ERC is now breaking into smartphones.  After several months of this suspicious behavior, I contacted T-Mobile and registered a strong complaint.

Here is the pattern they have illegally and unethically used.  I will be on a phone call using my smartphone.  Once the call ends, it seems it really does not end.  Music begins to play on one of the mp3 players of the smartphone.  At the end of the the music play, ERC then comes in with a computerized message telling me to call some 800 number in regards to a collection.  This has happened on multiple occasions and constitutes electronic harassment and direct hacking into a smartphone.  T-Mobile, my wireless provider, is now well aware of it.

I pay all of my bills on time with an excellent credit rating.  This fraudulent and illegal entity known as ERC is engaging in behavior that goes beyond anything encountered before.  It is electronic hacking, using apps within my phone and what they are doing would not so much as constitute what is legally known as making "phone call".  They should be banned immediately and thrown out of the State of Florida.  I will be in touch with the Florida AG's Office today to go through this in detail with them

Probably the greatest app out there, "Mr. Number" allows you to block unknown calls like that so it won't even ring on your phone. I think i've exhausted every "spoof" number they came up with.

All you have to do, with any creditor, if they call you at work is tell them not to call you there ..if they continue ..they are breaking the law.  and yes ..alway save any messages you get ..and turn them in. they will be sent to court. and made to pay you . it may not be a lot . but it will stop the calls

there is also lawyers out there that can help you stop these call's ..they will not charge you a penny. The ones calling ..such as this company has to pay them ..we just got a settlement from a debt collection agency in the amount of $ 300.00 it cost the agency nearly $4,000.00 for the entirety. the company mentioned here is next on our list. i know it isn't much money ..but hey ...every little bit helps ..and they are banned from ever calling my number again.  Good luck to you all and look for those lawyers that can help you stop them ..it really helps

This number calls us several times a day. The problem is my work office is in my home.I do not answer it and it leaves no messages. I am so totally ANNOYED with their constant calls!!! Is there any way to block a number that keeps calling?

Enhanced Recovery.  Since January 21st, I have received 21 calls from this number with NO message left.  Well today they finally left a message for a Thomas Murphy.  I called the number back and actually got a live person on the phone.  She did not ask me for any personal information and said my number had been removed.  We shall see...

i also just called their number...800-942-0015...and was able to put in my daughter's cell phone that they keep calling...it says that the number should be removed within 24 hours...we'll see...

I am also receiving phone callls 4-5 times daily from this number.  If I pick up, there is no one there.
They never leave a message on the answering machine.  It seems since there have been so many complaints that something could be done.

Your wrong. If you tell them they cannot call you at work, that it could jeopardize your employment, they cannot call you any more, otherwise it is harassment. I know I sued this company for that exact reason. My lawyer has it right on his web page http://www.mgvlawfirm.com/index.php/can-debt-collectors-call-me-at-work There is a lot you can do to stop this.

We also have been receiving creditor calls since we got our phone number in Sept 2007.  The latest one was yesterday (8/7/11).
I went to Sam's Club for their non-membership shopping day, 8/7/11, and when I gave them my phone number, Rolland's name came up.  They gave me the address he had given them in 2003 (11/14/03) for his membership with wife, Barbara.  When he tried to renew his membership in 2004 (11/10/04) his credit was declined.
The address they gave me form their file was:
310 2nd Street North
Cascade, MT  59421

You'd have a tough time pressing that case. A collector must make "meaningful disclosure" of its identity yet respect the privacy of whoever is named on a debt account, so really it can't do both. This has led to the wide adoption of those clumsy canned messages which try to make a person self-authenticate. Hence the absurd commands to "stop listening if you're not the droid we're after".

Nothing compels a collector to provide an automated opt-out, either. You have to avoid thinking of this on telemarketing terms. The FTC itself is a good companion to a state AG for complaint routes. But understand that you must confront collection agencies directly if your goal is to halt or punish their mistreatment of your privacy and consumer rights.

Sure we have rights. It's just that the FTC does a piss-poor job of promoting them and collectors are not compelled to discuss them.

Collection calls made knowingly to mobile devices are banned under FDCPA. The same calls to a non-debtor can toll $500 a pop under TCPA. ( .... not that you'll get each violation paid in a settlement) I'm pretty sure a legal guardian can revoke permission to call a minor. This could get pretty expensive for them were they to violate a paper cease-comm. I would pay admission to be in the courtroom where ERC has to explain why they needed to bully a school kid.

} "harass my asistant 13 times in an hour should be illegal."

It already is. For those harassing call patterns and ignoring PoE cease-comm, I would have filed suit under FDCPA the very next week.

} "calls at work... That IS, in fact, ILLEGAL"

Sorry, you are, in fact, wrong. Under federal regs collectors may call anybody they please to skip trace. Calls to workplaces are a favorite tactic for generating false shame. The *actual* thoughtful FDCPA rule is that employers can revoke call permission on behalf of the alleged debtor. Only a state law banning certain calls could overcome federal.

Contact your attorney generals office to file a consumer complaint, however, you do need to send them a written notice to cease & desist from calling your work, then if they dont stop they are in a lot of trouble & face fines.

800-251-1392 comes on caller ID as LIVE TALK with the number, making it appear its some sort of live chat number, it belongs to ERC, Enhanced Recovery Corporation, a collection agency, they leave a recording with a name of the person they are looking for & say if this isnt so & so hang up now, then pause & continue with the recording with an acct number to referance when u call back, there is no prompt given to remove your phone number, I think this is illegal.  If your daughters name isnt on the voicemail, contact the Atty Generals Office in your state to lodge a complaint.

Another Enhanced Recovery Company with the automated creature named Chelsea asking for Eline Vespedez or some such name.  Every day.  I am taking the odd phone messages and turning them into a horror short story.

the called stating a family member owed money to a bank

Thanks to this site, we called ERC back to let them know that they were calling a wrong number.  Creditors have been looking for Rolland Nielson for the past 4 years at this number and when I mentioned that name to her, she already knew who he was.
They were very nice and said that they would remove our number from their list (we will see if that happens, but so far so good).
If they do not remove my number from their list, I will post again.
Thanks again.

They don't care when they call, etc. They are trained to be rude like that! They just called my cell phone and I ignore the call!

Someone calling himself "Alex" asked for a friend of mine who has never lived at this unlisted number.  "Alex" refused to reveal what company he was phoning from before he hung up.

Keeps calling -- roughly 5 or 6 times a day. If I let the machine get it, a recording asks my ex MIL to call back... but never gives a number to call back. My ex MIL has never lived here. All I want is a number to call them back & tell them to quit calling, but they don't leave one. However, if you answer the phone BUT DON'T SAY ANYTHING, a real person gets on the phone... Then, you can tell them to stop calling!

I get calls from this 800 number (800-251-1392) ALL THE LIVE-LONG DAY!  The display on my phone lists the number and the words, "LIVE TALK," like it's some SEX LINE or ADULT CALL LINE.  They call ~at LEAST~ 3Xs a day and often, MORE.  I NEVER-EVER answer their calls.  It rings a full 10 Xs before they give up.  I have found that I can pick-up the call, say nothing, then hang it right back up after only a few rings and they don't call back.  Sometimes I just get so SICK of hearing the ringing!!  And to those folks who are repeatedly getting these calls at work... That IS, in fact, ILLEGAL and they are in violation of the law.  You should call your state's Attorney General (Consumer Division) and report it.  If the 800 number people leave you harrassing messages on your phone, SAVE them so you can forward them on to the Attorney General's office.  You need to know your rights, then quote them chapter and verse to these abusers, if you choose to interact or engage with them.  I just don't answer, but my calls are coming at home, thank goodness, and not work.  Best of luck to everyone.  ~CAC

800-251-1392 keeps callling my work number!  They leave their standard message.  Is it illegal for them to leave a debt collector message on a business phone where others may be able to hear the message?

Enhanced recovery

We don't answer calls from "unknown, blocked or blank" caller ID screens.

They keep calling about a student loan. I was lucky to get out of high school never mind going to college. I never sign for a loan for anybody. When i call them back they get very nasty and tell me I didn't talk that person.

Giant recovery will call ph # paying flat rate & leave this electronic message: This call is for John John if you are not this person this messages is not for you bla, bla, bla,,, Local phone companies paid them for that bothering so phone owner victim ask for  "Complete Choice" (an expensive service with no bothering)

roberto

They actually called my job liek 3 times and left me voice mails.  What sucks is that they call your job, and say they are a debt collection agency.. Supposed someone other than me at work got this message. It would be embarrsing and much worse I can get fired since its a personal call!  I will try to call them and tell them not to call my job anymore.  Thats just pushing it!

This 800 # continues to appear on my underage daughters cell phone. She is smart enough not to answer calls from unfamilar #'s, but this is harrasment and I want it to stop. As with the others that have responded here, on calling the # there is no ID given and an everlasting hold pattern. Don't we have any rights?

I have a creditor (Enhanced Recovery Corporation) who is harassing me at work.  While I was in a meeting, the creditor called my work direct line. Pressed zero for assistance and proceeded to indicate why she was calling. She called 8 times in 30 minutes. I called the creditor back. Told her I would be making arrangements. I told her NOT to call my work number again.  I went back to my meeting only to find she called 5 more times, pressing zero and harassing my assistant to the point of tears!!!  I have no problem if they leave a message for me on my cell phone voicemail but to zero out on my work phone and harass my asistant 13 times in an hour should be illegal. What can I do?

Enhanced Recovery Corpoaration (ERC)