Diversified Collection Services Inc Is this even legal?? Livermoore California
I received a call today from Diversified Collection Services regarding a delinquent Virginia Tax bill from the year 2001. I left Virginia late in that year but to my understanding all of my taxes were taken care of. That said- I never heard a thing about it until this morning when I received a call!
DCS claimed that If I did not make arrangements with them within two days they would begin proceedings to garnish my wages- they further claimed that they have had my account for 203 days and have tried older addresses for me but this is the first time they contacted me as they used "Other Means" to find my phone number- and now I hear that I have two days to make arrangements.
After speaking with them I did a bit of research and asked that they send me a Validation Letter. They agreed to but went on to say that it did not matter and would not stave off garnishment proceedings.
I do not remotely understand how I am being put into this position with no prior knowledge of the debt! I am more than willing to pay if it is owed, but can they just say "You have two days!"
I spoke to a supervisor trying to get more information and she hung up on me when I would not give her my place of business! The one mistake I think I may have made was giving them my SSN but i was completely blindsided so I wasn't thinking clearly.
Any advice is very helpful.
Clink
Waipahu, Hawaii
U.S.A.
10 Updates & Rebuttals
Clink
Waipahu,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
Updated Info.
#11Author of original report
Wed, November 05, 2008
Thank you to everyone who responded. I apologize for coming here first but as I said I was blindsided.
After talking to the State of Virginia it turns out that there are some taxes owed, but they are going to ask the collections agency to hold while I deal with the State itself.
I think the thing here, and the reason I filed this report is not so much that I am disputing possible debt but that the collections agency was way out of line and in fact completely lied to me in order to attempt to collect a debt. I understand that collections people 'do' deal with deadbeats, but when they start out from day one acting as though the person with whom they are dealing is some sort of criminal, I find that insulting and disgusting.
But most disturbing in this was their insistence that with two days from first contact notice that my wages would be garnished and then insisting that it was completely legal for them to do it even after I asked for something from them in writing before I proceed in accordance with the FDCPA.
So all in all I think I am going to make it out okay, but I would warn others to be very careful of these people. They show no compunction in lying and threatening to get their money.
Helene
Elgin,Illinois,
U.S.A.
What sort of Taxes?
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2008
What sort of TAXES were these people talking about?
IF THESE TAXES HAD BEEN LEGITIMATE, YOU PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM THE TAXING OFFICE OF THE STATE DIRECTLY BY NOW.
These could be some scum who maybe found a past-due tax that you settled on but they are going to see if they can bully, scam, intimidate you by bothering you and threatening you nearly nonstop so that you will pay them whatever they want so that that will go away only they won't because you have showed them that you can be intimidated and they will make up something else on you again.
I would contact the various taxing entities of the State of Virginia by telephone and see IF you owe any personal income tax or the tax assessor-collector in the county where you last lived ( IF you owned your home and it was appraised for a central appraisal district every year and you had to pay property taxes based on their value of your house.)
If those people say NO, then you can change your home phone to a NONPUBLISHED and UNLISTED PHONE NUMBER or dump you cell phone and get another one.
DO NOT PUT ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET!
THIS INCLUDES ANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION,DATE OF BIRTH,REAL NAME, OR ANYTHING MORE THAN A POST OFFICE BOX ADDRESS. CERTAINLY NOT YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
The ONLY people who should have your phone number are your place of employment and family members and all of them should be instructed NOT to give your phone number to ANYONE!
If the STATE says you don't owe anything, then you are OK. You don't have to pay these predators a dime.
So enjoy beautiful Hawaii.
And enjoy your life.
Lambmit
Sugarhill,Georgia,
U.S.A.
they cannot garnish your wages with out sueing you first
#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 05, 2008
They cannot garnish your wages without sueing your in court and winning first. They are just trying to scare you into paying them right now. I would wait for the letter. By law they must send you a letter with proof that you owe money.
Lambmit
Sugarhill,Georgia,
U.S.A.
they cannot garnish your wages with out sueing you first
#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 05, 2008
They cannot garnish your wages without sueing your in court and winning first. They are just trying to scare you into paying them right now. I would wait for the letter. By law they must send you a letter with proof that you owe money.
Lambmit
Sugarhill,Georgia,
U.S.A.
they cannot garnish your wages with out sueing you first
#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 05, 2008
They cannot garnish your wages without sueing your in court and winning first. They are just trying to scare you into paying them right now. I would wait for the letter. By law they must send you a letter with proof that you owe money.
Lambmit
Sugarhill,Georgia,
U.S.A.
they cannot garnish your wages with out sueing you first
#11Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 05, 2008
They cannot garnish your wages without sueing your in court and winning first. They are just trying to scare you into paying them right now. I would wait for the letter. By law they must send you a letter with proof that you owe money.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
NO IT IS NOT LEGAL!
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2008
First thing you need to do is educate yourself - www.budhibbs.com for information on how to deal with them.
Per the Fair Debt Colllection Practices Act - they cannot threaten you and they are required to provide proof that YOU owe the debt. And that does not mean they can send you a bill of their own.
Start with calling the State of Virginia and find out if they use this Collection Agency, and what they indicate may be owed if they do use that Collection Agency.
The internet has lots of info on debt collections - YES - YOU CAN FIND IT - you have to be willing to look for it instead of just hitting a complaint board about it.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
NO IT IS NOT LEGAL!
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2008
First thing you need to do is educate yourself - www.budhibbs.com for information on how to deal with them.
Per the Fair Debt Colllection Practices Act - they cannot threaten you and they are required to provide proof that YOU owe the debt. And that does not mean they can send you a bill of their own.
Start with calling the State of Virginia and find out if they use this Collection Agency, and what they indicate may be owed if they do use that Collection Agency.
The internet has lots of info on debt collections - YES - YOU CAN FIND IT - you have to be willing to look for it instead of just hitting a complaint board about it.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
NO IT IS NOT LEGAL!
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2008
First thing you need to do is educate yourself - www.budhibbs.com for information on how to deal with them.
Per the Fair Debt Colllection Practices Act - they cannot threaten you and they are required to provide proof that YOU owe the debt. And that does not mean they can send you a bill of their own.
Start with calling the State of Virginia and find out if they use this Collection Agency, and what they indicate may be owed if they do use that Collection Agency.
The internet has lots of info on debt collections - YES - YOU CAN FIND IT - you have to be willing to look for it instead of just hitting a complaint board about it.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
NO IT IS NOT LEGAL!
#11Consumer Comment
Wed, November 05, 2008
First thing you need to do is educate yourself - www.budhibbs.com for information on how to deal with them.
Per the Fair Debt Colllection Practices Act - they cannot threaten you and they are required to provide proof that YOU owe the debt. And that does not mean they can send you a bill of their own.
Start with calling the State of Virginia and find out if they use this Collection Agency, and what they indicate may be owed if they do use that Collection Agency.
The internet has lots of info on debt collections - YES - YOU CAN FIND IT - you have to be willing to look for it instead of just hitting a complaint board about it.