I got a call (on my cell phone) from CRA saying i had a outstanding loan from 2006. When i requested information about the suppose to be LOAN the rep became very rude. I hung up and called them back and when i did they gave me the name of the company i supposely have a loan with and told me that the police will be at my house in 30 min to arrest me unless i give them my bank accout information or a major credit card over the phone. I researched the company they said i owed and called them from my desk phone the company had no knowledge of me every borrowing money from them (wasn't in there data base or in collections data base either). When i repeated this to the rep at CRA he hung up. When i tried to call back the number was no longer inservice. THIS IS A SCAM!!!!!!! BEAWARE OF ANYONE CALL YOU FROM THIS COMPANY

CALL THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ON THIS COMPANY. I THINK THEY MAY BE CROOKS. JUST CALL AND GET SOMETHING DONE.

i was told by these people that they where chargeing off an old debt but i was responsable for the irs fee's. i have contacted the ftc the state of tx and the state of va and know one has heard of this

I just read all of the post and this is regards to my earlier post. I did do a payday loan 3 years ago and 2 other loans and o forgot to pay on it before I closed out my account cause I was having problems with the b ank and my checks did bounce and I took care of those loans after the loan places called me. This is how they got my info. So bascially how they target people is from payday loan places where people have done loans and with the same account have a check bounce. If anyone needs help sueing these people contact me here I will check this post on a weekly bases. And they guy I talked to from cra is named mr.adair

I got the same call from cra and treatment and words said to me that was said to annyomous andmsblake. Today.. is this totally legal and if not what's the place and number I report this to?

I got a call to from cra but different number today. It was a past due bill from 10 years ago that I thought was taking care of. They said they got my info from a check I bounce through wells fargo and the loan that was defaulted wasn't through wells fargo it was from another loan place. They said they where trying to collect a debt and gave me my name and social over the phone they never asked me this info to confirm. That was highly illegal. Then they wanted all my cuurent bank info and email. To pay on this debt if I refused to work with them they said it would be reported to the irs and everything I owen will be seized. I offered to send them a money order of $100 to start payment arrangements  and they refused payment they said they needed my routing number and bank account number to start payments and they would send me a email of the receite of payment in a email. I told them I had no bank account and could get a prepaid credit card and call them back and they again said they couldn't get a payment that way. And refused any money order, checks or prepaid credit cards. They have to have a bank account number, routing number, and a email so they can secuire the payments. I feel this is a scam. Cause what collection agentcy refuse payments of paper or plastic and only can take payments from your bank account?

The Bush law that didn't allow people to file bankruptcy allow them to take money from your checking account. It is not against the law for them to take it out if there is a judgement pending on the account. Second, if there is not a judgement then you yourself can get the money back from the collection agency.

Getting this call every night...sometimes twice a night...always between 6 and 8pm.  Never answered.  They never left messages either.

(717) 237-5592 continues to call my home phone.  Caller Id lists caller as out-of-area.  No messages are every left.

The contact# for CRA is 1-877-868-5427, that number was given to me by Jonestown Bank & Trust the bank that handles these checks that are mysteriously taken out of our accounts.  I had one appear for $35 check# 99999.  I contacted CRA and spoke with Darrell who had very little knowledge on laws,proof of a debt or the validity of a debt.  They are a collection agency for companies who have bounced checks written to them.  I had some checks stolen, reported it to my bank and  apparently one was written to Pizza Hut and obviously it was returned because it was stolen and in the group of checks numbers that , Pizza Hut gave my checking information to CRA and they did a "draft" check which went through because it wasn't in the block of checks that were reported stolen to my bank.  He was very condesending, and said they didn't need proof of a debt.   Yes they do in order to collect on it.  They can be sued for up to $1000, so if you need to contact them call the number I provided.  There are several CRA collection companies in SC, VA but the one that is "stealing" money from our checking accounts is 1-877-868-5427...keep calling and make sure to get the representatives name and ID# if they have one, keep records of calls and Good Luck!

Received a call today intended for someone else....I told the man not to call my home again!!!! I will probably get a call tomorrow....The number is (757)336-8065) and the company name is none other than CRA...

"BANKER" IS A MORON! ESP. SINCE I JUST WENT TO MY (REAL BANKER) AND FILED A DISPUTE AND THEY DID A REPORT ON THEM FOR AN (UNAUTHORIZED) ELECTRONIC CHECK.  ITS ILLEGAL!!! YOU CANT HAVE FUNDS TAKEN FROM ACC, WITHOUT WRITTEN, VERBAL, AND A NOTICE OF THE CHARGES.  SO "BANKER" YOUR A MORON!    MY (SMART) BANKERS, RETURNED MY MONEY AND FILED FRAUD FOR ILLEGALLY WITHDRAWING MONEY! ... SO BANKERRRRRRRR GO BACK TO TRAINING!!!

YUP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ABSOLUTELY AGREE!  THAT "BANKER" IS A MORON! ESP. SINCE I JUST WENT TO MY (REAL BANKER) AND FILED A DISPUTE AND THEY DID A REPORT ON THEM FOR AN (UNAUTHORIZED) ELECTRONIC CHECK.  ITS ILLEGAL!!! YOU CANT HAVE FUNDS TAKEN FROM ACC, WITHOUT WRITTEN, VERBAL, AND A NOTICE OF THE CHARGES.  SO THE "BANKER" IS A MORON!    MY (SMART) BANKERS, RETURNED MY MONEY AND FILED FRAUD FOR ILLEGALLY WITHDRAWING MONEY! ... SO BANKERRRRRRRR GO BACK TO TRAINING!!!

HI, IM REPLYING THIS TO EVERYONE, I HAD THIS HAPPEN YESTERDAY.  GO TO YOUR BANK FILE A DISPUTE ON THAT CHECK, THEY REFUND YOUR MONEY, PLUS THEY INVESTIGATE THE CHARGE. AND REPORT IT.  AND NO.. THIS IS NOTT LEGAL, ITS AN UNAUTHORIZED CHECK DRAFT. ITS ILLEGAL TO ISSUE A CHECK YOU DIDNT ALLOW, NOR CONSENT TO, NOR GIVE VERBAL OR WRITTEN AGREEMENT TO.   FILE A DISPUTE!

HI,  GO TO BANK, DISPUTE THE PAYMENT, YOU'LL GET REFUNDED THE MONEY AND BLOCK ALL CHECKS FROM THEM. THE BANK INVESTIGATES IT AND REPORTS IT

hi,  they did the same to me, just go to your bank and dispute it, you'll get refunded the money and then stop all checks from this company.  :-)

if you have a smart phone look for a call blocking app blackberry has mr number block and its free

OMG THAT'S CRAZY I JUST WENT THROUGH MY BANK STATEMENTS ON LINE AND SAW THE SAME THING I WAS CHARGES THIRTY DOLLARS IT WAS A COPY OF A CHECK THAT WAS DEPOSITED TO MY BANK FOR THAT AMOUNT WITH THAT PAY TO THE ORDER OF CRA COLLECTIONS IAM LIKE WTF I CALLED MY BANK THEY SAID I HAD CALLED IN A MADE A PAYMENT WITH THEM OVER THE PHONE LIKE WTF I NEVER DID SUCH A THING I WAS LIKE IT'S A COPY OF A CHECK HELLOOO!!! THIS IS SO FKN  WRONG

These people are bully's of the worst sort. Do not be afraid of them. Remember that they do this for a living so they will sound like they are for real. Tell them you are recording them, do so if you can, then tell them you are not afraid and that they should do their worst. DO NOT give them any of your information, ever. These people succeed through intimadation, do not be afraid they can not hurt you. Never co-operate with them in any way.

I have just discovered a check #99999 for $25 taken out of my checking account.  I looked at the image and discovered the same as everyone... a false check from CRA collections.  It actually had my home phone number listed on the "check"....which is unpublished, and I never use it.  Because it was over 48 hours since processing, they couldn't do anything about it.  I viewed the back image of the "check" and discovered that there is a bank listed.  Jonestown Bank & Trust Co, Cleona PA branch.  The bank is legitimate, so if the "check" is forged with their name, it would seem that would be a federal offense.  It also says the account number this is to be deposited in is 031318703.  Just a little info if anyone is interested.

I got a voicemail from CRA today(the callerID just had a number, no name so I did a reverse lookup).  The message was directed to me with a reference number that I did not recognize. The message stated "you need to call ASAP in regards to a situation that you may not be aware of." Since I have been expecting a call back from a potential employer, I returned the call BIG MISTAKE!  The gentleman that answered the phone knew who I was, my SSN, my address...everything. He then said they were trying to contact me in regards to a check to a payday advance store in Missouri in 2002. (I live in California). When I tried to explain to the man that I do not live in Missouri, he said "your credit report is in front of me and I can see that you NEVER pay your bills on time, so why don't you just admit this is your debt and pay"
At this point, I replied "my credit report has NOTHING to do with this debt you claim that I owe." I then stated, "why would it take a company 8 years to collect on a debt, doesn't that exceed the 7 years on a credit report?"
He started getting louder saying they were going to sue me and that as a consumer I was "worthless" when it came to paying bills and that there was no need for me to try and fight this because they were gonna file a 1099 against me for the debt.
At that point, I could barely get a word in, so when I saw my chance I said "I'm sure the Federal Trade Commission would love to know that you're harassing me don't f-ing call my house again" and I promptly hung up.
I know I shouldn't have lost it, but the guy was degrading me and I just didn't need it, especially when I believe they have the wrong person.

about 3 months ago my father started getting calls asking for my in my married name (havent had that name since 2001) on his unlisted number - I havent been around my father in 25 years.  Then my boyfriend got a call this week - also asking for me with my married name.  I havent bounced a check in years - what could this be about.  How would they get my bank information if I dont give it to them.  Can they hack your information somehow?

The National Do Not Call Registry does not apply to debt collectors - only to solicitors with whom you have no prior business relationship.

I received a threatening call. The caller would not identify herself and would not tell me that to which she was referring. She asked me to verify the last four digits of my social security number, which I do not have to do for someone I do not know. I have no idea what she was calling about. She would not give me her name. The number I my cell phone was 757-271-1549 according to my phone's ID system. It said the call originated from Virginia; however, I do not know what the call was about, and the woman threatened me. I feel unsafe.

Creating a check using a banking customers routing and account number and cashing or depositing that check without the banking customer's action, permission, or agreement of some sort is forgery, plain and simple. If it's done electronically, it's fraud or theft by electronic means.  Banks do not scrutinize or verify whether the charge is legitimate or valid.  You can write a check, fail to sign it and more than likely the payee will process it and it will go through.  Not like it used to be.

Even if you have an account with a firm and make an electronic payment from your checking account, you agree to the ACH debit somewhere during the payment process.  Just taking money from an account without legal process of some sort is illegal. A levy, judgment or other legal action is required.  Even the IRS will advise of their intent to do that and the bank is obligated to inform you, after it happens, that money was removed from your account to comply with the legal action.  Hopefully you won't have a bunch of checks bounce.  The legal action takes precedent over any unprocessed checks but not deposits.  As a rule, banks are NOT your friend simply because of regulations they must follow.

And, the bank will charge you for complying with a legal order.  Sucks, but that's the way it is.

I have been getting calls from CRA numbers for months.  They have my cell phone number attached to some one else's account.  Fortunately my cell is the only number they have, but they keep calling about someone else's bad debts.  I tried to call them and explain the situation, but  they accused me of harrassing them! They denied they were calling me.  As if I would have randomly called them? I can pull my cell phone record and prove them a liar.   I don't want to pay to have all their numbers blocked, so I'm going to send them a "drop dead" letter.  I've already filed a complaint with the FTC, and I'm filing with GA and VA.  If this were a bad debt of my own, it might be different, but it isn't even my bill.

http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/consumer_recovery.htm
Consumer Recovery Associates
aka Consumer Credit Association
aka CR & Associates
and the world's most grating phone numbers:

866-857-3916
866-499-6608
888-253-9713
866-563-9556
888-413-8823
877-360-1616   800-913-4915
757-368-3622
757-368-8004
757-368-8331
757-271-8788
866-418-3360


2697 International Parkway # 4   Suite 270
Virginia Beach, Virginia  23452
PO BOX 2916, VB, VA 23450

Head Debt Collectors:
Christine Spruill       Mr. Parker          Mr. K C Scott

Peter Brunson           Conrad Grey       Jane

 

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Quick Analysis                         Consumer Comments Below

1-866-857-3916 is one of those irritating numbers that show up on your caller ID that can never seem to be identified.   When you return the call, you get the ominous "Can I help you?" or "Case number please."  They refuse to identify who they are when questioned, will not state they are debt collectors, and by tone imply you have committed some illegal act and are in great trouble or they would not have called you.  It is a violation of FDCPA.  It took quite a bit of research and cunning to discover whom the voices were behind the lawbreaking 866 number were...but it's coming together now and they are without excuse.

Give us your stories on CRA and let's put together some useful information to bring these folks down.  Record their calls where legal and save the tapes for future use.  We'll post 'em here if you have something of interest.

In the meantime, hold them to the law; make them put everything in writing, validate the debt.  Use the cease-communication letter.  Violations of the law should be pointed out to the Virginia Attorney General.

CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.

REPORT THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY TO THE VA ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL AS YOUR OWN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL -  Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

NEVER EVER GIVE THEM BANK ACCOUNT OR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION!

http://www.consumerjustice.com/consumer/agencydetail.aspx?id=5319
Consumer Recovery Associates  
2697 International Pkwy
Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23452

dmin@consumerrewcovery.com
www.consumerrecovery.com


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Phone No.  877-704-9451 215-325-1354 234-542-2874 310-601-7244 310-734-6338 310-855-3688 310-860-6293 317-536-5458 319-892-0349 323-319-5178 404-474-4884 404-963-8760 430-200-0007 505-349-0354 505-  
Fax 757-368-3622 866-596-9114  

  Curtis R. Taylor
 
 

Notes
No license or bond found.

Threats of issuing bogus 1099Cs on out of statute debts.

This appears to be a consumer scam.  
Aliases Other Locations  

CIA and Associates CC Associates Consumer Credit Association Consumer Recovery Associates Court Company CR Associates C&R Associates C & R Associates
*135 Interstate Blvd. Suite 8 Greenville, SC 29615



1) Never assume they have a VALID DEBT OR LEGAL RIGHT TO COLLECT
 
2) Debt collectors MUST FOLLOW your STATE laws regarding licensing.  Check your Secretary of State for licensing requirements for ANY collection agency that contacts you

Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE

You can also post your questions here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum/   NEW URL!    

These links are to attorneys for those being scammed www.naca.net or http://www.consumerjustice.com/consumer/searchattorneys.aspx


Dealing with Debt Collectors
Http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm    
    
Statute of Limitations by State ? always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm

Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website ? FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you?re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor?s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn?t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they?re told (orally or in writing) that you?re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter ? even if you don?t think you owe the debt, can?t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don?t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector ? in writing ? to stop contacting you. Here?s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a ?return receipt? so you?ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don?t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people ? but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written ?validation notice? telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don?t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don?t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don?t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
    use threats of violence or harm;
    publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    use obscene or profane language; or
    repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    misrepresent the amount you owe;
    indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren?t; or
    indicate that papers they send to you aren?t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
    you will be arrested if you don?t pay your debt;
    they?ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don?t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
    give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn?t; or
    use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt ? or your state law ? allows the charge;
    deposit a post-dated check early;
    take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don?t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don?t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don?t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
    Social Security Benefits
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
    Veterans? Benefits
    Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Service Members? Pay
    Military Annuities and Survivors? Benefits
    Student Assistance
    Railroad Retirement Benefits
    Merchant Seamen Wages
    Longshoremen?s and Harbor Workers? Death and Disability Benefits
    Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can?t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney?s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector?s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General?s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General?s office can help you determine your rights under your state?s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government?s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad
February 2009

File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY ? use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE?S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!
    
Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies ? report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0




Time-Barred Debts
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt144.shtm

There?s no doubt about it: you are responsible for your debts. If you fall behind in paying your creditors ? or if you dispute the legitimacy of a debt ? a debt collector may contact you.

?Time-barred? debts are debts so old they are beyond the point at which a creditor or debt collector may sue you to collect. State law varies as to when a creditor or debt collector may no longer sue to collect: in most states, the statute of limitations period on debts is between 3 and 10 years; in some states, the period is longer. Check with your State Attorney General?s Office to determine when a debt is considered time-barred in your state. You can find contact information for your State Attorney General at www.naag.org.

Federal law imposes limitations on how debt collectors can collect debts, including time-barred debts. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a ?debt collector? generally is any person or organization that regularly collects debts owed to others. The term includes lawyers who collect debts for others on a regular basis, but it does not include creditors collecting their own debts.

The FDCPA prohibits debt collectors from engaging in any unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices while collecting debts. It does not erase any legitimate debt that you owe. To learn more about your rights under the FDCPA, click on www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm.
Collecting Time-Barred Debts

Most courts that have addressed the issue have ruled that the FDCPA does not prohibit debt collectors from trying to collect time-barred debts, as long as they do not sue or threaten to sue you for the debt. If a debt collector sues you to collect a time-barred debt, you can have the suit dismissed by letting the court or judge know the debt is, indeed, time-barred.

Whether a time-barred debt ? or any debt for that matter ? can appear on your credit report depends on how long the debt has been delinquent: debts that have been delinquent more than seven years cannot appear on your credit report, with certain exceptions. In addition, a debt collector may not try to collect a debt that has been discharged in bankruptcy, no matter when it was incurred. To learn more about credit reporting, click on www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fcra.htm.
Contact with Collectors

Can a debt collector continue to contact you about a time-barred debt you don?t think you owe? According to the law, if you send the debt collector a letter stating that you do not owe some or all of the money within 30 days after you receive written notice of a debt, the collector must stop trying to collect until you?ve been given written verification of the debt, like a copy of the bill for the amount you supposedly owe. The collector can renew collection activities once you?ve gotten proof of the debt.

You can stop debt collectors from contacting you about any debt, regardless of whether you owe it, by writing a letter telling them to stop contacting you. Once the collector gets your letter, it may not contact you again ? except to say there will be no further contact or to let you know that the collector or creditor intends to take some specific action. Sending a letter doesn?t absolve you of the debt if you actually owe it; the debt collector or creditor still could sue you for the debt.
Future Collection Efforts

The best way to protect yourself from future collection on any disputed or partially settled debt is to get a form or letter from the creditor or collector that releases you from further obligation. To make sure the release is valid, you may want to consult an attorney. If you believe that a debt collector violated the law, you have the right to sue in a state or federal court within a year from the date the law was violated. If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered, plus an additional amount up to $1,000. You also may recover court costs and attorney?s fees. You also may want to report any problems you have with a debt collector to your State Attorney General and to the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a new video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
October 2004

MY ACCT WAS OVERDRAWN, BECAUSE I RECIEVED A RETURN ITEM FEE. MY BANK, BANK OF AMERICA TOLD ME THAT I MADE A $30.00 ELECTRONIC PYMT UNDER CHECK #99999, WHICH I NEVER DID. I SPOKE WITH THE FRAUD DEPT AT MY BANK AND THEY CORRECTED MY ACCT BALANCE AND REVERSED THE FEE ON MY ACCT, BUT IM STILL VERY ANNOYED, BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD FOR THIS STUPID COMPANY TO PLAY AROUND WITH MY ACCT AND INTERFERE WITH ANY OTHER PYMT ARRANGEMENTS I HAVE WITH A LEGITIMATE COMPANY. MY BANK IS WHO TOLD ME THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, BUT THEY DIDN?T HAVE A CONTACT #, SO I ENDED UP GOOGLING IT AND THAT?S HOW I FOUND THIS SITE. IM JUST WONDERING FOR EVERYONE WHO ACCT WAS CHARGED BY CRA COLLECTIONS, DO YOU ALL BANK WITH BANK OF AMERICA?MY ACCT WAS OVERDRAWN, BECAUSE I RECIEVED A RETURN ITEM FEE. MY BANK, BANK OF AMERICA TOLD ME THAT I MADE A $30.00 ELECTRONIC PYMT UNDER CHECK #99999, WHICH I NEVER DID. I SPOKE WITH THE FRAUD DEPT AT MY BANK AND THEY CORRECTED MY ACCT BALANCE AND REVERSED THE FEE ON MY ACCT, BUT IM STILL VERY ANNOYED, BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD FOR THIS STUPID COMPANY TO PLAY AROUND WITH MY ACCT AND INTERFERE WITH ANY OTHER PYMT ARRANGEMENTS I HAVE WITH A LEGITIMATE COMPANY. MY BANK IS WHO TOLD ME THE NAME OF THE COMPANY, BUT THEY DIDN?T HAVE A CONTACT #, SO I ENDED UP GOOGLING IT AND THAT?S HOW I FOUND THIS SITE. IM JUST WONDERING FOR EVERYONE WHO ACCT WAS CHARGED BY CRA COLLECTIONS, DO YOU ALL BANK WITH BANK OF AMERICA?

Especially when they hit you numerous times for one mistake that shouldn't of happened cause my bank sent it back by mistake, my bank fixed it and made it right but now this company keeps coming at me they have debited my account for about $200! For what??? This is crap and not right!