Well said, Ron! I worked as a collector for a short time and it is hard work, but it is an industry that returns close to 8 billion dollars to the economy every year. You are right on that if these businesses did not exist, consumer's costs would be driven up even more than they already are.
Please, debtors: return at least one call and/or respond by mail. Most collectors are not nasty people and have families just like you! In fact, it's not unheard of that they have their own debts in collection agencies. They are employees, just doing their jobs, and if you are not rude they won't be either!

Came home from work and had a message to call a Connie Phillips at this number. I called back, they said they were looking for someone I'd never heard of. They said they would not be calling again. We'll see...

My mother said she recieved a call from a Heather who left a message on her answering machine. I dont know what she wanted with me and I am not going to call her back either.

I have had debts at Americollect. I've had debts at other collection agencies too. Americollect is by far the best collection agency there is around here. They actually treat you nicely. You don't want State Collections, trust me. Americollect doesn't conduct business illegally.
Jeremy, it is not illegal for a collection agency to call you at work. Once you tell them you don't want calls for you at work they will not call you there anymore. They can call you there until you tell them not too. Once you do that they have to stop. It's not that hard to find someones work number if they know where you're working.  If you're insurance was supposed to pay it then you're the one that should contact them and get it taken care of. If you don't want to give your insurance information to the collector at Americollect for them to resubmit it for you then they can't help you.
Angela, it is against the law to disclose information about someone's debts without the person's permission.
Paul, I'm sorry that you hate Wal-Mart, but a collection agency calling you once or twice a week is not harassment. They are trying to contact you so you can pay your overdue bills.

Americollect does a favor to the community. If they weren't around and no one ever got calls to pay their past due bills, then that would be up to the hospitals, gas companies, offices, etc. to do the calling. No one would ever pay their bills because these entities cant put things on a person's credit file or sue the responsible party for the bill. If these entities cant collect the money, guess what happens. They raise their rates. Hospitals and other places would have to charge much more than they already do. Americollect puts a lot of money back into the community.

I am glad that most of my debts have gone to Americollect. I have no problem dealing with a collector from Americollect. They are very wise in their profession, they conduct business professionally, and they genuinely try to help you.

I was told about these posts from a friend of mine, and I wanted to see for myself. You that post aimless and untrue statements on here need to find something better to do. Spend time with you family. Sleep. There are much better ways to spend your time than ranting about how upset you are that people are calling for you to pay your bill that you indeed owe.

"Lindsey" called for a woman named "Nicki Loker" and left a number of 800-724-0292.  No further details were left for "Nicki," except that Lindsey takes calls until 9 p.m. It was interesting to see on the internet that the same number was used by various women.  They are not getting a call back from me. Prank.

Gave her name Allie and to call er back at 1-800=724-0292

They called my parents house! And my parents have an unlisted number that's's been changed since I moved out over 13 years ago. The caller said he had follow-up questions for me. The call cam from a 920 number and said I had to call 800-724-0292. I called and the lady who answered wouldn't give me a business name.

got a call from this number...was to call "jim" .  So i called them back...the phone rang and rang and rang...no voicemail...no nothing just ringing.  I have no clue why americollect is calling since my insurance covers everything 100% and i dont have a credit card cuz they are evil..if they messed up and didnt charge something that is not my fault...if they want to talk with me then call and speak with me not leave messages to call them....hello!!!  you called me and i answered the damn phone just to hear a voicemessage to call them?! talk about backwards!

I got a call from a 18007240292. They didnt leave a message but they called so early in the damn morning. Honestly, like people dont sleep in? I dont understand why it is that debt collectors keep calling and harassing people when they know thats only going to make the situation worse for them. Its quite annoying. I do believe though, we're all pretty much going thru a hard time right now and especially when some of us have lost our jobs and about to lose our homes. Somehow they just dont care and still want money from us. Im sorry to all those who have been harassed by these people day in and day out.

Called my prepaid cell phone number which only a few friends and family knows. Dont know why a company is calling my prepaid number?

Thank you for telling me who called me  AMERICOLLECT it was a woman named sarah phone number 1-800-724-0292 and i will not call her back  in 2005 i  worked for Wal-mart and i submitted the bill year's ago there to the manager at Wal-mart East in GreenBay wisconsin there insurance should have payed it and if they keep harassing me i am going to start a law suit and sue the F U C K E R " S they called at my friend's and i don't know how they got the number because i have know telephone i allso don't like Wal-mart they fired me for something i did not do So people Just say know to Wal-mart  and they will have to get bailed out by the goverment To if we all stick together we can bankrupt them i think that's pretty nasty i think i am going to talk to a lawer remember pay back is a B I T C H thank's Paul!!!!!!!!

Thank you for telling me who called me  AMERICOLLECT it was a woman named sarah phone number 1-800-724-0292 and i will not call her back  in 2005 i  worked for Wal-mart and i submitted the bill year's ago there to the manager at Wal-mart East in GreenBay wisconsin there insurance should have payed it and if they keep harassing me i am going to start a law suit and sue the F U C K E R " S they called at my friend's and i don't know how they got the number because i have know telephone i allso don't like Wal-mart they fired me for something i did not do So people Just say know to Wal-mart  and they will have to get bailed out by the goverment To if we all stick together we can bankrupt them i think that's pretty nasty i think i am going to talk to a lawer remember pay back is a b***h thank's Paul!!!!!!!!

I had some idiot named "Angel" call and leave me a voicemail.  I didn't answer because I don't know anyone with a 920 area code (that's the number that showed on my caller ID), and then after a couple moments there was no voicemail.  I went on with what I was doing, and about five minutes later my voicemail alarm went off.  I dialed in, listened to the voicemail, and basically it said "Hi, this is Angel.  Call me back at blahblahblah"...and then the moron left it off the hook for about 5 minutes.  All I hear is background noise, a phone ringing, etc etc.

Seriously, if it's YOUR JOB to use a telephone, learn to use it properly.

They called our house and when I tried to get a word in edgewise they just kept saying we have some questions for the other member of my household.  When I tried to tell them she wouldn't call them and if it was about a bill to send it in the mail they just kept it up and gave me the phone number anyway.  Eventually the other member of my household, who was getting ready to go to work, picked up an extenstion and told them that herself.  
The caller just said, "hello, hello" and then hung up.  I got yelled at for taking the phone number down because I wanted to know who the heck these people were.

Got the same one from "Jim".... I wont be calling back. F*** him.

Thanks for the info.  I hate when callers leave these Urgent sounding messages like you are supposed to know them and "call me at work"...  I'll send the few dollars I owe them when I can... Stop Calling!!!

These guys are f**king morons.  They called me at work.  That is illegal... My work number was given out to Mercy Health Care as a emergency contact only number for my son, not for their f**king collection agency.

These f**k wads are after me for $77 for services at Mercy that should have been covered by insurance, but Mercy as usual, f**ked up.  They never sent the insurance company the information they requested about the services and hence my insurance company (Humana) sent me a letter telling me that they were denying the claims because Mercy was too f**king stupid to give them the information they requested.

I told this f**k tard at Americollect this and he said there was nothing he could do.  I told him I did not want him to do anything, and really did not care what he did.  I told him he needed to have his client contact my insurance company and give them the information they need.  He wanted my insurance information.  I told him, f**k no, I don't give out information like that to f**king collection agencies.  

Next I told him not to call my work number anymore.  He said that it was the alternate contact they had on file.  I told him that was an emergency contact for reaching me concerning my son only.  As per the Fair Credit Dept Collection Act I informed him that he needed to remove that number and that by calling me at work he was breaking the law.  Mercy Health Care in Lake Geneva WI is breaking the law as well by giving out my personal information to a collection agency.

I almost got fired because these a*sholes keep calling me at work.  For $77 I could lose my job.  F**K YOU MERCY HEALTH CARE IN LAKE GENEVA, WI., and F**K YOU A*SHOLES AT AMERICOLLECT!!!

I also got a call from 920-724-0292 someone named Jim left a message and just asked me to call him at work.  Glad to know who it is because I won't call anyone back without knowing who they are first

Thanks!

I got a call from 9207691409 and they left the 800 number to call back.  They are americollect.

They just called the president of the company I work for about a $25 balance. I work in collections and we don't bother people for such small balances. During the course of the call the guy I spoke with broke a couple of laws under FDCPA. How embarrassing to have my president know I have a collection call. We know what they sound like.

someone...please tell these people to F*** OFF

I've recieved a number of calls from this number and from differant people. It's always the same message." This is.............. Sorry I missed you. Please call me back at 800-724-0292. BLAH , BLAH , BLAH"

Well I have no unpaid debts, and I don't know these people. Since they didn't leave a company name, reason for the call, or whom they were trying to reach. I have no reason to return their call.

Yup... just got a call about $37.00 I didn't even know about... go figure

Voice mail from Amanda...I was asked to return a call to 800-724-0292...my voice mail ID'd the number as 920-482-3170

2004? This debt is (more than likely) beyond the statute of limitations and uncollectable. *IF IT IS BEYOND THE SOL AND YOU MAKE A TOKEN PAYMENT, IT IS AUTOMATICALLY REAGED AND YOU'RE STUCK WITH IT.

Go here to check the SOL for your state:
http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations.html

Then, send them this cease communication letter VIA certified mail with return receipt requested:

Today's Date

Your Name
Your Address

Collector's Name
Collector's Address

RE: [insert account number or name of account or name of debt]:

Dear [insert collector's name or company name],

This letter is in response to your [letter dated xx-xx-2005] (copy enclosed) or [phone call on xx-xx-2005], concerning the collection of the above referenced [account or date].

I do not believe I owe what you say I owe therefore I dispute this debt. I am well aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and my state laws so I hope to save both of us a great deal of time by letting you know that not only do I dispute the validity of this debt, I have also checked with my State Attorney General and verified that the Statute of Limitations for enforcing this type of debt through the courts in (insert your state or the state in which the contract was signed) has expired. Therefore, should you decide to pursue this matter in court I intend to inform the court of my dispute of this debt and that the "statute of limitations" has expired.

This letter is your formal notification that I consider this matter closed and demand that you, or anyone affiliated with your company, stop contacting me regarding this or any other matter except to advise me that your debt collection efforts are being terminated or that you or the creditor are taking specific actions allowed by the FDCPA or my state laws.

Be advised that I consider any contact not in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act a serious violation of the law and will immediately report any violations to my State Attorney General, to the Federal Trade Commission and, if necessary, take whatever legal action is necessary to protect myself. Be advised that I tape record all phone calls and violations of the FDCPA can result in you or your company being personally fined up to $1,000 per incident.


(Sign above name)
Printed Name

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing ... ute-letter.html

I received a call on 2-4-10 from a woman named Amanda, she was calling on behalf of a collection notice that was sent at the end of January, which I never received, she said that it was from a bill dated 1-21-04 and wanted to take care of the balance.  I was flabergasted as the medical facility she called me about never sent me a bill or made a phone call to me to try and collect this money.  When I asked what the services were for she could tell me and I told her I wasn't paying a penny until I knew exactly what I was being seen for and by whom, she said she'd send me an explanation of benefits and if I didn't see it in a week to call her back, yeah right!  She actually had the nerve to scold me for not saving my EOB from over 6 years ago....

I get calls from this number all the time - they leave a name of the person who called but no business name. At times they've been nice - but after a while - how many times can you tell a company  you are out of work and being treated for cancer before they get the hint that - duh, we don't have the money? Americollect can be ruthless too - I've had a few people who started to badger me and I finally just hung up on them. I won't talk to anyone from this company - EVER! I see the number and I label it 'don't pick up'. I'll put food on my table for the kids before I turn a much needed dime over to them!

My brother received a call from an Andrew from this number stating he needed to get a hold of me.  He claimed to have sent me something a month ago, which I didn't receive anything.  Apparently he got very rude when my bother refused to give him my personal info and phone number.  Ridiculous!!

Just tell them politely that you have known all your life not to talk to strangers, ask to get to know him/her better, ask many personal questions, and insist they don't hang up until you feel comfortable with them..  tell them you're GLAD they called because you have no friends and family, and would love to make them a macaroni dinner..

I got a new unlisted cell phone from Cricket, prepaid..  and they managed to find me for a 31.00 over billed debt from Kenosha Hospital from 3 years ago.