Supposed debt collector calling with threats?

Question

I got a call for the first time yesterday (9/9/13) from a gentleman telling me that I needed to call him today (yesterday) in in regards to a debt and gave me a case number and phone number to call him back about the pending charges against me. I then received an e-mail from my mom, as he had called her and left the same message that I needed to call him in regards to pending charges against me, called my grandmother with the same message. So when I got a chance I called the number and pressed "0" for the operator as I didn't have an extenstion for this gentleman and asked her what the name of the company was, she hung up on me when I asked the second time. I then called back and got the operator again and she told me the name of the company was "Union Group" which was a litigation firm for debt collection, or something along those lines. She then asked if I had a case number, at that point I gave it to her. She said yes, we have your case file here and it shows you have pending charges. At this point I asked what company they were representing for this debt. She told me they were not able to give that information until they verified mine. She then asked if I ever received mail and my mailing address and then asked me to give her my social. I said that I would not unless I knew what the entire call and "pending" charges were for and she told me she could not tell me that information until I gave her my SSN. At that point I  hung up. They then called my place of employment and spoke with HR and told her that I needed to contact them today (yesterday) before they came to my place of employment and served me papers. The HR lady told me it sounded fishy, but that she wanted to pass the message along. Today I got another message from the gentlemen, this time he didn't give me his name, only gave a number and case number and told me that they hvae a confirmed address for me now and that I have until they find me to settle the matter with them. I have no problem settling any matter I may or may not have, I am not aware of anything that should be in collections, but it could be an oversight on my part. However I am not going to give my information out to someone who won't tell me why they are calling, or what the matter is in regards to. Is there anything I can do other than file complaints against them with the state attorney general and the FTC? I googled the number and the company name. I was unable to find ANYTHING on the company and the number keeps bringing me to pages for FMCG website and to be able to order bulk lighters, but I am unsure how old the websites are with the listed number either.

Ryan · Accepted Answer

they should be able to verify you off the last 4 of your SSN. no reason at all you need to give them the entire thing. and at that to get the information if you can verify the address town phone number and everything else that is enough on its own. any company that asks you for your SSN for debt collection is full of it. there is a few different government sites you can report it as false. this should help you




http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0149-debt-collection

Phil R · Answer

According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, once you have spoken with this firm personally, and apparently you have, they are required to send you, via US Mail, information concerning the debt.  They may have done so already.  When you receive this information, you should write back to them, (and make sure you keep a copy of all correspondence), and advise them that you dispute the debt, demand an accounting of the alleged debt, and do not offer payment.

Once they have spoken with you, there is no excuse whatsoever for them to contact any third party.  The only legitimate use of a third party contact is to locate you to communicate about the debt. Once they have done that, they may not contact any third party, period.

If you hold them to the letter of the law, many of these companies routinely violate it. For instance, they may or may not actually be licensed to practice law.  Only a lawyer can file a lawsuit against you, on behalf of that company.  And, that lawyer needs to be licensed to practice law in your state.  

Once you have received verification of the debt, you can then determine if you wish to pay it or contest it further.  If you pay it for less than is owed make sure that you have IN WRITING from them that this is full settlement of the matter, so that they cannot sell the remainder to someone else to collect.

Lone Cat · Answer

It's a scam.  I doubt if there's a real debt.  Most companies will call you many times before sending it to a debt collector.  So there's really no way for you to have a debt and not know about it.

A real debt collector doesn't need your ss#, and they would know better then to ask for it over the phone.  That might even be illegal.  It's also illegal for them to contact your relatives or your place of employment.

There are places where you can report them, I don't have that info.  But don't expect anything to come from it.  These guys know how to stay out of reach of the law.

I would just hang up on them.  I suppose you can tell them to mail you the debt.  But I don't really see any point in talking to them at all.

Don't believe ANYTHING they say.  We all ready know that their liars, cheats, and thieves.   I imagine their next move will be to tell you that your going to be arrested.  Just don't believe them and don't talk to them.

Nuff Sed · Answer

You ask them what their address is. Send them written notice never again to contact you or anyone else about the alleged debt and you demand written proof you owe any debt. Send it via certified mail, return receipt requested as well as regular mail.

If they do not give you their address, it is 100 percent scam. Hang up. Phone the police and report the harassing phone calls immediately.

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Supposed debt collector calling with threats?

4 Answers