Just got a call from this number,  I am on the Do Not Call list, and will not call them back.  

877-533-6998 belongs to a collection agency. The company is something like Els Effca

Called me two times on my cell at 7:00am. Woke me up. I did not answer, as I didn't know the number. No message left, so it must either be unimportant, wrong number, or a bogus call. So tired of these people.

Someone name Lee Thomas keeps calling and trying to track me down, Why? If it is an important issue state what your business concerns and where you work.

I got a call from Tony Madina. They were using my maiden name I havent gone by for over 15 years.  I used to work in telecommunications when I was a teenager.  We were told to give the people we call a fake first and last name.  This guy's name is not Tony, its his alias when calling people.  You dont deal with them ever.  You wait until they take you to court for the student loans.  If they are calling you for student loans, chances are your credit is already f*cked, so whats a few more years of waiting. Lol

What responsibilities? Some a***ole gave MY phone number to a student loan company when applying for a loan and it's my responsibility how?

i get about 2-8 calls a day from collection agents i'm not at fault i goit a bad number the lowlife who had my
number before me has many unpaid loans so they call and say they won't call again but they do sometimes as late as 10pm some threaten me if i don't put so and so on the phone if i knew these ppl the ones who ran up all these debts i kick there a** in

school loan debt collector

I have received a call from this number on 3/26/14, 4/8/14, and 4/10/14.  Left a message one time.. could barely even understand what in the world they were saying.  Comes up as unknown each time.

I'm sure they are looking for elderly and unsuspecting people to pray on. When you give them some static they move on

This place called me left a message, I called back, definitely scamers. As soon as I told them I suspected they were a scam they said I wasn't the person they were looking for (debt collection) I didn't even tell them who I was. I made it a point not to. I asked how did they know I wasn't the person that they were looking for, he said he has the information right in front of him. I said what information, he said he could only tell me that it wasn't me. I told him how, you dont even know who I am. He claimed that I told him my name was Larry at the beginning of the call, I said I dont even know any Larry. I'm not Larry and have had the same number for 20 years. These are scamers or complete idiots. Either way dont give them the time of day.

Excuse you douchecanoe, but clearly these people aren't just debt collectors.  I got a call from these people just today.  They hung up before I could answer, no message left, and I don't owe anyone any money.

Just answered a call from this 'Toll Free Caller'.
Woman said she was calling for a 'Walter Pimentel' or something similar.
She spoke quickly so it was hard to get a true name.
Said I had never heard of them - which is true.
She said they would update their records and hung up quickly.
I wonder if this is just a company building a list of phone numbers that people answer - so they can sell the list.
Can't be someone that used to have this number as I have had it since the exchange was created.
So many different stories on this board with no clear purpose for the call - other than to see if someone answered.
If is was really a debt collector (no debts here) that actually had this number listed it seems like they would ask more questions.  

They called me looking for someone else then after I told them it was the wrong number they called again like two minutes later asking for a different person then guess what. They called my dads phone also later in the day and said they were looking for me. This is way to messed up. Just keep hanging up on them.

Called &  they told me my birthdate I told them it was all wrong said that he was happy to take me off the list. Definitely a scam.. Very blunt and rude

I received a call from this number this evening, December 26, 2013.  I was told a name, which I did not hear nor remember, the name of a company, EOCC and asked if my name was, "$#%^&* he did not cuss, but, I am not even going to reveal the name he asked for.  I asked him, "What do you want?", he asked again if I was "$#%^&*, I asked in a louder voice, "What do you want?".  He asked again if I was "$#%^&*, I shouted at him, "what do you want?"   He started to repeat  himself again, I disconnected the phone and went back to what I was doing.
As far as what the purpose of the call was, I have no idea, we did not get far enough to ascertain that information.

Talk about deceptive and unfair business practices. People have absolutely no idea about who's calling and for sure didn't get a validation letter after contact. CCA, EOS CCA, Nationwide, Collecto. Must be one of their private water cooler jokes along with how they took down grandma and grandpa. Here's their headquarters and BBB report and it does have a section to report complaints.
http://www.bbb.org/boston/business-reviews/co ... rwell-ma-42183/

Not only hilarious but an EXCELLENT idea to boot ...

They are a collection agency. nothing to do with education so don't be misled. Spoke to Jonathan @ X-34329.
Trying to collect for citibank acct..

So here is how you play the game if they won't stop harrasing you.
Put an ad on craigslist, any city, cellphone section.
Reads:
For sale Iphone 4, white, 16gb memory, 1-yr old, GSM, A.T.T. service.  In great condition except for a cracked screen. Asking $225 obo. cash only!  Call Jonathan @ 1-877-533-6998  x-34329  
Thanks for looking!
Jonathan

Have fun!

They are a collection agency. nothing to do with education so don't be misled. Spoke to Jonathan @ X-34329.
Trying to collect for citibank acct..

So here is how you play the game if they won't stop harrasing you.
Put an ad on craigslist, any city, cellphone area.
Reads: For sale Iphone 4, white, 16gb memory, 1-yr old, GSM,A.T.T. service in great condition except for a cracked screen. Asking $225 obo. cash only! Call Jonathan @ 1-877-533-6998  x-34329  
Thanks for looking!
Jonathan

So I got a call today from Tina saying that she was with EOS CCA (the Department of Education).  She said I have a loan in default and I need to make a 4k + payment.  She kept asking me to verify my address and social which I would not... I explained that the only loans that I have are with Sally May and they are in a hardship deferment because the degree I got at Kaplan is not worth the paper it is written on.... furthermore Kaplan's "placement service" - non-existent.  So I am making less money per hour now than when I went to school.... She then proceeded to tell me my address and birthday and said "is that you?"  I said yes but I don't have any loans in default.  She said if that was true I needed to fax her the paperwork showing this.  I took her info and the fax number then called Sally May.  They do not know who these people are and said give them no information.  I called the number back to see where it would go (is it a true scam)... guess what!  It is EOS CCA.  So I told them I would not be sending them any info and why... 4 transfers later (oh and Tina would not speak to me), I was told it was a direct loan from Kaplan.  LIE... the only loan I had with Kaplan was paid off after I graduated.  I know this because they held my diploma hostage until I paid everything in full. Next call - Department of Education and Kaplan.  

They are a hired collection agency for student loans that have gone to default.  I have one and began contacting the original collection agency that had my loan.  They have stopped calling me, but I was trying to fix my financial problems.  It was shipped back to department of education.  I talked to them, but it took me a while to start paying them.  If you pay your student loan payments in 9 straight, your loan gets out of default, which opens help.  Well, these guys got my loan and began calling, not me, but relatives to get in contact with me.

That's suck BS.  I've been a debt collector and I'll be honest that we all aren't making what that person is mentioning.  You have got to be kidding me.  I doubt you got the bonuses nor $60,000.  Those are the top sharks.  The top doesn't write/type like that.  Those sharks know how to manipulate.  They know how to deal with people.  You're acting like those children who only get a trill into acting like you have power.  

I also got this job through a friend who is doing this after he just file for bankruptcy.  He manage to get a better paying job... as a pizza delivery guy.  C'mon.  Stop lying... but you are who you are.

It's a hired collection agency for student loans that have gone into default.  Now the secrets out that a family member or relative has fell into hard times and can't pay.  Who knows who else they've called asking for them.  

For those who have a student loan that has gone to default, it's best to contact them or answer there calls so you can at least touch base and they won't try calling anyone else.

If you have credit card/debt collectors calling you, the best thing is to not ignore them.  Leaving them in the dark will only make it worst.  Just tell them the truth.  If you're unemployed and can't find a job, tell them.  If they're rude, they're rude.  You can always hang up.  Not communicating to them to make sure they know you know will only complicate things where courts are involved.  

Debt collector on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of Education (I.e., school loans).

10-18-13  received call from 877-533-6990 It was "Lance" looking for someone in particular.  Bogus all around.  Delete message and get on with business of living ;-)

they called a friends number looking for me but i never gave there number to anyone i don't even know my friends number now i am not callint the 877 number don't trust it.

I received a call today from the number..1-877-533-6998...They asked for my ex. husband who I divorced in 1982 !...I was taken by surprise because I have not seen him since than and honestly he rarely comes into mind...to receive a call from this number about an ex. was really really weird .  I was so shocked all I could say was ..I have not seen him since our divorce in 1982. ...the man said  "sorry" will remove your name"...I hung up.

They called looking for my Mother In Law.  She has never lived here, or been at this number and passed away almost 30 years ago.  Absolute rubbish.

we did the same thing...they are trying to make commission...contact the student loan company directly to avoid the fees. Feel sorry for the students they scam!