Complaint Review: John Martin Of Viking Collections

As part of an ongoing attempt to start a business, I ran up a debt of $11,000 on our family Bank One credit card, for which debt I took full legal responsibility in a subsequent divorce settlement.

I then managed to pay this debt down by some $2,000, and Bank One also took $4,000 out of my personal checking account, which, out of a sense of responsibility to the bank I had maintained with them.

Bank One has since allowed a series of collection agencies to attempt to collect the remainder of some $5,000, and I have actually made small payments to each of them in turn as I have been able.

As you know, however, these collection agencies are really interested in a quick, lump-sum settlement, which is impossible in my current circumstances. (I am a computer programmer, and, despite having sent out over 300 resumes in search of a programming position, I am currently making $10 per hour as an engraving machine operator.)

It is the most recent of these agencies -- which I believe to be Viking Collections and which is represented by a man who calls himself "John Martin" (800-796-3523) -- which has caused me to file this report.

Mr. Martin not only makes threatening phone calls to me at work without identifying the agency for whom he works, but has also begun to call my former wife, who is a public school teacher -- and her principal --during working hours.

Since Mr. Martin is very elusive, I am not sure of his business address, and am using a Viking address supplied by one of your other correspondents. He HAS given me his phone number, however, which I have noted above.

Bank One itself seems sympathetic to my complaints about Viking, and has promised me that they would assign a new agency to my account.

So it is Viking I wish to report -- not Bank One.

Glenn
Metairie, Louisiana
U.S.A.