Complaint Review: Palisades Collections

I am so glad to hear I'm not the only person fighting with this company. I am sorry, however, that we are all going through this. Here's my story...

In February 2003, I received a bill from Palisades Collections stating that it had purchased a debt from AT&T for the amount of $119.42. I immediately called them. They stated they were unable to give me the bill from which this charge had originated because they only purchased the debt. They did, however, give me the phone number to contact AT&T because I stated I was disputing this debt.

I contacted AT&T on February 21, 2003. They told me the debt originated in November 1999. I did have AT&T service at the time, but was going through a divorce and the bill originated at my ex's house; the bill was still in my name. Anyways, they said they would send me an itemized copy of the bill. I never received it. I called again in late March. Again, they said they would "generate" a bill. I never received it.
In June, I began to process a mortgage and the mortgage company said I had to pay this bill before they would approve the mortgage. I called and requested a bill from Palisades. They never sent it.

But, on June 3 I gave Palisades a bank debit card for the amount of $130.42; interest had accrued on this debt. I don't believe this is legal, at least not in the state of Michigan. The mortgage officer called about 2 1/2 wks later to get a receipt for me, at which time, they said the bill had not been paid. I was irate!
I called them with the confirmation number for the payment. The supervisor said he did not know why it hadn't been processed. The processing center is not located near their office. He needed 2 more days.

They were given another week. They still hadn't processed it. I received a call on June 27 telling me that they had lost the bankcard information and would take the info again. After complaining, they were given a check by phone. They have been give 3-4 days to process this through the bank. If it does not go through by Tuesday, I am contacting a lawyer. Further, if a charge is put through my account by debit card, I will contact a lawyer.

In the meantime, AT&T is sending me another bill; YEAH RIGHT.

I have reported Palisades to both the Better Business Bureau of Atlanta and to the Federal Trade Commission as they regulate the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I feel that they have not 1) provided me with a bill substantiating this claim and 2)they have charged interest on this debt which I suspect is not legal.

Something very fishy is going on here.

Hopefully, there will be some justice in all of our matters.

Good luck!

Julie
Jackson, Michigan
U.S.A.