- Report: #391561
Complaint Review: Jefferson Capital Systems LLC - St. Cloud Minnesota
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Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
16 McLeland Road St. Cloud, 56303 Minnesota, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-928-6614
Web:
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Jefferson Capital Systems LLC fraud, scam St. Cloud Minnesota
I recieved a letter from Jefferson Capital Systems informing me that I had a debt with Meta Bank for a Rewards 660 Visa, in the amount of $169.27. The letter stated that I was being offered a Mastercard from Emblem Fresh Start Solution Program to help pay off this old debt.
The problem is, I do not have any debt with Meta Bank. I did in fact have an account with Meta Bank for a Rewards 660 Visa, but that account was paid in full and closed five years ago. I called Jefferson Capital Systems and informed them that this account has been paid and closed for five years and inquired as to where they recieved their information. I was told that they could not tell me that. That debts are bought and sold through different companies and perhaps the record of this debt being paid has been lost in the shuffle. Or maybe the company I paid it to has gone out of business without reporting that I had in fact paid this debt.
I also asked why, if they were under the impression that I had not paid this debt, it would take five years to hear anything from them. Again the "customer service" rep could not give me an answer.
I was told that I have to find the original paperwork from when I had paid this debt and fax it to them. I then asked if I was unable to find the paperwork (since it has been five years) what would I have to do then? Would a copy of my credit report showing that the debt had been paid in 2003 be useful? Again, no clear answer.
I informed them that this all seems like a scam to me. That they wait years to contact somebody about an old account and say that there is an outstanding debt and the person has to pay that old debt or (as the letter states) legal action will be taken and it will impact your credit report negatively. Considering the fact that years have passed and it is easy to misplace paperwork from 5-10 years ago or longer, I'm sure some people do in fact pay this debt as well as having to open a new credit card with Emblem Fresh Start Solution Program.
I wonder how many other people have had problems with this company. Using fradulent information and threats to get somebody to open a new credit card seems a bit extreme, even in this economic climate.
James
Mahopac, New York
U.S.A.
The problem is, I do not have any debt with Meta Bank. I did in fact have an account with Meta Bank for a Rewards 660 Visa, but that account was paid in full and closed five years ago. I called Jefferson Capital Systems and informed them that this account has been paid and closed for five years and inquired as to where they recieved their information. I was told that they could not tell me that. That debts are bought and sold through different companies and perhaps the record of this debt being paid has been lost in the shuffle. Or maybe the company I paid it to has gone out of business without reporting that I had in fact paid this debt.
I also asked why, if they were under the impression that I had not paid this debt, it would take five years to hear anything from them. Again the "customer service" rep could not give me an answer.
I was told that I have to find the original paperwork from when I had paid this debt and fax it to them. I then asked if I was unable to find the paperwork (since it has been five years) what would I have to do then? Would a copy of my credit report showing that the debt had been paid in 2003 be useful? Again, no clear answer.
I informed them that this all seems like a scam to me. That they wait years to contact somebody about an old account and say that there is an outstanding debt and the person has to pay that old debt or (as the letter states) legal action will be taken and it will impact your credit report negatively. Considering the fact that years have passed and it is easy to misplace paperwork from 5-10 years ago or longer, I'm sure some people do in fact pay this debt as well as having to open a new credit card with Emblem Fresh Start Solution Program.
I wonder how many other people have had problems with this company. Using fradulent information and threats to get somebody to open a new credit card seems a bit extreme, even in this economic climate.
James
Mahopac, New York
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
James
Mahopac,New York,
U.S.A.
Updated contact from Jefferson Capital
#2Author of original report
Sun, December 07, 2008
I recieved a letter in the mail today from Jefferson Capital Systems informing me that they had recieved the claim I filed against them with the Better Business Bureau. In the letter they stated that they purchased the "debt" in Oct of 2008 and while acknowledging no wrongdoing on their own part, informed me that they have terminated all collection action and closed their file on me. They also stated that they have notified the credit bureaus to delete all comments from Jefferson Capital from my files. For all the other people who have had problems with this company, I very strongly suggest that you file claims against them with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and the Federal Trades Commission (www.ftc.gov). Had I just accepted their claims of a debt that I had known for a fact was paid years ago, they would have continued to harrass me and negatively effect my credit report. Companies like this must be held accountable for their practices and unfortunately ethics and morals mean nothing to them, only taking action against them will result in anything being resolved.
James
Mahopac,New York,
U.S.A.
One more update
#3Author of original report
Sat, November 15, 2008
One thing I forgot to put in my update is if you are being harrassed or are recieving fradulent claims from a company there are many things you can do. Besides putting your experiences online to help keep others informed, you can file a report with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) or the Federal Trades Commission (www.ftc.gov). Both of which will investigate your claims and the company. I have done this myself and it is not a difficult process.
James
Mahopac,New York,
U.S.A.
Update
#4Author of original report
Sat, November 15, 2008
I contacted this company again after only a few hours once I obtained a copy of my credit report with proof that this debt was in fact paid. Before I could even get a word out after I gave them my information, I was told that the offer was now expired and they could not pull up any information on me. So in a matter of hours I went from being told that I owed this debt and there was nothing more they could tell me to the company having no information on me. I would just like to make a few suggestions for people that may recieve this or similar offers. I am not trying to seem as if I know it all but if my own experiences can prevent even one person from getting scammed it was worth it. First, anytime you recieve any offer from a company you have never heard of, even if they have your information, please make sure to do all the research before you agree to anything or send any money. And if you feel the information is in error don't hesitate to say so or allow them to intimidate you. Second, if you go to the website for Jefferson Capital Systems (www.freshstartsolutionprogram.com) and click on the "Contact Us" link, you will notice there is no e-mail address. I have found that any company who does not give out an email address it is generally because they recieve an enourmous amount of complaints and people are usually more hesitant to complain when they have to speak to an actual person or send a letter. Third, if something does not make sense, trust your instincts. If a company is sending you a letter saying that you have an old debt that you never paid, while at the same time offering you a new credit card, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Do not allow threats of legal action to deter you from doing what you know is right or scaring you into sending money or signing up for something you do not want. Lastly, always be informed about your finances and credit. You can recieve free credit reports once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com. This will show you if you do in fact owe anybody any money as well as any accounts you have in good standing (you can also dispute anything you believe is an error). If you find out that you do owe a company money, contact them (the contact information is on your credit report). If you have old debts, the company just wants their money. Never will a company force you to sign up for a new program (especially another credit card) in order to pay your debt. Also please remember that everybody has financial problems from time to time. Be informed about your information and rights, many companies lie. Never allow a company's harrassment and/or fraudlent claims to scare you into doing something you know is not right.
