I pulled up a copy of equifax and it looks like 2 companies have the same debt listed. I called the original company (Verizon) and they stated that they no longer have anything to do with it, contact the other collector. I just paid off a debt with this company but I'm very bothered because I have done research and see reports that they are "bottom feeders" and the Verizon debt appears with them as 2 different amounts (over $750) and (over $950). I'm mentally disabled and need an opinion on what to do??? I started treatment 3wks ago and now I'm paying even more money. I'm paying so much for medicines, for both for physical and mental. I need to improve my credit score to trade in my car (an 03 with 174k plus miles. I can only fix the things that don't require many tools or it has to be easy to get to)

Your answers are indeed good thoughts to keep in mind.  As I said, there are a lot of "ifs" to consider.  You have added more very important and relevant issues to consider.

"The Texas Attorney General says that a debt collector can use other means besides going to court to try to collect an old debt"

All that means is that they can send you letters and call you. That's it. As soon as you let them know it ain't gonna happen, they'll move on. Time is money to them and they won't waist their time on a dead end.

Know your rights and don't let them scare you with idle threats.

(Remember this applies to debts that are past the Statute of Limitations)

Something to think about. Let's say you have a charge off on your report for 4 years. It will come off in 3 more years. If you decided to pay it, it will become a "paid charge off" ( which is not much better than an unpaid CO) but now it will stay on your report for 7 more years. Actually hurting your score because you brought it to recent stasis. (As a CO gets older, it hurts your score less)

And besides, most of these old debts have been sold to a bottom feeder scavanger for 1% or less. The original creditor is now done with it. So why do you morally owe some dude who bought your name and a dollar amount for a few bucks and demands the original amount plus interest, fees, etc...

Just sayin.....

Actually, the debt may legally be owed, even if the debt is old.  But if it is past the statute of limitations, the collector may no longer have a right to resort to a lawsuit to collect it.  Paying it off -- *if* it is legitimate, that is, and *if* you can avoid being scammed -- can apparently have positive consequences, *if* it is still on your credit report, *if* the debt collector is legitimate and *if* the debt collector follows through and reports that you have paid off your debt to their satisfaction.

To me, that's a whole lot of "ifs" that you cannot simply take for granted.

Here is what the Texas Attorney General has to say about statutes of limitation and debt collectors:
https://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/weeklyag/weekly_columns_view.php?id=193

The fact that the Texas Attorney General says that a debt collector can use other means besides going to court to try to collect an old debt takes my breath away.  I think what he *really* means is any other *legal* means to try to collect the old debt.  And those legal means are limited by both state and federal laws.

Oh man. You just paid a collector that probably bought your debt for pennies on the dollar. Probably past the statute of limitations also. You might be glad you got 20% off but they made a big profit on something you probably don't even legally owe.

RMS is calling people in Texas and they aren't bonded to collect there. Sure hope nobody reports them to the Texas Attorney General.

Amazing what a Google Search will turn up...just search on the 800 number and you SHOULD get "Receivables Management Solutions", a debt collector in Minnesota.  Their website is http://www.rmsmn.com/ .  They will occasionally spoof a local number in your region (which is how I inadvertently answered their call -- I do NOT answer calls that show up as "Unknown" or "Toll-Free" in my CallerID unless the number is local).

In any event, I got a very nice, polite young man who worked with me to lower my payback amount by over 20% and gave me 2 additional weeks to pay it off.

A woman left a message to call this number regarding an attempt to collect a debt. All my debts are well over 6 or 7 years, past the statute of limitations. The number she actually called me was from was (201) 699-3199 (located in Cliffside Park, NJ). She said the name of the company was Receivables Management Solutions a division of "Ajax" (sp?) or something like that. I'm guessing this is another collections agency scammer.

I have been recieving call for my husband's ex-wife.  My husband passed away last January and that's when the phone calls started.  We never recieved calls for her before and this company tells me she gave my number as a contact number, which is a lie.  Why all of a sudden do they call after he passed?  I feel like I am being harrassed.

Too bad the above poster typed in all caps. Very frustrating to read... and if most people are like me, they stopped reading after about a paragraph or so.

Its true that debt can be collected on indefinitely. Its also true that there are SEVERAL federal laws protecting consumers from bad collection practices.

Collectors use a research method called "skiptracing" which involves attempting to contact the debtor through employers, previous addresses and phone numbers. Unfortunately sometimes this means they get the wrong person.

As the debt is passed along to other collection agencies, account managers may often use the same skiptracing methods, and inadvertently dial the same numbers.

If you are not a debtor, then do the world a favor, pick up the phone and clearly but sternly tell them that this is the "Wrong Number" and inform them if you have received calls for that person before or how long you've had the number. The more you help, the more likely it will be that the debtor's correct info will be found, the debt will be paid, etc etc, and the world will have fewer collection agencies collecting on debt! wooohooo!!

If you ARE a debtor, pick up the phone, tell them your intentions and end the call, or simply uphold your end of the legally binding contract and pay back your debt.

would leave no infomation.

This company is calling my place of employment regarding "financial matters" at least twice a week.  Does anyone have any idea who this company is?  I will not verify any information, and Mr. Redmon does not seem to appreciate my unwillingness to provide verification of anything over the phone.

Receivals Management Solutions
When they call me they are trying to locate a Frank Griffin. I have informed them for over a year there is no Frank Griffin at this number. They don't care, they just continue to call. Now to find out how to report them for harrassment for continuing to call when they have been informed they have an incorrect number.

CALLS EVERY DAY 24/7!

settlement company

leaves message "We are calling about a very important business matter"

Automated message stating "We are calling about a very important business matter".  In truth, this is a company that preys on individuals with debt that is *well* past the statute of limitations.  They are scam artists that are hoping to trick the people they're calling into paying on this old, no longer legally collectible debt.  Do *not* offer to pay off the debt.  Do *not* send them any money.  Contact an attorney and have them send a cease & desist letter to these dirtbags.  Then, contact your state attorney general to report this fraudelent and illegal activity.  Do not let them trick you into thinking they have a right to do what they're trying to do.  The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is on your side, not theirs.

always the same thing wants to discuss business matters  collection agency and identity theft

calls without leaving a message. NOt listed on either white or yellow pages and proves to be scammers. Very annoying.

Calls and hangs on the line, chewing while the message records each disgusting slurp and bite.

We get these calls about twice a week and they ask for my husband by name. I know it is a scam because I had the same type of thing happen to me a few years ago. When I called the # to clear up the matter and be removed from their list they immediately tried to get me to start confirming my phone#, address, and whom I bank with- at which point I promptly told them where to go and hung up.
DO NOT give these people any information!!

Call me atleast once a week and I get that recording for a message about an important business matter.

I receive this call daily and if there is a message left, they are always leaving it for someone who does not live at my residence.  I've lived in the same place and had the same number for the past 9 years. You never hear what the company name is. Sounds like another scam.  My caller ID shows a number of 651-967-1940 but the recording says to call 800-299-8301.

your an a!!

This is a huge scam they are a b***s*** company that tries to say you owe something you dont. ignore the call and hang up

LOL. That's ridiculous. Somebody drank too much of the Koolaid

IN RESPONSE TO MANY POSTS HERE.

FIRST OF ALL, COLLECTION AGENCIES ARE NOT SOLICITORS SO THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ABIDE BY OR PARTICIPATE IN THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY. SUCH DO NOT CALL LISTS DO NOT APPLY TO COLLECTION AGENCIES OR DEBT COLLECTORS. YOU ARE NOT ON A CALL LIST. YOUR NUMBER WAS PROVIDED BY A CONSUMER WHO OWES A DEBT OR YOUR NUMBER IS LISTED IN PUBLIC RECORD AS BELONGING TO A CONSUMER WHO OWES A DEBT. THEREFORE THE COLLECTION AGENCY OR DEBT COLLECTOR HAS A LEGAL RIGHT TO ATTEMPT TO REACH THAT CONSUMER UNTIL IT IS MADE KNOWN THAT THE CONSUMER CANNOT BE REACHED AT THAT NUMBER.

IF THE COLLECTOR IS CALLING THE WRONG NUMBER AND YOU DO NOT KNOW THE PERSON THEY ARE LOOKING FOR, PICK UP THE PHONE AND INFORM THEM THAT IT IS A WRONG NUMBER AND YOU DO NOT KNOW THE PERSON THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. THE COLLECTOR MAY ASK A COUPLE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS TO CONFIRM THAT IT IS A WRONG NUMBER. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AND YOUR NUMBER SHOULD BE REMOVED.

IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, SEND A WRITTEN CEASE AND DESIST TO THE COMPANY.

DEBT IS VALID INDEFINITELY. THERE IS NO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG DEBT CAN BE COLLECTED. THERE IS ONLY A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THAT DEBT CAN BE REPORTED TO A CONSUMERS CREDIT REPORTS, WHICH IS 7 YEARS. THE DEBT IS VALID UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE AND CAN BE COLLECTED UNTIL IT IS PAID. THE DEBT CAN BE TRANSFERED OR SOLD AT THE DISCRESION OF THE CURRENT CONTRACT OWNER. ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT THAT IS SIGNED UPON THE CREATION OF THE ACCOUNT OR LOAN. THE PROBLEM IS, PEOPLE TYPICALLY DONT BOTHER TO READ THE CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING IT. ANY PURCHASER OR TRANSFEREE OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT RETAINS ALL RIGHTS AND AUTHORITY OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT HOLDER. FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ORIGINALLY OPENED A CREDIT CARD WITH CAPITAL ONE AND IT WENT INTO DEFAULT AND IS EVENTUALLY CHARGED OFF (MEANING CLOSED), CAPITAL ONE CAN SELL THE CONTRACT TO A DEBT BUYER. THAT DEBT BUYER RETAINS ALL AUTHORITY OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT, WHICH MEANS THAT DEBT BUYER CAN BRING A LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR THE FULL BALANCE OF THE CONTRACT (INCLUDING ANY INTEREST, LATE FEES, PENALTY FEES, ETC) PLUS ANY LEGAL FEES INCURRED IN COLLECTING THE DEBT. THAT DEBT BUYER ALSO HAS THE RIGHT TO PLACE THE DEBT WITH A THIRD PARTY COLLECTION AGENCY WHO WILL ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THAT DEBT ON BEHALF OF THE DEBT BUYER.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION IN REGUARD TO THE DEBT IS SENT OUT EVERY TIME THE CONTRACT CHANGES HANDS OR IS PLACED WITH A NEW AGENCY, AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. THAT BEING SAID, A CURRENT ADDRESS IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE, ESPECIALLY IF THE DEBT IS SEVERAL YEARS OLD. JUST BECAUSE YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER, DOES NOT MEAN ONE WAS NOT SENT TO YOU. YOU SHOULD STILL ANSWER THE PHONE CALLS. ASK THE COMPANY TO SEND YOU A NEW VALIDATION NOTICE AND PROVIDE YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS.

ANTICS SUCH AS SCREAMING OR BLOWING AN AIR HORN INTO THE PHONE WHEN SOMEONE CALLS YOUR NUMBER ARE SIMPLY UNNECESSARY AND COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. AT THAT POINT THE COLLECTOR WILL MORE THAN LIKELY ASSUME THAT YOU ARE IN FACT THE CONSUMER THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH AND YOU ARE SIMPLY PLAYING GAMES. THIS WILL ONLY ENCOURAGE MORE CALLS. FOLLOW THE STEPS AT THE TOP OF THIS REPLY TO STOP UNWANTED CALLS. IF YOU ARE THE CONSUMER THEY ARE TRYING TO REACH, THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS PICK UP THE PHONE AND DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE BILL BUT TALKING TO THEM AND EXPLAINING YOUR SITUATION IS BETTER THAN NOT ANSWERING, HANGING UP, OR PLAYING GAMES.

TO ADDRESS THE POOR ECONOMY PIECE... YES THE ECONOMY SIFFERED A RECESSION. YES IT IS IN A SLOW RECOVERY RIGHT NOW. YES A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR INCOME AS A RESULT. THE FACT IS, ONLY 10% OF AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED. UNFORTUNATELY NO CONTRACT THAT i KNOW OF, HAS A CLAUSE THAT RELIEVES YOU FROM THE OBLIGATION OR THE NORMAL PAYMENTS IF YOU LOSE YOUR INCOME. UNDERSTANDIBLY IF YOU HAVE ZERO INCOME, MOST COLLECTORS UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE ANY PAYMENT. HOWEVER!! THEY CAN AND WILL STILL CONTINUE TO CALL AND SEND YOU LETTERS. THEY HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOU AGREED TO THEM DOING SO WHEN YOU SIGNED THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT. SO THE FASTER YOU CAN FIND WORK OR A SOURCE OF INCOME AND START PAYING YOUR DEBT AGAIN, THE FASTER THEY WILL STOP BOTHERING YOU ABOUT IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO BORROWED THE MONEY AND AGREED TO PAY IT BACK IN CERTAIN TERMS, NOBODY FORCED YOU TO BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU COULD CHEW.

FINALLY, DEBT COLLECTORS ARE PEOPLE TOO. JUST BECAUSE THEY SIT AT A DESK AND CALL PEOPLE FOR A LIVING DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE ANY LESS OF A HUMAN BEING THAN ANYONE ELSE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S A MEANS WITH WHICH TO PAY THEIR BILLS AND KEEP THEMSELVES OUT OF COLLECTIONS. IT'S A JOB!!! IT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING, RIGHT? ALSO, MOST COLLECTORS ARE IN FACT VERY WELL EDUCATED, HAVE THEIR OWN RESIDENCE, PAY THEIR BILLS, AND HAVE FAMILIES THAT THEY PROVIDE FOR. I AM A DEBT COLLECTOR AT THE MOMENT AND AM WORKING MY WAY TOWARDS AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE BY ATTENDING SCHOOL PART TIME. i HAVE MY OWN APARTMENT, ALL OF MY BILLS ARE PAID ON TIME, I HAVE A CAR LOAN THAT IS PAID EARLY EVERY MONTH, AND I AM ENGAGED TO MY GIRLFRIEND. I AM VERY RESPONSIBLE, WELL EDUCATED, AND VERY MOTIVATED. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE I WORK WITH ARE MUCH THE SAME. SO THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU START NAME-CALLING AND JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS THAT ARE NOT ACCURATE.

Please stop call from this number 1 800 299 8301.  You have the wrong person.

please stop the call from this phone number.

Called asking for Kelly Worthey for a business matter. Recording said it was not a sales or marketing call. I have had this number for over 25 years and do not know anyone named Kelly Worthey. They have called before. I am tired of their calls. Why do we not have some laws to stop calls like this? I get many of this type.