Posted on 02/05/2010 1:24:12 PM PST by Bob
I recall an earlier post regarding the legalities of collection agency practices but I can't find it.
Background: Last March, I got a new MetroPCS phone and was assigned a number which had previously belonged to someone who's being tracked down by a number of collection agencies. Over the past year, I have received quite a few (probably dozens) calls from various companies regarding this guy's outstanding debts. Each time, I've explained that I'm not him and that I have no idea how they can contact him. It's been annoying but not really a problem since one call each was enough to get them to stop calling me.
You should tell the caller to say he’s left word he is going to Yemen for additional training, and he also said
not to send the underwear or the shoes, but a catcher’s cup would be very appreciated.
A search found that 800notes.com has a report of the company name being FGZ and identifies them as being from NY. I'll have to review the voicemail to see if that company name is mentioned. The audio is very difficult to understand.
Get the name and address of the company and write them a “cease and desist” letter explaining the situation with a cc at the bottom to the FTC, the BBB and your state AG’s office (consumer protection division). It works for me, I recently sent one out for calls I was getting at least 5 times a day concerning an Earthlink dial-up internet connection that I had cancelled when my phone company installed broadband in our neighborhood but Earthlink continued to try to bill me for two months afterwards. Sheesh, I was a perfect customer for 8 years (autopay), so it really hacked me that they were treating me like some kind of deadbeat. Haven’t heard a word from them since.
Your state may also have laws in addition to the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Try checking your states Attorney Generals website.
NY has been going after these companies. Many are ignoring the law. You could contact Cuomos office and complain.
I recently worked with a woman who was previously employed in a collection office. She explained that when new management took over, they set rules that any account that was not contacted for 24 hours would be taken from her and rotated back into the system. This made it basically impossible for her to develop a relationship that would lead to paying customers. She quit. Nice anecdotal story (some people in that job do try to act like human beings), though it does not excuse the vast number that seem to feel like being a jerk is their right.
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