMER: Do not proceed unless you have been endowed with a lot of intestinal fortitude!
I was first contacted by CAMCO by telephone on February 8, 2004 by a man who called himself Jeremy Johnson.
The very first thing he asked was, "are you [my name] and are (he stated the last four digits of my Social Security number) the last four numbers of your Social Security number?"
The only thing I told him at that point was yes this is (my name), but I didn't admit anything about my Social Security number.
Next, I asked him "who are you and what do you want?"
He claimed his company (CAMCO) bought an account that was originally "reported" (his words) on 7-1-89. Whatever that means!
He went on to say "the original account was with Chase Manhattan MC" and that his company had "...,purchased the account with the intention of collecting the outstanding balance of $3,929.11 which includes 8% interest."
Next he reeled off a 16 digit number which he claimed was the MasterCard account number.
He never mentioned whether or not CAMCO had a reference number or an account number of their own regarding the alledged debt.
(Stupidly), I started talking to him asking "on what information are you basing your claim that this is a valid debt?"
He basically said, because the state of Illinois says so.
"Oh," I said. (????????????????????????????????????).
He went on to claim that "a bill addressed to, (my name) was mailed to" (an address that I supposedly resided in between 7/2001 and 12/2002).
I never lived at that address and I haven't lived in the state where the address is located since 2/1990!
He then went on to tell me that I had to furnish information to prove that the debt wasn't valid.
Well, I'm a little embarrassed to say that I started babbling, stammering, and stuttering and even got a little weepy at this point.
I told him I never had an account with Chase Manhattan MC in 1989. The only credit cards I had at that time were with Capital One Bank.
In fact, I was very sick and in the hospital in 1989 with a very serious illness. I was eventually diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
Needless to say, by this time I was dazed, confused and incredulous about what was happening to me.
I think the words, "Twilight Zone" accurately describes where I suddenly found myself!
Anyway, he kept banging away at me with the same
stuff, until I thought I was going to throw up.
I didn't know what to say or how to respond so I got angry instead.
I told him this is not a valid debt and I am not going to pay it!
He very kindly told me that he understood how upsetting this must be for me and that he would help me all he could. My flesh started to creep right about now.
He said he was going to "excuse" the 8% interest and "if you send me a check today you will only have to pay $1,540.31. but I can only lock you into that amount until February 29."
He said that CAMCO would give my money back if I could prove the debt was invalid and that I had 5 years in which to do so.
How generous.
While he kept spouting off at the mouth, I got my hip waders out and put them on.
Finally, to get rid of him I told him I would try to get the information he said I needed to prove the debt invalid.
He said he would call back in a few days.
He did and I was ready for him! He called in the evening on February 10 and asked if I had the information we had discussed.
First of all, let me tell you I wasn't idle during the time before he called back. I went to several sites on the internet and got the information I needed to get rid of him.
I used a search engine and persistantly kept at it until I had what I needed. First, I did a search using the name CAMCO.
I was directly taken to this site, ripoffreport.com. Then I read all of the reports submitted by other people about CAMCO and got a lot of useful information, too.
After reading about what these other people had been through, I realized I was lucky that in my case Jeremy's approach was to play the sympathetic friend.
Anyway, he said, Hello, I said Hello and before he could utter a word I started MY spiel ! I talked as fast as I could because he kept trying to interrupt me.
I firmly stated, "This debt is not valid and I am not paying it. You are responsible for providing, in writing to me, information regarding the alledged debt."
I am not or ever will do business with a collection agency. In any case, even if this debt was valid I would only deal with the original creditor.
You will be receiving a registered cease and desist letter from me shortly and I expect you to make no more attempts to contact me.
You should know that, after receiving the cease and desist letter you are allowed to contact me one more time, in writing, and only with pertinent information regarding the alledged debt.
If I've left anything out feel free to educate yourself about the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act."
This time it was Jeremy that was babbling, and stammering, and stuttering. He might have been getting a little weepy too!
After all this there was only one thing left to say and that was, "Goodbye!"
E.T.
Casselberry, Florida
U.S.A.
Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Camco
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Cyrus
Northridge,California,
U.S.A.
CAMCO, Debt Collectors, and Consumer Fraud.. schemes to extract as much money as possible out of the average consumer.
#2Consumer Suggestion
Sun, April 04, 2004
Hello Friends:
Wasn't E.T.'s story just having a perfect ending. Turning the debt collector on the side of his ear.
Can you imagine someone calling you and demanding immediate payment for $2,000? Ridiculous!!!
A little consumer education for my friends. Creditors, debt collectord, and credit bureaus all comprise to make up the credit industry. A multibillion dollar industry in the U.S.A. They work together to devise schemes to extract as much money as possible out of the average consumer.
Before a debt collector or collection agency can demand payment from a debtor, it must validate its debt. This requirement for debt validation is established under provisions of federal legislation known as the federal Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA).
I encourage everyone to do their own research and learn about the FDCPA on the internet, books, or academic courses.
The website of the Federal Trade Commission is the best place to start your education. The FTC has publications that explain the FDCPA and your consumer rights.
E.T. was very savvy. She learned everything she needed to pull the pants off the imposter. The financial predator (collector) was caught with his pants down. Was not able to victimize this customer.
But, the sad truth is that these abusive collection calls are made millions of time everyday where they will highjack you phone lines, interupt a family dinner, and use all manner of psychological tactics to get you to acquiece to make a payment.
Debt collectors are predators--point blank.
As a credit consultant, I am never grown accustomed to the boldness, brashness, and callousness of the persons behind the collection lines. They are so willing to oppress and abuse for their own personal gain. No ethics, morals, values, or recognition of right vs. wrong. Getting paid at any cost is the objective.
You never owe the debt collector any recognition or obligation of any kind. Hang up if you don't want to talk.
Consumers can empower themselves by learning about the laws. Next, if the circumstances deem it appropriate, a consumer can file a complaint with any number of local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
File complaints with:
U.S. Senator from your home State
U.S. Senator from the business' State
Office of the Attorney General
Better Business Bureau
City of County Department of Consumer Affairs/Fraud Unit
Addresses and contact information on these agencies and individuals are readily available on the internet.
Consumers have rights, but often do not receive the proper level of recognition because they are not informed, not proactive, and tend to let things slide.
If you want to stop the abuses by the credit industry, and by large corporations, you have to fight back and make the best uses of the resources available to you.
Do not support or subsidize businesses that do not value your dollars and that engage in unfair, deceptive, and abusive practices.
File your complaints. Be sure to follow up.
Hope this message makes you a better consumer. Feel free to post questions below to me with your experiences, comments, or requests for assistance.
Contact information:
I am part of a consumer advocacy organization assisting consumers with problems with creditors, debt collectors, and credit reporting agencies.
Thank you.
Sincerely,