I received a call from this number stating a civil suit was filed against me

I can save even more money by directly disputing an agency which relies on illegal threats to get its job done, then collecting a damage award in court. Commissions and bonuses based on lies and trickery are "rewarding", but only where you keep your wallet.

Using Cert Mail for the proper exercise of federal rights is hardly "pointless". That little mint green card creates irrefutable proof that your orders were received. When you can also prove those orders were not obeyed, you turn up the volume on a summons and complaint.

You're not going to get legal compliance from a desperate enough collection agency with a single wave of your hand. The actions you take must be seen as part of a strategy you can map out on a loose flowchart. It's only fair, as a process of decision is just what the agencies are using on consumers while working their accounts.

} if you have no debt you wouldn't have to worry about bill collectors calling you.

Unchecked and excessive skip tracing has been among the top three complaints against the collection industry for a long time. Three of the four debt collection agencies which called me in the past twelve months were looking for people who are total strangers to me. None of them were ever going to stop calling despite claims that I could "ignore" misfired calls. Two of them did not stop calling when politely told I cannot help them. The third had reps whose FDCPA compliance regarding third party communication was very lax. They are all now bound and gagged under Cert Mailed "shut up" notices.

The fourth agency did have my name and a potentially valid claim. They ignored my written contact restrictions and broke federal and state laws at least 105 times over several weeks of collection activity. A legal process is underway which may cost them three times what they sought to collect and help pay my current billers who actually appreciate good customers.

Please spare us the "few bad apples" chant. The problems I've endured are widespread and not even as bad as the reported collector abuse cases which have been rising for months.

} "you gave it away that you are Stephan"

I "gave away" nothing apart from noticing this discussion. Other people without a horse in the race can see the comments too, y'know.

} "you want to be bias against people that are doing a job"

No, I'm biased against people who break laws to satisfy their job requirements. I'm biased against ignorant trolls who extend their fear tactics into a discussion forum. I'm biased against the use of reckless accusations and welfare slob fantasies to distract everyone from the primary topic. By the way, working for Redline Recovery gives you *zero* moral high ground.

Your workplace culture teaches you that all lenders are honest, all debt claims are valid, all debt is voluntary, and all alleged debtors are dishonest. Please spare us the false moral outrage when people rightfully disagree.

If I owe money I will pay what I owe and maybe a small convenience fee, because most people who screw up want to do right if they are given a fair opportunity to be successful. However, if you are complete dick  and are not willing to work out a reasonable plan to make payment on a debt, then f*** you.
My credit is already bad. How much will it really improve by paying off a debt that has been charged off for almost 4 years?  I have paid the same debt two or three times over between two harassing debt collectors and miraculously I still owe on the same debt!?  I would much rather spend my hard earned money paying my student loans, which I have paid 4 of them off completely and successfully. That is what actually improves my credit.

This number called me probably about my capital one card...

I had paid well over $1000 on a $750 debt to a collection agency in Michigan. After a year of faithful payments I some how still owed an additional $1000. When  I couldn't make the payment right on time they wouldn't work with me. So I naturally stopped paying them. Capital one got their money back when they did their taxes and wrote me off as a loss. I received summons etc...I am not in jail yet.

This collection agency as listed in the number above has threatened me with summons...I been there done that. It's all scare tactics. The state of Michigan is still waiting for me to move back there so they can collect my state income tax the said debt. So there is no way this agency is going pull the same garbage.

The fact is once credit card companies sell your debt for a portion of what you owe they then write the rest of the said debt off on their taxes. The debt collectors they sell your debt to are just plain greedy and will try to convince you to pay up to 10x the amount. The only money they have lost is the little amount they paid to obtain rights to your debt.  Legal agencies will negotiate the amount and also work out a decent payment plan without interest.

Advice: Document numbers that call you. Save harassing voice-mails. KEEP RECORDS of everything (names, times, company, research the company on the internet). If you have family members receiving phone calls on your behalf have them document the phone calls as well. Trying to go through friends and family members is completely illegal!  Remind collectors that call you of  the FDCPA! Most are people who have barely graduated high school. They read from a script, get paid minimum wage and they would do just about anything to try to impress their money hungry bosses. Sad, but they are ignorant.

If you continually are harassed, documented proof can be taken court. If unfair debt collecting practices are proven, legally you can get the debt removed from your credit report.

Not saying I am an angel. I was young, stupid and I messed up on not just one line of credit, but multiple. I am still working 4 years later still paying debts. I believe in righting a wrong, but I will go through legal channels to do so. If I couldn't pay my debt on time to the original powers that gave me credit, I am sure as hell not going to be scared into paying a debt I can't afford to a bunch of a***oles who don't exercise legal practices.

Don't be scared, if you are there is help for debt.

my grandmother (who has perfect credit by the way) got a call from this number today stating that she needs to pay them and if she doesnt they will make her bankrupt and send a summons...pretty sad to say this to an old women with dementia who has no idea what they are talking about.  When i tried to call them back they demanded for her social and when i replied no, they hung up on me.  I feel they are trying to scam money out of individuals!

Take you so mcuh for the info on the BBB. I will be checking that out.  I am surprised by the apathy of some on this website.  Some people become unable to pay because of things such as cancer, etc. and not everyone can afford insurance, oh yea because it is all privatized and they can charge us whatever, only then to be harassed by very unprofessional people.  This company's representatives have screamed obscenties, threats and debasing remarks.

"Nobody speacial",
   I hope you get sued. This will happen give it time then you can think back and remember this dumb post you put. Btw everyopne is somewhat "special." Even the peopel that dont know what they are talking about ie you.

lol...yes you failed to state that if the debt has passed the SOL then you cannot be sued or they cant log onto your credit report and we must be licensed to collect in your state and if not licensed you don't have to pay the debt..also always check the collection company out on the BBB and you will see that the BBB has put alert out on this company,so be very careful when dealing with these low life's.

good credit...a shill post from a low life sleazy debt collector who isn't making any money...IDIOT...

This is a bottom feeder debt collection company, that violates the federal fair debt collection practices act and most likely your own state law.  However, they depend on your ignorance and their ability to intimidate you into paying.  Sending them a letter by certified mail telling them to stop contacting you is pointless since they will ignore it anyhow.  It doesn't really matter though, they will refuse to give you their address.  I, however, do have it...

Credit Management Solutions, Inc
6640 Eli Whitney Dr #200
Columbia, MD  21046-2622

When they contact you again after getting the letter, and you know they will, they violated federal law.

Lmao hey free, its not a threat im sure they can provide you a legal letter. You are showing you do not know what you are talking about by stating you reported them to the credit bereau? They already know you dont pay your bills whats that going to help? And rewarding is helping people save money you fool!!!

This CMS company is full of s***, always calling, making threats to sue people and garnish paychecks.good luck with that and for tjose debt collectors, please go find a better job, something rewarding. I have reported you to Credit Bereau. STOP calling my relatives..........and go to hell.

I belive many have given bill collectors bad names because of the practices of 1 or 2 bad collectors. The fact is small companies that purchase debt can and DO sue. Bottom line is if you have no debt you wouldn't have to worry about bill collectors calling you. But if in fact you do a word of advice if a company calls you who is claiming to sue you verify the validity of ownership by tracking the chain of title through the original lender. Most debt collectors are no differant  we are all human so sometimes it helps to try and be nice be honest and work out something you both can agree to. Because after all credit is more important than many realize!

I have had several calls left on my answering machine from this company.  They claim that I have been named in a Civil Suit.  They leave this number and a Case Number.  They demand that either myself or my attorney contact them immediately.  I have reported all the information to the Fair Trade Commission.  I don't owe anyone any money.  My Credit Rating is excellent.  I can't understand what this is all about.  I have had no letters from anyone saying that I owed any money.   This is strange.  My daughter in law works for an attorney and thought it might be a scam.  She suggested I google the number.  That is what I did.

I have had a call left on my answering machine from a Ms. Goldstein from the CMS office.  She said I had been named in a
Civil Suit in Los Angeles County.  She needed to talk to me or my attorney immediately.  She
left this number and a Case #.  This was about 2 weeks ago.  Today, I received a similar call from a man leaving me the same number and case number.  Both people claime to be from CMS.  The man said that it was a Credit Service Management.  That there was a claim against my name and Social Security Number.

This number has popped up on the caller ID in the last several days. I'm not sure why they keep calling. I got some messages about urgent matters and called them back at the number the man left for me. Nobody ever seems to answer other than a machine even though I've waited on the phone quite a long time. This all seems really odd. I come here and read things that lead me to believe these people might not be trustworthy. I'm not dumb but it seems like these people want to treat me that way.

I was making fun of Stephen but, that being said you gave it away that you are Stephan. Otherwise there would be no reason why you were on this page in the first place! Ariel if you are getting calls from a company most companies are open 8am till 9pm.  So to say you can't reach them is a little hard to believe! However Mr Resident47 aka Eagle 47 Stephan whatever else you want to say your name is you should really stop judging people. If you want to judge look in the mirror and judge your own life. I am A debt collector yes and work at a place called red****. I am not disclosing the name however you want to be bias against people that are doing a job. But, don't look at the people that are hiding rather than calling to make payments on their bills. People that are buying big screen TVs to keep up with the Jone's. The same people that just bought a new car that they are bragging about but still owe thousands to the banks. But, yet again you are making excuses and trying to give people a way out of debt or a way to delay the inevitable which is a lawsuit. Be a responsible adult that your parents raised you to be, instead of being a child and making excuses or trying to find a way out of being in trouble. SHAME ON YOU!!!!

It's likely you won't get far on the phone anyway. High volume debt collectors are notoriously deaf to verbal requests. Third parties to the alleged debtor like yourself don't get a lot of coverage by FDCPA, but it does say "any person" cannot be abused or misled by a collector.

To a "not me" case I always recommend putting the agency on notice, just as you would if you were the target and the debt claim was invalid. Send a cease-comm notice via USPS Certified with return card. The FTC and many consumer watchdogs explain how to draft one. This will set a legal landmine, as such a notice is ignored at their peril. This can also help pull the agency under the shadow of TCPA, which carries treble damages for "willful" violation.

Aside #1: The fellow you're being pestered about can bring suit for privacy breach if too much was said to you. This of course is difficult for total strangers to coordinate, but another legal boundary to keep in mind.

Aside #2: I've found that a collection firm's reflex for lawbreaking may be roughly measured by the number of angry trolls with poor writing habits denigrating victims in forums like this. It would barely surprise me to learn that most if not all such mudslings are dashed off on a coffee or toke break at the very agencies they are so desperate to defend.

Still getting calls and can't talk to anybody about stopping them! About to have the numbers blocked by phone company! Also thanks to Resident47 and Stephen for some TRUTH about all this. I think these jerks are just afraid people might outsmart their sleazy game!

Another catcaller with a reading comprehension disability .... Stephen, and not "Stephan", said: "I was contacted regarding a family member." He was roped into a skip tracing campaign as a "near-by", a very common reason for non-debtors to field calls, and arguably the most popular annoying tactic of the debt collection industry.

It is not a waste (nor is it a "waist") to defend one's rights or encourage others who may lack the strength to do so. The debt lawyers and junk debt buyers do clog the civil court calendars, but not because they are always in the right. Most wave the flimsiest proof of claim, or have none at all, and win defaults and summary judgments, following a few months of illegal behavior for which the consumer can countersue.

No one should be cutting payment deals with a known lawbreaker like CMS, (a DBA of Transworld Systems) not at least before demanding validation on real paper, as is a person's federal right. Stephen was correct, the collector arrives to take assets, (such as "wadges" in your spelling book) not play financial advisor.

The official rules:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

Got a few messages from this number in voicemail about a lawsuit with some guy I don't know. This is a new phone number so maybe he had it before? Dunno but I never got anybody to talk to when I called back the number they left.. seems shady.
I just wish they'd stop calling!!! Several times a day!!! Bullsh*t!!!
And some of the comments here are really sad. Talk about illiterate and stupid LOL! Dudes right above me can't read or spell even BAHAHAHA!

Stephan if you have no debt then why are you waisting your so called "precious" time? If you have no debt then the debt collectors would have not called you is that correct? So with your "precious" time you are on here talking about things you have no idea about? Stating laws yes! However you failed to state that this company or companys whom own/ purchase accounts can sue you. You failed to state they they can place a judgement aginst you, therefore having a summos issued out for individuals to appear in court. Not to mention they then can garnish your wadges per state laws. So Before you go on and on badgering people/companies cuz they are calling people who owe bills. Wait and they are offereing them discounts or payment plans maybe you should stop wasting your time knocking these companies and look in the mirror and wonder who is really wrong. Oh i forgot you do not owe any debts! Good day to all

my name is the reaper! all i read is how a bad debt collectors are. when the truth of it all is the fact that consumers become debtors from thier on actions. most probaly dont know this but here is the formula of life " the event + the response= equals the outcome! the consumer should treat credit like food if you eat to much you get sick and throw up! same with credit . wht gives a person or debtor the right to use services and or make purchases and not pay it back! im curious to know if the actions of the debtor was different so would the collectors! stop saying your not home , you dont have the money ,having your child screen calls! at first we had the baby boom then the welfare then bankruptcy now we have you!!!! debtors! my model is if you cant afford then dont get it on credit! the position the usa is in now is a direcr reflection of its citizens frivilous spendings! if we all paid our debt or set up payments and kept them there would be no depression or recession!

Oops - silly me... "as there are no login requirements" instead of "as their are no login requirements"... THIS is the last comment.

"MR. ALL CAPS" - I appreciate you continuing to affirm my predictions and appraisal of this organization/situation. More misleading comments, similar to yours, are guaranteed to follow, and my time is too precious to me to proceed with responses to your hollow contentions (I, after all, am not getting paid to flood these comment threads with false praise or shill for a questionable company - I have no dog in this fight [aside from my fellow citizen], as the saying goes).

However, It's not surprising that you'd confuse compassion for others and sharing of relevant knowledge concerning consumer rights for anger; people deserve to know their rights and should admonish/scorn anyone attempting to deprecate or obscure said rights. I'm not angry at all... disappointed in our legal/financial/political systems in terms of their corruption and how obviously beholden they are to private/special interests ... perhaps. I'll even grant you skeptical and cynical, though I'd pity anyone lacking those characteristics when confronting many of the raptorial organizations working in the financial sector today. You're eager to disparage the financial institutions, such as "Discover Bank", but won't acknowledge the dubious intent or practices of these parasitic entities, which you refer to as "THE AGENCIES[sic]". At least, not intentionally (see next paragraph)...

Humorously, your use of the word "MAFIA[sic]" is probably the most accurate and relevant word you've typed on this page thus far, but only as applied as a descriptor to predatory lending institutions and their leech-like, little-boogeymen "AGENCIES". You're doing these firms no favors with your defense, as you are comparing them to criminal organizations and gangs - you said it, not me. The difference between what some of these groups do and what the Mafia do is merely in terms of legality. For example, many creditors and lenders thrive on interest rates unthinkable to the Mafia (they also make no sense from a business perspective, as they are increased to levels which the borrower will never be able to repay). The Mob should really go legit and enlist more lobbyists - it's easier and more lucrative. As I stated before, there are legitimate lenders and collectors. They are not included, in my opinion, in what you call "AGENCIES".

Also, you assert that individuals would only be contacted by any of these "GOONS[sic]" if they owe "THE MAFIA CASH[sic]". Reading any of these boards or speaking to almost anyone with a phone will quickly disprove this statement. I have no debt. I was contacted regarding a family member, who, if your story is to be believed, is, like you, caring for an infirmed relative and is only partially-employed because of these commitments and, despite having a bachelor's degree, being unable to find more lucrative employment (due to the abyss we commonly refer to as "the economy", following its systematic destabilization and plundering by many of the same financial institutions attempting to collect money from some of the same taxpayers who already subsidized their failures through bailouts). I appreciate that a legitimate lender or collector might need to get her contact information, but I continue to receive multiple calls and messages (sometimes minutes apart) from this organization. I provided the contact information I have and asked them politely to cease correspondence. They continue to call, despite by my requests and my confirmation that they have successfully contacted her once. My last debts were repaid years ago, but my recent experience proves to me that the tactics are still the same.

In closing, all consumers should educate themselves and proceed with caution when dealing with reputable lenders and their various agents. However, I'll advise once more against negotiating with these "AGENCIES" which "MR. ALL CAPS"/"mr. good credit" seems to enjoy rhetorically-caressing. Don't take my word for it - read any number of other number entries on this site. These groups do not have your best interest in mind.

**Note: "MR. WHATEVER" or similar incarnations will likely continue to post and feign resentment and offense at the statements I've made while lauding the wonderful "AGENCIES" and others like them. That's fine. They might even attempt to impersonate me (anyone can post a comment as "Stephen" on this site, as their are no login requirements). This is my last comment on this entry. I wish you all the best in your endeavors. Finally, in the course of educating yourself in these matters, check out this short documentary on the industry from PBS Frontline (it's free to view online and includes several supplemental materials):

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/

STEPHEN, PLEASE DONT BE SO ANGRY. FACT IS THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CARE OF THEIR AFFAIRS WITH THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR NEVER HAVE TO DEAL WITH ANYBODY ELSE. S**T HAPPENS IN PEOPLES LIVES AND THE BANKS SELL OFF OR HIRE SOMEONE ELSE TO HANDLE IT IN THE INTERIM. IF U OWE THE MAFIA CASH, YOU DONT GET TO DECIDE WHICH GOON COMES TO YOUR DOOR. THE ONLY REASON U GOT CALLED BY ANY OF THESE GOONS IS THE FACT THAT YOU OWE THE MAFIA CASH! MAN UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR GOOD NAME. YOU WILL NEED THAT GOOD NAME ONE DAY. BROSEPH!! MY CREDIT WAS BAD CUZ I HAD TO TAKE CARE OF A SICK RELATIVE. SHE IS PASSED AND NOW I NEED TO RE ENTER THE WORLD. I LIVED ON MY CARDS FOR ALMOST A YEAR. HOW CAN I TURN MY BACK ON THEM?? P.S.....STAY AWAY FROM DISCOVER BANK

^----- (post above this one) Yep, looks like I called it - in my limited experience with organizations like this, someone always seems to happen along, oh-so-conveniently, and add a glowing review of the organization in question. They also tend to describe how helpful the company has been while denigrating themselves and their original creditors/contract holders (if either ever existed in the situation). (I won't risk assumptions by claiming that they are absolutely paid employees of the company, but I've seen several other posters on sites like this, as well as news articles, describing techniques by similar companies in imitating satisfied customers/participants on sites such as this. If you are being contacted erroneously, please contact your state's attorney general, the FTC, or your local authorities to file a complaint (and warn others against potential frauds/scams) - debt collection isn't pleasant for anyone, but there are legitimate companies doing this work, and they tend to follow the rules (if they last in the field), and companies working outside the FDCPA and other laws only complicate matters. If you do happen to owe an outstanding debt, work with the original creditor/contract holder, trustworthy legal counsel, or an accredited debt counselor to resolve the matter. Also, do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with the FDCPA:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Debt_Collection_Practices_Act

You have rights, and you are entitled to legal recourse if you are being harassed. Once again, I'll predict that we'll see more comments of the "AWSOME SURVICE DUDES"- and "STUPD LIRES JUS NEED 2 PAY BLLS"-variety in this number entry. As an aside, do these individuals feel that they're camouflaging their planted comments by using poor grammar/spelling and ALL CAPS BROSEPH?

DUDES......I JUST FINISHED CLEANING UP MY CREDT WHICH TOOK 9MONTHS TO DO. MY 2ND TO LAST ACCT WAS WITH THIS COMP,CMS AND BY THE TIME I GOT AROUND TO IT, I HAD BEEN SERVED WITH A SUMMONS TO APPEAR IN COURT. I SEARCHD MY VM WHICH I DONT NORMALLY DO AND FOUND THAT THEY CALLED ME A MONTH PRIOR. I WAS ABLE TO NOT ONLY AVOID GOING TO COURT BUT GOT A SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNT OFF OF WHAT I WAS EVENTUALLY GOING TO GET GARNISHED FOR. NY STATE IS NO JOKE!! WHAT I LEARNED IS THE BANKS ARENT WILLING TO "WORK" WITH YOU EVER. THE AGENCIES ARE WHERE ITS AT. THE MESSAGE LEFT WAS A LITTLE STRONG BUT I BORROWED THE CASH SO WHO AM I TO COMPLAIN WHEN THEY ASK FOR IT BACK. IVE GROWN IN THE PROCESS AND LEARNED NOT TO BORROW FROM DISCOVER BANK. THE TRIED TO FEE ME TO DEATH!!