To the long winded poster ... While your recitation of federal law is correct your assessment of collector behavior based on profit is pure bullcrap.  It is true that agencies receive a portion of the funds collected (20-40)% is typical.  The low end (20) is usually medical and the high end retail.  This isn't always the case but it's pretty typical.  It is also true that many collectors get paid on a commission basis.  But this is as far as your truth goes.  You argue that the commission motive turns collectors nasty and that just shows me you know nothing of the workings of an agency.  In the over 6 years I spent as a debt collector I used obscene language and violated the FDCPA exactly the same number of times: ZERO!  Sure, I saw others do it, it happens.  I'm no saint and I sure as hell didn't play nice because I had to.  I did it because it kept me in the top 3 each and every month.  There's no money in being an a***ole.

So, to you all out there in Internet land who have a bill or two, pay it, or don't.  The skilled collector won't care either way and only the green noobs start yelling.

We've been getting calls from this number every day and they never leave a message.  When I looked here and found out who they were, I decided to call them - because I know we don't have any debt - so they must be looking for someone else.  I called and the man who answered was actually super polite and nice.  He told me the name of who he was looking for  (not us or anyone I knew) and after brief conversation he promised to take our number out of their system.  I was surprised he was so nice and helpful!

CPC is a collection company that buys debit from other companies.
Nothing is owed to CPC. The debit they bought it from another company.

Here is some good information:

Get the following information:
Person Name:
Company Name:
Time & Date:

First contact:

ONLY SAY THIS.

I have no recollection of this debit.  Can you please mail me written verification?

SAY NOTHING ELSE, HANG UP.

After you receive a letter send them a request to stop contacting you at work & home.  Make sure it a certified letter.

Second contact:

It is my understanding that Connecticut law requires that you stop phoning me at home and at work when I request that you do so, is that correct?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires that you stop phoning me at home and at work once I request that you do so.  I intend to send you a certified letter tomorrow putting my no contact request in writing.  If you continue to phone me, then I will file a complaint with the FTC and the attorney general."

Immediately file a complaint with the FTC.
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

FTC Complaint selections:

 The company called me after I sent a written 'cease of communication' notice.
 The company called me outside of 8am-9pm and/or at an inconvenient time.
 The company called me at work, after being told that I cannot take personal calls.
 The company called me looking for someone else.
 The company calls me repeatedly.
 The company added unauthorized interest/fees/expenses to the balance of my debt.
 The company fails to identify themselves when they call me.
 The company failed to send me written notice of the debt.
 The company misrepresented the amount/status of the debt and/or the debt is not mine.
 The company threatened to have me arrested and/or have my possessions seized.
 The company threatened to take me to court if I did not pay.
 The company refuses to respond to my written request to verify the debt.
 The company told someone else about my debt.
 The company used obscene/profane/abusive language.
 The company threatened to use violence if I did not pay.


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ConsumerAffairs.com
By Stephanie Moore

Many of us will, at one time or another, get behind on a payment or two -- or three. It happens. But stretch your luck too far and the creditor turns the collection agency loose on you. If being stressed about paying your bills wasn't bad enough, hang on, it's about to get much worse.

Debt collection companies are in business to make a profit -- off you. The more they recoup for the company that hired them, the better. There are usually incentives (read bonuses) for the individuals who can squeeze blood out of the proverbial turnip, so they can get pretty ugly with debtors. Hammering you with phone calls, threats of litigation, abusive and profane language, character assassination, and outright lies, are just a few tricks in the debt collector's arsenal. Even though these practices are illegal, they are so common most people don't report the abuses.

There ought to be a law, you say?

There is one. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) (15 UCS 1601) regulates debt collection companies and collection attorneys but -- and this is important -- it does not regulate the creditor, the person or company to whom you owe the money. And like all laws, the FDCPA is broken regularly, which means it won't always stop collectors from harassing you, but it does give you the right to strike back when collectors cross the line.

What debts are covered?
Personal, family, and household debts are covered under the Act. This includes money owed for the purchase of an automobile, for medical care, and for charge accounts.

What's allowed

A collector may contact you in person, by mail, telephone, telegram, or fax. However, a debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., unless you agree. A debt collector also may not contact you at work if the collector knows that your employer disapproves of such contacts.

May a debt collector contact anyone else about your debt?
If you have an attorney, the debt collector must contact the attorney rather than you. If you do not have an attorney, a collector may contact other people -- but only to find out where you live, what your phone number is, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting such third parties more than once. In most cases, the collector may not tell anyone other than you and your attorney that you owe money.

What must the debt collector tell you about the debt?
Within five days after you are first contacted, the collector must send you a written notice telling you the amount you owe; the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money; and what action to take if you believe you do not owe the money.





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What's Not Allowed

There are a number of debt-collection practices prohibited by law. They include:
Harassment and abuse:

? The use or threats or violence;
? The use of obscene or profane language;
? The publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency or others with a legitimate need to know;
? The advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt;
? Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number;
? The placement of telephone calls without meaningful disclosure of the caller's identity.
False or misleading representations. Debt collectors may not:
? Falsely imply that they are attorneys or government representatives;
? Falsely imply that you have committed a crime;
? Falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit bureau;
? Misrepresent the amount of your debt;
? Indicate that papers being sent to you are legal forms when they are not; or indicate that papers being sent to you are not legal forms when they are;
? Claim that you will be arrested if you do not pay your debt;
? Say that they will seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages, unless the collection agency or creditor intends to do so, and it is legal to do so; or
? Claims that actions, such as a lawsuit, will be taken against you, when such action legally may not be taken, or when they do not intend to take such action.
? Give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit bureau;
? Send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency when it is not; or
? Use a false name.

Unfair practices. Collectors may not:

? Collect any amount greater than you owe, unless your state law permits a special charge for such collections;
? Deposit a post-dated check prematurely;
? Use deception to make you accept collect calls or pay for telegrams;
? Take or threaten to take your property unless this can be done legally; or
? Contact you by postcard.

What control do you have over payment of debts?
If you owe more than one debt, any payment you make must be applied to the debt you indicate. A debt collector may not apply a payment to any debt you believe you do not owe.







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How to Stop the Madness  

Okay, so you know what they can't do, but they do it anyway. What steps can you take to prevent this abusive harassment? You don't have to move or change your phone number, but you will have to a bit of work to get it to stop. Here's what to do:

? Ask for written notice. Under the law, a collector must send you written notice stating the amount you owe and the name of the creditor. If within 30 days of getting this notice you send a letter stating you do not owe the amount, they may not contact you again. However, a collector may renew the activities if proof of the debt, such as a copy of the bill, is sent to you.

? Hang up the phone. No kidding, you can just hang up.

? Write a certified letter (return receipt requested) to the debt collection agency that is harassing you and tell them to stop. You have now begun your "paper trail." Keep a copy in a file labeled Debt Collection. Once the company has received your letter, they may not contact you again except to say there will be no more communication or to notify you that the creditor or the collection agency plans to take some specific (legal) action.

? File all collection letters and keep detailed notes of each call (times, location, language used, threats etc.). Make sure you get the person's name who is calling -- each time.

? Tape the conversation. Thirty-five states and the District of Columbia allow secret phone taping. You must ask permission from collector to tape the conversation if your state does not allow secret taping.

What can you do if you believe a debt collector violated the law?
You may sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, you may recover money for the damages you suffered plus an additional amount up to $1,000. Court costs and attorney's fees also can be recovered.

A group of people may sue a debt collector in a Class Action Suit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector's net worth, whichever is less. Documentation is imperative to prove your case, though most judges know these practices are occurring frequently.

Where can you report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Many states have their own debt collection laws, and your Attorney General's office can help you determine your rights.

Has been calling every day for weeks for my son who doesn't even live here anymore.  Was very rude and abrasive, a real A-hole.

This person calls repeatedly, has a combative nature and won't answer questions about what they want. They ask strange questions.