Yeah, I've been getting these calls from "Ken" for the past couple of months. He never leaves a return number, nor the reason for his call. He would always call when I was not at home. This past Monday he called while I was home, but it's an automated message. I decided to call the number back. It goes to a collection agency called "Slane Law Firm" out of Gahanna, OH. When I called the number back, someone named Mercedes answered the phone but I didn't catch the "name of the company." So I told her that someone from this number keeps calling my house but I don't know what he wants. Then she proceeds to say my name (I guess it showed up on the caller ID), then says, "Oh, I'm so glad you called. We've been trying to reach you." I asked her who "We were" and she started mentioning a payday loan I had taken out and that it's now in collections. She asked me if I wanted to pay it. I told her yes and that I've been trying to pay it off since December, but the original creditor had given me another number to call and they never called me back.

So then she wants to start taking a payment over the phone and tells me once I make the payment they will send me a letter in the mail showing it's been paid. I told her I don't give my credit/debit/checking info out over the phone, unless I know the company I am soliciting. She then gave me the name of the company and told me I could research them online. I'm thinking, anyone can throw up a website and claim they are a legitimate business. She then asked me had I received their certified letters. I told her no and asked where they were mailing them too. She gave an old address. I told her I didn't live there anymore. Then, I asked her to send me a letter regarding the debt (which she could have sent the original certified letter). She said she could email it to me. I said, OK and gave her my email address. Then, she kept asking for a payment. I said not until I get the email. Then, she said, "Oh it has to go to our attorneys for them to put it on company letterhead and this can take five days." WTH???

Then, I told her well since it's going to take that long, then once I get it I'll validate the debt then give them the money. She went on and on saying that my file was going to be pulled from her that day and that it was going to court. I'm like OK, so why can't you just email the letter to me? She kept coming up with excuses as to why she couldn't email me the letter. I asked her to send me a letter in the mail so I could validate it. I started telling her I know my rights regarding collections and that she needs to send me a letter. She started becoming very argumentative with me.

She gave me her "direct" line to call her. I called the number today and it goes to her voice mail. I Googled her number and it shows as a mobile number. I also Googled the number that Ken is caling from, it also says it's a mobile number. However, Mercedes told me it was the company's main line. I just called the "main line" number and blocked my number. The line is busy. Why would a company's main line be busy? It should go to a switch and give you options.

If you look up the name of the company in Google, it provides a totally different number for them. Ken's number is based out of Philadelphia, PA and Mercedes' number is out of OH, but Cincinnati. Mercedes also told me that Ken was "supposed" to leave a case number and a return number when he calls.

They are a collection ageny and will not give you a letter when you request it regarding the debt. The will make excuses as to why they can't send it. They will claim they sent one certified, but they didn't. They just want you to pay up over the phone. Don't let their scare tatics intimidate you. When Mercedes started getting argumentative with me when I was telling her I wanted a letter to validate the debt, she pretty much told me she doesn't need to send me anything (and I'm STILL waiting on the so called email). So, I told her then she needs to figure out WHERE I live and send that certified letter she claimed she sent because I'm not giving her one thin dime until I have a letter in my mailbox and I hung up on her.

Same deal re: the "this is Ken" guy. Has called as late as 11:30 at night. Obviously not a legitimate source. I have no intention of calling him back and I would encourage others to do the same. Otherwise, that person will have it on record that you have called them.

CALLS AND LEAVES THE MESSAGE "HEY I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET A HOLD OF YOU, GIVE ME A CALL BACK, IT'S KEN".  DON'T KNOW A "KEN", HE DOESN'T SAY WHERE HE'S CALLING FROM, NOR WHAT HE'S CALLING ABOUT. HAS CALLED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. ANYONE ELSE GETTING THESE?