I had a personal loan with Wells Fargo Financial that unfortunately went to collection. It was only for $1200, but they demanded it all at once after I missed 2 payments, and I couldnt do that.
A few weeks later I got a call from Mike Johnson (probably a bogus name) from ACS. He told me that my account with Wells Fargo had been turned over to them for collection. He asked for my bank routing and account number to "get this resolved painlessly" with 1 payment. I told him that I couldnt do that. He then said that $100 would show my intent to resolve this, which would help him convince his boss to "work with me" on the rest. He was insistent about getting the routing and account numbers. I am no fool.
I told Mike that I was working on a personal loan and would probably have the funds by the end of the month (2 1/2 weeks away). I told Mike I would call him back then and that was the best I could do. He continued to needle me about setting the payment up, but then backed off when I point blankly told him the way it was.
Two days later, Mike began calling me at work. I was out of town and out of the office for 6 days. My secretary told him that. He called me the next 3 consecutive days at work, leaving messages, knowing I was not in the office. Upon my return I called him and asked him what he needed. Mike said he was just "checking in" with me to see how I was coming on the personal loan. I again told him I would call him back at the end of the month. The calls stopped for a few days, then the multiple per day, calls, began at home. I ignored him.
The next week, we were out of town for the weekend visiting friends. My parents showed up. It was over an hour away. They had gotten a call from Mike Johnson, telling them that he "had to speak with me by 8pm regarding a personal business matter, and that it was extremely urgent." I am 40, married w/kids, and havent lived with my parents in over 20 years. They are in their 70's. Johnson put such a urgency in his tone, he scared them and they drove to find us. I called him before 8pm, and he was not in.
The next morning I called and a person answered Mike's phone, saying he was Steve Nimsk (another bogus name I'm sure) and was Mike's supervisor. He said Mike was out to lunch. I explained my anger to Steve, who listened, but defended Mike. He said that they had done an "asset investigation" on me, that led them to my parents. Johnson had my work number, home number, and knew my address. He only contacted my parents in an attempt to harass me. Nimsk assured me he would talk with Johnson when he returned from lunch. I also told Nimsk that I was scheduled to get the funds on the 29th of the month (within a few days) and would mail them a money order. I did not want them having my bank information. I told Nimsk that I did not want any more contacts by Johnson or ACS. He assured me there would be no more contacts as long as they got the money the next week.
The next morning, a Saturday, my phone rang at 705 am. It woke my family up. It was Johnson. I told him what time it was, and he got silent, and said he forgot he was calling a different time zone. I asked him what he wanted. Johnson told me that he was off the prior day (Nimsk told me he was out to lunch and was going to talk to him about his treatment of me) and when he logged into his computer today, he saw I made an agreement to pay. Johnson said he was calling to confirm the payment. I ended the call abruptly.
I called back and dialed Nimsk's extension. I got a female sho said he doesnt work weekends. I told her that I wished to complain AGAIN about Johnson's conduct and that he called me today at 705 am, when Nimsk told me there would be no more calls. The female asked me some questions and told me she entered it into the computer, that Nimsk will get the information next time he logs in. I further told her to notate for him to call me, so he could explain what happened. Believe it or not, that call never came.
This company doesnt care how they treat people and lied to me. Johnson knew I was out of the office and continued to call. He called my parents and alarmed them. How he can sleep at night I dont know.
Andy
Wallace, Minnesota
U.S.A.