Complaint Review: Windham Professionals - Salem New Hampshire

www.ftc.gov Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, collectors may not: collect any amount greater than your debt, unless your state law permits such a charge; The collection agency probably bought the debt for pennies on the dollar, so adding fees is not allowed

I called up because I had gotten a phone call from another of a few student creditors. I was looking for another gentleman but must have gotten that same lady you all seem to be dealing with. She was very abusive before I even wanted to tell her I'd like to make a payment. She told me the account was much higher amount-wise than I had remembered. I asked her if they were her agencies fees or the original amount, and she lied the first two times(saying it was the schools before finally conceeding). She asked me a bunch of questions, many that were personal and it sounded as if I had made her life miserable or that I personally affected her as she sounded very upset and mean. She made a few roundabout and vauge threats such as who is my landlord, stating "we have ways of finding this information out" etc. She asked me what I did a few times I told her "unemployed" since it is the easier answer in my circumstance. She pretty much called me a loser for that - so I told her the deeper truth that I am disabled. She then told me that I probably wasn't PERMANENTLY disabled - yet myself and a few doctors would have to disagree with her on that. I am going to call today to speak with a supervisor and report the abusive woman. I don't think that it will get me anywhere as it seems like the company is not-so-nice. I dont think anything she did was technically illegal, but certainly bordering on it. Does all this even sound legal to you guys/girls reading this?

It is legal to charge a collection fee (or arbitration fee) if it is agreed to at the point of initiating a loan. Most debts (like a business debt) aren't set up this way, so no collection fee can be charged. But most consumer loans (auto, medical, etc.) have a clause regarding additional expenses upon default. Since this sounds like a consumer loan (to a speciality school?), then you were likely legally responsible for those extra costs.

Landis, It is illegal for a collection agency to charge you 'collection fees" as the "debtor". These fees cannot be passed on to you. Under state and federal law, a collector can only collect the amount of the original default, plus interest as allowed by law. Thats it. Collection fees to a collection agency must be paid by the creditor who hired the collector. They must eat those costs. They cannot be passed on to you as the consumer / "debtor". This is exactly why you NEVER speak to any third party debt collector on the phone!! It will NEVER produce positive results for you. Guaranteed. If you had that demand in writing, you could be making money off these fools right now, as they violated the law, and you are entitled to damages, as long as you can prove it! And, threats of legal action are usually illegal too, unless they can prove they had intention to take you to court, which most will never do. STAY OFF THE PHONE!!

No I'm not the person that spoke to Landis. Now, from all the name calling I can understand why someone would be rude. We all have debt collectors calling us. None of us read that fine print when we sign on the line for something we want. What I think we should all remember is collections isn't a customer service business. Unfortunately, we lost that warm fuzziness when we renege on our word. And to the collection cost if you don't want them PAY YOUR BILL before it gets there.

I posted the original report. I finally got this taken care of, but Windham Professionals resorted to underhanded tactics to the very end. After I paid them over 3200 one day the very next day a rep calls me and say "Oohh Mr. Williams we forgot to charge you an extra 79 dollars". After an argument I paid the money just to get it out of the way for now. I reported them to the BBB again and I contacted the financial office of the school that issued the debt about this extra 79 bucks. Of course she (Barbara Jones Devry Account Rep)knew nothing about any additional monies. According to her records I was paid up. To make a long story short Windham (Un)Professionals tried to squeeze more money out of me but was forced to refund the 79 dollars a few months later. Collection or no collection this company uses under-handed tactics and deserves to be on this rip off report. To Irishkitty80 you must be the rude B**ch that works for the company. Get a life duch bag and stop trying to ruin everbody elses.

I would start by recording calls and documenting that they are harassing you with numerous calls on the same day and file a complaint with your attorney general. Once you get the proof. Go to NACA and consult with an attorney. I just do not see any state allowing them to collect 900.00 collection fee. this is nothing more then extortion. I am not an attorney. As for the other person that responded. Go back and crawl in your hole where you came from. Consumers are not interested in lies from a dirtbag like you. good luck

UNFORTUNATELY WINDHAM PROFESSIONALS IS A COLLECTION AGENCY. SO WHEN THAT COLLECTOR CALLED THE HOUSE, WE ALL KNOW THE THE DEBTOR WASN'T VERY NICE TO BEGIN WITH. (WHEN ARE WE EVER NICE TO THE PEOPLE WE OWE MONEY TO.) BUT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COLLECTION COST IS IGNORANT. WHEN THE PROMISSORY NOTES WHERE SIGNED FOR THAT LOAN, THE DEBTOR AGREED TO PAY IT BACK. IF YOU DON'T AND IT FALLS INTO DEFAULT ACTION ARE TAKEN AGAINST YOU. WHAT WOULD YOU EXCEPT, THE GUARANTOR JUST ASKING SOME COMPANY TO COLLECT THE MONEY WITH OUT PAYMENT? UNFORTUNATELY IGNORANCE ISN'T AN EXCUSE FOR LENIENCY.

Please if you are unfortunate enough to have a run in with windham professionals and that woman representative. Report them to the Better Business Bureau like I did.