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Before complaining
Posted by
A few simple points to consider before complaining ...
1. If you have never had an account with the creditor they represent, the creditor is who your complaint is with not the collection agency; they simply pursue you based on the information provided by the creditors.
If you are not the right party, cooperate with the collection agent to confirm this and they will not call you again.
2. Are you the person their looking for?
If so, then you have an obligation that has not been fulfilled, and you must do so in a timely fashion.
3. If the collector you are talking to is unprofessional ask for an officer of the company, most agencies have a compliance officer.
4. Without the agencies aggressively pursuing debtors who have not paid, every "of age" citizen is now carrying the burden of the debt by paying higher interest rates and tougher qualification requirements. Not to mention more taxes for the bailout of these larger corporations.
5. If you are the indebted party and are upset with the calls to reach you, you need to reevaluate your efforts to resolve the issue.
If you truly are unable to pay the debt back, the bankruptcy courts will bring the account to its final conclusion, whether it is a personal debt or a business debt.
The problem in my opinion is people get frustrated with the embarrassment of their inability to pay and have learned in our society that if you complain loud enough you can sometimes avoid the obligation all together as the creditors are not looking for a fight and will stop pursuing the debt as a course of least resistance.
Most of the people who complain on these blogs fall into this category.
If the collection agents are threatening action outside the abilities of actual legal recourse they are acting criminally and your complaint is best addressed by Law Enforcement.
My suggestions are as follows:
If you owe a debt⦠pay it!!!
If you canât pay it⦠file the relief the creditors are entitled to by filing Bankruptcy!!!
It is a tough job to be a collection agent, most parties are in denial and attack the collector and the methods legally approved by The F. D.C. P.A. in an effort to avoid their obligations.
ON the flip side if more people would talk to the collectors they would find that they have insight on ways to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of the creditor and the debtor.
I have been in the industry 25 years and have been able to help THOUSANDS of parties resolve the problem of not only the creditor I was representing but other creditors they had in delinquency as well.
Collectors are not the problem, people hiding from or ignoring their creditors are the problem.
If you have any questions on how to address debt issues please reply to my blog I will be happy to assist in any way possible, and it will not cost you a dime, only your time to research the best solution available.
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madconsumer on 02/23/2011:
are you sure?? the internet is full of stories about how the so called collectors act. if nco was so upstanding and true, then why are there hundreds of nco suites in the courts currently?
Slimjim on 02/23/2011:
Mad's point is valid as NCO has quite a rep for such violations. Nonetheless, this is a good review and the poster does make strong points.
DebtorBasher on 02/23/2011:
Great information! And being a former NCO rep and their Quality Assurance Supervisor, I have to say, or reps often went above and beyond to help the people who were having trouble paying their debts. As I've said many times, there are programs the debtors may qualify that will help them...BUT yes there is one catch, YOU HAVE TO GIVE US A CHANCE TO OFFER THEM TO YOU!!! If you just hang up every time we call, we can't help you and it only burdens you more.
yoke on 02/23/2011:
Go to WFSB.com. and search NCO. It is sad what NCO did to a local man.
Cancer Patient Tormented By Collections Calls
The Calls Came Two, Three Times A Day
POSTED: 1:17 pm EST February 18, 2011
UPDATED: 5:30 pm EST February 18, 2011
leet60 on 02/23/2011:
"...the creditor is who your complaint is with not the collection agency..."
I absolutely disagree, as this is not always true. In some cases a creditor will contract with a collection agency to act on their behalf. In most others the collection agency purchases the obligation for pennies on the dollar, attempts to collect the entire amount plus fees and interest if legally allowed.
NCO has a less than sterling reputation for complying with the FDCPA. They have lost claims filed against them in court that are countless for violations of the act. While the post is informative, it is very one sided.
madconsumer on 02/23/2011:
yoke, that is a very good example of what many others have said.
but thisa is the telling truth: so to #2 above, it is not so.
""I would persistently tell them you've called the wrong number. Please take my number off your list. But it never stopped," said Niedermayer."
jktshff1 on 02/23/2011:
Answer to 1. have fun with it, tell them you will send a check. lie to them, cuss them out, be nasty, be nice.....be a pain in the rear and enjoy the payback.
trmn8r on 02/23/2011:
#1 actually works, or it has for me. I discovered this after hanging up on them for a year ): Then it started again after another couple years, and that time I knew to cooperate.
Anonymous on 02/23/2011:
#2 - No you don't. Should you? If it is your debt, yes, you should - but you do not have to.
Anonymous on 02/23/2011:
And that is what really irks me the most, ript. Not you, but that your answer is right..you do not have to. I don't care if a debt is 20 years old, or 40 years old..you owe it, pay it! Just because after 7 years they can't legally come after you anymore, doesn't make the debt 'go away'...we ALL pay for all the bad debt that never gets paid by those that think they can simply walk away.
yoke on 02/23/2011:
When WFSB attempted to contact NCO about what they were doing to the man NCO never called the station back.
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Attitude of NCO with potential payees
Posted by
TEXAS -- I have had the same experience with NCO as the rest of the comments here. The comments from their employees are snide and condescending as stated. Being a low life does not hinge on how much money one makes but the character of one's self. These people show they have very little character by their rude behavior. Their loss, not ours since many of us will not take their rudeness without returning the same - not everybody turns the other cheek. The fact that there is some outstanding debt does not give cause for disrespect especially not knowing each individual circumstance.
Their rudeness to third parties, not connected with the object of their search is even more unacceptable. I don't know about the legal. In my case an NCO rep called my HR department and was very rude to one of their peresonnel, eventually hanging up the phone - this jerk Nicholas Macintosh called her, not the other way around.
All the complaining bodies and people need to come together in concert against such practices and those who support such practices, not just NCO but all such entities. Part of the problem lies in our "representative" system.
It was suggested that I try an organization called NACA that works with comsumer issues. Know that NACA will not work with a student loan. They claim to have over 1000 lawyers in their database but not one of them will work with a student loan. Most won't even answer your request when they see that you are having a problem with one of these. NCO takes advantage of this and they don't care what your particular problem is or was with the default. There are a lot of people with a lot of actual legitimate issues with NCO.
Those who have defended NCO need to look in their own back yard. As examplified by the fellow I talked with and the lady who recorded the conversation-even though she tried unsuccessfully to steer that conversation, there are some nice folks in there. You may not be the culprit but the fact that is that there are some very negative, despicable folks in NCO who evidently have little to no self respect, and feel they can push that sickness off to everyone they deal with over the phone in itself, needs adjudicating for everybody that's received their condescension and threats. They also seem to think they will never run into any of the people they have been abusive with face to face, but as the world "shrinks" that probability increases.
The kind of treatment they exhibit needs to be illegal but since it is not, there is no choice but rebuff this kind of behavior. Those who support this travesty are also part of the problem.
In my case there is a legitimate grievance with the debt in that the original default was illegitimate. The bill in question had been paid off several years before by the University as part of the entry process and I attended school almost to graduation after it was paid. It is a commonly known fact that one cannot register for any college anywhere in the country with an outstanding unpaid student loan. When I explained this to the collection agent at that time he called me a liar because he claimed "had the papers that said otherwise".
Also the unavailibility of any body of assistance with this from day one through now, the negative effects this caused-both immediate and long term from this, and collections process in which NCO is trying to be involved in the manner they are trying to be involved, totally oblivious to any possibility of dispute is of issue. There can be no dealings with them at all in face of their rudeness.
Since the original writing of this I have been contacted by a more civil NCO representative with whom I explained that the default was in dispute and has been since inception. I told him of the rudeness of the people who previously called then gave him my address and told him that all further contact needed to be in writing in order to maintain a paper trail. He agreed and we hung up. Later that afternoon another NCO rep called who wanted the same information so I told him I had already talked with Mr.Soinso a couple of hours before that and he had all the information, and I had requested all further contact be by mail. I politely hung up. The next day another NCO rep called. She was polite and said she was recording the conversation when it ended but not at the start. I explained to her the illegitimacy of the original default before she could cut in and attempt to guide the conversation and again asked that all further communications be by mail both for a paper trail and due the rudeness of various NCO reps who have called. Over the next several days there have been 2 to 5 calls a day from 800 and unidentified numbers all of which if and when answered are calls from various NCO people.
A few days later I received a bill in the mail for the full amount, over half of which is interest.
A detailed explanation of the nature of the original default and the problems this caused has been sent to them.
In this case the action of a callous, misinformed, collection agent threw a wrench in the gears of my college. If this debt had not been paid the school would not have allowed me to enroll at all. The original debt was paid through the university's internal mechanism during registration process. I went though registration 10+ more times without any problem.
Once this happened I went to the Financial Aid office to find out what to do and they gave me their contact info to give to this jerk to call them to verify the debt had been cleared. When I called and tried to convey this, he started railing me about being a "deadbeat" and refused to contact the school altogether. I gave them his number and he refused to talk to them too. He had the upper hand and I was kicked out of school. This led to a series of hardships not counting the change in direction generated by not being allowed to finish. I did not have the cash payment he was demanding and could not borrow it as he also demanded especially in the face of the debt having been paid off several years before. This person was not an NCO employee but another collection company that did what NCO does today and apparently with the same rudeness and condesencion (This seems to be endemic in the collections business.)
I have sought lawyers for over a decade now and nobody will touch this. My only choice has been to refuse to pay until this is settled equitably considering the damage done. I work for myself mostly for cash on the barrelhead at this time and my wages can't be garnished in the manner they are trying. I figure my Federal tax exactly and pay the IRS directly so there is no excess for NCO to take.
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Mad Eye Moody on 01/03/2006:
You're absolutely right. Why did they contact your HR? Did they divulge any information to that person? Had you told them you couldn't receive calls at work? I'd say you need to contact a lawyer, in this case. They stepped over the line, it seems. Basher?
DebtorBasher on 01/03/2006:
You are right, there is no excuse for this behavior. Calling someone then hanging up on them is absolutely not allowed...if the person on the other end of the phone (be it the debtor or a third party) is swearing or being abusive, we are to tell them that we will disconnect the call if it continues, then only if it continues, are we allowed to disconnect after telling them we are going to do so...we can not just hang the phone up on them. That is a harassment violation. You did not say whether the rep was told not to call your business number, but on first request for no calls at work, whether it be verbal or written...we must honor that and remove the number pronto! It's always best for your record to send it in writing once you tell them. Many times when we do try to find out what the debtor's situation is, we are told that it is none of our business...when in fact, it is if they want us to understand and work out a re-payment plan. We don't ask just to be nosey. There were several violations here, and as I've always said, even though I am an NCO rep...a violation is cause for a lawsuit...keep record of all calls and incidents you have with them, you may need them if you are harassed enough to want to take it further. Good Luck.
ejack053824 on 01/04/2006:
I will be more than happy to give you my phone number so that they can harass me! They would call me one time and would never want to speak to me again unless its Basher...I would flirt with Basher. LOL!
DebtorBasher on 01/04/2006:
When It comes to collections, EJ...flattery will get you nowhere!
DebtorBasher on 01/14/2006:
If the Ideal solution wouldn't work in the real world..then is isn't an Ideal solution then, is it?
nco_rep on 01/16/2006:
As a student loan collector, I can tell you that they were calling HR to verify your employment to garnish your wages. In most states, it's 15% of your gross (possibly net) income. This is fully sanctioned by the US DOE, and once it starts, the only way to stop it is to pay the bill in full. As collectors working for the federal government, we have the right to disclose this information when we call any HR or Personnel dept to verify employment. Once it gets to that stage, I highly suggest you make an arrangement. If whomever you're dealing with at NCO isn't treating you well, ask to speak to a supervisor. There are only 3 offices in NCO that collect student loans - Buffalo, Atlanta and Horsham PA. The infamous "Mr. Shapiro" calls come from Horsham.
Having dealt with student loan collections for 2 years now, I can tell you - if you are in default, PAY IT. There is no statute of limitations, and this debt will haunt you until you die. Including taking a portion of any social security benefits you may be entitled to in your old age. Look it up. Call the US DOE. These are the facts. Good luck!
Mad Eye Moody on 01/17/2006:
BS. It's not sanctioned by the dept of edu. They don't make mandates or sanction any specific sort of behavior on how their loans are collected aside from those outlined in the FDCPA. That's very misleading. Nice try, though. As far as contacting this person's HR department to verify employment so they can garnish wages... Garnishing of wages can't happen unless a judgment has been filed against the debtor. No judgment had been filed in the case above. If no judgment has been filed, than talking to the debtor's HR will get a CA in trouble. Why? You get an HR person on the line and ask if so and so works there...and that HR person says "who wants to know" and you say "this is (insert Jolly Pirate CA Alias here) from AZZ Recovery LLC". Guess what...3rd party disclosure. Again...nice try. Back to training for you - you're only going to be able to get away with this sort of misinformation (With just enough truth added to seem credible) for so long before someone who knows their stuff stings you. That loan will always exist...you're not lying when you say the SOL never runs out on student loans, but that doesn't mean this person can't rehab it with the department of education. That doesn't mean he should pay NCO. Nothing really requires anyone to pay NCO if they know their rights. The FSA also takes complaints about the CAs they hire very seriously. So back to your deceptive statement about the DOE sanctioning the garnishing of wages; well DUH! Who doesn't sanction people getting paid after all other avenues of recovering owed funds is exhausted...but it doesn't apply to THIS case as you've tried to make it seem. Lookâ¦I'd have this case settled relatively quickly, the loan rehabbed almost immediately, and a good chunk of it paid off from the settlement with NCO. Try not to trip on anything on your way out nco rep.
DebtorBasher on 01/17/2006:
NCO REP: Thanks for the info on Mr. Sharpio...Now, to your comments...It is clear from the posting that the NCO rep did not call HR to verify employment. It states that NCO called HR and was rude to them. (No reason to be rude if you want to verify employment). Also it was said that NCO hung up (No reason to hang up when if you want to verify employment). And clue number #3, the poster said when someone (HR) tells NCO they are not the party in question...well, that pretty much tells you they were not calling to verify employment...How does YOUR NCO call to verify employment? I ask because if this all sounds like a simple employment verification to you, then one day you will have some pretty hard explaining to do in court. Whenever my NCO called to verify employment, we simply asked the HR Rep if "so and so" is employed there. They are limited to how much info they can give NCO, some will just answer yes or no, some will even give a hire date but not everyone will...some will give a "last day worked" others won't...but they will never tell you the reason they no longer work there as to if they quit or was fired. So, what it comes down to is your have wasted your time with all the "employment verification" process that your NCO goes through because that was clearly not the case here...sorry...but it's time to go back to the training class, this time, make sure your trainer knows what they're teaching.I'll be more than happy to come there and set everyone straight.
Mad Eye Moody on 01/18/2006:
Let that be a lesson to everyone...make sure you're right before you post. You could get a tune-up from both sides. Basher doesn't want her industry sullied, and she certainly doesn't want morons like NCO Rep to make it SO easy for me to beat them up. Nothing makes her madder than having to help ME beat up one of her fellow collectors.
DebtorBasher on 01/18/2006:
YEAH...what he said!
nco_rep on 01/23/2006:
I'm a moron???? I've been actually collecting federally defaulted students loans for 2 years now - and - I can tell you in no uncertain terms that the rules of the FDCPA don't always apply here, because it's a federal loan. #1 - yes, we can identify ourselves, and that we're calling for wage garnishment reasons when we talk to an employer (allowed by the DOE) #2 - Mad Eye, go back to school!! The DOE *DOES NOT* have to have a judgment to obtain a garnishment. Trust me - I keep track of the literal hundreds of debtors that I've sent there. #3 - Mad Eye - go back to school again - all the payments from debtors go directly to the DOE - not to NCO. All the checks, cc's, etc are directly payable to US DOE. Do you work in student loans, or are you just trying to act big? I doubt that you do. Sounds like you're just an idiot trying to screw his creditors. Don't assume that you know everything about DOE collections - its a whole different ball game -- Debtor Basher - I don't assume you work in student loans, since you didn't know anything about these things either - but if you have any friends that do, they can confirm all of this information. The comments that I'm 'moron' were childish - it's unfortunate that I'm in this line of work, but I'm certainly not going to lie about the facts. At least *I* pay my bills, and am not on a website whining about how to get out of them.
Mad Eye Moody on 01/25/2006:
A non-judicial wage garnishment would not apply in this person's case. But you're correct; the DOE does have that option. I based my comments on the poster's situation in regards to student loans, not on student loans in general. Context, context, context. I apologize for calling you a moron. However, the statement you made: "rules of the FDCPA don't always apply here because it's a federal loan" Well…I have to respectfully disagree with you. The FDCPA rules apply no matter whom you're collecting for or where the money is being sent, or what kind of loan it is, federal or otherwise. Now for all the mean things you said…I know you were just reacting to my initial immaturity so I'll let them go. I know you didn't mean any of it. You're probably are already aware that most of what you said about me isn't true. Bless your little heart.
ejack053824 on 02/03/2006:
Do I need to drag this NCO rep out in the parking lot and kick his ass?!
nco_rep on 02/07/2006:
Me? you want to kick my ass? I'm a 38 year old woman, and probably one of the nicest and most helpful collectors in the office. More often than not *I'm* the one getting abused by the people that owe the DOE money. Don't be too quick to judge. If people had all the facts about the nature of student loan debt, they'd get it paid asap. Too bad ignorance is abundant in the people I have to try to collect from. Not my fault! C'mon over, kick my ass ;)
squeekie on 02/13/2006:
Listen to Mad eye and call a lawyer. it will be worth your while. let NCO mess up all they want. the more they vioate the FDCPA the better off you are.
KWL on 02/16/2006:
Dear Debt: The men at NCO in Horsham, PA are a bunch of rude jerks, particularly John Rosa (who asked if I was single and gave me his personal email address) and his two so called supervisors. I am in the process of filing a commplaint to any and all agencies I can find. How are these people successful? They are so rude..they yelled at me and hung up on me. They refuse to send me paperwork, then say "we will note that you are refusing to pay, we will contact the Attorney General (I think that's what he said) in your county for further action". Not exactly word for word, but I think you get the idea of the intimidation tactics. I never said I refused, I just wanted to see some paperwork, isn't that my right?
Debt, you sound sane, I wish I had dealt with you!
ejack053824 on 02/18/2006:
NCO_REP if you are indeed a woman than you get a pass on the asswhipping. :) I have never hit a woman and never will but....you would tote one helluva a cussing!
$isking on 02/26/2006:
please let me step in. Yes NCO has to adhere to the FDCPA. It is the ED not DOE(dept of energy).
Lastly NCO does get a wage garnishment without getting a judgment it is call an Administration wage garshment. We have to verify that the detor is employeed and the mailing address to send the order. So you would waste your time trying to file a suit. Should they hang up No but who knows how informed the employee is with ED garnishment orders. Like yourself. NCO rep be proud you are making a good living doing an honest job. Once again if you pay your bills you will put NCO out of business. But people want to complain someone has to call them to do the right and honorable thing. Happy debt free days. lol
$isking on 02/26/2006:
ejerk you are simply a dope. Get a life or a job and pay your bills.
Anonymous on 03/25/2006:
Ejack, you got some SERIOUS anger management issues. I sure feel sorry for the poor customer service people who have to put up with your little tantrums. When they see you coming, do they all go on break so they don't have to deal with you? That's what I would do.
bbhank on 07/13/2006:
None of this bickering addresses this situation in any way that moves toward solving the stated issues. Solution(s) are needed that address the damages done, both perceived and real.
EdwardSmith on 11/15/2008:
To bbhank in TX:
I deal with NCO in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and I have found that, on occasion, they use the "bad cop/good cop" technique where one very rude NCO agent calls and makes condescending remarks which are so infuriating, you are compelled to call NCO back and ask to speak to someone else -- and in my opinion -- this is exactly what they want. They want you to stay in contact and then want to squeeze more info out of you.
So then a good cop NCO agent comes on the phone to "massage" the whole big blow out, while slowly vacuuming personal information out of you -- now that you are in a more "cooperative" frame of mind. Apparently, police use this same technique to interrogate suspects.
Also, you mentioned that NCO in TX called a relative of yours at work. In my province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, it is illegal for a collector to call anyone at their place of work. So you should contact your state to see if a similar law applies. If so, you can file a written complaint against the NCO agent in question.
I am doing the same for an NCO agent in Edmonton that uses a demeaning manner when I speak with her. I am also going to write NCO by registered letter to advise that I will no longer speak or communicate in writing with that agent, but only with those NCO agents that speak respectfully to me. In return, I speak respectfully to them.
I know my debt is my responsibility but I do not have to insulted, demeaned or tormented in the course of paying it off. I am also going to write the Canadian federal minister of Human Resources and Social Development in Canada, who oversees Canada Student Loans, (and who has hired NCO Financial Services), to raise other similar issues.
As a final note, perhaps you already know that whenever corresponding with NCO that you send your correspondence by registered mail, and keep a copy of the letter and the registration number that your post office provides for that letter. It may be more expensive but you can track the letter and get confirmation that it was delivered.
Also I have purchased a note book to write down the date and time of every call to and from NCO and to identify the agent that I am speaking with, his/her job title (e.g. agent, supervisor, or manager) along with that agent's demeanor and the topic discussed and anything that was agreed upon and how long I was on the call. I then follow up with a letter if necessary, repeating everything that was discussed and agreed upon, (e.g. payment of $ 25 to be sent by Friday, etc.) and in the last line of the letter, I ask that a copy of my letter be put in my NCO file.
Hope all of this helps! All the best.
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Shocked at Behavior of NCO Financial Employees
Posted by
PENNSYLVANIA -- I called NCO Systems today because I had been getting a lot of letters and phone calls and was curious as to why they had my phone number and address. I thought at first, they were some type of marketing company and ignored them. Since I am retired and have not charged anything, I called the main number, enquiring as to how they got my number and why were they calling me.
One of the first things they asked was my social security number!!!!!! Can you believe that????
I refused naturally, and they asked how I could be helped. The man was nice enough. He asked if I knew a certain person, and said the name. I explained that was my my grandson and he had purchased a phone at Sprint "on his own at the age of 16" with no problem, just a show of his driver's license. When I heard about the phone bill, I agreed to pay his current basic service, but no added services because he had not asked for that.
However, after we called Sprint and said we wanted nothing but basic service, they added unwanted services back to the phone, after they had removed them.
I had to pay the huge phone for him, since he could not. I told him "No more, he would have to cancel", which he did. He was living with me for a time after he purchased the phone and that is how my address became involved. Apparently NCO got my number through my address.
He has since gone away to college and I did not respond to the mail, since it was in his name.I just thought it was "junk mail" and threw it away.
The man I spoke with at the main number of NCO Systems gave me this number 1-800-709-8625 to call. He told me to tell them exactly what I had told him and they could handle it.I thanked him politely and dialed the number.
HAH!!!I thought I had entered into the script of a horror movie. I got the shock of my life!!!The person who answered the phone was the rudest,loudest, most unprofessional person I have ever spoken to in my entire life, especially for an employee of a large cooperation. NO ONE has ever spoken to me the way this person did. At first I was totally speechless! I tried many times, but never got the chance to explain my case. She refused to let me.
This woman went into me immediately,like dynamite, yelling and screaming like a "Banshee"!!! She was trying her very best to keep me me from saying one word, but I did manage to add a few phrases the whole time she was yelling at me. I doubt very seriously she heard anything I said, she was ranting and raving so. I was trying to tell her to PLEASE just let me talk. She refused! She was in her own world of rude people.
She had no reason whatsoever to treat me in such a deplorable manner. I did not owe her one cent! I did not even have an account there. They were abusing my phone and address.
Where did they find this person? She has to rate in the top 20 "Rude People in the United States"!Has she been trained by her company,NCO Systems to act in such an unacceptable way???
I certainly received the shock of my life. I did not know anyone would hire someone like this, especially a large company like NCO. I was awakened to the facts of life!!!
Apparently she had been on the phone and had heard everything I had told the gentleman, because she went into me before I could get anything out of my mouth. She knew my grandson's name before I even told her anything
I asked her over and over to please let me explain the situation, but she kept ranting over and over. I told her how in the world she was able work for this company was beyond me and I hoped her boss was listening to her.I just hung up the phone with her yelling all the while.
I hope no one goes through the nightmare I just experienced at NCO Collections, a part of NCO Systems. Needless to say the issue was never resolved. She did not want a resolution!!! She just wanted to "blow off steam" and I , unfortunately, was her victim!!!
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DebtorBasher on 06/21/2006:
If the account is under your grandson's name and you are not listed on the account, they should never have spoken to you about it in the first place. Mail that comes addressed to your grandson should be forwarded to him, not just thrown away.
Anonymous on 06/21/2006:
If you get an unreasonable collector who refuses to listen to a word you say then it's fruitless to attempt meaningful discourse. Use the parrot method. Respond to every thing by alternating between "Interesting" and "Disturbing". Every now an then throw in "Who is Biz?". (If they answer the 'Who is Biz' question with a NIC of m3c user please let us know). You might want to check out this m3c thread – ( http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=14361 ). Take care
Mad Eye Moody on 06/21/2006:
Call an attorney in your area and explain what happened. He'll likely give you a bit of free advice as to what to do. They're not allowed to act the way you did, and I'm sure you'll be hearing from them again - next time you should be prepared to start building a harassment case against them...that's why you should talk to an attorney to get a game plan...what you can and can't do (record calls etc...) Good luck and I'm sorry this happened to you.
jspa on 06/21/2006:
Unfortunately the mail that was sent to him had no indicator whatsoever as to whom it was from. It looked just like a promotional or something. Since he was under age, I assumed it was just junk mail, until I decided to open one today, (after I made the phone call). If it had had a collection agency address on it, I would have called him right away! He had a part time job after school at the grocery store and was paying his cell phone bill until other services were automatically added to it, making it impossible for him to pay. That is when I took over. Apparently, this was Sprint's way of resolving the issue. I am almost 70, have high blood pressure and this call has upset me to no end. Trying to tell them that this was not his address is totally impossible!
Doc J on 06/21/2006:
Point of clarification on M-E-M's advice. Rules for recording calls vary between states. In states where recording of a 2nd party is not permitted w/o permission of the 2nd party, just hang up if they fail to consent to being recorded. Some states have no regulations. I always counsel (based on my consultation with my attorney) folks to record abusive collectors (where permitted) and file a transcript (save the recording too) with complaints to your telephone service provider, the FTC, and state AG. Life is too short to spend on the phones with potty-mouthed cretins. Caller ID is always a good investment to record times of day and number of calls per day from an abusive collector. Good luck poster!
DebtorBasher on 06/21/2006:
It would be against FDCPA for a collection agency to use any name on an evelope that would disclose it was coming from a collection agency. My question is, by law, can a 16 year old get a cell phone on their own? If not, then he shouldn't be held responsible for any charges at all (much like the Columbia House issues).
DebtorBasher on 06/21/2006:
My NCO site used to collect for Sprint...I hated it! There were so many people that were spammed and were given "extras" that they did not sign up for and were even switched from their phone service to Sprint without their authorization...As a collector taking so many of those calls, I knew it wasn't just a story someone would tell me to get out of paying their bills...but, because there were so many I knew what they were telling me was the truth. I used to write off their balance for the services they did not ask for. Sprint was aware of this because they had codes for account that were spammed and we would code the account with that code and it was done.
Anonymous on 06/21/2006:
"One company Clark has talked about before is NCO. The company has been going after people who don't owe any money after buying a bunch of debt from Chase Bank. What most people don't know is that it's illegal to try to collect a debt in bankruptcy. So, if you get a call from NCO, know that it is a scavenger organization that has been fined numerous times for violating the law. However, if you get a letter in the mail, you have to dispute the claim. It sounds ridiculous, but you MUST respond in writing and tell the organization that the debt is not yours. Otherwise, it becomes your debt automatically. And, even if you do owe a debt, never give your banking information – or a postdated check - to a collector." (http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/6/23/169)
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warddw1526 on 06/22/2006:
I don't have Sprint and probably never will, but how can they just add unwanted services? Is that not illegal? However, the grandson had lots of time to dispute this with Sprint. When it went unpaid (which would have been written off after 120 days), it went into collections. Now, that does not give a collector the right to be rude either.
warddw1526 on 06/22/2006:
And debtorbasher brings up an excellent point. How was a 16 year old able to sign a legal contract for a cell phone? If he was 16 at the time, then it was a illegal contract. Just asking veryone else here, does anyone else find that crappy? Someone can illegally sign up for the service willingly, but not be responsible either.
DebtorBasher on 06/22/2006:
Yes, it is illegal to give people extra sevices that they are charged for if they did not order it...and Sprint has had a lot of lawsuits for it...that is why I would just write off the debt...why put the customer through all the trouble of writing letters, phone calls and at times, have to talk to people who won't listen? They told me they were spammed and didn't request the service, I had no reason not to believe them when it happened to so many others...so, I wrote it off, coded the account as spammed and the customer didn't have to be bothered anymore. Besides, as a collector, why would we waste our time calling the same person, listening to the same story, knowing they were not responsible to pay for something they didn't order?
jspa on 06/22/2006:
Apparently my grandson was charged the extra $117.00 because he cancelled before his contract expired. I tried to tell this to that rude, shouting woman at NCO, but she did not want to hear anything I had to say. She just kept yelling about anything she wanted to yell about, while I was trying to explain the situation to her.I am not exaggerating when I explain this situation.I had to hold the phone away from my ear!!!! I could not believe what was happening! After it was all over, I asked myself, "Is this what is really happening to our great country? How many people employed by major businesses are like her?"
jspa on 06/22/2006:
Update: Thank you for all your wonderful support. I have talked with my grandson and he said he had tried to settle the dispute with Sprint for months. He told a representative, since he was only 16 when he signed the contract and they added services which he did not ask for, he should not have to pay the remainder it.
The person were very irate and said according to their records he was 18 when he got the phone and signed the contract. They had purposely added 2 years to his birth date to cover their tracks. They quoted to him, the year of birth they had written down on him! He told them that they had written down the incorrect year and they knew he was 16, because they asked for his driver's license as identification. They would not compromise.
We have decided in order to help him develop a good credit rating, we will pay NCO Financial Systems and try to forget one of the worst experiences we have had to deal with. We will pray for all the people who will have to deal with them. The old saying is "What goes around, comes around". Hopefully, if enough law suits are filed against them, they will get the message.
rhondam718732 on 06/22/2006:
ispa: Your grandson was 16 and since it is illegal to enter into a binding business agreement at 16 he is off the hook. As far as the incorrect birthdate...doesn't matter what their records show. It only matters what your grandson's ACTUAL age was the day he "signed" the agreement. Send NCO and Sprint a notarized letter from your grandson attesting to his age at the time the agreement was signed and his birth certificate. Include that the agreement and monies due are null and void and request a "release" letter from both. Send all this certified. I would also suggest your grandson run his credit report...this should be removed from it if it's made a blemish. Good luck.
DebtorBasher on 06/22/2006:
If they took his driver's license with his age of 16 on it, and gave him a contract anyway, AND THEY added the two years on the contract...they are guilty of falsifing documents and can have a lawsuit for doing so...I'm sure if you tell them you are getting an attorney because they falsified the contract, they will write it off...and he wouldn't have to pay anything...they would rather write it off then go through a lawsuit.
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Information from:
Bud Hibbs Helps America Hold Debt Collectors to the Law!
AGENCY COLLECTORS (Beggars)
Agency collectors have correctly been deemed the worst-type of collection agents! They operate from a computer database containing all your personal information, provided to them by the original creditor. When an outside agency gets your account, it has been 'charged-off' for non-payment. They make calls as fast as the auto-dialer can (in excess of 250 a day). Commission
is their livelihood; they don't have time for pleasantries or obeying the law.
An agency collector's commission ranges from 15-25% of what they can extract from you. Most are paid bonuses if they hit a quota and steady, hard-working collectors can make $40-60K per year. The majority will bring in much less because they routinely step over the line to increase their take.
Who Seeks a Career as a Debt Collector?
In a industry where deception, craftiness, and deceit are rampant, you might imagine most honest people would seek work elsewhere. And you're right. My experience says the average debt collector is male, has a large ego, bounces from job to job, suffers low self-esteem and enjoys using the telephone as an instrument of empowerment. You' shouldn't be surprised
to find most of them have great debt problems themselves.
The debt collection business is plagued with high employee turnover. Constant training of new collectors puts great strain on the agencies and the employees. Every moment someone is in training is time lost on the phone. You can imagine the shortcuts that are taken to get a new caller on the floor as soon as possible.
Collectors see themselves in a position to take advantage of those they deem weaker, in
an effort to overcome their own insecurities. They normally will talk-over any issues you may have, threaten and intimidate you, lie, misrepresent themselves, abuse, annoy and attempt to push you as far as they can. After all, a portion of what they collect from you becomes theirs. Unfortunately, far too few consumers complain about debt collectors overstepping their bounds, because they are intimidated or embarrassed about their dilemma. Over the years I've dealt with literally thousands of collectors and suggest that only 2 out of 10 are honest and hard working. The greater percentage are deadbeat scum either just out of, or heading back into a jail cell. Collecting is a male dominated business and because of the shortage of skilled workers, agencies are hiring anyone who can walk and chew gum to make their calls. Social skills, education and career orientation are NOT normally the prerequisites for a debt collector – money beggar position.
What Techniques Do They Employ?
You'll hear standard phrases such as: "what is your intent" or "I'm going to recommend that our client take immediate legal action against you." The innocent unsuspecting consumer feels threatened,even terrorized by the antics of unscrupulous debt collectors. The really bad ones will call you at work, violate third party disclosure, or worse, threaten you with arrest or wage garnishment if they don't have the money today! They'll try to persuade you to pay off old debts using your new credit card, via Western Union wire transfers, bank drafting, debit checks and cash. They will tell you your credit report will be clean and your soul will be saved from hell, (halleluiah!) if you just send them the... $$ MONEY $$.
The National Consumer Law League, (NCLC) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates, (NACA) assist attorneys across the country in pursuing agencies and collectors who violate the law and your rights. Collectors are learning that the phone name they use and the perceived anonymity of hiding behind a telephone can easily be overcome with today's modern technology and investigative techniques. Some collectors are learning first-hand that they too, can be charged with making threats over the phone and that their employers don't provide bail money or legal representation. Creditors are increasingly becoming less tolerant of agencies that allow abuse and will drop those that don't comply.
I urge you to complain about collector abuse by contacting the FTC, the American Collectors Association, the original creditor and your state bar association (against attorneys), or me if
you feel your rights are being violated. There is a nationwide group of professional consumer attorneys, skilled in debt collection laws that passionately defend the rights of consumers
against these illegal collectors. No consumer should ever suffer abuse from a debt collector.
The laws WILL protect you!
What do you think?
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Ponie on 05/21/2006:
'My experience says the average debt collector is male, has a large ego, bounces from job to job, suffers low self-esteem and enjoys using the telephone as an instrument of empowerment.'
May we be presented with your credentials which enable you to make this declaratory statement? Have you possibly done a scientific survey which reaches this conclusion?
In looking over some of the responses you've presented on these issues, perhaps your expertise lies in the fact that you have a poor credit history and thus have had numerous contacts with collection agencies.
Anonymous on 05/21/2006:
Ponie - It came from here:Bud Hibbs Helps America Hold Debt Collectors to the Law!
My expertise lies in life little experience and in helping older people when one of these creeps calls. But this one comes from someone who does it for a living. You have the address now, check out his web sight.
PS. I try not to get into debt and haven't been in 35 years now, thank you
DebtorBasher on 05/21/2006:
So, here you go again...using NCO's name to describe general collection agencies...Since you related this posting directly to NCO...let me clear up the "facts" that you seem to be unaware of...first off, there has been some lawsuits filed against NCO for FDCPA violations, as with other agencies. But it isn't ALL NCO and it isn't ALL NCO COLLECTORS..and it ISN'T the way NCO trains their collectors. As said in previous posting, and in regards to the NCO that I come from...Using threatening, intimidation, lies, misrepresentation, abuse to annoy and push the customers are all violations and with the monitoring and recording of their collectors, when found violating any of those, they collectors are pulled off the phones, lose all or a big part of their bonus for that month and if severe enough is terminated on the spot. As for the debtor being embarrassed...well, we do have debtors who tell us they are embarrassed and we explain to them there is no reason to feel embarrassed because most of the time, the reason the person is in debt is beyond their control. (of course, some of them purposely try to beat the system, but then again they are not the ones that are embarrassed about it). Lidman, you said you've dealt with over 1,000 collectors...in what way? What is your expertise other than reading Bud Hibbs' webpage? NCO hires people just out of jail...not...there is a background check made on everyone before they are employed. They hire anyone who can walk and chew gum...not true again...we actually have people who can't walk and are in wheelchairs working with us...and we also have people who can't chew gum because of dental problems. No social skills or education...wrong again...we have turned people away who tried to apply without a high school diploma or GED, they are a requirement and the first thing looked at when they fill out an application. Yes, you got one right, we do ask the debtor what their intention is. Why wouldn't we? We want to know if they have an intention to pay or not. Some have no intention at all...other do but they are unable to at that time, so we go into other options, like payment plans. Our commission is 15% - 25%...wrong, how many NCO people do you know who gave you that figure? My guess is NONE! NCO buys charged off accounts to collect...not all of our accounts are charge offs, a lot of them are being collected for the client who still owns the account. Once they are paid up to date they are returned back to the client. Your experience (still want to know what that is) says average debt collector is male, large ego. bounces from job to job, low esteem...wrong again, we have all races, men, women, men who dress as women,gay, straight, lesbians, married couples, single Fathers, single Mothers, single non parents, handicapped and little people, many of them (including myself) has been employed with NCO for 5-6 years...not quite the job hopper you spoke of...upper management has been with NCO for 10+ years. NCO people have great debt problems, some do, some don't as with any company out there. Large turnover...yes, collections isn't for everyone and if they violated the FDCPA they are replaced. Taking short cuts in training to get them out on the floor...wrong again...they are not allowed to make their first phone call until they've passed the FDCPA and STATE LAW test, and, I have to admit it is not an easy test to pass. FDCPA training takes two days, and is the first thing covered in training...before system training or collection skills training, if they don't pass the test they can not go to the second leg of training. So, no short cuts in training. Telling debtors they are going to have the client take legal action against the debtor...how can that be when you just said we buy the charged off debts...if we own the debt, there is no client....besides, there is nothing wrong with saying it, if there is an intent to do as said.
Want more???????? Asking to pay by credit card, Western Union, Bank draft, debit card ...DUH YEAH...we don't ask for cash. Phone name used...if you're talking about using an Alias, yes we can legally do so, as long as the Alias is on file with our legal department and we use it consistently on all calls. Want More????????
DebtorBasher on 05/21/2006:
One thing I need to clear up...when I said it is legal to use an Alias as long as it is on file with the legal department...please be aware, there are some State Laws that prohibit the use of an alias.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - Well, G-wizz
1. I can't believe any thing you just said. Why? Because if you must use an alias, then you must know it's wrong.
2. If you took the time to read things before you "assume" you would see all I said was "what do you think" at the last. Everything else was written by: Bud Hibbs.
Information from:
Bud Hibbs Helps America Hold Debt Collectors to the Law!
Have a nice day.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - O, If you check out that web sight, NCO is #9 on there worst list. Please, check it out....
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - Maybe you were confused, wait I replied to ponni and tried to clear that up. You did read that first, right?
DebtorBasher on 05/22/2006:
Lidman - The collectors at my NCO never used Alias...I was informing you of the law in regards to using Alais',to let you know that it isn't something to hide behind but it is acceptable in the collection business. And I realized you said, "what do you think"...so, I told you what I thought. With NCO being one of the largest CA's in the States, I'm sure it would be somewhere on the list, they've had a lot of lawsuits, I already said that...still,you're getting away from my point...you are using the NCO name to generalize ALL practices of agencies.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - No, I am answering you and you said you wanted reports so I got you some. I said it was nothing personal, but I think you took it that way? You answered this report as though I had written it. The point I am trying to make is "Think, before you judge". I tried many, many years ago to work with CA's and they were always the same. I have seen many older people become very sick because of the harassment from CA's.
I just think it is a sick way to do business.
How you do it, I don't know? That is my point.
DebtorBasher on 05/22/2006:
Lidman - I've come to the conclusion that you have no point.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - Well then let me finish with this: You obviously are a close minded, self-righteous individual in other words a âBill Collectorâ with a very sick sense of morality. Someone who only hereâs what they want to and only believes their own BS. I tried to be nice you just won't let me. Itâs OK though, I know itâs not in your line of work. Have a nice life, BY, BY!
Ponie on 05/22/2006:
Never heard of this Bud Hibbs feller. Since Lidman supplied the name and URL, I just had to go to the site. My conclusion after doing some surfing? Bud Hibbs is either a brother-in-law to, or a spin-off of, one eight hundred call sam! Not once in his 'advice' did I see: Pay your legal obligations--it's the honest thing to do. He advises deadbeats on how to skirt the law. The disconcerting part of this is these deadbeats, who can hardly afford more debt, are probably lining up to buy his book--to line his pockets. I wouldn't stoop to insult used car salesmen to put him in the same category. Sheesh!
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
Ponie - While I agree with your Observation , If you read more you will find what your looking for. Try this.
Far too many people have the wrong idea about consumer debt. It's okay to have and use credit cards as long as you don't allow them to get out of hand and control you, but what choices do you have when that happens to you? When you owe money, there are really only four options available:
1. Pay Your Debt
2. Credit Counseling
3. Bankruptcy Protection (Now more difficult than ever)
4. Stop Paying and Walk Away
The obvious scenario is to pay your debts off in accordance with the terms and conditions of your credit card agreement (and all subsequent addendums to it.) This will eliminate any fear of having a bad credit report or the hassles of dealing with the collection process. If your credit cards are maxed out and you are barely making minimum payments, look to moving the highest rates down to lower card rates while continuing to make larger than normal monthly payments. If you are having financial problems, stop using credit cards, tighten your belt, set up a strict budget and follow it. Think of this as a program like losing weight, stopping smoking or quitting some other dreaded habit. You need to implement a plan that will change your financial course.
There is more, give it a try.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
Ponie - It is under the heading Drowning in Debt? It goes on to explain the other options you have and "why or why not" to use them. I really don't it is directed at or for the deadbeats but that is always the risk.
DebtorBasher on 05/22/2006:
Ponie - This Hibb's guy has been around saying the same ol' thing...funny thing is, he claims to be helping debtors...how? By charging for his service on how to "not pay your bills" how "Not to be responsible". Don't pay your bills, pay Hibbs instead. I'd like to see Hibbs give his service and send the bill later, and see how he feels when they turn the tables on him and not pay him for his usless service.
Anonymous on 05/22/2006:
DebtorBasher - G! The funny thing is, it didn't cost me a thing and he told me all about your company. I don't see where he is telling people not to pay their bills? I do see however, he is telling people how to deal with deadbeat bill collectors.
Now I can also see how people "deadbeats" who don't want to pay their bills in the first place could use his information not to, but isn't that always a risk? Well, yes it is! I have been in business for 33 years and if I could get the money "deadbeats" owe me I could live like a king.
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Lidman - You can get free info on NCO anywhere on line, including M3C...I even give free info out on NCO...I'm talking about the "service" he provides. You still haven't answered what your expertise is in the collection industry...
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Lidman - If you can't get the money people owe you, and you been in business for 33 years...then I'd have to say, you're in the wrong business...and you really don't know much about collecting debts, if you can live like a King IF they ever paid you. Maybe you should have NCO collect for you.
Anonymous on 05/23/2006:
DebtorBasher - Well you see the kind of debt I am talking is a little out of your scope of understanding. I have learned a lot over the years and some day you will to, maybe. If I take them to court then the lawyers get the money and I still have to collect mine. I build, install and maintain epitaxial reactors all over the world. They sell for $1.2 million each so I have lawyers to take care of the collections. Most of the times the business pay but once in a while you get thoughts that don't. Koreans, Chinese and the worst "The English". Then of course you must go to international court, by the time you get through, the lawyers have lots of money and your company has very little. The point is this is the real world of business and how they do it. You take a risk after you weight the possible outcomes. It's like tax's, you get mad because you must pay so much or you realize if I am paying this much in tax's, then I am making a bunch of money. That is the business world but I don't like seeing the average person getting rid off by the "business world", big difference. Companies like NCO are for debts that are to small to be worth getting the lawyers involved; to me they are just another form of "terrorist" simply because of the tactics they use on people. And yes, I am a "hater", I hate bad bill collectors but thank you for your concern and I live very well.
Mad Eye Moody on 05/23/2006:
*on the edge of my seat furiously shoving popcorn in my mouth watching this 'main event'*
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Lidman - Who would have ever thought that running a business would be a risk? Thanks for that helpful info...it does not matter if a person is running a small Mom and Pop business or a multi million dollar business, if someone owes the company for their service, and the company lets them go...it's the company's fault. Lawyers expect to be paid for their service and if your company feels it's not worth it, then they have the wrong person running that company. Excuse the Lawyers, for wanting paid for the service they provide...THAT'S a successful business person...not one that says "I COULD live like a king" if someone would pay me what they owe, but it's too much trouble for me to get them to pay, so I'll just let them go...Donald Trump would be disgusted with a business man like you. So, what it comes down to is this...Collection agencies are hired to collect for clients, from people who did not pay for their services...Lawyers expects to be paid for their service by companies who hire them to collect for services that company provided to them...but YOUR company says it's too much trouble, don't want to pay Lawyers fees for their service, let them off the hook, making them into deadbeat debtors...thank you very much for giving them a taste of what it's like not having to pay their bills, they most likely owe the smaller companies as well...and THAT my dear is what keeps companies like NCO in business...You should seriously think about buying stock in NCO...because as long as there are business men like yourself in business, it will keep our business running for a long time. Thanks for your contribution! Another possibility why those overseas is not paying is because they probably speak and write better English than you do (just a hunch by looking at all the mis used words you use in your communications)and have no idea what you're talking about.
Ponie on 05/23/2006:
Mad Eye--LOL! I'd say rounds 1,2 3, and 4 have gone to Debtor. Lidman staggers drunkenly to his corner, all the while being berated by his trainer with 'I told you not to lead with your mouth!' :)
Anonymous on 05/23/2006:
Ponie - You stab me…
Anonymous on 05/23/2006:
Mad Eye Moody - Always glad to entertain.
Anonymous on 05/23/2006:
DebtorBasher - DebtorBasher - "I'll give you something to flap your lips on" if you would stop flapping your lips on it, you might be able to here what I said and I do sue them when necessary.
So you graduated form hi school or is that "High School". Lawyers suck, they are always flapping their lips on things. "don't want to pay Lawyers fees for their service ", no I think the Romans had the right idea, "Kill Them" and then we would not need low life's like NCO. NCO is one of the lowest forms of business there is and I see why now; Thanks for the confirmation. Talking about hunch's maybe you have a liberal arts degree in BS, can that be.
Anonymous on 05/23/2006:
DebtorBasher - Check these out.
Title State
NCO Financial ripoff. Liars and collection pimps Horsham Pennsylvania *Consumer Comment ..Yes, I understand disposable income
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial
Pennsylvania Author: Columbus, Georgia
NCO Financial Systems ripoff calls me saying that they are with the U.S. Criminal Investigation Department Horsham Pennsylvania *Consumer Comment ..UH OH
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems
Pennsylvania Author: Dallas, Texas
NCO Financial Systems ripoff Collections on dead persons Debt Pennsylvania *Consumer Suggestion ..Doug, want to have fun with this?
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems
Pennsylvania Author: Fair Play, South Carolina
NCO Financial Systems, Law Offices Of Gerald E, Moore And Associates ripoff, rude, a-holes, jerks, but I beat them by playing their game! Ripoff Marietta Georgia *UPDATE ..I never threatened to kill or harm anyone...
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems, Law Offices Of Gerald E, Moore And Associates
Georgia Author: Los Angeles, California
NCO Group Threats, Lies Wilmington Delaware *Consumer Suggestion ..Shirley...Here's how you deal with NCO Financial / NCO Group
Collection Agency's: NCO Group
Delaware Author: Sun City, Arizona
NCO Financial Group has the wrong number, won't stop calling me up to 6 times a day ripoff Wichita Kansas *Consumer Suggestion ..The only thing NCO responds to is a summons
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Group
Pennsylvania Author: Wichita, Kansas
NCO Financial Systems fraudulent attempt to collect nonexistent debt, ripoff Linthicum Maryland *Consumer Suggestion ..Jeff, info on NCO
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems
Maryland Author: Goochland, Virginia
Capital One - NCO Financial ripoff Internet *UPDATE ..The Real Facts............
Credit & Debt Services: Capital One - NCo Financial
Internet Author: Johnston, Rhode Island
NCO Financial Ripoff Degenerates Horsham Pennsylvania *UPDATE ..NCO; nothing but dead ends.
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial
Pennsylvania Author: Ft. Lewis, Washington
NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS ripoff PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania *Consumer Comment ..WOW Stef... I can see why you are so high and mighty!
Collection Agency's: NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
Pennsylvania Author: scotts valley, California
NCO Financial Systems Planning to rip me off for over $200 Wilmington Delaware *UPDATE ..Update, NCO
Corrupt Companies: NCO Financial Systems
Delaware Author: Daphne, Alabama
NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS NCO DOES WHATEVER THEY WANT AT ANY COST ripoff WILMINGTON Delaware *Consumer Comment ..I see nco strikes again
Collection Agency's: NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
Delaware Author: Centerport, Pennsylvania
NCO Financial ripoff claims an elderly family member owes money on a credit card they have never obtained Trenton New Jersey *Consumer Comment ..NCO did the same to me
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial
New Jersey Author: bath, Maine
14. 4/21/2006 9:35:00 AM NCO Financial ripoff Getzville New York
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems,
New York Author: Washington, District of Columbia
15. 4/20/2006 6:57:00 PM NCO Financial Systems, ripoff, tries to scare by calling my work, harassing, my credit card bill was settled that they call me about from another collector that I had paid in October 2005 Horsham Pennsylvania
Collection Agency's: NCO Financial Systems, Inc
Pennsylvania Author: mercer, Pennsylvania
Man, NCO SUCKS! And you work for them.
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Lidman - OK...I will reply in words that you will understand, AND I will type slowly so you won't get lost...I did hered wat u sid and yass, it es High skol not Hi skol. And no, I donut haf a degre in BS, Y shud I pay for a degre wen I kan just com on hear an lern frum U four free?
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Most of those complaints were already posted on M3C at one time or another. But keep digger there buddy, I'm sure will may hit a load of fool's gold soon. Again...what is your personal experience with NCO? What is your expertise on the collection industry?
DebtorBasher on 05/23/2006:
Ponie - How many rounds until the big KO??? I'm still standing strong!
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - Good morning little Debbie, I see you were up late last night. Still got them thar lips a flappen. I wishen I cud be as smart as youen butt I jest dentent get hog jous yesterday. NCO--"Again...what is your personal experience with NCO?".. You so far and you are living up to everything I would exspect from a low life bill collector, thank you.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - How Low do you "bill Collectors" people go?
Wounded Soldiers Fight Off Bill Collectors at Home
Congressman Calls It 'Financial Friendly Fire'; Military Blames Payroll Errors
Army demands $2K from soldier who lost his in Iraqi bomb attack.
Financial Friendly Fire Brian Ross - ABC News
April 26, 2006 — Hundreds of soldiers wounded in battle in Iraq have found themselves fighting off bill collectors on the home front, according to a report to be released tomorrow. The draft report by the Government Accountability Office, which ABC News obtained, said that hundreds of wounded soldiers had military debts incurred through no fault of their own turned over to collection agencies.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - You work for this company...O,MY!!
Date: May 15, 2006 Baytown, TX
The people who work for this company are the biggest jerks out there. I was willing to work with them, but they have screwed up. The jerk who has my account is the rudest guy. He harasses my grandmother and tells her how much I owe and says for her to pay it. He should be talking to me only This is ridiculous. He threatens to sue me even though the statue of limitations is past. I really don't see how people who work for this company can sleep at night.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - Little Debbie, is this what you do?
Date: May 2, 2006
NCO Financial Services denied to provide an address and a settlement payoff letter to my lender. I have spoken with four individuals from NCO this morning and all were rude, yelling and ARROGANT." Why Little Debbie, this sounds like you?" This is against the Federal Trade Commissions Debt Collection Practices. I fully intend to file a complaint against NCO with the Federal Trade Commission – merely adding one more complaint to their lengthy list of complaints that I have found online in their files and via your website.
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
Lidman - Nice to be greeted by you this morning, my dear! As for Soilder's accounts...did that complaint say it was NCO? or just collectors in general...again...I have to ask. As for myself and our NCO collectors, (and I've had past postings stating the same)Once we find out that a debtor is in the service, protecting our country, the FIRST thing we do is tag the account for the Soldiers and Sailors program...this program puts a hold on the account while they are serving the country by stopping any additional fees, including late fees, cbr reporting or interest (for the accounts that are still active that are being collected for the original creditor that would normally still have fees applied). Once they are home, we have a re-payment plan to put them on so they won't have to pay the total delq. amount all at once. Don't believe me? You don't have to! Our NCO collectors sleep very well at night because we follow the FDCPA and State laws, and have nothing to lose sleep over. Any agency, including NCO who would violate 3rd party disclosure, in the case you mentioned, with the Grandmother, should absolutely be reported and sued...they are the ones that give collection agencies a bad reputation and I don't agree with their practices no matter what company they work for. Our NCO reps ALWAYS give the address when asked for it AND we ALWAYS sent out settlement letters...but not until after their checks clear from the bank. You have people who demand a SIF letter and the check hasn't even cleared yet. How stupid would it be for us to send the letter, only to have the debtor cancel or bounce the check on us...once they have that letter in hand, it's a done deal. Again...if the rep is rude they should be reported. But, you would be surprised how many people call us rude just for the fact that we called them about a bill. That is when the recorded tapes are for the protection of not only the debtor, but the rep as well. We've had complaints that our reps cussed and hung up on them, the tape reviewed that the rep never had a cuss word, never raised his voice and it was the debtor who used unacceptable language and hung up on the rep....so, if a debtor makes a claim like that, be sure there is a tape of that converstation...I've also had debtors say we were harassing them with phone calls...ON THE FIRST CONTACT BY PHONE!!! Harassment...NOT!
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
And who is Little Debbie? I don't make snack cakes...but I am as sweet as one.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - "And who is Little Debbie? I don't make snack cakes...but I am as sweet as one."
Well, you are and I can see that now.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - OK, Back at it.
How long has this been going on?
attacking a deployed soldier
I received a call today from a lady from NCO. She was rudely asking for my husband who is currently deployed to Iraq. When I tolded her he was not expected to return until mid-March she had the balls to tell me that if I talked to him to tell him to call her immediately. I told her
that I WOULD NOT have him call her since he is busy fighting a war and trying to stay alive.
Not to mention this is for a student loan that if they would learn how to read they would see is DEFERRED!!!!!!
This company needs to reassest how it trains its employees so that they know how to properly deal with people. Or better yet, quit hiring from the local correctional facility.
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - What?
NCO/Wyse Financial and all their related companies clearly use intimidation and disruption of your life as their main weapon.
Read in their own words from their own web site the strategy their "well trained" reps will use on you. (What a joke)
"First it is important to understand why our collection agency can collect money that continued in-house efforts could not. It's called third party intervention, and it consists of 3 elements:
1.) Intensified demand. Debtors believe collection agencies have resources beyond those available to other companies.
2.) Negative image of collection agencies. Collection agencies are perceived as relentless and utterly serious about collecting money. Having that image gives us a tremendous amount of leverage to work with. Using the sales approach we develop a relationship with the customer listening to them yet re-emphasizing to not only pay our client but to pay our client first.
3.) Implied effect on credit standing. Third party involvement implies credit rating may suffer. WYSE Financial reports to Trans Union, Equifax and Experian"
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - Your Turn.
O, it's really sunny here today hows your weather?
Later, have a good day
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
Lidman - The weather is beautiful here today...send me the link to the comment from a year and a half ago...if that was from a M3C forum, I believe I already responded to that one. And send me the link to the other...I'd like to read the entire complaint and responses.
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
Lidman - Nevermind...I found the link...instead of re-posting the complaint, why don't to repost my response to it...here...let me do it for you...in regards to the Deployed Soldier, my original response was (and let me know where we come out as the bad guy here): Yes, NCO does have a soldiers/sailors program. We have put a lot of people on it over the past year. It does NCO, the creditor or the debtor no good to keep calling when they are in the service for their country. The family they had to leave behind does not have to deal with bill collectors calling them. The collector you spoke with should have automatically put the account in for the program when they learned that he is in the service. Don't wait for NCO to call again, you call them, and TELL them to put him on this program. It is a program for that very reason, once he is on the program, the phone calls will stop and it will not have any further fees added to the account. There will be a hold on the account until his safe return home. When he gets home, and still needs time to catch up on everything, he can still possibly be put on one of our hardship programs. These programs are there to help the people, but not all collectors will tell the debtors that...why? I don't know, it does no one any good to just keep calling when they are in the service and unable to pay. I know this collector did not show it, but there are a lot of NCO collectors and employees who support our troops and you would be surprised to see how many of us proudly display our American Flag on our desk...mine has been there since 9/11 and will remain there until all of our troops are home again. My prayers to you and your husband for his safe return home. God Bless America!
Anonymous on 05/24/2006:
DebtorBasher - That was very noble of you and for that you have my respect. I just can't find another "bill collector" that I have any respect for. Will you be the first? Don't trick me now….
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
Lidman - I'll be your first...no tricks.
DebtorBasher on 05/24/2006:
Maddy: Are you proud of us?
Mad Eye Moody on 05/25/2006:
I knew you'd work it out. That's why I didn't step in...much.
DebtorBasher on 05/25/2006:
Mad Eye Moody - It's just that my baby fingers are getting very crowded from all you guys that I have wrapped around it...would you mind scooting down a little Maddy, to make room for Lidman????
DebtorBasher on 05/25/2006:
*Doing the Duck and Cover*
Mad Eye Moody on 05/26/2006:
oohhh...easy there. You're not going to be able to walk through standard sized doorways if your head grows any more.
DebtorBasher on 05/26/2006:
LOL...Maddy,everything I know about egos, I learned from you.. ;)
Ezzy on 06/02/2006:
I would say that this review of NCO is correct and probably a bit nice in describing their employees, much nicer than myself and others would describe them. Someone from NCO claiming to be a lawyer has been calling me and my parents. My mother told the caller that she would call the police if they kept calling her. I get hung up on whenever I ask this lawyer to know where he is liscensed to practice law or that I need written information on the debt sent to me. He threatened to go after my retirement fund unless I gave him my checking account information.
DebtorBasher on 06/02/2006:
Well...this review was not about NCO...but GENERAL collection agencies....If the person who has been calling you is from NCO...the violations stand out like a sore thumb and an attorney should be contacted.
nanomarket on 07/08/2006:
Although rude and inconsiderate, the NCO bill collectors are no less despicable than the people who do not pay their debts. It takes jerks to deal with jerks.
fandangamo on 08/03/2006:
Um....for the record, my quota is 300 calls per day, and commission pays the bills....
NvLaw on 10/03/2006:
I believe there are decent people who happen to have a temporary job working at collection agencies. However, the collection business as a whole, is a sad type of business, where the owners of such agencies, seek to profit from the misfortune of others. This tends to be the situation in the majority of cases. I personally know of one person who was stricken with an unknown illness, which left him partially blind, with difficulty walking and breathing for several months. He had no income for almost a full year. A large collection agency, through an auto-dialer, often called him, sometimes at 9am sharp. One morning, he briefly explained his situation to the collector, saying he might become fully blind and was not able to presently make any payment. The collector responded, " I understand, but can you make some kind of payment today? " You see, what really matters in life is how we treat every person we meet or talk with each day. It would be tough to be a collector and treat people with kindness, respect, and dignity, which really matters more than we can imagine. I guess the nature of the collection business is in natural conflict with some of these standards. Life here is too short to spend our time primarily seeking wealth at the expense of others. Perhaps, there is a much better way to seek a good living.
DebtorBasher on 12/04/2006:
"It would be tough to be a collector and treat people with kindness, respect, and dignity..." It really isn't tough at all..if you treat people the way you would want to be treated, you can still collect money without taking food from their mouths...Yes, there are TOO many hard core collectors, but you don't have to be that way. Every collection agency has programs and repayment plans, though we are trained to go for the full amount first, once we are aware that is not possible for the debtor to do...then we have other options for them...the problem is, when the hard core collector can't get that full payment, they make no other offers, making the debtor feel they have no choice and that they have to pay all or nothing...that's never the case...I've always gone for full payment, then gave options from there...hard core collectors feel it is a waste of their time to spend the time talking with the debtor or explain their options so they will just let it go as a refusal to pay and go onto the next call and try to get a full payment from the next person...People come out of training thinking they are going to get rich with big bonus' because most collection agencies will tell them they can make the big bucks, so they go full force when they get out of training, they are going to get mega bucks...that rarely happens...the hard core collectors are the ones that jump from one agency to another. There's no excuse to be rude and demanding on the phones with anyone...if they don't have it, they don't have it no matter what you say to them, the money isn't going to pop out of nowhere...and I'm talking about the ones that truly doesn't have it...not those who have it and just don't want to pay.
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Posted on
MICHIGAN -- Got a call 2 weeks ago from NCO. They said they were trying to collect payment for my husbands credit card.(Never rec'd any letter or call from credit card company that we were being sent to collections. Our account was in good standings.) They never asked once what relationship I was to the cardholder and starting giving me a line of bull crap.They said our house, car and whatever assests were in husbands name would have a lean put on them if they didn't collect a payment by aug 1st. They never asked what I could afford and demanded this certain payment. I gave them a post dated check with the option that they told me I could call and cancel on July 31st if I didn't have the full amount that they requested. So I called and cancelled it and NCO confirmed that they cancelled the payment and would not put it through. Today, I goto Wal-Mart and I couldn't use my debit card. I called the bank when I got home and sure enough NCO put the payment through unauthorized. I called NCO and they said I was insane that they needed 72 hours notice to cancel the check. NCO told me my husband had 8 judgements toward the credit card, and that if the payment wasn't made the total amount due would triple, plus interest fees, and that my husbands wages would be garnished to where he would only bring home $50 a week until the balance was paid.I called the credit card company and told them NCO refused any type of payment that I could make and they said I had to go through NCO. ( so I guess the credit card company doesn't want their money if NCO is refusing payments and handling their accounts.) anyway, NCO said they were taping my conversation when I spoke to them, but when I asked to talk to the supervisor to make a complaint all of a sudden they found no record that I was being taped. NCO provides fraudulent information to people they are trying to collect from. When I asked NCO how they were able to give me information on my husbands account without verifying who I am such as an address, phone or anything they said under the FDCPA of state laws they could talk to the cardholder or spouse of cardholder. (whose to say I was the spouse if they never asked?)NCO employees are liars, I have first and last names of people and their phone #'s with extensions of who I talked to at NCO. I documented all the lies they told me. All I wanted to do is make a payment I could afford and they told me no,lies, and the bad part is, that the 5 of the 6 people I talked to were supervisors. NCO may want to invest in what type of employees they are spending money on, seems to me like they are losing money not making it.
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Anonymous on 08/06/2003:
Aren't you reading when you type ? They got the money didn't they ? Sounds like the staff did a fine job !!! HELLOOOOOO!
Anonymous on 08/08/2003:
I am an employee of NCO, Have been now for a whole FIVE days! that's how long it took for me to see how really cruel and money grubbin these collectors really are...There is an FDCPA for a reason but yet NCO who teach's about it during there training class does not practise what they preach in fact what they say and do are two different things...NCO calls the same person everyday if not twice a day! NCO calls people at there place of employment expecting them to put there work on the side to speak with a rude collector about money they owe from accounts as old as 7 yrs! I do not think that NCO should be calling people at work that is just F****ed up! NCO is heartless and has no remorse for anyone at anytime...They want the money and will say and threatin just about anyone to get it! I def believe what the above woman stated is true I have seen and heard reps do that and it does not surprise me! ICEPICK you are one sorry a** excuse of a human to type the things you do..You must be one of those Cruel money grubbin collectors I mentioned before? You may say that now but if it were you I was calling to attempt a collect at work and home twice maybe three times a day demanding that you pay a debt you would not feel the same...NCO should not be in business and NCO def does not deserve my time which is why I have quit! I am a better person than that! and my heart goes out to all the people NCO CALLS! but I will give you one good TIP! if an NCO collector calls you all you have to do is say STOP ALL COMMUNICATION NO LETTERS OR CALLS and they are not able to call you back ever! and if they do you can easily collect 1000 yourself and get your account balanced to 0 oweing them nothing! also all NCO members must state the MINI MIRANDA before discussing any accounts with anyone on the phone! you'll know if they state it if you hear the words such as THIS IS A ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT.
Anonymous on 08/12/2003:
Code red ?
Obviously you have no idea what you are talking about. Wow 5 whole days on the collection floor and youre an expert. DO NOT STAND IN JUDGMENT OF SOMETHING YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT !!! I may come off as abrupt and harsh but I believe in the company and the work. If you cant stand the heat then get the hell out of hell !!! Im sure you have broken a few laws in your time, speeding, parking illegally, maybe underage drinking or smoking you name it almost everyone is guilty of something whether they want to admit it or not. In closing Im going to say that just because you couldnt handle a little abruptness in your life dont take it out on NCO. Go find a job flipping burgers or bagging groceries but in the future dont waste any companys time by going through 5 days of training and then pulling up stakes and leaving. Make sure you know what you want and what youre getting yourself into from now on. . No one on the collection floor will miss you. Thats a promise. Have a nice day the NCO way. Yah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of DEBT I shall fear no debtor, cause I carry a big stick and Im the biggest, baddest mother-f*cker in the valley
Anonymous on 08/12/2003:
You can tell every debtor that visits this site to advise NCO to stop calling them with a �Cease and Desist� letter if you want to but� hey� that will do nothing but extend the problem. Maybe some of these people just have no idea how they are supposed to react and they will take stupid advice and ruin their credit forever thanks to an idiot like you. CODE RED if you want to help these people then tell them that they should try to work with the agency by giving them what they want, if it is required that they approach a bank and try to get the money they do so. If they need to provide proof of income or a full financial profile then do so. Its not hard its not rocket science its just collections. Cooperation is a two-way street but CODE RED would rather set up road blocks and �men at work� signs so you can have opportunity to run and avoid the problem. Another thing CODE RED whoever the hell you are�don�t take your brain for granted judging by the way you spell you have been doing just that. Hmmmmmmm makes me wonder did you quit cause you didn�t like the job or did your mouth and all the profanity that you use get you fired. For anyone who is reading this take a look at his other postings then judge for yourself. Have a nice day the NCO way.
Anonymous on 08/13/2003:
Anonymous on 08/13/2003:
Anonymous on 08/14/2003:
Code Red is right! Icepick and wallbreaker are only making things worse..They are very rude which goes to show that CODE RED has proven a point about NCO COLLECTORS!
Anonymous on 09/28/2003:
My daughter has a problem with NCO also. They keep calling our house harassing us. Unfortunately for those who work at NC, who keep harassing us in every way possible, they will get their just rewards. Little do those ignoramus know that they have broken the Fair Dept Collections Act in every way possible. Stupid as they are, my daughter's bill has been paid by her insurance and those morons continue to call. Despite being told that they were no longer to call our home they continue to do so three, four, five times a day. Soon they will be introduced to what a very expensive lawsuit can do for violating our rights. Go get them NYS Attorney General!
lindasae on 02/18/2004:
I agree with codered, NCO is very rude. I got a phone call the other day for my husband....needless to say I always hang up on them and leave them talking. Well this lady called back about 4 times insulting me, calling me white trash....which I told her that if she read the last name any person with common sense would know that I am not white. I have been calling the number for 2 days and get no answer. I even looked it up and there are 5 listings...which all are numbers that are disconnected.
eathaor on 02/24/2004:
I agree with IcePick and others regarding NCO's rudeness, and employees. I was appalled by the way the collections person spoke to me. She was not only rude but hung up in my face. How do you treat a client like that?? Tell me, when you are trying to settle an account, you hang up in my face??????? The rude, nasty he/she calls me at work, harassing me, threating me stating I will be sued or have my wages garnished. The thing even called me a liar stating that I didn't want to pay my account. OF COURSE! I want to pay my account, IF I had the money, I would. You think I would want my wages garnished or be sued? No, so here I am trying to work something out INSTEAD the thing tells me that she is going to send my file to have my wages garnished, she didn't care and HUNG UP IN MY FACE. Now tell me how do I work with someone that hangs up in my face ???
eathaor on 02/24/2004:
I agree with IcePick and others regarding NCO's rudeness, and employees. I was appalled by the way the collections person spoke to me. She was not only rude but hung up in my face. How do you treat a client like that?? Tell me, when you are trying to settle an account, you hang up in my face??????? The rude, nasty he/she calls me at work, harassing me, threating me stating I will be sued or have my wages garnished. The thing even called me a liar stating that I didn't want to pay my account. OF COURSE! I want to pay my account, IF I had the money, I would. You think I would want my wages garnished or be sued? No, so here I am trying to work something out INSTEAD the thing tells me that she is going to send my file to have my wages garnished, she didn't care and HUNG UP IN MY FACE. Now tell me how do I work with someone that hangs up in my face ???
eathaor on 02/24/2004:
Pardon my mistake, I meant CODE RED -NOT ICEPICK. I DO NOT AGREE WITH ICEPICK.
alex2 on 03/06/2004:
Icepick, Ice oh whatever just melt! Hey moron, you must work there at NCO. Non-education Coothless Organization It is totally unnecessary to be rude to people when you are collecting money. I have done collections for almost 8 years for Attorney's I might add and if they are breaking the law..report them and let them know they will be reported. If the FTC gets enough complaints , that may warrant an investigation.
dustyrose12003 on 03/15/2004:
hey! lets here it for Alex2 and CodeRed!! You guys sure are on the right track!! I am haveing a problem with these people myself, and boy are they rude. They also like to make "deals" and "payment programs" that they know you can't possibly agree to, that way they can do their little "wage garnishment" dance. They also make sure and add a healthy fee for themselves, I might add. So, Icedick, (OOOPPPPSSSS! someone else who can't spell)go blow!!!!!
dustyrose12003 on 03/24/2004:
Codered, good, you quit that job when you found out what it was going to be. That shows real character. In my line of work, the billing can be just as hard on a person working it as being in collections. That is, I guess, because I deal with fines and citations for ordinances and laws that have been broken and/or abused. However, I don't treat people with rudeness, even though they are this way with me,(understandable, the fines are very stiff)and only once have I had no choice but to hang up on one. We will see what happens 20 years from now, though. ha ha
TinaMarie on 06/15/2004:
I have been dealing with NCO financial now for over a year. Just in March of 2004 I finally paid off my debt to them. (or so I thought) When I sent them my final payment I was relived to be out of debt until I got 15-20 phone calls from employees of NCO saying they never received my payment. It is now mid June and I'm still having to deal with the threats of a lawsuite, garnishing wages, etc. I now have proof that they did recive my payment and I plan on taking them to court for harassment. I hope I never have to deal with people who are this unprofessional and down right rude again!!
moonbaby331 on 07/09/2004:
If you think about NCO employees as what they truly are.....high pressure salesmen that exist on commission. they're actually no worse than the slick polyester wearing salesman that sells you a lemon. All you have to do is call the phone company and have all 1-800 numbers blocked. Tell them they are no longer able to call you at work or they will be sued the nex time they do for jepardizing you employment. I wouldn't recommend the "cease and decist" letter though. That's an automatic transfer of your account to the "let's go to court" pile
Chandler on 07/15/2004:
My uncle and my father both found out about my debt months ago. I have yet to receive a call from NCO myself. This was a debt I missed during a move. I tried calling multiple times to clear this up. I was transferred to busy signals, left message after message...etc. but no luck getting anything done. I finally reached someone who left me on hold for 20 minutes. Several more meessages later (each one begging them to tell me how I could send my money to clear the debt) I get hold of someone with half a brain. He can't find the record, but he does give me a number for another group. That group can look up the record, but are not trained in how to take money or properly care for customers. They give me another number. I call this number at 10:30AM on a Thursday. The first nice person answers the phone and lets me know she is not the right person to speak with and transfers me to another extension. I wait on hold for 5 minutes. The phone rings and I am sent to a message machine which informs me the office is closed!!!! at 10:30 on a Thursday!!!! If anyone knows how to pay these jerks so that I can buy a house, please let me know. Seems like incompetence and stupidity are the moduc operandi at NCO Financial.
Big Jim on 08/05/2004:
It saddens me that any of you would pay money or attention to this or any other company like them.
Remember these two things: FTC and Atty General Office. Learn the laws written plain on the internet for you and then follow up when they break them. It is a $1000 fine and a $1000 for YOU for each law broken and they will tell you all about how they know the law and it NEVER applies to them. Read it, learn it.
I ate their lunch today and they were already calling me with a very nice attitude by the next hour.
Tomorrow I will finish nailing their studid A??heads to the wall. When I get through with them they will wish they had never called me.
Never pay a collection company anything. Fire them on the spot, yes fire them! Study and learn how. You can get out of paying credit card companies as easy as going to bathroom.
If you feel you must pay your CC company do it yourself dealing with them and make an offer. They will cut it 60% so fast you wouldn't believe it. Oh yes, be sure and tell them to knock off all interest and make your payments low as you want them. Like I said they will take it because you don't have to pay them Jack.
The law is on your side but you must let them know you have a problem. Quit letting these people jack you around. You will not beleieve how it turns in your favor after you know your legal rights and you have a load of them on your side.
I hope the next time I read about you it is about how you kicked some NC ass!!!
senatorjeffhill on 08/23/2004:
Wow. I can't believe this. I found others that have been victims of NCO. They call and call my elderly relative before 8am and after 9pm. They scare her, intimidate her, and harass her. I have taped them! Don't forget to do that if you're in Texas! They turned my $350 debt into over a grand! If you're in Texas, only one person on the line has to know its being taped and you know you're taping it and, guess what? So are they anyway! Arghhhhh! They've been in violation of so many laws that I just don't know what to do! This one guy named Babar, or Barbar, or whatever, continues to harass my elderly relative (who is 70) at odd hours and screams and yells at her. I owe $350??? They owe us well over $3000 just in what the federal government law says. Hey--I'm doing this for one of my business law classes! Wait until that fool finds out I've been taping him! He went from over one thousand dollars, to 500, to 300 in the same conversation!!! Look, I owe $350 and I need to pay it. No kidding. I don't know how it went to collections after talking to Capital 1. They seemed to understand. Well, I've talked to the attourney general's office and they have complaints in Texas! Well surprise, surprise! I can't find them. What is their website? All I can find is complaint after complaint! How far can I go down google??? 7 pages? 10 pages? 50 pages? Goodness, what is their website address?? Can anyone help? Man, they're going to owe me probably $5000 after all is said and done in the state of Texas. For those of you not in Texas, sorry your laws aren't as strong. I'm donating the tapes after everything to my consumer law teacher from last spring semester when all is said and done!!
guitarsweety on 09/01/2004:
I just read that NCO is in the middle of a lawsuit from the FTC. NCO is a joke, they have never once been able to verify the debt they say I owed and I was recently informed the a**holes have been removed from my report. I'm still debating on whether or not to pursue the harassment situation, sound slike they are in enough trouble already....
weeb on 09/09/2004:
I just found your web site and am shocked to find so many others have had the horrible experience with this company as I have. I have noticed a lot of you have mentioned not to send them your $, and also that you have had them removed from your credit report. I wonder if anyone could share their suggestions with me. It would be of much help.
Mike03038 on 03/26/2005:
Nco financial loves to make threatening phone calls give you one hour deadlines. Claim they are going to put a lien on your home, all kinds of stuff.. don't take you don't have a dime to your name. they are unreal.
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Do Not Post Date/Prepay NCO-They Withdrew The Same Day
Posted by
HORSHAM, PENNSYLVANIA -- 1st NCO never billed me for a medical bill; but, the bill was reported to the collection bureau - l learned of it when my credit report was checked.
2nd in good faith I provided them with my bank account routing info., that they may debit my checking account on my pay day, a week later. However, they withdrew funds on the same day.
Consequently, Medical debts incurred after I had gone to the emergency room (which I plan never to do again in life). Then on last Thursday 9/5/2013 I pre-settled three debts, including NCO.
NCO is the only collector that did not bill me, at all.
NCO was the only collector to misrepresent themselves by withdrawing funds out of my checking account on the date that I did not agree to.
When I asked them to return the funds and debt my account on the agreed upon date, they (describe this act of congress) needed my banking info, put me on hold to rid me. I eventually hung up.
This was my 2nd call to NCO that; my 1st comment was after review of my files I need you to take the money out of my account on the agreed upon day. The team lead Ms. [snip] did not listen; she immediately said when you called earlier today you were OK with this mistake.
Oh, when I called and ask for a manager, no can do. Of course, I was placed on hold and my call was disconnected several times. By the way, they have caller ID and know who is on the line.
I hope and pray never to deal with them again in Life!
Their service is poor and I will report this to the credit bureau. Ms. [snip] never offered to pay any fees that I incurred due to their neglect.
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DebtorBasher on 09/12/2013:
Did NCO ask for a post dated check? Because they are not allowed solicit post dated checks, it's against the FDCPA. However, they an accept it if the debtor offers it. Yes, they were wrong for cashing it before the date you told them. That is why it is always best to make arrangements to pay on that date...either by calling them or having them call you on the day your funds are available. NCO is not the only company that has put post dated checks through early. What we don't know is whether or not the collector entered the future date on the computer or if they did and the payment went through by another department in error. You are always taking a chance when making a payment with post dated check. You put your trust in someone you don't know. Don't let anyone pressure you into post dating any payments. YOU are in the driver's seat and they will get the payment when YOU give it to them.
The person you mentioned in your review has had many other complaints written about her and it's hard to believe she's still with them. If she worked this way at the NCO I worked at, she would have been fired a long time ago.
One more question...when you gave them your bank information for the post dated check...was this towards the end of the month and the check dated for the beginning of the following month? The reason I ask this question is because if that was the case, I'd bet my money that it wasn't an error, but a collector who wanted that payment put through before the end of the month so it would go towards his current month's bonus. I've seen many collectors do that when worked at Chase.
trmn8r on 09/12/2013:
You sure are inquisitive today, Basher. Your suggestion at the end sounds feasible - I had a medical provider do the opposite - held a check for months so it wouldn't show as the previous period's income.
madconsumer on 09/12/2013:
this has been said before by other victims of NCO.
never give them access to any account of yours, as they will do what they did here. they are the bottom of the barrel of the collection services.
DebtorBasher on 09/13/2013:
Thank you, 8er, 8er, my 8er!
Old Timer on 09/13/2013:
You know when anyone from NCO is lying?
...When they open their mouth.
You know want a NCO collector locked inside a ten year old outhouse is?
... A start.
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Heed the warnings.....
Posted by
PENNSYLVANIA -- I have read the entire first page of reviews and complaints regarding this company. No need for me to read further. I have received numerous phone calls from NCO Financial in the past month to get in touch with my husband who is never home because of his over the road trucking job. I've advised them of this, but they still check in. I've offered to speak to them before, but they gave a speech about their policy regarding only speaking to the debt holder due to the federal privacy act. I was always told it was "personal business". Well, today they called and again he's not home so I guess the federal privacy speech went out the window because they started chatting away giving me details of his overdue account and asking me to set up a payment plan. Well, I told her I could not pay in one lump sum today, but I did agree to the $50/month repayment plan, however I would set it up through online Bill Pay with my bank. This would allow my bank to send them a designated amount that we agreed to directly to NCO each month. I refused to share my bank account/routing number with her and stated for fear of identity theft. She assured me the transactions were secure. I told her no company is exempt from unlawful misuse of personal information. If they can send me something in writing that would guarantee that, I may consider sharing my personal financial information, but not on the say so from someone I don't know and a company I am not familiar with. At any rate, the collections rep refused my offer and stated they would pursue with reporting it to the credit bureaus.
I thought I would share my experience. The woman was neither rude nor kind. She was "business-like" . I guess I got lucky there. At any rate, I called the people we actually owed the money to and I've offered a payment schedule I could handle to them to satisfy my debt to which they kindly stated that would be acceptable. I have taken the advice of a previous poster in here regarding the federal letter which I generated immediately and will mail out to them certified with receipt.
You know, we incur debt due to various reasons in life. Ultimately we will also be responsible for that debt no matter who's hand it falls into or how much time passes. That is what directly affects our credit report/rating, not the company who's handling our account. It is their obligation to report it. A collection's agency purpose is to provide a final effort to collect a debt before it reaches your credit report so it's usually in your best interest to satisfy the debt. However, with the rising concerns of identity theft, no company is exempt from an unlawful employee misusing confidential information for personal gain. How often that happens, we'll never know but it's for certain the risk is present. With that type of access, it's too good to pass up for some people. So what do we do when we really want to satisfy a debt but don't want to compromise our personal financial information? Well, if you truly owe the money they cannot refuse you sending them money to repay your debt if you send it on your own. If you do that, I would always send it certified and with return receipt. That is your proof payment was sent and received. I would also keep a copy of the payment you sent and a letter as well as any banking transactions to go with it. On the payment I would indicate your policy/account number related to the debt (not your bank). I would suggest you send money order or cashier's check instead of personal check to keep your personal banking information secure completely. This also prevents any bounced payments since money orders are prepaid. Please make sure this will be accepted otherwise you've wasted your time and money. If available, you may also try online Bill Pay through your bank. You'll need your account # for the collections agency, their full business name, address, phone number and payment amount. Of course you can also call them and ask to pay a certain amount via credit card. If they refuse, then ask for a supervisor. They are the ones bugging you to pay your bill. Too bad if it's not the way they want it. Paying a bill shouldn't be a hassle if one really wants to fulfill their debt obligation. That is the primary function of their business. If that doesn't work, seek legal advice. There are various sources online and some local offices will take the time to give you direction.
In the end, we'll never know what started this consumer war between debtors and collections agencies. The general opinion regarding collections agencies are "pushy" people who will do whatever it takes to get your debt settled. It makes the collection agencies money to settle a debt. They buy delinquent accounts from companies who cannot get people to pay their debts. If you incur a debt for any reason, say hospital, they generally give you 90 days to pay your bill. After that, they forward it to collections. That is to say your account is "sold" to a collections agency to then collect the debt. They get paid to collect that debt. That would mean the company would have to be aggressive in obtaining payment for that debt so you get the numerous calls for debt collection. Somewhere along the line, this aggressive way of doing business has gone beyond customer service and grown into threats, name calling, demeaning conversations, misrepresentation, etc. I'm not saying all that is reflective of NCO, but I've dealt with a few other companies that have done so. The collections market is competitive. Bottom line is, don't incur debt if you don't have to. Crawling out from underneath is a very nasty job. Nothing justifies their treatment of people, but they won't stop. So instead of complaining, let it be a new revelation to stop debt putting yourself in debt and get rid of collections agencies for good. Only one who will care about you truly is "YOU".
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DebtorBasher on 07/23/2007:
Excellent post, Sunny...and I agree with the tips you gave about keeping protecting your personal information. I have turned to sending money-orders for my utility bills etc...I don't want anyone having access to my checks. It only takes one dishonest person in a company to ruin a person's credit and make their life miserable.
As for NCO not speaking with you because of the privacy policy...there are some states that will not allow a collector to speak with the spouse..but, if the debtor sends written permission allowing them to speak with a third party, then they would be able to disclose the info.
Also, not all accounts in collections were bought by collections. Many times, a collection agency is hired to collect on a debt and once it becomes current, it is turned back over to the original creditor. Those were the kind of accounts we did at the NCO I worked at...we didn't own them...and because WE didn't own the accounts, we were not able to place anything on the debtor's credit report or send them to legal to sue them...that was all up to the original creditor. If they didn't buy your husband's account, then they were in violation of the FDCPA for "misleading" you when they said that. I have a feeling that they DON'T own the account, since the original creditor set up a payment arrangement with you...otherwise,they would have told you that you had to talk with NCO. Good luck to you!
Sunny71 on 07/23/2007:
Thank you so much for your feedback on NCO. Interesting point about buying collections accounts. I agree with the privacy policy. I've been a nurse for 12 yrs so I'm definitely familiar with "privacy". I was surprised that for the past month they said that and then all of the sudden today they were willing to open the flood gates. No letter was generated to them giving them permission to talk to me. I know that for certain. Interesting point about reporting to credit bureaus. More and more I feel horrible tactics are being used to "scare" people into paying their debt. Regardless of the reason, we still need to be kind until its time to be stern. Not rude or belligerent or even downright nasty. Don't they have inservices on PR skills???
Ohh, one other point I wanted to mention. If money orders or cashier's checks are not acceptable and you'd like to use a credit card. Go to a bank or local business and buy a credit card. You can get them now just as you would a gift card, only it's used as a credit card. My bank offers them. They charge nothing for the card itself, just the amount you want to put on it. So you would have a credit card designated just for paying a specific bill and you wouldn't have to expose your normal credit card or if you don't have a credit card at all. It's fast, easy and works. Once the payment is done you won't get hit with negative balance fees or unauthorized transactions, etc. You use only what's on it, nothing more. The card is re-usable. There's no annual fees, monthly fees or anything like that. So this may be another avenue for someone to pay a bill without compromising your personal financial information.
DebtorBasher on 07/23/2007:
I haven't heard about those types of bank cards...but it sounds good...even for on-line purchases. After being in collections for a gazillion years, I've talked to all kinds of fraud victims and it basically ruins marriages, families and lives. So, I'm very paranoid about everything now.
Sunny71 on 07/23/2007:
Oh absolutely! I'm all too familiar with the financial strain on marriages, especially related to fraud. We don't own any credit cards. I didn't even order checks with our new bank. I don't use them and haven't used them in the last 2-3 years. I think this credit card is something new. When I inquired within my bank about them, they hadn't even received them from their main branch yet. I asked how it was used and they said you just designate any dollar amount you want on it and pay that amount. That's it and it's redeemable just like any other credit card. Reason I asked was for gift card purposes so ppl aren't confined to one store, but this could be used in any situation where a credit card would normally be used. I thought it was great. Haven't tried it yet, but I plan to for an upcoming birthday.
Starlord on 07/23/2007:
Sunny, I wish you luck. I have seen it said that NCO has more complaints than the next nine companies of it's type COMBINED. When you send the certified letter, send an identical copy to yourself the same way. When it arrives, put it back and do not open it. If they try to pull the old, "Well, we didn't receive it." you will have proof it was sent, 1. with your return receipt or confirmation, and 2. your identical copy, unopened. Debtor, they are advertising those cards all over now. It is sort of like a secured credit card, except it really is not secured. It is more like a gift card from Wal-Mart or something. You load the card with funds that you control when and how much you put in. You can use it like regular credit or debit card, like if you want to rent a car. Every car rental place now, except maybe Rent-A-Wreck. The card will work anywheere any other Visa or MasterCard works. Sounds great.
DebtorBasher on 07/24/2007:
Star...how would sending a certified copy to yourself, prove that a copy was also sent to the agency?
warddw1526 on 07/24/2007:
In terms of speaking to the spouse, there are 3 states that state law prohibits that. They are Alabama, Iowa, and Massachusetts. Some agents (espescially new agents) do not feel comfortable enough to speak with the spouse about a debt.
Sunny71 on 07/24/2007:
I've recently obtained a POA to assist me in representation of these accounts that are only in my husbands name. A specific clause was added so that I am not restricted to just Pennsylvania, but that only the parts of the POA that are not recognized by another state would be. As soon as my husband arrives home, well head to the notary and get these forms taken care of and issued. I realize not all may accept this form of documentation, but I'm sure as hell going to try. BTW, I did sent out my certified letter with receipt today so it's on the way.
Nunnaya on 08/10/2007:
First of all, I do agree with you about not being so willy nilly giving your information out especially to a "strange" company! But, at the beginning of your post, you stated that NCO had made numerous attempts to contact you about the debt, so I'm not sure how you felt that they were unknown having received calls from them numerous times in the past. Surely, you must have known after the first few times they called that there was a matter that needed to be handled by your spouse... seeings as your spouse is "gone all of the time" as you stated... I'm sure you must be in the position to handle the necessary household expenses and also personal business on his behalf...so why now when someone speaks to you about what's going on with your husband and the matter needs resolution do new reasons, stalls, or excuses come up? You said you did not have the lump sum and you agreed to pay fifty a month... so you must have agreed and acknowledged the debt to agree to pay it... and you know NCO exist... your here on this site... So I'm not sure as to what would have been the big problem with you paying over the phone... People always say this type of thing, get snitty, and then send us a check themselves... well guess what... the same info on your check is the same info you would have given over the phone so they still have it... your routing, acct nbr, bank name, check nbr etc... exact same... so your info is still exposed... remember that....
Sunny71 on 08/13/2007:
I never gave them any information. All they had was our phone number. I offered to work with them but THEY REFUSED TO TALK TO ME. THEY stated it was "personal business" and would only talk to him. Each time they called I told them he was out of town. I have never dealt with NCO so there was no access to my bank at all, now or previously. I do handle all the financial business while my husband is gone. They were well informed about that. As far as my phone number and address, I know they had that. However given that information, I was never sent anything in writing. Just a bunch of nasty phone calls. SURELY I did know there was a matter that needed attention, I'm not a stupid woman. I can't do anything about it if they refuse to work with me. So I went to the source. I called the old insurance directly, set up a repayment plan, they accepted and I sent a notification to NCO regarding that and I have never received another nasty phone call since. They had no problems working with me so I don't know why NCO gave me such a hassle. I did not send any payment at all to NCO, it's all going directly to the source, the insurance company. So, in conclusion, your assessment is wrong. I'm fully aware of what my check reveals so I did not offer to send it. I don't need to "remember that" as you so called put it. Don't assume that ppl who post on here are "snitty", "unreasonable" or "unknowledgeable". I didn't post here to be judged, only to express my experience with this company.
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How to get NCO off your back!!!!
Posted by
NCO Financial started calling me very soon after I went delinquent on my American Express card. Before I go any further, YES I do owe the debt, but due to financial reasons, I was unable to make any payments at the time. So, they called me all day, every day...Called my cell, my wife, anything they could. Even after talking to them and explaining my issue, they would call me back the same day hoping that I miraculously won the lottery and could pay them. They all spoke horrible English and eventually started talking down to me and trying to put words in my mouth. After months of this, we finally came to terms on a settlement, but they REFUSED to put anything in writing. After talking to 4 supervisors and catching them all in lies about their company's practices (they all contradicted each other), I finally got to feeling that I was being scammed and just felt very uncomfortable. I called American Express with an attempt to settle directly with them, however they said I could not. I then learned that NCO was contracted out to collect the debt and that it WAS NOT SOLD TO THEM. They lady with AMEX asked if I would like to file a complaint with their actions, I did and she removed them from negotiations. Within a weeks time, NCO stopped calling and Nationwide Credit took over. After a 20 minutes phone call, I came to terms with Nationwide and within 3 weeks, the settlement was COMPLETE!!! NCO has not called me since. I am more excited to see NCO go down then I am to settle that account...lol So if you are in the same boat as I was, call your original creditor and see if you can have them removed from the account.
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MRM on 06/29/2010:
Thank you for advising your readers what avenues to take when filing a complaint against the debt collectors. I did not know this and now I know!
madconsumer on 06/29/2010:
this is a great review. well written, and well infornmed!!
ok4now on 07/19/2010:
I like a story with a happy ending. Good for you! Keep in mind that most debt collectors work on commission. They have absolutely no compassion for the debtor and will try to squeeze every last dime out of you. Due to this horrible economy many honest hard working people have lost their jobs and no longer have the ABILITY to pay. Debt collectors fail to understand this. "Show Me The Money!" In the financial food chain they come dead last. First is your mortgage/rent. A close 2nd is food for your family. All the rest can wait.
grims on 07/26/2010:
Thank you for the information! NCO is intimidating and unpleasant to work with. When I originally fell behind and called Amex they did not tell me I could request the removal of NCO however after reading this review I have successfully had NCO removed and Nationwide is handling my Amex account. Many thanks for your help!!!!!
Anonymous on 07/26/2010:
Not only are they often commissioned, but they can often purchase your debt from the original lender for a minimal fee, which is a gamble for them, but if they can get you to pay, they make a small profit.
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The Company Kings of Fraud
Posted by
About 2 months ago, I started getting telephone calls from NCO Financial at ALL times of the day. Starting at 8am and not ending until 9pm. I finally got tired of it and called them back. They told me that I had a debt that needed to be paid. When I inquired from whom this debt was for, they stated it was from Sears Roebuck. Here's the kicker...I haven't had a Sears account since 1989 when my credit cards were stolen. When I asked the guy at NCO what the date of the debt was. He stated, 1989. I then told him, that under the laws of Florida, this is a non-valid debt as it was from stolen credit cards AND extend past 7 years. I told him to stop calling me, and if they continue, they will be sued for harassment and fraud. That actually seemed to work.
Then, I jumped on the phone with Sears's Fraud Department. Of course they asked me for my account information...which I didn't have and haven't had in 20 years! I informed them that selling an account that they had a police report on for theft, was illegal and I demanded that they ceased NCO Financial immediately, or they will also face a lawsuit. They're fraud department "disconnected" my call THREE TIMES!!!!
I decided to pull my credit reports. Sure enough, NCO Financial is listed on my credit report SEVEN TIMES. TWO are for the same account (for which proof of theft was given). The other FIVE accounts were from companies that go back 15 years or more!
This is very frustrating as I DO NOT OWE ON THESE ACCOUNTS. I spent three years of my life fighting credit card companies and proving the theft of my credit cards and identity theft. Now, thinking that I can start to get my life back, NCO Financial decides to repost old debts to my credit file. Regardless that I do not owe them anything! Now, I have to go back 20 years, find the police report and dispute all the items on my credit report.
This is a never ending cycle and I am so fed up with it, that I am going to fight fire with fire. I'm not only posting as much negative information about NCO Financial and the companies that sell their accounts to them, all over the internet...I am going to every single BBB and Government Consumer Department known to man.
NCO Financial, needs to stop being greedy and buying up accounts! They need to actually research the "zombie" accounts that they are buying before they find themselves out of business for good.
I think a Class Action Lawsuit is in order. And I believe, that any company that sells it's old and closed accounts to NCO Financial, should have to pay as well. Selling fraudulent and old accounts should be against the law! It's fraudulence on a corporate level.
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tnchuck100 on 03/03/2010:
You are not alone. NCO has many, many victims. If you haven't already done so check out the information from these sources:
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
As far as a class action goes NCO has been the plaintiff several times. And lost. Even if you were party to a class action you would gain very little, if anything. However, you must understand, this is not a deterrent to them. It is merely a cost of doing business. Overall their tactics, legal or not, has proven very profitable for them.
DebtorBasher on 03/03/2010:
The FDCPA allows collection agencies to call between 8am - 9pm in the debtor's time zone. No Violation there...but once they make contact with you, they can not keep calling the same day. Making contact means actually talking with you. They can also leave several messages for you in the same day, as long as the messages are left at different phone numbers (calls at work depend on what state you live in). Anyway, I know that's not the main point in your complaint. Send NCO a validation of debt request (Link is found on my blog), you should be able to get the original account number from them (Credit reports doesn't always give complete acct. numbers). Usually, I'd advise to send a cease & desist letter to stop contacting you, but since this is a fraud case, you will want to leave that line of communication open to get this solved. However, I would advise you to request ceasing phone calls and tell them to only contact you by mail, this way everything you get from them, will be in writing. Since you never got any notice in the mail, I am guessing they don't have your current address, so it's up to you if you want them contacting you by mail...but that is what I'd suggest. Make a paper trail. Verbal conversations on the phone won't help you any, unless you tape the conversations. Know your laws and your rights...if you decide to tape a phone conversation, the State of Florida requires consent from all parties.
PepperElf on 03/03/2010:
so basically, ignoring the call means they can call you back as many times as they want , etc until they make contact
Anonymous on 03/03/2010:
The Florida statute of limitations is five years so if these debts/last payments are over five years old the debt is not enforceable although there's nothing in the law to prevent a collector from trying to collect. Also, if the debts/last payments are over seven years old they cannot be reported to the credit bureaus. NCO got in trouble for re-aging I would think they learned their lesson.
Looks like a real mess. If it were me I would consult an attorney.
DebtorBasher on 03/03/2010:
Yes Pepper, that's what it means. That is why so many people say they are being harassed by phone calls (In general,not directed at the poster). Many times a collector will not leave a message on the voice mail because once they do, they can't call that number back that day...so, they choose not to leave a message and the call will come back up in the dialer. Now, if a collector sees on the dialer that the number has been called for days in the morning hours and no contact has been made...they can code the account so it won't come up in the dialer until the evening...no contact in the mornings usually tell them the people work, so they will have a better chance of reaching them in the evening, so they will set the call to be placed after 5pm or whatever.
Anonymous on 03/03/2010:
Basher, If I answer the call and just start reading them passages from Moby Dick how would that be coded?
DebtorBasher on 03/03/2010:
If you ID yourself as the debtor, it will be a coded as a contact, no promise. And called back the next day (State law permitting).
If you don't ID yourself, but the collector ID's themself, it would be a left message.
If neither ID's themself, it would be DOCUMENTED that an unidentified person picked up phone, refuse to ID...no message left...and back on the dialer.
DebtorBasher on 03/03/2010:
When I say, "would be"...I mean that is the way I trained the collectors at our NCO...as for the other collection agencies, I should say, "Should be".
MissMae on 03/03/2010:
If each of these debts were found to be fraud through stolen identity and credit cards being stolen, shouldn't the CC companies have cleared the balances all those years ago? If they had, there would be no record of these debts now, right?
In addition to what others posted, you should also file a dispute through each credit bureau. You can do it online or call them directly and they will mail you the information.
Soaring Consumer on 03/11/2010:
You are definitely entitled compensation for this mess after this is all said and done. It is time to give them what for. Possibly if your local news channel has a consumer advocacy segment the process of correcting the problem might move a lot quicker if you seek their help, and it would also make their sleazy practices public. Voted helpful.
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Emotional bullies
Posted by
dizzy doris
LONDON, ENGLAND -- I am so glad to have found this site after receiving an emotional bashing from these sick people who are employed by NCO Europe I have somewhere I can take out my frustrations because if I kept it all in I would be in danger of having a heart attack. NCO had been taking payments from my bank account for four months but I noticed a few weeks ago the payments had stopped so I tried ringing them them to see what the problem was as there were sufficient funds in my account to cover the debt, as normal I spent over an hour trying to get through to them with no avail so left a message for them to call me back. They did ring me back and explained it was a problem on their part and it would be be rectified and I would be contacted to assure me the payments were still been taken.I never received this call from them and after checking my account on the arranged payment date realized they were still not taking out the payment so decided to call them again to sort this out once and for all. I left it till just before closing time hoping I might get through to them.After a few minutes I did manage to speak to someone ,at this point I was very calm and collected and tried to explain the situation to which I was told they didn't care who I had spoken to previously and what I had been told and that I had not been making the payments as arranged and that I would be taken to court and bailiffs would be sent to my property I continuously tried to explain that it was not my fault but was spoken to with such contempt I could not believe what I was hearing .I ended up losing my temper and asked why he was treating me this way to which I was told" because I can".
I told the man to take me to court and that it would just let the judge see what a heartless b****** company they were,he continued to speak to me in this way until I began to cry at which point it was obvious he was getting a sick kick out of hearing me upset he also called me a cry baby and said he would only speak to me if I apologized for swearing at him. At this point I just wanted to resolve the situation and did apologize to which he taunted "I cannot hear you" three times in order for me to say it louder then laughed and I could also hear other people laughing in the background so I quickly took back the apology as I told him the situation was upsetting my children as they do not like to see there mum get upset he said he didn't care.
I also told the man that he was harassing me and that I would be taking legal action against him and would be contacting the police about these unorthodox practices to which I was told that was the funniest thing he had heard all week. At this point I realized I was wasting my time speaking to these sick people who thrive on upsetting people and terminated the phone call before he had chance to do so and in order to get back some control, which is half of the problem with these kind of people, they like to control. Any way I have taken legal advice and found out a bit more about this company and the fact they are trained to act in this way.All I can say is what is this world coming to it frightens me the mentality of some people.Will let you know what happens anyway, these people need to be challenged.
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Ponie on 08/21/2007:
Marks of punctuation and paragraphs are your friends.
Dior4Me on 08/22/2007:
The time of your call to this imbecile would be recorded either on your phone or on theirs. It cannot be erased. You need to call the police, the Better Business Bureau. I have mentioned before, "outsourcing" that companies do, and you can be talking to some pervert who is sitting there amusing himself. The entire purpose of outsourcing is to save money. This means that they pay little, and have to take whomever they can get. In no way should you be subjected to this but you no doubt are not the only one. Once the newspapers, etc. get hold of this, more people will come forward. Just remember, they are "outsourcing" and the people know and can do what they please because the company is not going to find such low paying workers anywhere. I feel bad for those who really need the work and are desperate and who try very hard but there are those out there whom you are speaking to in a scenerio that would shock you and make you pity this poor clown rather than report him.
warddw1526 on 08/22/2007:
Unless anyone is an expert in the debt collection laws of Englad, I would leave this one alone. I work for NCO, in North America, but know nothing about collection laws in England.
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