Informational Post:

A Collection Agent May Not?

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.

http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
See Residents post here also:
http://800notes.com/forum/ta-34af6a034ba34b6/unending-collection-calls
Templates of Letters:
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-319-242-7350

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

And see:

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-944ec1426a8bcbb/ ... service-attacks
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http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/ ... r-phones/ndF4c/
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http://www.net-security.org/article.php?id=1828
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http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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To File complaints FDCPA/TCPA violations:
Your State Attorney General
Their State Attorney general
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

For Extortion Scam Operations,  File reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,CFB,FTC & FCC..

http://www.nw3c.org/
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
http://www.fraud.org/

Dan Price (or Pierce) keeps calling. I answered and said I was at work (which I was) and he snapped back with some rude comments. I know I have an issue I need to fix. A lot of people do. That doesn't give him the right to treat people like that. I will gladly talk to someone as long as it can be someone other than Dan.

Just a scumbag bill collector.  Robo call then if answered rude caller breaks in and wants personal information on someone but will not provide any information on why or why they are calling your number.

Called n rang once then ended. First time for me.

THIS IS A SCAM. THEY GET ACCESS FROM ONLINE INFORMATION THROUGH A " TROJAN HORSE " I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH SIMILAR PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO COLLECT A DAMN DEBT. GO AHEAD PAY THEM, SEE IF YOUR MONEY ACTUALLY GOES TO THE CORRECT ACCOUNT. THIS HAS NOTHING.... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH FEEDING UR KIDS. SOME PEOPLE ARE LIVING PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK AND I AM SORRY BUT FOOD ON MY TABLE COMES BEFORE TRYING TO PAY IN TOTAL A MEDICAL BILL WHEN PLAIN AND SIMPLE YOU SHOULD PAY WHAT U CAN TOWARDS IT. PLEASE DO AVOID THESE CALLS BECAUSE THEY WILL TAKE UR ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND TAKE WHAT THEY CAN FROM YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY JUST KEEP CALLING WITH AN IMPORTANT BUSINESS MATTER...IGNORE THEM COMPLETELY OR BLOCK THE NUMBER, LIKE I DID. THEY ARE JUST PLAIN JERKS!

I get several calls a day from this number and they hang up when I answer or don't leave a message when I let it go to VM. If they are bill collectors, they really suck at their job.

Also he was text messaging me as if he was my friend.  I blocked him.  I plan to get him blocked from all of our phones.

He also uses phone# 651-287-6127.  What out as he will start calling your relatives.  I do not know how he got it, but he called my Dad's cell phone and my Dad's cell phone # is not published anywhere.  He told my Dad that we were starting a business venture together.  What a lier.  Watch he may get you into trouble with your relatives.

Same with me.

I got this call and the message was pre-recorded and was informing me about a conference call for MAPE (the union I'm in) and how to participate

Got a message from a Dan. Trying to collect a medical bill.

Got a call from guy Dan acting like He knew me. Didn't return call,He's a debt collector for a medical bill.

How absurd.  You are making the assumption these people owe money to someone.  While I read these posts, NONE of them state they have any unpaid bills with the company these people claim to represent.  You sound more like you WORK for said company rather than being a "concerned consumer".  If you actually READ what people were complaining about, you would see THEY PAID THEIR BILLS PRIOR TO THESE PEOPLE CALLING THEM.  

Furthermore, since you have not walked a mile in any of these peoples shoes, you cannot begin to know or understand their struggles so keep your ridiculous "opinion" to yourself.. and perhaps you should mind your own business and NOT worry what others are doing.  Thank goodness there are sites like this which discuss scams and the illegal activities of certain bill collectors.. because when I had to choose between paying off a medical bill for my 4 week old son's open spine surgery or feeding him, I choose to feed him.

ok. listen i am a bill collector... or at least i was one for 15 years... if these people are being rude to you record the calls there are laws that are in your favor. but really... most collectors are good people and they will treat you right... there settlements that can be reached and there are deals to be made. you have to be willing to do something... the bill will not.  just go away. if you owe the money you should pay it. if you dont owe it then dont pay... its that simple...

Very rude guy called and said we owed over 500 on a medical bill that was paid 2 weeks ago. This person needs to stop calling people about money that has been paid and get updates on and before you harrass someone. This guy argued with us and argued with us...very very rude and wrong when the bill has been payed.

Got calls from this number, (651)287-6129 and (651)287-6135, within an hour and had a friend call back and ask why they kept calling, and he just said "This is Dean Price, have him call me"

No message.  It's the American Accounts

Call Brian 651-287-6121

Call Brian with COMPLAINTS 651-287-6121

Call Brian with your complaints!  651-287-6121

https://www.amaccts.com/

So is this just a bi*** session, i get them you get them we all get them, either talk to their supervisor, call your telephone company and tell them or shut the f*** up,

First I received a letter from them saying I still owed $45 for a medical bill.  I then recd phone calls - I told him I paid it already - he asked for proof.  Then he continued to call a couple times a week but left no message.  I finally spoke to him and again told him I paid the bill, and gave him the dates of the payments I had sent.  A week later, he called again and left no message - get a clue a***ole, I paid it and am not paying again.

with all the harassment all of you are receiving you should contact Pete Barry, Consumer attorney in Minneapolis. keep all the recordings and letters they send you. He can sue them for what these creditors do and you will no longer owe on the bill and maybe get some money out of it, they will pay for their harassment. no money needed to hire this attorney.

This number keeps harassing my wife, when she picks up the caller doesn't take. Please stop harassing my wife, otherwise we ill plan would be uncovered.

Just call us back and make an effort and we will work with you.  

Doctors spend HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of dollars for the education to be able to save your LIFE!

The insurance companies are the main reason why rates have gone through the roof.  Deadbeats don't help but for those in true need pursue medical assistance.  Good luck to all the arrive at this site and I hope you do take the steps to alleviate the issue.

I have the asnwer to solve everyones financial problems. EVERYONE SHOULD JUST START SELLING DRUGS, THATS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP ENOUGH LAYING AROUND MONEY TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. because i dont knpow about you guys but i dont call the hospital and make an appointment for when im going to be getting sick so i can start saving.

just so you know, my feeling is that maye if doctors didnt want to make $200/hr medical wouldnt cost so much so shut your mouth. and maybe if cost of medical was somewhat normalized people wouldnt have to hide from debt cost completely outweighs the care. 4grand for 2 hours and blood work to find out i had bronchitis.