Steve
Bradenton,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 27, 2006
Merchant's Credit Guide is a debt collector, but they are a huge JUNK DEBT BUYER. They specialize in very old debts that are not even legally collectable. They pay approximately 1/10th of a penny on the dollar for these type of debts. In most cases, these debts are so old and have been sold so many times, there is little, if any supporting documentation. This is why they send letters to everyone with the same or similar name, as they do phone calls to anyone who will respond. NEVER speak to any debt collector on the phone. It will never do anything positive for you and wil in most cases just make it worse, even if you are not the person they are looking for. Upon first contact by "Ken Hughes" or anyone at MCG CO just send the CEASE COMMUNICATION letter by certified mail, return reciept requested.
Erin
Chicago,#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, September 27, 2006
I'm glad I just searched Ken Hughes, who's been calling me for a year now & I found this page. I tried to retun his call once from my home phone but was on hold for 5 minutes and gave up. I just called again during office hours & someone answered right away. He asked for my home phone (which is published anyway so no harm in giving it out) & he said they needed to talk to a Jane Smith (not the real name). I said they never were & are not part of our household & he said they'd remove me from their calling list. They've been calling daily for a few months now and the time of day was getting more & more obnoxious. He said if we didn't call back, we'd continue to get the calls. They won't give up, so just call them back.
Chris
RICHLANDS,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, September 26, 2006
With a heavily monitored credit score of 804, I thought it a bit strange to be in the sights of a collection agency, so I called them. They asked for my phone number, which I gave them. All they can do with that information is call me, and since I'm on the federal do not call list, it would be illegal for solicitors to call directly. Only businesses with which I deal are allowed to call me, which is the main reason I was concerned. Just don't ever give anyone your social security number or drivers' license number. Even though this outfit seems to be staffed by thugs who dropped out of third grade when it got tough, after talking to them I found they were not after me, but the previous owner of my phone number which I've only had for three years. They weren't exactly pleasant people (surprising, given the high level of education their job must demand), but they did say they would remove me from the automated calling list, though it would take a day or two. -Bernie