No shills on this thread for the past week. No complaints about this number either. I'm now convinced it was a scammer spoofing this number and *not* Nationwide Credit Inc. Makes sense ? Nationwide seems to generate very few complaints for a collection agency. Nationwide does "first-party" collections for Amex, meaning they don't buy debt but rather collect the money and give it to Amex (minus their fee, one assumes) and I can't believe they'd risk losing an important client like American Express by engaging in the flagrant violations of law we saw in this thread (not to mention the potential legal consequences).

This case is the most clear-cut case I've seen of a scammer spoofing a genuine business phone number in their Caller ID. But they're probably still at it using someone else's phone number...

A very good possibility. Especially since none of the posters getting calls have mentioned anything but AMEX as the caller.

My gut feeling is that the calls in question don't come from Nationwide but rather some scammer spoofing Nationwide's phone number in their Caller ID.

THANK YOU, Sir!  That is EXTREMELY helpful information.  Just doing a QUICK check on Nationwide Credit, Inc., although I don't see anything recent from the FTC, it seems this company was no stranger to violating the FDCPA in the past.  

However, considering that ALL the posters that have identified the company here, has identified it as "AMEX," rather than Nationwide Credit, Inc.   Therefore, it seems they MAY NOT be identifying themselves under THEIR name and as a Collection Agency.


http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1998/10/nationwide.shtm  --  
For Release: October 6, 1998
One of Country's Largest Debt Collectors Agrees to Pay Record $1 Million Civil Penalty to Settle Charges of Violating Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Settlement Includes Comprehensive Consumer Complaint Handling, Employee Training
"Nationwide Credit, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia, has agreed to pay a $1 million civil penalty as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission to resolve allegations that the company violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The $1 million civil penalty is the largest ever in a debt collection case.  ....."
....."According to the FTC's complaint detailing the charges, Nationwide's collectors, on numerous occasions:
--called consumers at work when they knew the consumers' employers prohibited such calls;
--talked with third parties, including neighbors, children, and employers, for purposes other than acquiring location information about consumers, without consumers' consent;
--used obscene or profane language;
--caused the telephone to ring, or engaged a person in telephone conversations, repeatedly or continuously, with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass a consumer;
--falsely implied that failure to pay the debt could result in arrest, imprisonment, or garnishment of wages;
--threatened to take action -- such as filing a lawsuit -- when they did not intend to do so;
called consumers at times or places that they knew or should have known were inconvenient;
--failed to notify consumers of their right to dispute and obtain verification of their debts, and to obtain the name of the original creditor; and
--continued to try to collect debts after consumers disputed them in writing, and before Nationwide verified the debts.   ...."
+++++++there is much more info in the release+++++++++++

Apparently, Nationwide Credit Incorporated was no stranger to FTC fines.  
http://nobillsman.tripod.com/nci-cccbad.html
FOR RELEASE:  MAY 26, 1992
DEBT COLLECTOR AGREES TO PAY $100,000  TO SETTLE FTC CHARGES OF HARASSING, THREATENING CONSUMERS

[actually, this is the 3rd paragraph, but explains the connection]
"The FTC complaint names Nationwide Credit, Inc., doing busi-
ness as Credit Claims & Collections, of Atlanta, Georgia.  In
addition to the above alleged violations of the FDCPA, the FTC
charged that, on numerous occasions, Credit Claims employees have,
in violation of the act:..."

"Credit Claims & Collections, a debt-collection company, has
agreed to pay a $100,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade
Commission charges that it harassed and threatened consumers from
whom it was attempting to collect debts for clients.  According to
the FTC complaint, Credit Claims employees allegedly used obscene
language, threatened to use violence, contacted consumers at their
jobs, let the telephone ring repeatedly at their homes, and
falsely implied that they were affiliated with the government,
among other alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act (FDCPA).   ..."


http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/directory/nationwide-credit-inc?&pg=1
6 complaints ranging from August, 2008 to August, 2013

I haven't read the Complaint details on the BBB but they have given the company an A+ rating, with
"104 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 27 closed in last 12 months"
http://www.bbb.org/atlanta/business-reviews/c ... atlanta-ga-6231#  
Nationwide Credit, Inc.
Find a Location *** looks as if they have several in several different states
Phone: (800) 456-4729
Fax: (770) 612-7335
2002 Summit Blvd Ste 600, Atlanta, GA 30319-1559
http://www.ncirm.com

Alternate Business Names
Nation for Direct TV, Nationwide Credit, Nationwide Credit Incorporated, Nationwide Credit Services, NCI
(this info also from the BBB site)


I'm sure there is more that can be found, but this was just based on a very quick search.

Even if it were in arrears, I'd call the # on back of the card, just to be sure I'm making arrangements with someone AMEX HAS AUTHORIZED to deal with such things!

I just called American Express. This phone number belongs to "Nationwide Credit Incorporated" who actually do some collection for American Express. In other words, it's not American Express but it is a collection agency that sometimes works for them.

Given the misinformation and the shill posts appearing in this thread we can conclude that either this company is breaking several laws in making collections or that scammers are spoofing this number to make it appear that calls are coming from this company.

You clearly didn't comprehend the post you're responding to: No credit card company will ever accept 0.1% monthly payment on a $30,000 debt (or any debt). It would *never* be paid off at that rate. You are a liar and a fraud.

Jerk,

Thanks for the advice, but my suggestion is that anyone who gets a phishing call from this number and who does have an Amex card which is not in arrears or subject to collection call the number on the back of the card and inform them of the attempts. If they are uncooperative suggest that you are going to give their card a little vacation. Maybe wherever you come from mommies don't tell their kids that you go to hell for lying.

Here's for you

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKvhxapM5zo

Admin Edit: "It's a SUSPECT message!"
_________________________________

You are right! But my card was cancelled at turned over to collections. Even i was surprised, when they said they will accept $30.00. While i investigated furthur, i realised that they have freezed all interest and late fees from getting added to me card. So every $30.00 i was paying was getting reduced from my principle balance. This happens when our card gets charged off. And if you dont believe me, than try yourself. If you have a cancelled card and you get a call from this number, than i would recommend you answer the call and ask the callers name and extension number and then end the call. Call up the number behind your card and tell them you want to pay your debt. Your call will get transferred to the same department you spoke earlier. Ask for the person, whose name you took earlier and you will get him on that call!!! This was what i did, and thats why i said its a legitimate number.

Hope this clarifies all doubt..... And if you come across any different scenario, than please let me know!!!

It's illegal for an employee or affiliate to pose as a "satisfied customer" and post false testimonials.  It is a violation of FTC deceptive advertising regulations.    

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-11 ... ents-mary-engle

You're not just a liar, you're a criminal.

Now is a good time to point out to any newcomers who stumble upon this thread that even if this *is* a legitimate American Express number (and I'll check tomorrow) it's very easy for criminals to spoof their Caller ID information. In other words, they could make "877-516-0592" show up in Caller ID even though that's *not* the number they're calling from.

There are obviously some crooks using this technique with this number so if you receive a call you should immediately hang up and call the number on the back of your American Express card. If it's a legitimate call you'll have only another 30 seconds of inconvenience. If it's a scammer you'll save yourself a LOT of trouble and money.

Now let's see Jack, Lisa, Harry, etc try to cobble together some bizarre reasoning as to why you shouldn't do this...

I'm having a very difficult time believing your story.  Here's why:

"My balance is close to 30k and they gladly accepted $30..."  -- Are you seriously saying that AMEX is GLADLY taking only 0.1% of the balance as a minimum payment per month?  At 14.99% (average card) interest rate, the interest on $30k is about $374.75/mo.  As you are't making the usual credit card minimum of roughly 2.5% of the outstanding balance = $750.00/mo. minimum REQUIRED.

Yet, you say AMEX "gladly accepted $30."
Do you see why your post is HIGHLY suspicious?  ... Even with a "financial hardship," it doesn't make sense.  As I recall, AMEX wants their balances monthly IN FULL MONTHLY, or charge an OUTRAGEOUS interest rate, so 14.99% is probably MUCH lower than what you're being charged.

(I used your $30k, although it HAS to be rising significantly each month, with only a $30 payment being made.  Also, the interest would have been added, making it roughly $30.374.75.)

Ooh! Dead giveaway! SHILL!
This number must be a scam.

You get a Big A for that suggestion!

Well I think "Lisa" had a "Freudian Slip" when she said "she" works at 3 call centers.  

By the way, you guys really need to put a Scam classification under call types.

OOPS!! Should be $30000!  My bad.

Thanks for the catch.  I missed a zero!!

I think 30k is 30,000.00 so its even more unbeleivable.  I think most people recognize what I beleive you call shills.  They seem to think one or 2 good comments and many many bad ones will make some sort of difference.  If we were stupid we wouldn't have come to this site!!!!!

"i am not a liar. i just like to pay my bills...... Unlike You!!!" -- No, 99% of the people that are NOT shills on here, have no problem paying or making arrangements to pay a LEGITIMATE, VERIFIABLE DEBT.  However, unlike you, we do NOT consider someone calling on the phone and claiming to be AMEX claiming we have a debt to be LEGITIMATE OR VERIFIABLE PROOF of a debt.

It is because we DEMAND a Debt Validation Letter be sent through the US Mail that WE are NOT scammed.  But, if you prefer to simply take a caller's word of who they are and an alleged debt you owe, PLEASE feel free to post your telephone number.  I'm sure you'll find you have MANY "debts" you owe and will thoroughly enjoy paying!!  :-)

It's so thick I am running out of zingers!!   Where is "Shill-o-Way" when you need it??

Laughing... Well, I CAN imagine how badly your feelings are hurt that your cousin chose to VERIFY information you gave her, then found YOU WERE WRONG.  Guess that's going to make for tense family dinners, huh?

Now the true colors of these shills are coming out.  Accusations of us not paying our bills... typical shill nonsense.  The next thing I'm waiting for is the tired shill standby accusation that we are "professional debtors".

First, you are NOT my friend.  I deal with honest people.  Secondly, only a pathetic  person attacks others when they can't think of an honest job and third - I can spell and write a correct sentence.  Your last two words show your lack of intelligence.

Admin Edit: "It's a SUSPECT message!"
_________________________________

i am not a liar. i just like to pay my bills...... Unlike You!!!

Brilliant statement.  Those are initials, you rocket scientist!

Admin Edit: "It's a SUSPECT message!"
_________________________________

Well my friend, that was an arrangement offered to me based on my financial hardship. Anyways you would never understand coz you are probably amongst the ones who doesnt pay their bills and talks s*** when creditor calls..... [removed:lang]

Well isn't that a coincidence that several shills showed up all at the same time to post glowing reports about this number?

It was fine until all you liars turned up. This site really bugs scammers like you doesn't it?

Admin Edit: "It's a SUSPECT message!"
_________________________________

Whats the debate goin on here??? is it about my name?? well your DP shows your name too.......