Scott
Akron,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, August 12, 2004
Camco and Arrow are not the same collection agency. Camco strictly collects on time barred debts while arrow mixes it up. Camco is 10 times the scummier of the two but Arrow Financial Services is famous for never having any media to back up their claims. You have the right to dispute the debt with Arrow. Therein lies the catch-22 for them. First of all the debt is time barred so they cannot sue you. SEcondly, the debt is so old they cannot ruin your credit. If you dispute the debt they will not have any paperwork so they cannot collect on the debt- period. Some would say if you disputed and they did not validate it and sold it that would violate the FDCPA. I would certainly pound them in court if they did so. Arrow will probably call anyway so enjoy. If you are in a 1 party consent state then tape them(ahh NY is 1 party). If they break the law then sue them.
Kevin
New York,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, August 10, 2004
Send copies of any correspondence from/with these bozos to: NYC Department of Consumer Affairs 42 Broadway, 8th Floor New York, NY 10004 Camco is not licensed as a collection agency in New York, and hence are prohibited from trying to collect on third party debts. (They claim that they are an acquisition company, not a collection agency -- alas for them, the NY Attorney General disagrees). I'd wager dollars to donuts that Arrow is also not licensed to collect in New York. Since both Camco and Arrow are headquartered in Illinois, you should also cc: Lisa Madigan Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud Bureau 500 South Second Street Springfield, IL 62706 Send them a "cease and desist" letter, certified mail, return receipt requested. Inform them that they are not to contact you by phone, fax, mail or email, and that any attempts to slander your credit by falsely reporting or "re-aging" this debt will be met with all legal remedies. Once you do this, they will likely leave you alone.