Hey Sandy, I'm 6'7 300 lbs ALL MUSCLE, trained in 12 martial art forms as a master and several military combat fighting styles, as well as being an mma fighter and toughman competition fighter. I want to see YOU or any of your little debt collector buddies run your mouth about any debt you may accuse me of having to my face, instead of hiding behind a keyboard. Come on bro, I'm waiting. Do you even lift bro?

Asking for your SSN is a sure sign of a scam. The fact that they threatened to "serve papers" in an hour and didn't is also another dead giveaway.

In fact, their use of the phrase "serve papers" was a giveaway even before they failed to follow through. The phrase "serve papers" sounds scary but a real threat would have said "serve you with a summons". Of course threatening you with lawsuit by saying you were going to be served with a summons would be illegal, so they use weasel words like "papers" instead.

Any callers who refuse to MAIL proof that the debt is yours and that they have the legal right to collect said debt, is owed nothing, per the FDCPA.

Here's the thing - if you really were going to be sued, you'd have already received dunning letters, which would have been your cue to demand a debt validation letter proving the debt is yours and that the caller can collect it.  Then, and only then, if you ignored these letters or refused to pay the debt (if it was indeed valid), they wouldn't call you saying you'd be "served in 1 hour either at work or home."  The court process server would just show up - not call you to give you a heads up.

Only scammers and shady debt collectors use this illegal tactic to scare people into paying a bogus debt, debt that is already paid or is currently being paid to the original creditor or its assigned collection agency.

Report the calls to the FTC, FBI, Dept of Justice and your state's Attorney General.  Record the calls if you can and let the callers know you've reported them for multiple violations of the FDCPA.

I have received several calls from James Black and A**. telling me i need to contact them about a proceeding in court that is on a fraud case.....then it is on a return item.......first thing they ask for is my ss#...to verify if it is actually me they are talking to. If they had all this information why don't they just get papers served like they said they were. They called last week and said papers will be served on me in 1 hour either at work or at my home. Nothing happened. Tired of this CRAP

I received a call with the exact same "script" as stated in your post. I called them back to inquire. I was inquiring about what information they had and requested a copy of the information and their information so that I could respond. I also notified them that I was going to be disputing the so called debt. The individual immediately got aggressive and asked "Why was I going to dispute, and further stated that I shouldn't do that and I should just pay it." the individual then  went on a tangent, calling me all types of names that I will not repeat on this post and refused to give me any further information on them or their company. Then they hung up on me!

They are clearly scam artists. If they were a legitimate company, they would give you information when you requested it, just for the sake of dealing with their claim. I knew then that it was b***s*** and they never called me again. So I'm assuming they figured the jig was up and didn't want to try to scam a person who knows and invokes their rights. If you do owe a debt, it is in you best interest to settle it. You can tell the real from the fake if you ask questions and try to find a resolution. Mention the words" I am disputing the debt." and based on their reaction, you will be able to determine if it is actually a debt you owe or a scam artist.

And btw, any debt collection agency actually purchases the debt from the original debtor. When that happens it is virtually impossible for them to verify the debt. If you dispute it and show up to court, you have a 95% chance of getting it dismissed due to them "not being ready to proceed." So always answer the calls and get the information. If they are scam artists, insure that you report them.

All very good points. Well said. Not playing darts anymore. Lol.

>>>Collections individuals (that you call shill).

I would never make a generalization about collectors like that.  The folks who should be the most concerned about this type of "collectors" are those account receivable professionals who collect legitimate debts within the parameters of law.

>> Debtors looking for info or  trying to claim a scam or simply avoid paying a bill.

I'm sure there are some.  It would be insane to ever encourage that behavior.  A legitimate debt is only going to get worse of the individual evades it.  It would always be best to work out an arrangement with the original creditor before the account was ever referred externally for collections.

Another type would be the "interested party".  Maybe someone they know has been scammed by the "rouge" types.  Maybe they have the profound misfortune of having a number formally owned by someone with a serous debt problem.   Getting cursed out and called a liar when you politely try to tell them you are not him might make you search out that numbers calling.  After a few calls like that you might have a personal stake in this "rouge collector" issue.  

The amount of calls to local law enforcement agencies about the "rouge" collectors tactics is even a drain on resources it has become so rampant in the last year.   The resources are already stretched too thin.  

Then you see posts that are just shilling in support of rouge collectors and feel compelled to start commenting.    In this particular case, Kim had never revealed the call  was regarding a debt.  Sandy then started referring to her as a "deadbeat who doesn't pay her bills".  I just said WTF when I read it and called foul.   Speaking of classification of users, there is a pattern of shilling going on in this "rouge" collector threads.  I probably come off as an a**hole sometimes,  my as*holery is solely aimed at "rouge collectors" and their supporters

As for your talk of "professional debtor" , I would never disagree with you about guys like the fellow who used to own my number.  I don't envy those who make a living legitimately trying to get payment from then one bit.  However, with the little research I did on the previous owner, I can't comprehend why anyone would ever extend credit to this fellow for any reason.

>>>>In accordance with the FDCPA...feel free to request VOD. You know..verify the bill you actually incurred and pretend to not know about or need verification of.

Absolutely 110% true.  I can't see where anyone has ever indicated otherwise.  The problem is merely with rouge collectors who often don't own and can't verify the debt.  There are also cases of "companies" actually manufacturing debt and then trying to collect it.  Finally, there are those unfortunately soles in this world how have a phone number that used to belong to someone who did not make good on debts.  These rouge companies not accepting "this person is not at this number" despite numerous requests rub some people the wrong way (I fall into reason three).


>> In meantime enjoy your time on the internet trying to find out how to duck your debt and/or empower others to do the same. Shill alert? yeah no. Reality check.

Reality check?  You can't even provide one piece of evidence anyone in this thread is trying to do that.   Possibly provide evidence so people don't get victimized by scams, but "duck your debt".  Whatever "dart man".  Empty barrels make the most noise

There is 3 types of people on this thread. Collections individuals (that you call shill). Debtors looking for info or  trying to claim a scam or simply avoid paying a bill. The third type is the professional debtor/FDCPA warrior. You think you are slick, witty, maverick, but you're actually a charlatan. It really is a fairly simple issue. Request your documents or do whatever research you think you need to do and then make good on your obligation.

So....Verify the debt and then pay it. Any agency with a right to collect a debt can produce the document. Ask for it and pay it. Simple

In accordance with the FDCPA...feel free to request VOD. You know..verify the bill you actually incurred and pretend to not know about or need verification of. In meantime enjoy your time on the internet trying to find out how to duck your debt and/or empower others to do the same. Shill alert? yeah no. Reality check.

>>>> So who's the real "thief" here?

Who on earth has provide one shred of evidence that anyone here does not pay their bills.  I will tell you who the thief is.  People who call with extortionist tactics trying to get their victims to pay alleged bills they can not verify.

>>>I would take great pleasure in getting you to pay your bills,
That would be hard, because they are all paid.  However, I would take great pleasure at the opportunity for you to try to get me to do anything

>> because it is people like you who drive our interest rates up,  because we have to cover what the deadbeats do not want to pay.  

Really?  Please provide evidence

>>> You have bored me to tears so I am sorry I will not be back to talk to you again.  

I hope so.

What is there "to look into? If you didn't pay your bills...then you still owe them. So who's the real "thief" here?

Wrong again,  that is not my but job,  but if it was, I would take great pleasure in getting you to pay your bills,  because it is people like you who drive our interest rates up,  because we have to cover what the deadbeats do not want to pay.  I wish you nothing but the best of luck,  by the sounds of it,  your really going to need it.  You have bored me to tears so I am sorry I will not be back to talk to you again.  Maybe you can fill your time in a more productive manner,  maybe take up blogging full time,  I am sure there is someone out there who would be  totally riveted,  by what you have to say!

Have you looked at your own reflection in the mirror? And you can stomach having a "job" as a thief?

Wow!

Have you actually read your own post? Wow!

What a mess! A made up and so called important organization, group <or what ever fancy title they give themselves> wants you  to pay up or go to court. If they were so up on the game then why do they use outdated or inaccurate infomation to scam people? And I do pay my bills <before that mess starts up an pay your bills rant> I just do not give money away to any Tom, Dick, or Harry that says I owe it without looking into it first.

I guess you didn't read the posts.  First, Kim posts - "called and said he was with Dept of Arbitration PRG, and that I could have my attorney call him about some court filing in a County that I haven't lived in for 4 years"

After that post, the person I responded to said "If you gave your in-laws as a contact number that's on you  and the fact that you just put your name all over the internet as a deadbeat that doesn't pay her bills shows your intelligence"

First, I asked them where in Kim's post does it say anything about bills?  Now, if this is some garden variety "arbitration" department, couldn't they have been calling about some labor law or collective bargaining case?

Before having any evidence whatsoever the OP was referring to a debt, this bottom feeder launches into a diatribe about how they are a deadbeat who does not pay their bills.

So, lacking any evidence from the post, Kim starts name calling and I responded.

PS -- congratulations on being a stand up person who pays their bills

Trust me, I've made good on each and everyone of my obligations.  I challenge you to provide proof that I have not.

Second, when I see bottom feeding bullies name calling, I have an obligation to call them out it it

Exactly...bottom feeder? That is the pot calling the kettle black. The 1st amendment is a great thing. No one is going to try and collect on that debt. It's free and was earned by someone else. Just like government benefits.

You didn't ask any legitimate questions on your blog,  you just were trying to claim harassment.  I do not know what your issue is pertaining to with them but I had a bill with them,  which I paid,  and had no issues with them whatsoever. I think to call someone a bottom feeder speaks volumes!

If you understand your rights under the FDCPA then you should certainly assert them. Feel free to ask for VOD or proceed however you like. At the end of the day instead of using words like "shill" or "bottom feeder" maybe consider making good on your obligations. It's amazing how many people cruise these boards to look for a way out of taking care of their obligations.

Kim posts - "called and said he was with Dept of Arbitration PRG, and that I could have my attorney call him about some court filing in a County that I haven't lived in for 4 years"

You said "If you gave your in-laws as a contact number that's on you  and the fact that you just put your name all over the internet as a deadbeat that doesn't pay her bills shows your intelligence"

So, where in Kim's post does it say anything about bills?  Now, if this is some garden variety "arbitration" department, couldn't they have been calling about some labor law or collective bargaining case?

What you are is some bottom feeding troll, shilling around the forums trying to "guilt" or "shame" posters who provide any insight or ask questions about a "company".  A debt duly verified under the FDCPA is one thing.  But sketchy skip traces calls from a company revealing possible personal legal matters is another.

A new tactic of these bottom feeders (who rarely if ever can validate a debt btw) is a tag team approach.  Bottom feeder One calls as an "investigator" or "server", doing all kinds of unethical things like threatening arrest and embarrassing the target (with family, friends, employees etc).  Once they get the target on the phone or get them to call back, they are given a second number (Bottom Feeder Two which is the mediator or some other character) who then gets target to settle the account.  

All of the shady crap is done by Bottom Feeder One.  They will assert they are not "collecting" anything (just having them call Bottom Feeder Two).  Bottom Feeder Two can then try and act independent and not in violation of the FDCPA.

I didn't find much about this company on the Internet.

But recentlythis outfit was recently hiring collectors on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=269169999802496&story_fbid=573979225988237

How is this harassment miss Kim Heid?  If you gave your in-laws as a contact number that's on you  and the fact that you just put your name all over the internet as a deadbeat that doesn't pay her bills shows your intelligence.  So now the whole world knows that you don't pay your bills and that your not very smart either!  Good going Kim!

A person named Pete Lister, called and said he was with Dept of Arbitration PRG, and that I could have my attorney call him about some court filing in a County that I haven't lived in for 4 years. He called my in laws also, this is harrasement.

Because they're calling about someone else and giving this person's information to the poster.  Which is illegal.  Also, scammers use this tactic all the time.  How can they have a "court filing issued with the local court district" if in the same breath they say "prior to any claims being filed in this county that the person needs to contact his office at this number"?  Either there is a lawsuit or not.  If there is a lawsuit, then the court process server would just show up and serve the papers.  It's a scare tactic to get people to call back and pay money that they either don't owe, or they don't owe to the caller.

If the debt is not yours how exactly did they violate the FDCPA giving you cause for a lawsuit?

Debt Collecting Scum. This idiot called for someone that isn't even me and left a message on voice mail, said that 'a file came across his desk that had the person's name and social security number on behalf of 'prg' or 'prt'?

Said it's related to a scheduled court filing issued with the local court district, and prior to any claims being filed in this county that the person needs to contact his office at this number.

LOL, I should call them back and let them know that there WILL be a filing, AGAINST THEM for breaking fdcpa laws. Think I can sue these idiots for this crap?