Very strange (888) 872-1566
They called my cell , looking for my husband didn't want to tell me what was about but wanted me give give them my husband number . :( no way !!!
Very weird.

it is collector for sears

Whether you are called a debtor or some collector thinks you can flush one out, you have rights and options. Many are simple to exercise if you only learn how. You are entitled to proof of claim and fair treatment. If one or the other is not provided, the collection agency should *not* win your assets. You are granted control of how you are contacted, the right to dispute debt claims, and the means to sue violators at low cost. The FTC and the CFPB can start you on your homework. See also if your state laws grant additional or stronger rights.

official FTC guidance and staff opinions on the FDCPA, PDF copy of the Act
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm

CFPB Q&A on debt collection practices
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ... debt-collection

Have you tried asking the caller why? Either you're an alleged debtor or the agency thinks you are or thinks you will help "locate" one who has already been found.

Consumer debt is not a criminal matter, therefore collector threats of arrest and jail time are illegal. That's not known to be part of the usual talkoff script patter at FirstSource. I hope this is not a new trend for them.

Our financial data are trafficked vigorously among many databases which collection agencies rely on. Indian companies also enjoy a brisk trade in resold and stolen data which are used against people for extortion dressed up as debt collection, usually for phantom payday loans ... again a debt category FSA is not known to pursue.

They call between 3-8 times a day.  No message left.  Why?

They called and left a message indicating First Source Advantage as the company and they were trying to collect a debt.  I knew I didn't have any outstanding debts so thought this was some scam attempt.

Called them back and they actually seemed professional.  They asked if they had the right name and they did.  However, the address and last 4 of SSN they gave to me to confirm was not my info.  Told them they had the wrong person but right name.  So he said they would go ahead and make a note.  So sounds like they won't be calling anymore.  I was waiting for the scamming to start but never happened.  Seemed legit as long as they don't call back.

got this call from a abraham (indian accent) tring to collect on a bill that was already taken care of and actually threaten me about going to jail. who gives these guys information about past collections?

I checked the number and called with my number blocked. It said 'this number is not in service'. So I think they call from one number and if they get a hold of the person they are asking for they are probably trying to scam something. Otherwise, no actual number for me at least. I'm going to snap if they call again!

Phone number appeared on my cell several times called them back just to get in touch with a so called debt collector. Very persistent on getting my banking information to pay of a Capitol one credit card. Not feeling well that day agreed to send them a money gram but never did. The only thing is I want to report these idiots to local police.

If they are reputable they would leave you a message as to why they are calling, what the debt is for and to whom it is owed.  Not just leave the line open on your answering machine with nothing said.

I just answered the call as I am waiting for Verizon yet all I got was heavy breathing!  Ugh.  Seriously if they were legitimate they would leave a message with a call back number but they never do!  Attorney General Schneiderman will be receiving a letter today!

STOP THE WORK HARASSEMENT

Called them back they identified themselves as "First Source Advantage" .. a collection agency.  I just got a new number and 1 minute later the phone rings and it is them

By law your entitled to proof in writing.. not phone, email or fax..  Check your credit also! You can get a free report from them once a year! Equifax, Experian and Transunion I think are the names of the outfits.

Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf

And see:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing?
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer?s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
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A Collection Agent May Not?

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer?s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector?s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer?s debts with third parties other than the consumer?s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.

This number keeps calling and saying i owe money to a phone company. I owe over 500 dollars in a place i had never lived. They have my name and social.

I answered their call with a nasty sounding Hello after being called all weekend at 8:30 a.m. The a** on the other end said hello again and then hung up. Called them back and they ask if I was so and so. Told her no and there was no one by that name and stop harassing me!!!  She ask if I knew where to find her. Stupid Stupid and they wonder why people get nasty with them. DUH

Scumbags from First Source Advantage called my number looking for somebody who doesn't live here anymore. I am sick of these morons asking me for somebody elses phone number. DONT THESE PEOPLE GET PAID TO FIND THE NUMBER THEMSELVES!!!!! SCUMBAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Source Advantage SCUMBAGS looking fore somebody that doesn't live at my house... Caller ID said "ESG"

We got one, I did not answer and then called them back and told them to remove my number from their call list.  they said that they would

Just called my business phone 3 times in 3 minutes. I have no outstanding debt. I was already on the line so I let it go to voice mail. No message left. I won't switch over to calls that are not identified.

I filed a complaint with my attorney general online. It's easy to do.

Check this out guys - http://www.fdcpa.me/first-source-advantage-collection-agency/

It has their address and a slew of phone numbers they use

These people are calling my MOTHER asking for me!!!!  At HER house!  I don't know HOW they got her number. I do not give my mother's phone number to anyone, least of all a creditor or anyone I'm doing business with.

At first I had thought it was my bank because my bank is First Source bank. Then I thought it was my healthcare because I have Advantage Health. Actually I did answer it once and it was a survey for me healthcare. I did the survey and they started calling again. I told them I already answered their survey, then she said they would not call me anymore. She did sound from India. I blocked a bunch of numbers on my phone, so don't know if they tried to keep calling.

Also, First Source Advantage, does sound like a collections agency I got some mail from.

Whoever it is, they really crossed the line by calling my mother twice in 2 days now so far.

no message

} why should you have to spend your $$ to hopefully get them to stop?

I take it you've seen comments from "Billy/Robert 999" a couple pages back.
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-872-1566/6#p37630459153616475

He explained correctly that "a phone call is not proof" that your demands were received. Neither are a fax or email since they are easy to falsify. What's not on paper given by hand does not exist. A debt collection agency like FSA cannot be trusted in the slightest way to take you seriously, so you must put it on a form of notice which neither you nor they control. That's where the USPS comes in.

A simple letter requesting either validation or "cease-communication" in a #10 envelope currently runs you $5.75 with a return card. The max statutory FDCPA fine is $1000 per action. Already you can see the USPS fee is not an expense but an investment. Last year I made that simple investment toward defending my family's rights. This month FSA is paying us well over 900 times that USPS fee for its disobedience.

} You'd do better to file FCC and FTC complaints

You've helped the common good but not addressed your immediate problem. Federal regulators cannot police every person's crisis. That's why you were given a set of laws with a private right of action.

The statutory penalty is max $1K per *action*, not violation. The collector can call 684 times a week, but the cap is still one grand. FDCPA does not cap actual damages, but those can be much harder to obtain and fewer plaintiffs have those claims. A higher award is also possible through settlement or a consent order if the case is played well.

I agree wholeheartedly with the need for careful monitoring and documentation of everything the offending collector does, and our civic duty to act as private attorneys general when debt collectors deny our rights.

Official-type material on US federal collection law:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/guidance/supervision/manual/fdcpa-narrative/

Received a message from 888-872-1566 on my Google Voice number. Their number is now blocked from calling. I wish my cellphone had such quick and easy blocking.

they are doing the same to me im about to tell them im in jail and wont be getting out till 2035

This solicetor/collection agency phoned me at 6:30AM!!! I picked up and no one was there!