Michael
Bountiful,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, December 26, 2007
Budhibbs.com and (((link redacted))) have good info on how to deal with these and other vultures. Fight back! CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Keith
Los Angeles,#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 25, 2007
Yep, if you do a search on the FTC's website, you'll find quite a few consumer complaints against NCO, about 40-50+ have been filed thus far. And hopefully you'll take the time to file too, on the ftc.gov website
Steve
Bradenton,#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 25, 2007
Cheryl, At THIS POINT, don't waste your time and money on an attorney. Unless you just have extra money to throw out the window. This is not a legal issue at this point, and although they are real lowlife, they have not broken any laws up to this point. The fact that they accessed your credit report means that they have at least your full SS#, and most likely DOB and/or current street address. It is not illegal for them to pull your credit. The burden of proof is on you to prove that they did not have "permissible purpose" to pull your credit. This means that you have to prove that they know that the account they are collecting on is bogus or not yours. Right now just be sure to STAY OFF THE PHONE, and do everything in writing 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 to do it this way as it proves exactly what you sent. And, NEVER sign the letter or anything you send them as your signature could magically end up on a contract, etc. By the means above, send a REQUEST FOR DEBT VALIDATION. In this letter, do not provide any information that is not already on the collection letter. Do not agree to anything or reference any prior account with anyone. Clearly dispute the validity of the claim and demand to see something with your signature on it that created the alleged debt, as well as a full account history and itemization of ALL charges, including interest, etc. Also demand to see proof that they are licensed as debt collectors in both your state and theirs. Also demand to see the contract where they purchased the debt as well as proof of payment. You will demand this proof from every owner back to the original creditor. This is called chain of title. These are JUNK DEBT BUYERS who pay pennies or less on the dollar for old, usually past SOL debts which are legally uncollectable. I have see seen debts for which 1/10th of a penny on the dollar has been paid! Also keep in mind that "collection fees" are ILLEGAL to pass on to the debtor/consumer. Agencies can charge each other all day long, but CANNOT add it on to the collection amount. Legally, the collection amount can only be whatever was in your contract with the original creditor up until date of charge off, then after charge off the interest is greatly reduced and regulated by federal law. At last I checked it was 6-8%. This is why federal law mandates that a debt be charged off after 180 days from first major delinquency if a payment has not been made, etc. Immediately file an FTC complaint at FTC.gov for the bogus collections effort, and go to budhibbs.com for massive info on debt collectors and bottomfeeders. Knowledge is power, and all of this information is readily available. I would only get a lawyer if they actually filed a lawsuit on you.
Steve
Bradenton,#5Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 25, 2007
Cheryl, At THIS POINT, don't waste your time and money on an attorney. Unless you just have extra money to throw out the window. This is not a legal issue at this point, and although they are real lowlife, they have not broken any laws up to this point. The fact that they accessed your credit report means that they have at least your full SS#, and most likely DOB and/or current street address. It is not illegal for them to pull your credit. The burden of proof is on you to prove that they did not have "permissible purpose" to pull your credit. This means that you have to prove that they know that the account they are collecting on is bogus or not yours. Right now just be sure to STAY OFF THE PHONE, and do everything in writing 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 to do it this way as it proves exactly what you sent. And, NEVER sign the letter or anything you send them as your signature could magically end up on a contract, etc. By the means above, send a REQUEST FOR DEBT VALIDATION. In this letter, do not provide any information that is not already on the collection letter. Do not agree to anything or reference any prior account with anyone. Clearly dispute the validity of the claim and demand to see something with your signature on it that created the alleged debt, as well as a full account history and itemization of ALL charges, including interest, etc. Also demand to see proof that they are licensed as debt collectors in both your state and theirs. Also demand to see the contract where they purchased the debt as well as proof of payment. You will demand this proof from every owner back to the original creditor. This is called chain of title. These are JUNK DEBT BUYERS who pay pennies or less on the dollar for old, usually past SOL debts which are legally uncollectable. I have see seen debts for which 1/10th of a penny on the dollar has been paid! Also keep in mind that "collection fees" are ILLEGAL to pass on to the debtor/consumer. Agencies can charge each other all day long, but CANNOT add it on to the collection amount. Legally, the collection amount can only be whatever was in your contract with the original creditor up until date of charge off, then after charge off the interest is greatly reduced and regulated by federal law. At last I checked it was 6-8%. This is why federal law mandates that a debt be charged off after 180 days from first major delinquency if a payment has not been made, etc. Immediately file an FTC complaint at FTC.gov for the bogus collections effort, and go to budhibbs.com for massive info on debt collectors and bottomfeeders. Knowledge is power, and all of this information is readily available. I would only get a lawyer if they actually filed a lawsuit on you.
Steve
Bradenton,#6Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 25, 2007
Cheryl, At THIS POINT, don't waste your time and money on an attorney. Unless you just have extra money to throw out the window. This is not a legal issue at this point, and although they are real lowlife, they have not broken any laws up to this point. The fact that they accessed your credit report means that they have at least your full SS#, and most likely DOB and/or current street address. It is not illegal for them to pull your credit. The burden of proof is on you to prove that they did not have "permissible purpose" to pull your credit. This means that you have to prove that they know that the account they are collecting on is bogus or not yours. Right now just be sure to STAY OFF THE PHONE, and do everything in writing 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 to do it this way as it proves exactly what you sent. And, NEVER sign the letter or anything you send them as your signature could magically end up on a contract, etc. By the means above, send a REQUEST FOR DEBT VALIDATION. In this letter, do not provide any information that is not already on the collection letter. Do not agree to anything or reference any prior account with anyone. Clearly dispute the validity of the claim and demand to see something with your signature on it that created the alleged debt, as well as a full account history and itemization of ALL charges, including interest, etc. Also demand to see proof that they are licensed as debt collectors in both your state and theirs. Also demand to see the contract where they purchased the debt as well as proof of payment. You will demand this proof from every owner back to the original creditor. This is called chain of title. These are JUNK DEBT BUYERS who pay pennies or less on the dollar for old, usually past SOL debts which are legally uncollectable. I have see seen debts for which 1/10th of a penny on the dollar has been paid! Also keep in mind that "collection fees" are ILLEGAL to pass on to the debtor/consumer. Agencies can charge each other all day long, but CANNOT add it on to the collection amount. Legally, the collection amount can only be whatever was in your contract with the original creditor up until date of charge off, then after charge off the interest is greatly reduced and regulated by federal law. At last I checked it was 6-8%. This is why federal law mandates that a debt be charged off after 180 days from first major delinquency if a payment has not been made, etc. Immediately file an FTC complaint at FTC.gov for the bogus collections effort, and go to budhibbs.com for massive info on debt collectors and bottomfeeders. Knowledge is power, and all of this information is readily available. I would only get a lawyer if they actually filed a lawsuit on you.
Steve
Bradenton,#7Consumer Suggestion
Tue, December 25, 2007
Cheryl, At THIS POINT, don't waste your time and money on an attorney. Unless you just have extra money to throw out the window. This is not a legal issue at this point, and although they are real lowlife, they have not broken any laws up to this point. The fact that they accessed your credit report means that they have at least your full SS#, and most likely DOB and/or current street address. It is not illegal for them to pull your credit. The burden of proof is on you to prove that they did not have "permissible purpose" to pull your credit. This means that you have to prove that they know that the account they are collecting on is bogus or not yours. Right now just be sure to STAY OFF THE PHONE, and do everything in writing 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 to do it this way as it proves exactly what you sent. And, NEVER sign the letter or anything you send them as your signature could magically end up on a contract, etc. By the means above, send a REQUEST FOR DEBT VALIDATION. In this letter, do not provide any information that is not already on the collection letter. Do not agree to anything or reference any prior account with anyone. Clearly dispute the validity of the claim and demand to see something with your signature on it that created the alleged debt, as well as a full account history and itemization of ALL charges, including interest, etc. Also demand to see proof that they are licensed as debt collectors in both your state and theirs. Also demand to see the contract where they purchased the debt as well as proof of payment. You will demand this proof from every owner back to the original creditor. This is called chain of title. These are JUNK DEBT BUYERS who pay pennies or less on the dollar for old, usually past SOL debts which are legally uncollectable. I have see seen debts for which 1/10th of a penny on the dollar has been paid! Also keep in mind that "collection fees" are ILLEGAL to pass on to the debtor/consumer. Agencies can charge each other all day long, but CANNOT add it on to the collection amount. Legally, the collection amount can only be whatever was in your contract with the original creditor up until date of charge off, then after charge off the interest is greatly reduced and regulated by federal law. At last I checked it was 6-8%. This is why federal law mandates that a debt be charged off after 180 days from first major delinquency if a payment has not been made, etc. Immediately file an FTC complaint at FTC.gov for the bogus collections effort, and go to budhibbs.com for massive info on debt collectors and bottomfeeders. Knowledge is power, and all of this information is readily available. I would only get a lawyer if they actually filed a lawsuit on you.