Mike Costa Viking Harassment & Threatening phone calls Ripoff Phoenix Arizona
A gentlemen called named Mike Costa saying he was with Viking. He said I was responsbile for a debt on a credit card that was made when I was married to my ex-husband.
This debt was in the court order of our divorce for my ex to pay. As far as I can find out my ex did pay on the debt for a few years then didn't pay anymore.
We have been divorced for over 7 years. Mr. Costa first called me on my cell phone, I told him that my ex was responsible for this debt and I did not have the funds to pay it.
I continued to get harrassing phone calls from him and finally had to change my cell phone number. Then the other day he called me at work, I asked him how he got my work number and he said "it was part of his job to get my number".
I told him I was not allowed personal calls at work and once I told him that he preceeded to tear into me and harass me. I lost my temper and told him that in my divoce decree my ex was responsible and then hung up the phone. My co-worker could hear him through the phone, that is how loud & rude Mr. Costa was.
The next day I found out that Mr. Costa called my "now" husbands family in Indiana, he told him that I and my husband retained him but would not tell my husbands family why. He was very convicing and also mentioned my son's names. Mr. Costa out and out lied to my in-laws to try and get information from them.
He wanted the phone number of my now husbands work and where he worked and his cell phone. I was shocked that he had the nerve to call my now husbands family and lie about what he was calling about.
They actually gave him my husbands cell number and he recieved a called yesterday.
Mr. Costa said he was with Fox and that he needed my husband to call him right away. This morning when I got into work I had a another call from Mr. Costa. I have saved all these calls from him and plan on seeking legal help if this harrassment does not stop.
I have tried to be reasonable with Mr. Costa but he totally rude and will not even let you speak. I hope this helps anyone else that is having problems with Viking and Mr. Costa.
By the way I cannot find the actual address so I saw this one on another complaint about Viking and used it.
Renee
Hurst, Texas
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Gene
Granada Hills,California,
U.S.A.
Mr. Costa is in deep
#4Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 19, 2005
In addition to everything else said...just the fact that he misrepresented himself as being from a different company and calling for a different reason, he's in violation of the Fair Debt Collections act. I'm sure he's done it more than once..and if the complaints regarding that pile up..his entire agency could easily be shut down. That is..if you actually want to pursue it that far..:)
Sherri
Piedmont,California,
U.S.A.
RENEE, IT IS PROBABLY WAY BEYOND THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 18, 2005
If you have been divorced for seven years and the debt was incurred before your divorce, this is very likely beyond the Statute of Limitations.
You need to send "Mr. Costa" a cease and desist letter, as well as a demand for validation of said debt. Indicate in your letter that they are not to contact you at home, work or through third parties, as being that they have contacted you, it is NOT "locator information." I strongly suggest that when you send this letter, that you put "Mr. Costa" in quotation marks, as that is very unlikely to be his real name. What you are dealing with is a bottomfeeder desperate to make a paycheck. Be firm and let them know you are NOT going to pay this unless they give you proof that you are liable for it. And "we said so" and their printout from their database does not qualify as validation. Tell them that any attempt to falsely re-age this "debt" or any attempt to report it as anything other than "disputed" will be met with every legal option available to you. Send Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and fax it to them as well (if you have a number available) as you will also have a fax confirmation, just in case they refuse delivery.
Douglas made a great point..a divorce agreement is not worth the paper it is written on as far as a legitimate creditor is concerned. They STILL report everything in both names to the credit reporting agencies. I went through a similar situation back in the late 90's with my ex (we had been divorced since 1993) and a debt he incurred four years after our divorce went on my credit. I was able to get this off, but it was like pulling teeth.
Whatever you do, do not give these people a dime before they validate..you will "reaffirm" the debt and likely will get the Statute of Limitations clock started again. Being in Texas, you are in power, as you are basically garnishment-proof.
Don't let them intimidate you..YOU are the one with the power.
Douglas
Worcester,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
watch out a divorce decree doesn't mean anything to a creditor
#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, May 18, 2005
You will soon get many posts on how to stop the harassment of this collector so don't worry about it. Sherri from Piedmont has real good advice on stopping this so watch for her post.
I just wanted to let you know that a divorce decree doesn't mean anything to a creditor. The decree is just an agreement between you and your Ex. It is still the responsibility of whoevers name the debt was originally opened under to make sure the debt is paid, even if you have to pay it yourself then sue your Ex for the money. Talk to your divorce lawyer.
What stinks is that whoever's name the account was in will always be the one to get the collection calls and the account will still be reported on their credit. If your Ex is a deadbeat, the decree means absolutely nothing. I'm assuming this is was originally your account since you're getting the calls so take this as just a heads up.