Complaint Review: Valentine & Kebartas Inc.

Firstly, you're correct about such companies having restrictions in how and when they contact you. They must adhere to rules and regulations set down by the government governing their behavior. They are not allowed to contact you beyond 8pm (in some places, it's 7pm), but I'm unsure about the limitation on the number of times they can attempt contact.

They are not allowed to harass you. They are not allowed to threaten you, call you foul names, imply you are lying or attempt to intimidate you... The part in your report where one agent demands the computer you purchased is right out... that is if it was a collection agent. If it was Dell, they have the right to repo property that's unpaid for. However, again, even Dell can't treat you like dirt.

What you need to look into, is drawing up a "cease and desist" letter. You can Google a number of sample letters on the net and adjust them for your situation. You will need to send this via registered mail, requiring a signature at final delivery. This protects you from the "we never got that letter" BS. It should contain language that indicates that you do not have the ability to pay at this time and that you wish to work out the issue only with the original creditor. Finally, state that they are to no longer attempt to contact you via phone or written conveyance. They have to honor this, and any further attempts by them to contact you will be actionable by law.

Send the letter to the physical address of the collection agency. Once they get and sign for the letter, the terms are in effect. Once that's done, they'll send the account back to the original creditor, Dell, and you can deal with them directly. Remember too, that Dell is obliged to treat you with dignity also. However, you cannot send the original creditor a letter of cease and desist, as they have every legal right to find a way to settle your outstanding debt.

In the meantime, please look into the "Fair Debt Collection Act". This is the legal language that governs both the creditor, collection agents and you (as you do have obligations under the Act to act in good faith). Go over the Act and get to know the info in it. Don't be afraid to let collectors know that you're familiar with it, as often, doing so will make their tone change in a way that's nothing short of miraculous.

Good luck.

I have been out of work for 10-1/2 months, and prior to that, I paid all my bills on time. One of my creditors is Dell Financial (all my other creditors have been very sympathetic). They recently assigned my account to Valentine & Kebartas back in July. They call me 10 times a day, and I find it best to just answer their first phone call and let them know that nothing has changed since the last time we spoke. They then proceed to call me back several more times during the day, which I was under the impression they could only contact you once a day between the hours of 8 a.m to 8 p.m. When I call them, on this, they act stupid, and tell me they have no record of me speaking to anyone from their office. I finally started documenting all phone calls from this agency. I have spoken to a Lisa, Ms. Scott, and various others folks there. Last week Jerome called me and demanded the computer I bought. I had purchased it for my son, and no longer have it in my possession. He called me a liar and told me that I had bought it and turned around and sold it to make more money. I hung up on him. Then Friday, 8/20 I discovered they had pulled $80 dollars from my account without my authorization or permission. I contacted my bank, they reversed the charges, and they are disputing them. I contacted Dell and when I put in my account information, which their automated service demands then my call was forwarded over to Valentine & Kebartas. Therefore, I absolutely got nowhere. Friday I told them I would contact an attorney because what they are doing is illegal. Is there someone out there that can help me please? I am not a deadbeat trying to get out of paying my bills I am unemployed and have lost everything including my condo. Valentine and Kebartas is not a law firm either. They want you to think they are from their name, but I have done research on this agency.

Sandy

Sacramento, CA