RPM - Receivables Performance Management Scam - false collection agency Bothell Washington
Had multiple calls from this number on my caller ID over several weeks- no message each time. I finally was available when they called this evening, and tried to tell me that I owed $200.91 to WorldCom wireless. I had a WorldCom cell phone, oh, about 7 years ago - they, um, if you didn't already know, went out of business many years ago and sold out to AT&T. My phone number, account, bill, outstanding payments, EVERYTHING transferred automatically to AT&T.
"Cynthia" tried to explain herself by saying it's been passed through several collection agencies, so that's why it's taken so long to "catch up to me" - and that they mailed me a collection letter three months ago, and I had 30 days to dispute it, whether I recieved the letter or not. Demanded payment over the phone, offered me a $40 discount if I paid in full right then and there. I informed her that NOBODY SHOULD EVER GIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE when someone has called them, duh, that's the easiest way to steal someone's financial information and identity - and that if she could fax me proof that I owed the money I would call her back and make the payment.
She refused, and told me that if I didn't pay while I was on the phone with her, she would mark my account "Refused to Coooperate" and that I would then have to pay "involuntarily", and that my place of work (she actually said "if you have a job") would be contacted.
She was very insulting, implied that I was a complete deadbeat and had been purposely trying to avoid the debt. I'm not a deadbeat - if I really owed the money, I'll own up to it and make the payment. Refused to put her supervisor on - actually tried to tell me that she didn't know her supervisors name!
I finally got her to give me my "account number" and an 800 number to call back to make my payment, and as soon as I got off the phone ran my credit report - what do you know, there's nothing delinquent on my entire credit report. Oh, and I called the number she gave me, I got a recording that "all of the agents were too bust" to take my call.
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE MONEY!!
Jenn
Indianapolis, Indiana
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
devolv
Santa Barbara,California,
Collection Recieved by Represented Company
#3Consumer Comment
Thu, August 15, 2013
After noticing that I had paid a 206.56$ debt to the company in question back in January of 2012 I did quick Google search which brought me here. Concerned with what I read I decided to call Sprint and ask if they ever got their money. Sprint was able to confirm that I did owe 206.56$ and that it was paid, albiet they didn't get the money until 6/2013 but they DID get the money, so I'm not sure that the company in question is a scam. Just thought other people should know my experience. Hope this helps.
Jenn
Indianapolis,Indiana,
U.S.A.
RPM - Receivables Performance Management Scam - More...
#3Author of original report
Thu, January 10, 2008
The more I've thought about this whole thing, I realized that the number "Cynthia" was calling me on is the same (and only) phone number Ive had for 7 years and is the exact same phone number that WorldCom assigned me when I opened the account in the first place... funny that I would even still be able to use that number if I hadnt paid the account 5 years ago, and that they wouldnt have been able to track me down for all this time, and then suddenly realize that theyve had my phone number all along!
Moral of the story... Any company of any kind that open an account with can sell your information including the information that you had an account with them. This company had obviously purchased a list from the now defunct WorldCom Wireless, which shows that at one time I had an account there.
Their entire job is to create doubt, by referencing an account that is extremely old, and intimidate you into believing you really do owe money and get you to give your financial information to them over the phone. "Cynthia" was pretty good at it, I was completely flustered for quite a while after I got off the phone even after we determined that it was a scam.
I spent hours researching the company as well as the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and they obviously know the law well not once did she do or say anything that wasnt in compliance (well, besides the incredible rudeness, and more or less telling me I was a loser, but even that is okay, because the Act is pretty vague in some places, which also gives them enough loopholes for getting away with their scam http://www.ftc.gov/
bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf
The "company" name is RPM - "Receivables Performance Management", www.receivablesperformance.com/
(look at the home page - the photo of the "head office" is a completely blank building, no sign or anything it looks like a totally empty building!)
1930 220th Street SE, Suite 101
Bothell, Washington, 98021
866-212-7408 (this is the number that shows on caller ID, what is listed on their website, and what Cynthia gave me to call back on calling it just gets you a recording that tells you all of the agents are currently busy)
The BBB gives them an unsatisfactory rating -
I filed complaints on www.ripoffreport.com and whocalled.us (reverse phone number look up), there are hundreds upon hundreds of complaints already logged in both places, not to mention other sites. There are many complaints from other old WorldCom account holders, old Sprint accounts, Sears credit accounts and others. The sad part about reading through some of them is that many of the people believe them, and once theyve paid the debt, theres no way to get back in touch with the company for a receipt or proof that anything was paid. And they continue to call and badger people even after theyve given them money!
Just wanted to remind everyone to be very wary of anyone calling and asking for money even if you think it could be real, its entirely within your rights to request a phone number that you can call back on. And dont forget to monitor your credit report!