Steve [Not A Lawyer]
Bradenton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Sat, December 23, 2006
First for Ann, "Bill Dunn" is actually William H Dunn. I have done a full background investigation on him and have posted 3 of his known home addresses here on other threads. Now for Elle, The answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY NOT! They CANNOT legally extend your auto financing contract even if they did buy it. They can only collect what is outstanding on the original contract, nothing more. This is fraud and is actually criminal. Be sure to put all of the details in a written complaint to the consumer protection division of the Illinois AG office. Immediately send them a DEBT VALIDATION request. Demand a copy of the original contract and also a full account history and itemization of charges. Also demand proof that they own the debt. I would have never sent them a payment without proof of the ownership of the account. A sale of any installment contract where collateral is involved requires notice by both the seller and the buyer of the transaction in most states and usually at least 30 days prior to the payment being due to the new owner. I would have kept paying the original creditor until such notices were recieved. Also notify the Financial Crimes Division of the FBI as this is an interstate fraud, as well as the postal inspectors as they are using the mail to engage in illegal activity. Do these complaints in writing. They know what they are doing is illegal, and as soon as you call them on it and pput them on notice with several government agencies, they will stop. They are punks and they give up easily if you make it hard on them.
Steve
Bradenton,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 14, 2006
Elle, First, FORGET the BBB! Thay are absolutely useless and have no authority to do anything for you. Go to FTC.gov and file a separate complaint online for each violation or suspected violation of your rights under the FDCPA which you can read and print out from the same site. Now, stay off the phone and be sure all written correspondence is sent only by certified mail, return reciept requested. be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself. This is very important. As far as the licensing thing goes, you will never get a copy as they ARE NOT licensed to do debt collections in any state. All they have is a generic business license. File your complaint with the AG: Consumer Protection Division 500 S. 2nd St. Springfield, Il. 62706 (217)782-1090 In your complaint, specify that you want a copy of their debt collection license, as they have refused to provide it to you. They are trying to intimidate you into voluntarily returning the car as they know they do not have legal grounds to repo it. They exposed their hand! Read all of the other posts here on Ameristar for more info.
Lela
Culver City,#4Consumer Comment
Tue, November 14, 2006
I followed all the advice listed on this site about Ameristar. To date, they have not sent a copy of their business licenses (CA or IL). But what they did send after several telephone calls to my employers and home after sending a "do not contact me by telephone only written communications will be accepted"...was a default letter stating to pay my balance in full or voluntarily deliver the automobile. My question can they do this after filing complaints with Attorney General and Better Business Bureau?? Thanks! Elle
Steve
Bradenton,#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, September 28, 2006
Ann, First take a deep breath and just relax. Now, lets take it one step at a time. Read the other posts here on Rip Off report on Ameristar. They are junk debt buyers, AND they ARE NOT licensed in Illinois where they operate from as debt collectors. You live in CA where debt collectors do not need to be licensed. Go to the FTC.gov website and read and print out the FDCPA - "Fair Debt Collection Practices Act". File a complaint while on that site. Although the FTC will take your complaint, they do not do individual enforcement. You need to send them a DEBT VALIDATION request where you clearly dispute the debt to them, and demand to see contract you signed with them as well as a full account history and itemization of charges. You also need to demand proof they own the debt and are legally licensed to collect it. Send all correspondence by certified mail, return reciept requested. Put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. Ameristar does not fight back once you stand up to them. If you file complaints on them like I did, they will claim a "clerical error"! File a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General's office, Consumer Protection Division. 500 South 2nd Street Springfield, Illinois. 62706 Tel: (217)782-1090 Fax: (217)782-7046 I am still pressing for a copy of their DEBT COLLECTION LICENSE, without success. They provided a business license, unrelated to debt collection. Fight them hard, and make complaints to everyone! STAY OFF THE PHONE!! NEVER speak to any debt collector! Ever! It will never do anything positive for you.
Sydney
Virginia Beach,#6Consumer Comment
Thu, September 28, 2006
What does his "sounding like a black man" have anything to do with you being scammed??? are you saying that black people rip other people off? that sounds racist and ludicris to me...