- Report: #218787
Complaint Review: Merchants Credit Guide - Chicago Illinois
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Author Confirmed
Why?
Merchants Credit Guide
223 W. Jackson Blvd Chicago, 60606 Illinois, U.S.A.
Phone:
888-249-1037
Web:
N/A
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Business Rating:
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Merchants Credit Guide Co. Trying to collect on a 13 year old cable bill, I smell ripoff!! Chicago Illinois
I received a voice mail saying "It was critical that I call a Ken Hughes at 888-249-1037" When I called I found out it was a collection agency.
They told me that I owed $148.65 for an AT&T Broadband bill from 1993, thats 13 years ago. AT&T was the cable TV provider for my town back then, but shortly there after Comcast took over all of AT&T's accounts.
I asked them for something in writing, which I received a few days later, it does look official. So I started making phone calls to AT&T, I talked with 9 different departments, none of which had any record of this.
I also contacted 2 departments at Comcast, again no record of this 13 year old bill, they said that either AT&T or they would have collected on an un-paid bill within 30 to 60 days of the original bill, not 13 years later.
On the letter from Merchants Credit Guide, it states that their client is LVNV FUNDING LLC and the original creditor is AT&T BROADBAND LLC
They gave me 3 options of payment by either credit card or check. If I paid right away they would accept 50% $74.33, or I could make 3 equal monthly payments 70% totaling $104.06
I almost paid them, I am glad I found this web site first!!!
John
Louisville, Colorado
U.S.A.
They told me that I owed $148.65 for an AT&T Broadband bill from 1993, thats 13 years ago. AT&T was the cable TV provider for my town back then, but shortly there after Comcast took over all of AT&T's accounts.
I asked them for something in writing, which I received a few days later, it does look official. So I started making phone calls to AT&T, I talked with 9 different departments, none of which had any record of this.
I also contacted 2 departments at Comcast, again no record of this 13 year old bill, they said that either AT&T or they would have collected on an un-paid bill within 30 to 60 days of the original bill, not 13 years later.
On the letter from Merchants Credit Guide, it states that their client is LVNV FUNDING LLC and the original creditor is AT&T BROADBAND LLC
They gave me 3 options of payment by either credit card or check. If I paid right away they would accept 50% $74.33, or I could make 3 equal monthly payments 70% totaling $104.06
I almost paid them, I am glad I found this web site first!!!
John
Louisville, Colorado
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
John, NEVER speak to ANY collector, especially MCG!
#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 02, 2006
John, Merchant's Credit Guide Co is a total scam operation. Be sure to note that they are in Suite 900, they do not own the building. They rent a suite. Second, they are JUNK DEBT BUYERS who buy very old, UNCOLLECTABLE debts like this one for LESS THAN a PENNY on the dollar! They could not validate this debt if they had to! NEVER speak to any debt collector on the phone, and NEVER call any original creditor or anyone else regarding an old debt, as you could accidentally validate it. The debt in question is FAR past statute of limitations and cannot be legally collected and THEY KNOW IT! As per your rights under the FDCPA, send a CEASE COMMUNICATIONS request to these idiots. Send it by certified mail, return reciept requested. Be sure to put the certified# on the letter itself and keep a copy for your records. This is very important when it comes time to sue them. It's easy money. Make a scumbag debt collector pay you!
Carol Ann
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Suggestion
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 02, 2006
Rip off report is sweet as candy! Here's a suggestion for you: Go to Federal Trade Commission's website at ftc.gov and file a complaint. Internal Revenue Service love these types of people, download form 3949A, fill it out, make a copy for yourself and send it to them by Certified mail. After they investigate them this form will entitle you to a 10% Reward for what they find wrong. The United States postal Inspectors will work for you too, just go to their website and report them... Good luck and get even with them.
