Got one call this morning about 8:30 a.m.  No message, but this Academy Collections or Monarch or whoever they are now, were calling me back in 2009 for 7 months.  They were looking for someone else.  They sometimes leave messages like the other posters: "If you are not this person, hang up.  By listening to this message, you acknowledge you are this person."  Bull!  I never did answer it.  At one point, I turned the ringer off.

They call from multiple 800 numbers, and sometimes East Coast area codes.

I get a call from these people at least twice a day.  I just called and spoke to a very nice gentleman who assured me my number would be removed from their list...especially since I am NOT the person they have been trying to reach.  We'll see how this goes.  I'm going to lose it if they call again tomorrow.

Looks they have changed their name now from Academy to Monarch - but thats all that has changed. They still call non-stop and wont take you off the list - even when you tell them you are not the person they are trying to reach

they called my 9 yr old sons number when I asked why they were calling and requested that they give me the name of there company they said that they were not allowed to but if they were to call back I was to tell them not to call this all is very strange and not acceptable I will b looking into this very intensely.

Spoke with Joanna Perez (name given) on January 14th, at 8:18am. She refused to give me any information about her company, including my request for her company address, telling me she was not allowed to give out that information (address, company name etc). She did finally identify herself as working for "Academy". When I informed her I was well within my rights to request this information, she said she would call back and hung up.

calling me without leaving a message....who is this?

This is a 3rd party hired by a collections company to verify if the phone number works.  If some one picks up then they know the number is valid and so begings incessant collection calls.  Best thing to do is ignore any and all numbers you do not recognize and if they don't leave a VM then it must not be that important

I have been getting called alot from this number even late at night and on weekends never answered and they did not leave any message

These people called me for the first time today, they left a message in the middle of leaving the message the woman started laughing, didn't finish giving the call back number and then it went to hold music! Not sure what they are calling about but that sounds VERY unprofessional to me! They did say it was a debt collection, but how am I supposed to take a debt collector seriously when they start laughing while leaving a message and then send it to hold before finishing their message? Was going to call back to find out what they wanted but...no such luck, they can't be serious in calling me, I can't be serious in wasting my cell phone minutes calling them back!

This company keeps calling for a William Wells who doe not live in this state.  He lives in Panama City Beach Florida.  My husband has called and asked you to stop calling our home.  I insist that you do the same.

My caller ID shows a different company name than Academy. The ID says Monarch Recorer. This is the second call, I think. I didn't check caller ID the first time, but the caller claimed to be from a legal office in reference to a lawsuit. I was asked if I was so-and-so from a different address. I said that it was not my address and then was asked if the last 4 digits of my social security number was ****, which it wasn't.
     That was a few weeks ago. This morning at 8:01am I was called again with a request to verify the same info. This caller would not tell me who she represented so I had a little fun with her to waste her time. But, I did tell her she had the wrong party, and the address she gave was not mine.
    Interestingly enough, I Google searched my phone number, which is listed, and found my name, my wife's name and our address. It should be easy for a collection agengy to verify this information without calling.
    I'll just add that neither caller was at all rude. Today's call was a tad pushy, but not rude.

quit calling me.

Same as everybody elses post above received a TOLL FREE CALL caller id call with a pre-recorded message for a person who does not live here saying if this is not so and so do not listen any further, but if you do not disconnect now this will be considered an accepted call. They never identify any company name just say it is a debt collection left on an answering machine. So if nobody is home and an answering machine answers regardless of being a wrong number called this is considered an accepted call? No wonder there is so many complaints on this unscrupulous company.

I am a teenager, therefore I don't answer these stupid calls. This is ridiculous. I am on the DO NOT call list. I even called a number when I first got this phone that was supposed o keep the collection services away. That sure didn't work. They need to get the right numbers and not call random people. Do thy call people from all over the us? Or is it just certain are codes??

Thank you VERY much for all of that information. I will be gathering my information and making calls.

HERE'S THE ADDRESSES THEY REFUSED TO GIVE YOU - they do it on purpose so you cannot file formal written disputes.  

also - info on HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS CORRECTLY!  READ Dealing with Debt Collectors , Statute of Limitations and recording calls.  DO IT NOW

They have recently been sued by the FTC for their illegal debt collection tactics - ITS IMPERATIVE YOU REPORT THEM TO THE FTC so they know they are still breaking the law!


http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/academy_collections.htm
Academy Collection Service, Inc.
10965 Decatur Road
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154-3210
Phone: 800-220-0605
800- 441-6881        800-503-3852
Local:  215-281-7500      215-992-8966
Fax: (215) 281-7512
Call Center:
9350 Ashton Road, #1
Philadelphia, PA 19114
(215) 698-1308   Las Vegas:
750 Pilot Road, Suite #A
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 889-3180

and Belmont, California 940002
Web Address: www.academycollection.com
Head Debt Collectors:
Keith Dickstein, CEO

Janet Miller, Secretary, Treasurer


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

Consumer Comments Below



Bud Says

Like most debt collection agencies, Academy Collection Service makes more money when they DON?T abide by the law as detailed in this email from a former employee:

Subject: Academy Collection Service (Email From A Collector)11/08/04 Email:  ??I felt compelled to write this letter to you after having read some of the information you have provided online regarding Academy Collection Service?  ?I was employed as a collector at Academy from **/**/ thru */**/ when I was fired. The reasons for my being terminated had everything to do with my unwillingness to violate FDCPA regulations as I was expected to at Academy?  ?Every word I have read about Academy online (all of it very negative) is completely accurate. I began keeping an informal log of each time I witnessed an FDCPA violation, other crimes being committed in the office, unethical/illegal demands placed on collectors by management, etc., and I stopped after reaching 150 violations in less than one week.?   ?We (the collectors) were regularly provided with written instructions on how to perform our duties which fell within FDCPA guidelines and then immediately thereafter given verbal instructions which were in direct contradiction to the written instructions.?    ?All collectors were not only expected, but required to do or say absolutely anything required to collect the most money from debtors as quickly as possible regardless of the law while at the same time it was understood that if a collector received a complaint from the Attorney General Office or other agencies we would not received our commissions on that particular account and would possibly be required to pay a fine. I saw a more than one instance in which collectors were fired for having received a complaint (these collectors were doing and saying the same things everyone did literally hundreds of times each day).?   ?After seeing people lose their jobs or being financially penalized through a variety of methods by Academy management personnel and because of the fact that I needed my job very much, I was afraid to violate the law as was expected for fear of losing my job. Academy management immediately began to penalize me financially for my "lack of compliance" and I was eventually fired because of it.? ?I worked as a collector for about six years before leaving the business in the early 1990s and earlier this year returned to collections work obtaining employment at Academy. In my previous collections jobs I worked at reputable firms and I never felt like the "bad guy" in fact in general I had a good, positive and well-working relationship with the debtors with whom I had regular contact. I have never been employed at a place like Academy Collection Service before. It is a nightmare of a place that I never imagined could be doing business the way they are because of existing laws and regulations covering third-party collections.?   ?The other crimes being committed on a daily basis were just as mind boggling to me: drug dealing and drug use definitely being at the top of the list -- all being done very openly and with the knowledge of all who work there.?   ?Academy management regularly demanded it's collectors to change dates of deposit on posted-dated check-by-phone payments in order to look better and appear more productive to their clients. How were they able to do that in this day and age?...I supposed that to a degree I am a disgruntled employee (or ex-employee) but the daily routine at Academy Collection Service is extremely bad and very illegal and something needs to be done about it as well as about some of the collectors employed there who are honest and law-abiding people of quality who work in fear and are being manipulated into unethical and illegal collection practices in order to prevent severe financial penalties being imposed on them by Academy management or the loss of their job.? J*

Lawlessness and drug use are two common complaints we receive on most collection agencies. Academy owners Keith Dickstein and Janet Miller have never shown us any efforts being used to clean up their dirty house.

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.  


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

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/start.html


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

Caller did not leave a message, just hanged up when unanswered.

After answering call recorded message stated they were looking for a certain individual.  If I was that person, press 1, if not press 2.  After pressing 2, I was asked to press 1 if I wanted to be put them on hold, press 2 if I wanted to wait to talk to someone, press 3 if I was not this person.  

Unreal how many of these call for OTHER people we have been getting lately.  Are there that many desperate collection agencies?

These people called me on my cell phone on Saturday 10/24 twice with a different number. Second time left voice message stating to hang up if I am not the person they are seeking, if I continued to listen I would admit to being this person.  How they could tell from the voice mail is beyond me.  So, today they are calling with this new number.  If I answer, this is minutes on my phone.  I DO NOT use my cell phone for any business, I DO NOT owe anyone anything, AND I AM on the DO NOT CALL list.  So much for our government doing anything that works in this world today.  So, guess I will go report to the government list and see how far that goes.

These people have been calling for over three months, sometimes more than seven times a day. The first time I answered I went through an automated system during which I chose the "this person does not live here option." They stopped calling for about two days, then started again. Tonight they called, I answered, and I chose the same option again. This time it led me to speak with a real human who did not seem to know that he was answering for some sort of service...he greeted me by saying "Yeah?" I notified him that HIS agency had called ME. I explained that the person they're looking for does not live here. He said they would remove me from their list. Five minutes after I hung up with him, they called again. Looks like I'll have to go back to completely ignoring their calls again.

Same as Jim and Ding and just about everyone above.  They call for a completely wrong individual and of course you have to go through the hassle of calling back and telling them to take you off.  The guy I spoke to said it would take 24 hours to remove as well.  I have no debts so what is there to collect?!

These people call 7 days a week starting at 8 a.m. and have called as late as 9:30 p.m. Sometimes every 15 minutes. They alternate between my cell and landline. I can't believe they can do that. IF I answer, they are rude and hateful. They just keep saying they are trying to collect a debt. They avoid telling me from who with their snotty attitudes until I get mad and hang up. Their website says "Ethical, courteous and professional revenue recovery..."  WHAT A CROCK!

rude ruder and rudest people..they have called my cellphone -twice- looking for a Richard...I called the number back and finally got a young lady named Lisa Craven who was very helpful--unlike the first 2 reps that hung on me...She stated she made arrangements to have calls stopped in 24 hours..hope so...

Biggest scumbag collection agency of them all.  Holds the record for largest fine ever by FTC !!

this number is for "ACADEMY COLLECTION SERVICES." usually when they call they will tell you they are "ACADEMY SERVICES" but, it's the same place. They are a DEBT COLLECTOR NOT AN ATTORNEY. they play the name game alot trying to find whom ever they are trying to reach.
Some other numbers that they call from are: (856)668-4530, (800)220-0605, (215)281-7500, (856)668-4522  
Their website is: www.academycollection.com
Their address is: 10965 DECATUR RD PHILADELPHIA, PA 19154
Their fax number is: (215)281-7512

Hopefully this helps some
Good luck

Ding

Thanks to Jim for his info as it helped me try and identify who is calling my cell phone unsolicited.  The caller also says like if you are not Leota, hang up now or something to that effect.  If you stay on the line you are acknowledging you are Leota---which is a bunch of hogwash!  I've only known one Leota in my 70 years and it sure Is Not Me!!!

This is a debt collector.  Calls returned to this number get you a machine asking for a file number.  The file number is eight digits in length.  Incorrect file numbers get you sent to an operator.  After hours, no one will answer and you will sit listening to crappy music for ever.