I advise you NOT pay it until you get paperwork. The FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf treats the INITIAL CONTACT between collector and debtor (first call, first letter, first whatever) as a special event. Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for them, the FDCPA requires collectors to provide them), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER.
Note that 3,4,5 must be done *IN WRITING* so you will need to ask an address from your collector. If s/he refuses to give you one for any reason, treat the collector like a SCAMMER.
The collector can threaten court action at initial contact but the FDCPA requires that the collector actually take you to court if the collector threatens it. Threatening court and not going through with it (coercion) is illegal.
If they say the FDCPA does not apply to them because they own your debt, the debt-owner exemption only applies to the original owner. Any 3rd party who buys the debt for the purpose of collecting debt is treated as a debt collector, i.e., ownership is irrelevant and debt buyers must obey the FDCPA as explained in this FTC Staff Opinion letter here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/arbuckle.htm
Has the statute of limitations for your state http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html expired on your debt? If expired, don't pay.
Collectors generally have to be licensed by your state to practise (collect debt) in your state and you can find out by calling your state Attorney Generals Office. Ask if a license is required and does this collector have one. If not licensed, don't pay and file a complaint with your state AG.
Read useful debt-collection FAQs from the FTC here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
The debt collection process explained in plain English http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/fdcpa.html
Be aware that scammers are using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The FBI warns again http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releas ... nt-payday-loans
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php as appropriate.

So they called me today and it was sooo confusing. I dont even remember this or know if i really owe it. its not on my credit and they wont send paperwork so what shoud i do?

Typical of a phone warrior like yourself, most of you don't own up to being dirtbag collection agents, you just sneak around hoping you can get some loser to admit to debt they don't owe...

true the debt may have been valid at some point however the debt they called me about had been taken care of yet they still threatened to charge me with internet fraud and of the course the element of fear makes you agree to pay so i made arrangements to make weekly payments. after i confirmed that i had indeed covered this debt and told them  and asked them to cancel the "payment plan" they still threatened legal action this so called "mr. adams" got very rude with me and i may never see the money i had already paid
i received a letter today from the initial agency stating the the debt was paid in full which i plan to send registered mail with a cease and desist and demand for repayment

The "Mr Black" used by CCR Associates staff is likely a fictious name used by staff. The illigitmacy of their calls are designed to negatively reflect on the innocent and upset you enough so you'll phone them back. It is often regarding a name you've never even heard of and by these people phoning the manager where you live, your parents or employer about something or someone you know nothing about- they have succeeded at negatively reflecting on your repuation for no reason. They may be legitimately trying to locate someone with a debt, but should not be cold-calling strangers or leaving a waste of illegitimate doubt behind in their wake, regarding unrelated parties. That is unacceptable! You should refuse providing confidential information- resist phoning them back and instead, phone your State Attorney General with a complaint. Also be aware staff from companies like these will makes posts on various sites to further intimidate you. Don't fall for it. I'm not talking about avoiding a legitimate debt- I'm talking about not being in arrears on anything and refusing to answer phishing phone calls like this one, designed to capture your phone number or other private info.  Caller: CCR Associates

They said they were investigating a matter (but never said what and they needed) they expected a call  back from me or my legal representative  Before they pursured their lawsuit

Mr Quinn left a message saying there was a "check issue/credit report issue involvong my social security #... Probably another B/S call like the one I have received from another firm in NY, NY ..threatening messages and saying basically the same thing.

These people are calling me  regarding an friend and im not her messager they are scamming people  and im tired of the calls my collector dont do that

Don't listen to the person calling you trash. The real reason why some of our employees come at the debtors so aggressively is because there is a very high turn over rate in a lot of the offices. Young people come to work for us (most never having experience) and when the stress of the job gets to be too much for them, they leave. Young people almost never know how to speak to people with respect. Its the seasoned employees that you want to look for. The younger crowd is trying to rise up in the company fast, so they try to get the full balance of the debt so they can look good.

We ask you for your phone number because sometimes that is the fastest way to look up someone's file. We can also use a case number to look it up, or even your SS#. Not everybody feels comfortable giving out their SS# over the phone, and not everybody can remember a case number so we most often use the phone number because it is faster. The faster our conversation is settled, the quicker I can make my next phone call. Its very fast paced and stressful.

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/forum/   NEW URL!    

These links are 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 number they left for me was 866 916 5333 ex 1 then I get voice mail box full too! I have never had
a payday loan so dont know what this is

I love that the bottom feeders post on this site. This is not legitimate. This is not the proper way to conduct business.
You're a douche if you work for one of these companies.

Ha actually you have the right to be informed of any liability. They must provide whom they sold the debt with. Its actually a federal law. They keep a list. This is how they make money. So you need to get it right. Check your state law before you spout off.

oh and also, its pretty sad that people have to use threats to get people to pay the bills they owe--- just goes to show how much of a scum bag a debtor really is!!!! its not like a collector can call a loser w no job or lives on welfare that WE that bust our butts every day for to pay btw and say hey there buddy u owe money do u want to pay it!? yeah ok cuz thats gonna fly-- no instead some comps are pushed to do this so they can get losers that are a waste in the first place to pay it!!! GET A JOB . simple... stop making excuses for ur sad a**! and i love it --- hahaha... oh i cant pay this bill i aint gots no money---- but yet every time we call u have a diff ring back on your phone !!! LOL LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And u are so RIGHT!!!! wooo hoo--- these people bi*** and find EVERY excuse under the sun to not pay !! They r the scum--- we have jobs hahaha... makin U the debtor look like a RETARD for acting like someone owes u anything-- and  really.... how would a company get the debt if they didnt own it?! LOL... wow u people really are dumb!!!! and not for nothing but lets see--- no one should have to send u a letter a hundred times--- u know u owe the debt-- and have been gettin letters for YEARS about it! grow up stop being a LOSER and pay ur debt!!! no more excuses!

ha ha ha LOSER!!!! no clue what u r talkin about freak!

see this is where u r wrong!!! the agency who owns the debt does have to tell u who owns it!! but the agency before doesnt ! get it right bud!

what the hell is wrong w people nowadays?does everybody not realize that we are the reason we have high taxes and a crappy economy?do we not realize we are the reasons that welfare is no longer easy to get for the individuals that really need it bc deadbeats who sell there drugs go lie on applications and then on top of it sell their benefits for crack and use the money provided for their children on themselves?who is anybody to say who is a scumbag bc while your on here calling collectors scumbags ur the reason ur being called in the first place.....so u had hard times and had no way out so u ask for help but when it comes to paying for the help u were provided u slam the door in their face.so whos the real dirtball....someone whos stole money from someone whos never done anything to u in return...or the person trying to help the co recover a loss due to the ignorance of ur own actions.yes i have done collections in the past while putting myself through school so i understand both parties....but u cant just assume every collector who contacts u is a scumbag.....i am the nicest person in the world and its horrible the things people say to u when they dont knw u from squat.i pay my bills o time so maybe ive nvr been on the other end but if i owed someone money i cant complain they want it and are charging interest bc if i ddnt default on it the first time around i wouldnt be paying for it.maybe noone will learn unless congress passes a law that ne debt owed due for ne reason will be prosecuted until full restitution is made......how would u feel if u were in thoses shoes???u lend a friend 700 dollars and the never repay u u wld be ticked off too....all i ever hear is the economy this and the economy that but yet nobody does anything to change it...this world is horrible and to be honest i hope 2012 is real and the world ends bc ppl nowadays are just s**t and have no respect towards anything besides them damn selves....to u ppl who find any and every way out of ur debt ur dispicable u owe the money and u know u do and u try to get away w it but i hope in the long run it catches up too u...dont forget about karma bc u screw someone on money u will get it 10 times worse and then whos laughing so good luck ruining this economy bc u will pay

This company sent a fax to the HR Manager at my office asking for location verification information on me.  They are Check & Credit Reporting, Inc.  They collect for payday loans and I don't know who else.  A year or so ago I took our some payday loans, and somehow $300 from Paragon Funding ended up in my account, it was not a company I had applied with and had no documentation for the loan.  I had printed everything on every loan I applied for.  There was a phone number with the transaction on my bank account so I called and they said they would email the loan documents to me.  After several requests this never happened.  Now a year later this collection agency calls me.  It was Mr. Jones just like the entry above from J. Spencer.  I thought he was calling about something else, and set up a payment plan.  That night, I went to get the documents on the account I thought he was calling about, and realized that was not it.  I called him back and he said it was for Paragon Funding, and I explained what had happened with that company and told him to void our payment arrangement because I want verification that I owe this money.  He said okay, he would get them on the phone, then said oh wait, it's Thursday, you will have to call me back Monday and I'll have it for you. Monday, I left a voice message, no call back from him.  They first payment went through.  I had put a stop payment on it, but they sent it through under a different name and changed the amount from one payment of $200 to two payments of $100 so the stop payment did not recognize it.  I called him again and this time he said he could send me a letter stating what I owe, I said no, I want to see loan documents you say I signed requesting the loan.  He said oh no, that would take months I can't do that.  I said well then I'm not paying.  I closed the account.  Now, this morning this fax arrives at my office.  It is the same phone number as the office of Mr. Jones so I know it is the same people and they obviously tried to send the second payment through and it failed.  These people are mean and aggressive, very hard to stop, if it is even possible.  They are making my life miserable.
Caller ID: 1-888-895-8703
Caller: Check & Credit Reporting, Inc

I belive these people are working with TRI finacial. In up state Ny as well. I had calls from them today like 8 in a row I know it's them because the 2 of them are calling back to back.
mmmm.
I have a cease and desit on Tri Fi I am taking them to court for violations and have an attorney building the case.

shut the hell up you are truely ignorant

actually, it absolutely legal for a consumer to request the name of the agency retained to collect on a debt. furthermore, it is absolutely ILLEGAL for a company not to tell you to whom they sold your debt.

to summarize:
YES - you have a right to ask and a right to the answer.

Another reason "the world is the way it is" rests with the sadly uneducated population being raised in an age that requires a basic level of math and verbal skills. Arguments are always weaker when the person complaining doesn't even understand his or her own language and therefore can't be bothered to write out simple words like "you" and "with".
Meanwhile, the person to whom you replied with such ignorance was ACTUALLY in the right. Regardless of the amount, the collection agency, or even whether or not you think you owe the amount - you should ABSOLUTELY get every financial transaction in writing. NEVER give out credit card information to a stranger over the phone or online - even if they have your personal information and are asking for repayment of a debt you know you owe. ALWAYS require that a full statement of debt be MAILED to you from the collection agency. ALWAYS ask for a statement printed on company stationary or with a company letterhead, dates of the charges owed and any settlement agreement. ALWAYS make sure the statement has company information on it - such as the address and phone number of the agency and the FULL NAME of the person conducting the transaction. (Most states have laws making it mandatory for a debt collector to fully identify themselves.) Once you have received the statement, VERIFY all the information you can, starting with checking the postmark against the company address.
The preceding advice is in no way an attempt for people to skirt their debts - IT'S JUST GOOD COMMON SENSE, not to mention a WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF against fraud and identity theft.
(For the previous poster, 'laughin at retards', I do apologize if there were too many large words for you to understand my reply. I recommend using something called a DICTIONARY to help you make sense of any words larger than two syllables. Good luck continuing your education.)

Man, how many people working for CC & Assoc. are lurking here and posting??

First of all, NO Debt Collection can throw you in jail. Second if you agree to pay a legitamate debt then get the agreement in writing!

I got the same thing today and they wanted me to post date a check but when i told them i do not have a checking account he said for me to go to walmart and get a prepaid debit card and put the money on that... now how can i do that if i told him not until later this month?!? when i checked after i hung up i was told in the state of Oklahoma it is illegal to post date checks... now wouldn't an "attorney's" office know that???

All you people don't listen to these idiots who say you should pay, just abuse them verbally every time they call and hang up.....they will give up

I got the same exact thing done to me but they are using unavailable and the number they tell you to call is 1 888 872 1568. They told me to contact a Katherine Montoya and I called and all voicemails were full.

A woman from the fraud div. of CC&R Assoc. has called several times, informing me my SSN was flagged and they'd be talking to the sheriff of my county next and take steps.

Everything I've read has to do with payday loans and I've never used that service.

These people called me and stated I got a pay day loan with them in 2003.I have never gotten anything from these people . They also stated they are filing me with the county . What county? These people are presenting themselves as legal people . I think there is a law against this.I need to know what to do.