Nobody will tell me who they are at this number.

I got a call today from a Carly Blackwell (she will tell you Carly is spelt with a 'C', I couldn?t stop myself from laughing when she told me this) they asked for my husband. I told them "he cannot be reached at this number" she said "I am calling from CRA offices and he has some very important paperwork that needs to be filled out that he may be unaware of" I asked her "What type of paper work is it" She said "Can he call me right now! This is an emergency" I told her "I'll tell you what an emergence is- and this CALL is s***, so until you give me more info you won?t get answers or even a call" And she hung up on me. We have no outstanding credit issues so I KNEW this had to be some sort of SCAM. We never receive calls from 877 numbers or any other number. MY issues are the bi*** is rude and THEY somehow have OUR cell number. Not happy about that! lol

they have been calling me a few times a day for a while now leaving fairly hostile messages, so I started calling back today demanding to talk to the f***'n B***ch that keeps F***'n calling me and nobody would let me talk to her, go figure, so I called back every five minutes pretty much all day until they blocked all three of my numbers.  now if I call from one of my phones it says the number is no longer in service, so, just putting it out there, they probably wont call anymore and it is sorta entertaining

I just got a call from Carly Blackwell, my husband text me at work, saying she said it was Urgent she spoke to me immediately. I didn't recognize the company, so looked it up..I'm sure it is something legit that I owe, but to make it "urgent', come on, my husband was worried.

I received a call yesterday afternoon from 'Molly'.  I did not answer because I don't answer phone numbers I do not know.  She left a message on my voicemail stating I or my representative had until the end of the afternoon to contact them.  The woman seemed to be outside and high on something.  
I have never heard of CRA.  And, I recently pulled my credit report with nothing on it.  Needless to say, they will not be receiving a return call from me.  
BTW, the number she called from was 1-864-649-9008.

I kept getting calls on my cell phone from these losers looking for a guy named Eric.  I've had my cell phone number for 7 years, so it's either an extremely old debt or somebody gave out a bogus number.  I called them and told them to take me off their list.  Then I had a new voicemail message from them.  So I called again and I told some guy who identified himself only as "Mr. Gibson" to take me off their list.  He was very rude and said I had already called them and was no longer on their list and demanded to know what date the voicemail was left for me.

I was annoyed so I called back and asked to speak with a supervisor.  This time a "Mr. so-and-so" (I forget his name) answered.  He wanted me to identify myself before he'd let me speak with a supervisor.  I told them that they were the ones who were annoying me and that they acted like dicks and no, I'm not going to give them my name so that they can harass me.  

I get put through to a supervisor who also identifies himself as Mr. whoever.  He demands that I identify myself - after all, he has identified himself.  So I said he has failed to identify himself because he won't divulge his first name.  So he makes up a first name.  Then he says he's going to hang up on me because I won't identify myself.  So I called him an 'f-ing c-sucker' and hung up.

These guys are a bunch of jerks.  They're the ones making the mistake - looking for a complete different person - and yet they act like I'm the one in the wrong.

I too just recieved a call from a company using the 757-271-1043 and asked to speak to my husband.  And gave me a number for him to return their call to a 877-311-7739 and ask for a Carly Blackwell.  And she hung up on me.  How RUDE.....I tried calling back and of course they didn't want to talk to me, and that's ok, They said that he can either call them or have his lawyer....I'm like ok, and whatever....They will never get info from me and will never talk to him,  Since they are calling my phone.

I just had the same issue. They were calling for my mom on my Cell phone (no unlimited minutes) i told them i would have her call them when she was awake since she is on medication and cannot wake up fully when on it. She said well ok and procedes to tell me what they were calling for and that she had to call back today to settle the debit. I told them I would have to speak to her. the women continued with well you told me you have power of attorney which i had not. Then she started with " oh now you are changing on me" I told her I never said that and I need to speak to your manager. she also said she is a manager and asked why i wanted to speak to them and went on and on and said call your mom and have her call back by 5pm then hung up on me.
Not once was I being uncoopertive I was asking where the payments have to be sent and I told her I would have to make sure this was a legitimate claim before any payments are made.
Seems like a scam to me.
877 311-7739 from CRA don't remember her name now.

Today, May 20th I got a called from this same company CRA Location Division calling for my mother!!! Who does not live in my house. Never has. The "Mrs Earl" who called was rude and would not give me any information as to why she was calling other than she needs to speak with my mother regarding some very important papers she received from my mother and needed to speak with her. None of this makes any sense. I don't know how they got my work number so it prompted me to go online researching the number 877-311-7739 she provided along with the company (which seems to be non-existent) and discovered this blog site. The number that came up on my caller id was 757-271-1043. This is madness. From reading what others have written, something needs to be done. I'm going to look further into this.

These people called my house asking for my daughter who has never lived at this address. The woman was extremely rude, and said she HAD to talk to her today. My daughter has been stupid with her money in the past but has cleaned up her act big time in the past 2 years and has a really high credit score. My phone number(s) also are on the 'opt-out' list and no one should be contacting me (even tho I think that whole thing is a joke as well because lately I'm getting more solicitor calls then ever). How can we stop these people? This is ridiculous.

I got a call from a Ms Temple at the offices of CRA today. They are looking for my daughter who has never lived here and claimed it was a "vital personal matter". Ms Temple said they would discuss it with her if she'd call back and provide information to confirm her identity and place of residence. This is the third call from these guys. This time Ms. Temple insinuated it was some kind of health related personal matter.

Two things about this are irritating- I work for a legit company known as CRA- Conestoga-Rovers and Assoc. we are environmental engineers throughout the US and Canada and the real CRA is a very upstanding company. These scammers are trashing the real CRA's good name.

Second these scam artists are intentionally irritating just to get you to call them.

a man called me stating that his was name Matthew Ward fron Cra in reference to a debt i knew nothing about and yelling at me telling me to give him my infromation so that i could clear a debt from 2002 that's not on my credit report and that he couldnt give me information on unless i provided him with this information

they are JUNK DEBT BUYERS - they buy worthless legally uncollectable debts for pennies and then break state and federal laws to collect.  THEY CANNOT PROVE YOU OWE THEM ANYTHING

THIS IS WHAT CRA STANDS FOR

http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/consumer_recovery.htm
Consumer Recovery Associates
aka Consumer Credit Association
aka CR & Associates
and the world's most grating phone numbers:

866-857-3916
866-499-6608
888-253-9713
866-563-9556
888-413-8823
877-360-1616   800-913-4915
757-368-3622
757-368-8004
757-368-8331
757-271-8788
866-418-3360


2697 International Parkway # 4   Suite 270
Virginia Beach, Virginia  23452
PO BOX 2916, VB, VA 23450

Head Debt Collectors:
Christine Spruill       Mr. Parker          Mr. K C Scott

Peter Brunson           Conrad Grey       Jane

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

1-866-857-3916 is one of those irritating numbers that show up on your caller ID that can never seem to be identified.   When you return the call, you get the ominous "Can I help you?" or "Case number please."  They refuse to identify who they are when questioned, will not state they are debt collectors, and by tone imply you have committed some illegal act and are in great trouble or they would not have called you.  It is a violation of FDCPA.  It took quite a bit of research and cunning to discover whom the voices were behind the lawbreaking 866 number were...but it's coming together now and they are without excuse.

Give us your stories on CRA and let's put together some useful information to bring these folks down.  Record their calls where legal and save the tapes for future use.  We'll post 'em here if you have something of interest.

In the meantime, hold them to the law; make them put everything in writing, validate the debt.  Use the cease-communication letter.  Violations of the law should be pointed out to the Virginia Attorney General.

CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.



THE CORRECT WAY TO HANDLE COLLECTION CALLS AND ILLEGAL TACTICS
HANDLE IT CORRECTLY AND THEY WILL END UP PAYING YOU

READ DEALING WITH DEBT COLLECTORS, RECORDING CALLS AND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS BY STATE
you can also post your questions here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php
link to attorneys for those being scammed www.naca.net or http://www.consumerjustice.com/consumer/searchattorneys.aspx
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm
    
Statute of Limitations by State ? always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm


Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website ? FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you?re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor?s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation?s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn?t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they?re told (orally or in writing) that you?re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter ? even if you don?t think you owe the debt, can?t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don?t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector ? in writing ? to stop contacting you. Here?s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a ?return receipt? so you?ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don?t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people ? but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written ?validation notice? telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don?t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don?t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don?t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
    use threats of violence or harm;
    publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    use obscene or profane language; or
    repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    misrepresent the amount you owe;
    indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren?t; or
    indicate that papers they send to you aren?t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
    you will be arrested if you don?t pay your debt;
    they?ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don?t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
    give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn?t; or
    use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt ? or your state law ? allows the charge;
    deposit a post-dated check early;
    take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don?t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don?t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don?t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
    Social Security Benefits
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
    Veterans? Benefits
    Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Service Members? Pay
    Military Annuities and Survivors? Benefits
    Student Assistance
    Railroad Retirement Benefits
    Merchant Seamen Wages
    Longshoremen?s and Harbor Workers? Death and Disability Benefits
    Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can?t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney?s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector?s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General?s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General?s office can help you determine your rights under your state?s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government?s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad
February 2009

File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY ? use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE?S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!
    
Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies ? report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

The call this morning was from CRA, a Mrs. Merrill asking for my husband.  They call every few months regarding (though they never say it) a very ill-advised payday loan I made with VIP for $400. They never sent me any paperwork at all and, though I paid back the $400 borrowed,  I found out that they had debited more like $800 from my account. My bank got me back the $400, when I filed a fraud report. I had tried to access their website to get a phone number and it no longer existed. The only reason I did this was that I started getting harrassing phone calls from CRA stating that I hadn't even begun to pay off the $400 loan and that the $800 was merely interest. I accessed the CA Attorney General department that registers and regulates such payday loan businesses, and they were not registered in California.  Anyway, I can't believe how insulting these idiots are. Get caller ID and do not answer before checking the number first. If you pick-up

I called the Company and was connected to someone who gave his name as Mr. Deer. When I inquired what the company CRA was, he said it isn't an acronym. So the company is called 'Cra' aparently. At any rate I asked him why they had called and he said they handled five different subdivisions and he didn't know which one had called me and then asked for information (my name etc.). I didn't give a name and pressed him further about the nature of the company. When he acused me of being evasive, I said he had called me and was being equally evasive. He hung up on me.
I called back, suprisingly got Mr. Deer again and was told that if I continued to harass them they would take legal action. Again he hung up.
I called back again, again Mr. Deer. I asked for his supervisor and he said he was the department supervisor (doubtful since he is answering the phones). Finally I gave my home phone number since they had already called it. He confirmed they were calling and trying to get in touch with my wife. When asked why, he said it was confidential information, but if they couldn't get in touch with her they would be sending information to the I.R.S. I'm pretty sure it was a debt collector, but they were very rude and evasive so I'm blocking their number.
Originall Caller : Molly at 1-877-311-7739
When Called back: Mr. Deer

These people called my parents house and told my Dad that they had some important paperwork for me to fill out. I have no idea who they are and if they want money from me they have to send me proof of a debt that I owe and are trying to collect for. I hope they don't try to call again because I won't give them ANY personal information!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a new phone number for a debt collection co. They use several numbers local and out of state. The person that called was Nancy and called my previous employer and was extremely rude and again had my last name wrong.  THey have called before I have called them back and was very rude to the employer and tried to get me to verify information they supposedly had. I would not verify anything. I told them if its a valid debt to send me something in writing nothing has been sent. They obviously have an address of some sort yest can't veriy anything, I have filed a formal complaint against this company and they are still trying to contact me for a debt that doesn't belong to me.  The number they called from today was 757-271-1043 nothing came up for a name just a number. Beware this company is a fraud company. Do not give out any of your information. Do not verify anything if its a real debt they will have all the information and this company has none. FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD...