Midland Credit Management - Cross Country Bank ripoff, debt collector San Diego California
A few years ago, I recieved a credit card in the mail. The bank was Cross Country Bank. It said to call a phone number to activate it. My credit was really bad so I knew they would not activate it, but I call anyways. To my amazement, they activated it. Shortly later, I tried to use the card that had a $300.00 limit. The card was declined. I called and found out it had $350 worth of fees charged on it. The fees were charged for proccessing the card and annual fees for having the card. I told them to cancel the card and, since I never used it, I would not pay the fees.
Two years ago, I began working on my credit because I want to buy a house. Cross Country Bank was on my credit report. The amount owed was $1122.80. I was outraged, but I paid it using a check by phone. Of course with a check by phone, I did not get a receipt.
Three months ago, I began getting phone calls from Midland Credit Management, Inc. They were trying to collect $1122.80 for Cross Country Bank. I explained to them many times that I have already paid it. Each time I explained this, the person on the phone would get mad and start threatening to sue me.
Yesterday, (8-12-04) I recieved a certified letter from the Licking County Municipal Court. I am being sued for $1122.80 plus interest and legal fees. I contacted a lawyer who told me that since I paid by check by phone I had no receipt. Also, since I paid it two years ago, there is no record of the transaction at my bank. The reason being, my bank keeps transactions on file for up to a year. Basicly, I was told the only options open to me is to settle for less, setup a payment plan, or file bankrupt.
I have 28 day from yesterday to reply or I automatically lose the case. Of course, I don't know how to reply. I did some research on the internet. Cross Country Bank has been sued for fraud by 3 or 4 different states. Also, Cross Country Bank and Midland Credit Management, Inc have been reported multiple times for fraud.
Does anyone know of anything I can do?
Shannon
Newark, Ohio
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Jay
Carlsbad,California,
U.S.A.
A few words of caution
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sat, September 18, 2004
1. If you have to pay a fee to get a credit card or put money down to secure a credit card. DO NOT DO IT.
2. Unfortinately you signed the contract with out reading it over it may have been a 350.00 charge for the card and it being a 300.00 limit the credit card company can now charge you over the limit charges. now if ya don't get the card to 0 (zero) blance you can't cancel it, now after 1 month (or whenever you don't make the payments) the company may charge you 1. intrest, 2. over the limit charge, 3 late fees that is what made $350 turn in to $1122.80.
3. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS get a paid letter sent to you either by fax, mail, or both and keep the check/cc bill/money order, ect... KEEP IT SAFE. make copies of them all and put in different places ie.. one at home one in your savings box(if you have one) one in fire proof safe(they are not that expensive) one with other important documents
4. as for the debt collection company/agency. You should have made a verbal disbute, and asked where you send a written dispute and send that certified, and return receipt include a copy of the pay off letter/check.
Collection companys/agencies have a consumer releations depertment(some may call it different) always attention disputers to consumer releations/customer releations
5. Providian, Cross Country, and Household are KNOWN to target people that do not have good credit.
some more helpfull tips
1. if you get a debt collection letter in error just place RTS on the envelope put a line thru the name and put back in your mail box (don't black out names/numbers/write all over it, ect. if you get a call from a debt collecter don't get angry slam the phone down yell scream ect. this just makes them think YEP right number. just tell them calmly you have the wrong number and please remove your number. they may ask if they ever lived at this number or have if you have there new number say i don't know i got this number *** months/years ago. try to be polite (if your rude some might become upset and not take your number out because you were rude)
2. NEVER NEVER NEVER give out your full SSN to a debt collector. if they need to verify you are you verify with the LAST 4 numbers only. ie they say may I have your ssn to verify who you are (maybe you have same name as the person that the debt is for) say the last four of my SSN is ____ or something simlar.
3. If you find something on your credit report from a collection company don't go balistic call them start yelling. call and ask for information on the acct course they have to make sure you are you before giving any information. if it is not you explain that. stay calm.
4. if it is a fruad/id theft case get a POLICE REPORT ASAP or a AFFIDAVIT OF FRUAD(http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/). contact transunion, expirian, equifax ect.. tell them about the fruad fax/mail the AFFIDAVIT/police report. if you do nothing you are admiting it is yours.
5. after paying a debt collection company (and getting your paid letter) and ya find out that they are still on your credit report(after 30-90 days transunion, equifax, expirian ect.. need time to get it off) don't call yelling at the company it may not be there fault. just call and ask.
6. Debt collection companys can NOT take off/change the original companys info YOU need to get the orginal company to fix it. call them ask where to send a copy of the proof that the account was paid.
7. if your getting something that needs you to have good credit (house/car/job/security clearence) and lost your paid letter/ want to pay it now don't rush them they will try to do it as fast as they can calling them every 5-10 mins DOES NOT MAKE THEM FASTER.
lastly I want to tell you all I work with debt collection companys, banks, credit card companys (I do background checks for jobs) they are not all mean, nasty, and rude.
Please feel free to share this post with others, copy it someplace else ect. I do not care as long as it helps people. you DO NOT have to include any of my information, and/or give me credit to share this information
Carl
El Cajon,California,
U.S.A.
No bank records?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 18, 2004
I find it very hard to believe your bank doesn't have a copy of the transaction. They should at least be able to get a reprint of your statement.
Sounds like it was assigned to a collection agency. You will need to bring proof of payment to the court hearing and you might consider filing a countersuit against the creditor for failing apply the payment. Also, see if you can get a subpoena issued to force them to bring the entire transaction history to show how they arrived at the balance claimed.
Carl
El Cajon,California,
U.S.A.
No bank records?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 18, 2004
I find it very hard to believe your bank doesn't have a copy of the transaction. They should at least be able to get a reprint of your statement.
Sounds like it was assigned to a collection agency. You will need to bring proof of payment to the court hearing and you might consider filing a countersuit against the creditor for failing apply the payment. Also, see if you can get a subpoena issued to force them to bring the entire transaction history to show how they arrived at the balance claimed.
Carl
El Cajon,California,
U.S.A.
No bank records?
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, August 18, 2004
I find it very hard to believe your bank doesn't have a copy of the transaction. They should at least be able to get a reprint of your statement.
Sounds like it was assigned to a collection agency. You will need to bring proof of payment to the court hearing and you might consider filing a countersuit against the creditor for failing apply the payment. Also, see if you can get a subpoena issued to force them to bring the entire transaction history to show how they arrived at the balance claimed.
Sandra
Colorado Springs,Colorado,
U.S.A.
forgot to ask
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, August 14, 2004
You do keep you're bank statements I hope.
Sandra
Colorado Springs,Georgia,
U.S.A.
bank statement
#7Consumer Suggestion
Sat, August 14, 2004
If you look on you're bank statement. It will tell you who you paid and the date. I think that would be proof that you paid it. By the way Cross Country Bank did the same thing to me.