Complaint Review: Viking Collection Agency - Jeff Reisman

I received a call from a Jeff Reisman, a Viking Collections Manager, in regards to a Chase credit card debt. I returned his phone call, being an honest person and wanting to try to negotiate a way to resolve the debt---NOT ignore the situation. However, times are difficult for numerous people in this currently struggling economy and therefore explained to this Jeff Reisman that my husband and I could only send a certain amount--EACH MONTH though, until the debt was cleared. Jeff Reisman came on as a pleasant--trying to help us out---kind of guy (in the beginning) and said he would fill out a "financial hardship" form (as we have 4 children at home), he would "crunch" some numbers and see what we could work out. Well, obviously---he didn't like the numbers and was not willing to accept--for the time being--a payment I offered to pay each month. Jeff, then became not very pleasant and a right out jerk!--to put it nicely. In the process of "trying to help me out", he asked me for some personal information--which being naive, trustworthy, and wanting to work out a deal with the collection company and Chase Bank, I gave him my parents & sister's home phone numbers (nothing more) because he said he NEEDED 2 references for the "financial hardship" form. I also gave him my husband's work information---I know NOW what a stupid move that was, but I honestly have never been in this situation before and was trying to do the decent thing and not ignore the debt. Jeff then proceeded to tell me I had to come up with a large sum of money---and that I should ask friends and family for a loan, and even I should ask my 78 year old father to take a loan out of the bank for me to pay off this debt--which actually isn't even mine---it's my husband's from before we were married. Jeff told me he would give me a couple of days, then he told me I had until 9pm that very evening to get back to him or basically my husband is screwed. So, of course, I freaked out!---But everyone I know is in the same financial straights that we are.......so I made a few calls and spoke to a knowledgeable person, in regards to this matter, who gave me advice as to how to handle this worry. In the meantime, this Jeff Reisman has already contacted my parents---provided with the number I naively gave him and asked them if I had spoken to them about them giving me money. My mother handled the situation by NOT giving him any information. He hasn't contacted my sister yet, but I am very concerned that he will contact my husband's place of employment. Tthis is very worry-some. We have 4 kids to provide for the 2 youngest are 2 years old and 2 months old. This IS harrassment...people have commited suicide over incidents like this. It's NOT ethical or right....I may have been naive divuldging certain information to this collection guy, but I sincerely believed by being open and honest it would benefit my husband's situation and allow us to pay this debt---at least make an effort to repay a debt. Now I am utterly concerned I may have done more HARM than GOOD!

Ritamae
Camillus, New York
U.S.A.