Collection agency f*ckers

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Some complete prick calls me up saying that he has a bill from a Children's Hospital form 3 f*cking YEARS AGO that was unpaid, and starts asking me where I work, where my husband works, etc...I told him I wanted to see a copy of the bill, he said it might take a couple of weeks. He couldn't give me date of service or patient's name, he said it didn't come through because it had been reassigned from another collection agency.

When he asked AGAIN where my husband worked, I told him I wanted to see the bill, and he says, "Ok fine. I just thought you might make it easier on me, but I will find out where he works. Do you still bank at XYZ?" WHAT THE F*CK?!?

Is it legal for these f*cksticks to keep records of my bank account numbers, where we work, and sh*t?!? The reason the other agency couldn't collect jackass is that is was an INVALID BILL and we proved it. F*cking prick. I am not paying this jack-off, it's the principle that some ass-wipe thinks he can bully someone into padding his paycheck.

F*cking asshat.

So is that bullsh*t legal or what?

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[superman0710 0]

It's legal and most of the information is easily obtainable off of the internet. I smell a scam however, so divulge no information without either obtaining information on this person's place of business and confirming that it is legitimate or speak to an attorney. or both.

good luck

[BillyVance 35]

Seems to me like you have proof that the bill in question was invalid and cleared up. Don't give the fucker any info until they produce the bill in question. Collection agencies can be a royal pain in the ass whether you're right or wrong. Good luck!

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[PhreeZone 20]

Its not a scam. Collection agencies sell off accounts all the time to other agencies for collection.We used to sell off all our non-collect for 24 month accounts to anothe company that was really good about garnishing wages, reporting to their manager their late bills, etc. Its not a fun job but if someone goes and buys soemthing and does'nt pay for it in my eyes thats theft and they should be arrested.

In this case its fairly easy to avoid having to pay it if it was an error. You might have to jump through some hoops to do it but overall its not hard at all to erase if it really is a mistake.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[flyangel2 2]

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The reason the other agency couldn't collect jackass is that is was an INVALID BILL and we proved it.

I sure hope you kept all that information, so you don't have to go through it again.

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He couldn't give me date of service or patient's name, he said it didn't come through because it had been reassigned from another collection agency.

Which is very possible. If someone on the other end that you cleared the matter up with before, didn't put that information where it needed to be put, it could be showing you owe for that bill.

I had a problem almost like that. Thank god I document everything, names of people I've talked to, and the dates.

Good luck, I hope you clear it up.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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In this case its fairly easy to avoid having to pay it if it was an error. You might have to jump through some hoops to do it but overall its not hard at all to erase if it really is a mistake.

This is the same company and collection agency we had to fight with for TWO STRAIGHT YEARS over a non-pay on an ex health insurer. And then those records were lost in the move...good lord I'm sick of this sh*t...

We have twins with nearly identical medical conditions, so our numb-nuts health insurers always think they're being double-billed for meds, appt's, even surgery (both babies had ear tubes put in the same day). I have done everything in my power to REMIND them that we have two kids with the same damn birthdate. They can't get it through their heads. <--Then when they DO get it and clear it up, the collection agency STILL tries to collect on these bills after it's been 'straightened out'. That's why I hate the f*ckers. They work on commission, I know that. (<--nothing against you phree, I'm sure if you knew something was proven to be invalid you would take appropriate action)

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[wildblue 7]

Give them as little as info as possible, otherwise they'll start calling you at work too. One of the rights you have, and this sometimes makes things easier, is to tell them they are not allowed to call you, and any communication should be written.

I'd start with who the bill was originally with. They'll tell you "...it's already turned over to collections, there's nothing I can do" but they can. Remember, the collection agency doesn't care if it's a legit bill or not - they obviously hope it is, or they don't get paid. So don't bother trying to argue with them or explain anything.

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Give them as little as info as possible, otherwise they'll start calling you at work too. One of the rights you have, and this sometimes makes things easier, is to tell them they are not allowed to call you, and any communication should be written.

I'd start with who the bill was originally with. They'll tell you "...it's already turned over to collections, there's nothing I can do" but they can. Remember, the collection agency doesn't care if it's a legit bill or not - they obviously hope it is, or they don't get paid. So don't bother trying to argue with them or explain anything.

That's what I had to do before with these bastages...I went straight to Children's Hospital, and their accountants told me that they had already told this freaking collection agency that it was an invalid bill...ARGH I am fine though. I can cope with it.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[wildblue 7]

Read the whole act:
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm

It helped me TONS when I was going through something similar. If nothing else, it keeps them from harassing you all the time. And if they violate any part of the act, report them. Here's a good synopsis if you donm't want to read the whole thing http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm


§ 809. Validation of debts [15 USC 1692g]

(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.

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Thanks, Blue!!! I will copy and paste and use that...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[Frenchy68 0]

BlüeFemåle,

I think what you need right now is a

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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BlüeFemåle,

I think what you need right now is a

Ahhhh, I loves me some Frenchy!!

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[Frenchy68 0]

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Ahhhh, I loves me some Frenchy!!

Frenchy love you long time too

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."