NCO Financial Systems ripoff calls me saying that they are with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department Horsham Pennsylvania
This company has serious issues. I received a phone call from NCO. Well, I didn't know that it was NCO at first because the message left on my cell phone was from a man with a super deep voice who said that he was with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department. He said I had a very important decision to make: I could either choose to be prosecuted for credit fraud or I could return the phone call that day to discuss a settlement resolution.
I started crying uncontrollably and called my Dad who calmed me down enough for me to return the phone call.
When I called the number, it was NCO Financial Systems!!!
[I already knew who they were because they had sent me a collection letter a year ago for a Sears card that I had included in my bankruptcy (Ch.7) over 5 years ago.
I sent them a letter right away telling them that they were attempting to collect on a discharged debt and I gave them my attorney's name and information and told them to contact her if they had any questions, but to leave me alone.]
I never heard from them after sending that letter---UNTIL recently when they left the message telling me that they were with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department.
When NCO answered the phone, I was so angry. I could not believe that they would scare me like that. I admit that I raised my voice to the girl I spoke to. I just couldn't help it.
She said that they were calling me about a debt that I owed to SEARS!!!
I told her that I had already given them my attorney's contact information and had requested that they not contact me any further. I asked her why a message had been left on my phone by NCO telling me that they were with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department.
This is where it gets even better: She responds by saying that I was nothing but the typical deadbeat making up lies about filing bankruptcy to get out of paying my debt. She said that NCO does not collect on discharged debt so I needed to stop making excuses. I asked her again why they left a message telling me that they were with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department. She replied (exact words): I don't know who left you that message but we have to do whatever we can to get deadbeats like you to return our calls and what you need to realize is that by refusing to pay your debt, your actions "ARE" criminal.
I told her that by collecting on a discharged debt, and by lying about being with the U.S. government, NCO's actions were criminal.
I demanded to speak to her manager and she replied by telling me that she will notate in my file that prosecution is warranted for this account and to expect to be served within the next 30 days.
Then she hung up on me!!!
Omg!! I cannot believe that a company could get away with this behavior!!! I called my attorney who did my bankruptcy and she is on vacation for the next 3 weeks!!
I really am considering contacting the FBI and letting them listen to the message that NCO left on my cell phone.
This is the craziest thing I have ever experienced.
Sharon
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jace
Chicago,Illinois,
U.S.A.
I'm with Steve on this one
#5Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 19, 2006
First of all Sharon, don't be intimidated by NCO. There have never been debtors prisons in the US. Check a history book if you don't believe me. Think about it: if you don't have money to pay, and NCO wants you to pay but threatents to put you in jail if you don't, who wins?
I hope you kept a copy of the recorded message. Make multiple copies just in case. Call a good lawyer, your state AG and the FTC immediately. Not only is this a violation of the FDCPA, it's a felony to impersonate a law enforcement officer or govt official.
I'm a controller for a branch office of a Fortune500 company, and NCO's behavior in this instance would result in immediate termination here and in most other reputable companies. NCO's poor reputation is based on numerous complaints like yours, but I'd wager to guess that the guy who did this is probably in his first week on the job as a phone jockey. He's also possibly a convicted felon, making minimum wage and trying to intimidate people over the phone. He has ZERO POWER to do anything, other than put it on your credit report.
Please keep us posted, and good luck.
John
Chandler,Arizona,
U.S.A.
UH OH
#5Consumer Comment
Thu, May 18, 2006
I have a great deal of experience with NCO. I am well acquainted with their legal counsel and their practices. I think they have become an out of control juggernaught that is in the stock business and not the collection business. They are not my friends but here is what I know. In an attempt to keep things like this to a minimum, many office have a Digital Audio Taping System that allows them to listen in on calls. There is a bounty on collectors that "step over the line". Their legal team and management truly do not want this kind of crap. They are publically traded and this isn't good for the bottom line.
That said they are responsible for adverent behavior from their employees. If you still have the tape, you will find the their compliance department will be willing to listen and maybe pay you. You will also find that The Amercian Collectors Association will get involved should you decide to make that happen.
Some years ago I was called from a collector, NCO had farmed out a purchased credit card debt to a collections agency. I never had the card and as a matter of licensing must have perfect credit. I won't bore you with details except to say the collector and the manager violated many laws. Generally I don't look to pound someone that does this, mistakes happen, sometimes it's an opportunity to train the collector. Because of the behavior of the manager and later their legal counsel (not NCO), it became clear the behavior was an acceptable pattern and practice from the top down. I pushed back hard and received a check for $5,000.00 without suit. Of course I understand the federal law, state law, licensing issues better than most.
If you still have a the recording there will be a payday for you but not through that office.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Sharon..File suit on them!!
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 18, 2006
Sharon,
NCO is famous for this crap. Go to the FTC website and file a complaint. Also read the FDCPA while on that site and see how many violations they have engaged in. The FDCPA allows for compensation.
However, they went one step further here! Impersonationg or alleging to be any form of law enforcement is a FELONY.
I would file criminal charges. Did you keep the messages?
Go to BudHibbs and read all about NCO and all of the illegal activities they participate in.
Have fun and get paid!
Manny
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS COMPANY NEEDS SOME WALL-TO-WALL COUNSELING
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, May 18, 2006
IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS COMPANY NEEDS SOME WALL-TO-WALL COUNSELING.
IN THIS RARE INSTANCE, NOTHING SHORT OF THIS WILL ACHIEVE RESULTS. BUT, I SUGGEST THAT YOU DO IT ONLY IN YOUR MIND. AND RELAX. THEN CALL AN ATTORNEY AND FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM.