I rec'd two letters from MRC stating that I owed 10,000.00 plus 3,500.00 in interest but would settle for 6000.00, signed by a Lee Stern, Account Representative.  I was given a deadline in which I did not pay.  

Don't let them harass you into making any kind of payments.  I looked up this phone number and realized that this company
is a scam.  877-254-2285.

The return address given is PO Box 546, DeKalb, IL 60115.

Informational Post:
Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf

And see:

http://800notes.com/forum/ta-86217073a9c8dad/ ... 077595690349410
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http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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http://800notes.com/arts/Jb8EW-eDhQA/harassin ... ou-need-to-know
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Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
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A Collection Agent May Not?

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.
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Extortion Scam Related to Delinquent Payday Loans

Washington, D.C.
December 07, 2010  FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

? filed under: Press Release

The Internet Crime Complaint Center has received many complaints from victims of payday loan telephone collection scams. Callers claim the victim is delinquent in a payday loan and must repay the loan to avoid legal consequences. The callers purport to be representatives of the FBI, Federal Legislative Department, various law firms, or other legitimate-sounding agencies. They claim to be collecting debts for companies such as United Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Advance, U.S. Cash Net, and other Internet check-cashing services.

According to complaints received from the public, the callers have accurate data about victims, including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, employer information, bank account numbers, and the names and telephone numbers of relatives and friends. How the fraudsters obtained the personal information varies, but in some cases victims have reported they completed online applications for other loans or credit cards before the calls started.

The fraudsters relentlessly call the victim?s home, cell phone, and place of employment. They refuse to provide any details about the alleged payday loans and become abusive when questioned. The callers have threatened victims with legal actions, arrests, and, in some cases, physical violence if they do not pay. In many cases, the callers harass victims? relatives, friends, and employers.

Just got a letter from MRC after 2 weeks of threatening phone calls threatening to have a warrant issued for my arrest to Simmons being served at my home or work. They started out saying I owed a $200 payday loan with penalties and court cost it's up to $770.98. Now this letter offered me a ONE-TIME offer to pay in full $69.14. I guess they figure I'd be happy to pay the low amount to be rid of them. But I DON'T OWE THEM A PENNY. Anyone that gives these people any credit / debit card or bank information is probably in for a world of hurt. I wouldn't pay them a dime. It's ascam and direct violation of the FDCPA.

Debt collector- MRC company

got the same call.  basically called him back and punked him.  he said i owed a debt and it could impair my chance of getting a new house, (which im in the process of buying).  I told him my loan already went through so this mysterious "balance" must be miniscule or not exists.  he said well my credit may not effect my ability to buy a house.  um.....what???? of course it does.  told him to go ahead and list my account as failure to pay and take my name off his calling list.  hes a scam artist.  what a bunch of dumb f**ks mrc is , lol.  ive been busting them the past couple years.

Just got a call from this company today. Was told to call 877 254 2285 ext 105. The call came from 8156766087. Thank you all for all the info. I don't owe any money But still glad to know Iit isnt just me.

No you didn't.  Your a liar

Ive NEVER EVER had a loan and they keep calling me. 815-676-0478  they are blocked on my phone got a vm to call back to

mrc 877-254-2285 111

I keep getting call from this company...sick of it!

Call from MRC. Message gave 607-216-9532 or 877-254-2285 as callback numbers. Caller id gives 512-647-1000.

Prolly not her personal number. Think before you type

They keep calling and asking for a person who doesn't live  here and I have called them back MANY times but no one answers.

Got a call from this number today for someone i never heard of.
the idiot left this number  877-254-2285 BUT called from her own residential number
Brook Summit, 607-216-9532 . Really are you that dumb?

I have had three calls from MCR in a row on a debt that does not exist. I suggest to everyone reading this post read the FTC rules and find out the satutute of limitations on credit card debt in your state. Also, read Clark Howard's advice on line. There is great information out there to protect yourself.

Don't trust MRC they will force you to pay money you do not owe then sell your information. i just had a 3 year court fight with them.

I just got a call from Jason @ MRC and he said it was very important that I call him back. im glad I typed in the phone number first and read these comments fisrt.

Now if I could figure out how they got my number...

I got a message from a "Lee" from "MRC" at this number, extension 115. He said it was "very important" but was ambiguous about why. That immediately made me suspicious, probably a debt collector sniffing out long-written off college debt from 20 years ago.! I will not even engage in a convo.

I recieved call and email from MRC telling me I owe a Payday Loan I told them I do not owe the money and I have recepts for all my loans. They called me at work.

Trying to find out who owns this number.

Call from this number looking for someone who doesn't live here and someone whose whereabouts of which I have no knowledge.  I consider the call to be a harrassing call.