NCO Financial Systems - Other complaints and reviews...

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NCO Financial Systems - Other complaints and reviews...
Latest NCO Financial Systems Reviews...

# Harassment and Badgering
# Here Is Your Sign
# 4:30 pm
# Stupid Managers
# NCO is trying to help you people
# Take The Easy Way Out
# NCO Bites
# Very Sketchy Business
# Previous Calls From and Accounts Placed with NCO
# Keep Your Eyes Open With NCO


Read all reviews on NCO Financial Systems
Scam - Don't Fall For It
2/6/2009

Beware - My boyfriend just received a collections letter from NCO claiming they had purchased his account from a communications company.

He never had an account with the company in question. The company name is misspelled, his middle name is incorrect...

In addition, NCO says they will be willing to receive 35% of the amount due but he needs to call first to see if the offer still stands. Baloney, all legal letters must give a date that an offer of settlement ends. Next, NCO lists zero for collection charges, interest, etc... What collection company would really opt to not add collection charges??

I suggest you NOT send them a letter or call them. We are going to report them for fraud.


I need to settle an account with NCO
2/6/2009

I have a $1500 credit card debt with NCO. I'm currently saving money so that I might settle this debt in a lump sum. I want to make sure that the account ends up closed and that the necessary repair work is done to my credit report. How do I go about doing this?

My husband dealt with NCO about 6 years ago. They came to an agreement on a dollar amount to settle his debt, however, they refused to send him a letter verifying this agreement. Essentially, he didn't want to send them money without written proof of their agreement to close the account on receipt of the money. He ended up filing bankruptcy. I was not in his life at this time so I don't know why he felt bankruptcy was necessary, but I certainly don't want to file for $1500!!

I want an agreement in writing before I send them any money. How do I go about doing it?


What To Do......
1/26/2009 COLUMBUS OH

I am a past employee of NCO Financial... I was not a collector, I worked in the support area. If you get a collection call that you do not agree with, you are allowed by law to dispute the claim. By law the client has to provide you a statement showing date, services performed, any demographics that prove the debt is valid. From there the client has 30 days to provide evidence to the debtor or the claim has to be removed from your credit report. If you okay the claim off... be sure to check your credit report to make sure the claim has in fact been removed.

BTW..rarely do the clients send in evidence to support the claim. Hope this helps!


Collection practices
1/15/2009

I received a call on my cell on 1-9-09 I was asked to hold on for a representative, I did, they came on and asked for my son-in-laws brother, I asked who they were and they hung up. I called AT&T to find out the number of the caller but they couldn't give me that information, because it wasn't available to them. AT&T charged my number for the call. 1-15-09 I received another call with the same instructions, this time they did tell me who they were, gave me a phone number and again requested to speak to the same person. I told them that my number had been on the do not call list since February of 2008, they were in violation, and I was reporting them to the FCC (which I did).

Keep in mind I know the person they were asking about only as my son-in-laws brother whom I have met twice (one of which was the wedding) and have no relationship with.

So this tells me that NCO Financial has now stooped to the level of searching for names of relatives to harass. I'm curious to see what the FCC will do.


Workmans Comp Issue
12/21/2008 USA PA

I worked for a company last year Nov 7,2007 I got hurt at work.. It went through workmans comp.. For some reason or another I keep getting a bill from the ( comp name ->*****) emergency physicians I keep taking this back up to the former employer and they tell me they turn this in. They do not know what is going on. well low and behold this past Saturday I get a bill from NCO formerly OSI collections about this workmans comp bill. I will not call them from my home phone nor cell or even try the Oneline site. As I know they will get my numbers and call all hours of the day. You know how annoying this is.. This goes to MY CREDIT REPORT.

So now I Guess I have to go to my former employer and tell them I am taking this to my lawyer because now this is getting to be crap. Its been over a year now and someone is not doing their job.


Cut & Dry Case of Harassment
12/18/2008 OH

First of all, I would like to address Lissie's comment and everyone else's like hers. It's pretty snotty for you to assume that people are being harassed simply because they didn't pay a bill. There are a number of people, including myself, that are getting harassing calls because someone else fraudulently supplied our phone number knowing they would never pay the debt incurred.

No one should be commenting about anyone else's debt or financial problems considering the economy right now. You do not know their situation and therefore should not speak to it. There are lots of hard working people that would happily pay their debts if they were not suffering financial difficulties as a result of layoffs and economic downturns.

I have been getting phone calls on my cell phone from NCO and countless others for many months now, all because some woman that I don't even know randomly picked my cell phone number to use to perpetrate her fraud.

I am sending my cease and desist letter off today. I am also saving all of my time and date stamped messages to prove the harassment. I wish all of you the best of luck in ending your torment.


Bogus Arbitration
12/2/2008

This is reprinted http://www.arbitrationjustice.com/
from Arbitration INJustice

Since you are being screwed by almost every arbitration claim that is filed with the Not Always Fair forum, we thought you might want to be a little more acquainted with those who are filing these bogus claims.

NCO Portfolio Management, Inc.
1804 Washington Blvd.
Department 500 (for arb department)
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: 443-263-3063 – 800-688-0947
Fax: 443-263-3063

NCO Staffers:
Darrell Richard Hastings, Attorney
Mieka Cherron Marie Dorsey, Attorney
David Robert Schlee, Jr., Attorney
Clarissa L. Horton, Supervisor Arb Department

The Arb Filers, Aka; “The Proctologists”

Clarissa L. Horton
Supervisor, Arbitration Department (Aka/Document Reproduction Expert)

Email: clarissa.horton@ncogroup.com

Clarissa keeps the copy machine running so it can turn out that same arbitration agreement wink ;-) wink): used on every scam claim they file. Clarissa is paid to process as many purchased claims as possible so using the same agreements is an accepted practice. It is not much different that printing money.

Darrell Richard Hastings, Attorney at Law

Born 1/1963 of Owings Mills, MD
Admitted MD Bar: 12/16/2003
Email: darrell.hastings@ncogroup.com

“The undersigned asserts under penalty of perjury, that the information contained in this claim and the supporting documents attached hereto are accurate.”

Darrell affixes his signature to hundreds, perhaps thousands of arbitration claims every day/week month where he swears to the above.

It is my opinion, based on many claims sent to me by consumers that contain the declaration and signature of Attorney Hastings that he may be guilty of committing perjury. The information supplied by Hastings in his initial filing contains the same xerographic copy used hundreds, perhaps thousands of times in NCO arbitration filing.

Hastings and his crew earn income based on their production. The more filings, the more (NAF Guaranteed) awards, the more awards, the more money earned by the filers. NCO, like the others, makes a lot of money off arbitration claims. This is not much different from what was going on Wall Street before the collapse. Wall Street swore they complied with the laws, yet a few reaped billions of the unsuspecting consumers who were never quite clear of their rights.

When Darrell was attending law school, he learned about the burden of proof when litigating a claim. In arbitration that practice is out the window, the only burden I see with Not Always Fair is if the same paperwork is used repeatedly and the check is included with their filings. Many of the claims filed with NAF already include the 20% allowed under their fair and impartial rules.

STAMP! STAMP! YOU HAVE JUST WON ANOTHER AWARD!

NCO Financial Systems, Inc. bought these debts for pennies; they never gave one dime of goods or services to a single consumer. Yet they are allowed to lie, file false documents, and commit perjury to take money from the American consumer. If this isn’t WALL STREET then what is?


There was once a time that attorneys actually took their oath of integrity and ethics as a serious matter. What motivates an attorney to lie, steal, and commit perjury in the name of arbitration?

If you were victimized in, an arbitration claim by NCO Financial Systems Darrell and Clarissa likely had something to do with it. If you requested and begged for valid documents that never arrived from NCO, you may want to thank theses Proctologists for doing their jobs.

If you feel that your rights were violated, that they never proved up anything in their sworn statements and their work led to you obtaining a judgment, loss of bank account and possibly had your (or will have) your wages garnished, Darrell, Clarissa and their associates may have played a part in it.

NCO and NAF make statements under penalty of perjury without offering any documents that give them validity, despite repeated demands by consumers. The arbi-traitors who are paid around $300/per claim to rule in NCOs’ favor are just as guilty of violating their ethical oaths and just like Wall Street, they too will one day be held accountable for their actions.

There is a massive court case winding through the California courts on arbitration. We can only hope that one-day we will witness arbi-traitors doing the perp walk in handcuffs when justice finally has its day!



Student Loan (Private)
11/30/2008 New York NY

I defaulted on my student loan. I won't make excuses for it but I'd like to resolve the situation and get back on track. For several months I called various collection agencies as well as the lender trying to find out who was handling the default. NCO has it. I contacted NCO and asked to be put on a payment plan. I was told that in order to get the loan out of default status I had to pay 25%. I owe 40K plus interest who knows what it is now. The representative asked for my bank account number. Naturally I declined, thereafter he told me that I refused to cooperate I could get a repayment plan.

Is this normal? I'm really stressed out about the whole thing and I haven't been able to sleep.


How long do they have? What can I do?
8/25/2008 PA

I made a payment to NCO in March 2008. The total payment was 1/2 of what I owed. I recently got an updated credit report (from the 3 major ones) and found that nothing has been updated. It stills says that I owe the total amount under the original creditor. The only thing that's on my credit report about NCO is that they did an inquiry. I went down to the place the bill originated from to see if they had anything updated on my account. I found it took them several months before they reported the payment to them.

Is there anything I can do to prove that payment was made and received by them in March? I have all the paperwork and the receipt that they signed for it on March 6, 2008.


Harassment
8/6/2008

NCO Financial Systems has been calling me almost every day about a bill I don't even owe. The company they say they are collecting for I have spoken with and that company is saying I've never owed anything and that they have sent letters to NCO to stop them from calling me.

Also, when NCO calls they leave messages on my phone stating that they are a collections agency, for me to call them back at a certain number and then they leave my "case number" they then repeat the case number and those two numbers are completely different.

I have heard so many things about them trying to scam people out of money!


NCO Harassment and Degradation
7/23/2008 Fowlerville MI

Got a call from NCO Financial Services. "Mr. Keys" tells me I have a debt that needs to be paid. I have never received one piece of mail from NCO Financial, let alone any other calls. So when asked to send me some mail regarding this notice, I was told "Nope, were just going to go ahead with the check garnishments."

I need help with this. Someone? Anyone?


Taking Out More Then Was Allowed!
4/25/2008

Ok First I want to start out by saying for the last 3 years I been paying them 200$ a month when they call. They have a person named Nichol that calls me every 15th and I ok a 200$ payment. And out of the last three years there has only been three months I could only make a 100$ payment.

Ok with that being said first this happened about 4 or so months back.. I missed there call and she just decided to go head and take out the money of my account without my permission. I never gave her permission to automatically take out founds. So I called them back and she got nasty with me and I asked to talk to a supervisor and I got the message machine and left a message and never received a call back... I ended up letting go figuring owed them the money any how and I was attending to pay it.

Well this month she calls up and ask if its ok to process my monthly payment. Which has been $200 for the last three years and I was like sure its ok. Well I deiced to check my bank account and they took out 500$ instead! Without telling me anything. So now I cant find who I need to contact about his and what to do? I lost her number and ext so I'm sort of lost. I don't know if this is something I can report to the FTC ... Or if I should go down to my bank. This is now the second time they in my eyes have stolen money out of my account without permission. And I want to do something about it.


Statute of Limitations
4/22/2008 New York NY

I find it interesting how this company gets away with re-collecting debts without considering SOL. They are playing on the consumers ignorance to collect every penny on the dollar. Please find out what's the SOL for your state. SOL means that your lender has a limited time to collect a debt as of the last payment received. Meaning: If I paid one installment on my revolving credit and/or never paid on it in the state of NY for example, the lender or collection agency have 3 yrs to collect the debt from me, and if they don't; they have no right to sue me for it, or garnish my wages. They can ask you for it but at the same time I don't have to pay it because I am protected by my state SOL...

All you have to do is send a cease and desist reminding them of the SOL. It happened to me.


NCO Group Looks Offshore To Ease Labor Costs
4/3/2008

April 3, 2008
In a conference call to discuss financial results, NCO said that it is seeing labor costs drop due to offshore hiring, and that it plans to expand its presence in other markets.

NCO Group is realizing cost savings benefits by leveraging offshore labor, and the company has plans to open more international collection offices, company executives told investors during a conference call Wednesday.

The announcement follows the release Monday of 2007 annual and fourth quarter results by the global accounts receivable management and business process outsourcing provider. NCO reported that its collections, or ARM, unit payroll and related expenses dropped more than 11 percent to $95.8 million while revenue in the unit increased by $4 million to $204.3 million in the quarter.

CEO Mike Barrist said yesterday that labor costs had been reduced because the company is placing more collections work at centers in near-shore and offshore locations, and that improved technology platforms were creating labor efficiencies.

The company is planning on opening a new office in the Philippines – its third in that country – and is looking into opening a new office in Latin America. NCO currently operates an office in Panama in Central America and offices in Barbados and Antigua in the Caribbean.

The company’s most recent SEC filing underlines the shift to locations outside of the U.S. In its annual report filing for 2007, NCO said that last year, it counted revenues of $76.4 million from locations other than the U.S. and Canada, a 163 percent increase over the total in 2006.

NCO noted that the work performed in locations outside of the U.S. is typically for clients in the States, but that it was increasing the work it does for foreign clients. In 2007, 8.1 percent of the company’s revenue came from work for clients in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.

NCO said that at the end of 2007, it counted approximately 22,400 full-time employees and 1,600 part-time employees, of which approximately 19,000 were telephone representatives.


NCO strikes again...
3/18/2008 Edgewood MD

Yesterday morning, starting at 6:48am the phone starts ringing. I'm in the shower and don't get to it in time.

Next call - 7:38am (I'm out back)

Next call - 9:05am (still out back)

Next call - 11:32am (I'm out at lunch)

Next call - 1:30pm (I'm still out)

I get home to see all the calls on the phone ID. Not 1 message, though.

Next call - 2:47pm and I'm home to answer the phone.

It's NCO asking for me to take a message down the street to a neighbor (who I've never met!). The person tells me that this neighbor is a deadbeat and will not pay their bills and is not returning calls.

I tell them that I don't feel right hearing this information and that I will not take a message to my neighbor.

Today:

1st call - 7:01am - You guessed it, NCO. Again. Wants me to take a message to my neighbor.

I tell them no again and not to call me for this matter again.

2nd call - 10:32am - NCO. Again. Repeat conversation, yet, again.

3rd call - 1:24pm - NCO. Again. Repeat conversation, yet, again.

4th call - 3:05pm - I didn't even bother to pick up the dang phone.

How do I get these jackals to stop bothering me?!?




NCO Financial crooks...
2/15/2008 NY

Looks like I'm not the only one having trouble with these criminals so let me get straight to it. On August 6, 2003, I called 911 because I was jumped. Few months later, I receive a bill for $488.00 for the ambulance trip to the hospital. However, on the bill it says that if I provide the necessary paperwork showing I was a victim of a crime, the bill will be excused. So, I sent in the paperwork and, as far as I was concerned, that was the end of it. December 2007, NCO Financial calls me up and says "We are collecting a debt for $488.00". I asked her "what was this debt in relation to?". And she told me it was the same bill I was charged ALMOST 5 FRIGGIN YEARS AGO for the ambulance ride to the hospital. For the time being, I am ignoring them and I do not intend to pay anything, but they still call me and it's getting ridiculous.

How do I get these [snip] to stop bugging me and to waive this so-called "debt" that my insurance company took care of already ???


NCO Financial
2/6/2008 Harpers Ferry WV

I contacted NCO about a letter received on January 15th.

I informed NCO by phone that the charges on the account they referenced were most likely fraudulent, and I had no recollection of any business with the creditor--which was CapitalOne.

Later, through my own research, not through NCO, I learned that I had an account for only 3 months, three years ago (which is why I had forgotten it), but had cloesd properly closed at a zero balance, the final balance of which I verified by calling the company and sending a letter to close the account.
The account was closed at zero--three years later NCO is claiming a debt of $461.
I claimed fraud immediately.

With the intial call, NCO said they would seek further information on the account (CapitalOne Credit Card) and call me back.

Three weeks after my initial contact with NCO, there is still no information on the account in the hands of NCO.
However, NCOs letter states that you ONLY HAVE 30 days to dispute the validity of the debt or any portion thereof.

Today by phone, NCO, informed me that the creditor has 30 days to comply with the request for information--which directly works against the person being claimed against!
I contacted CapitalOne directly for information on the questionable charges and was told I COULD NOT HAVE the information on account by phone even though I verified my security information and claimed fraud.

I am forced at that point to resort to letters to find out the nature of these charges.
I still do not know what they are, as of this date, but because they will not tell me what they are I suspect usury and illegal practices and policies on the part of CapitalOne.

Meanwhile the clock is ticking on the amount of time I have to dispute the charges, and neither company will disclose the nature of the charges.
How can companies put accounts into collection and then claim they have no information on the debts incurred?

How is it that they are allowed to demand payment, and yet have no records at hand to explain the nature of the charges?

How can they legally set these cases aside for 30 days if Fraud is charged?
If these charges are the result of identify theft, these companies are negligent because they are not providing immediate information on the accounts to the proper person.

Yes, I would like to join in class action against NCO because they can negatively impact your credit report, but do not have any documentation available to prove the debt exists. Also because they claim they have 30 days to get documentation on the debt, but you only have 30 days to dispute!

Please contact me with any information on class action against NCO, or responses to my review.

Thank you.




2003 Collection On Credit Report
1/25/2008 AZ

NCO FIN/38 keeps showing up on my credit report. I have tried calling NCO on the number listed on the report but have never been able to speak directly to anyone. They want you to leave your name, number and any other helpful info.

I do not want to do this because I don't know what they are trying to collect in the first place the date on the report show from 12/03.


This site saved me much stress and gave solutions
1/16/2008 NY

Hi to anyone dealing with NCO Financial Systems:

I found so much helpful information and resources on my3cents pertaining to this company that I turned around what could have been another dive into major depression because of financial stress. Anyone who has even once been through a bankruptcy understands the PTSD associated with a debt being resurrected especially if you have repaired a credit rating but still live paycheck to paycheck. I followed advice, sent the cease and desist letter to this company and mentioned some of the debt collection laws mentioned in this website. I got the same form letter others mentioned that "this account is closed in our office.... please be advised (sic) we cannot effect a change as to how any other company may have listed the account in your credit profile. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry" I will keep this letter forever...sounds like a backtrack to the fact other similar companies can/may buy personal records and attempt to pressure people to pay on debts either discharged in bankruptcy or even non-existent.

I am very grateful for this site as it helped me so much to cut to the chase (no pun intended the reported debt was Chase MC).

Thank you to all who have posted their experiences and especially those who submitted practical solutions.


Attempting to collect on a paid off debt
1/8/2008

My sister in another city received a voicemail from these jokers last night. They said they were looking for me, but used my maiden name. (I've been married for 4 years)

She gave me their # and I called them back this morning. They claimed to be a law firm and stated that a suit has been filed against me for a charged off credit card. They said they were going to add "thousands of dollars" to my account before they would send me a bill. Seems a little weird, doesn't it?

The thing is, the credit card they are referring to was paid in full last year and I have the letter from the bank to prove it. I discovered NCO wasn't a law firm, as they claimed, when I looked them up online. What a scam!

I will be filing a complaint with the U.S. Attorney General's office.


Is this a legitimate company
1/6/2008

My bank went through NCO to get a collection so I had to go to western union to send the payment. It has been well over a month since they received the payment yet somehow my bank still hasnt gotten it from them. I cannot open an account anywhere because they haven't sent my bank the payment. I spoke with my bank and they said it was between me and NCO to make sure they got the payment but I cant even contact a representative from NCO. I

have called them and I get sent to a message machine where I can't leave a message because the box is full? Is this a legitimate company? What can I do at this point?


NCO Major Scam
12/26/2007 Romulus NY

I just received a debt collection notice from this company pertaining to a credit card debt with CHASE discharged in a bankruptcy as far as I can recall 18 years ago. I would have to conjure up incredible records to find all the paperwork but this is my best guess as I have had very good credit since that unfortunate time. They claim I owe over 9K on a claimed ~4K debt with the interest they have applied. I think this is time for a class action law suit against this company.

This is pure harassement and why they have access to records dating that far back (if this debt was even listed at all) is frightening. I also could not get through their 800 number at all. This class action suit needs to include pain and suffering for the harassment!


Contact Corporate Compliance Office 1-888-495-8352
12/26/2007 NJ

I recently received a letter claiming that I owe NCO Financial Systems $8000 or so dollars for some non-existing debt from years ago. I received the letter on a Friday, Dec 21, 2007. I called Lisa Catagnus (Director, Corporate Compliance Department)1-888-495-8352 that same day prior to turning the letter over to the Better Business Bureau. She informed me that they CLOSED the account on Dec 22, 2007. Fast back peddling...
So, CALL 1-888-495-8352, LISA, and make sure you do not owe them anything, and THEN, after they close your account, REPORT THEM TO THE BBB.


NCO Group to Buy OSI for $325 Million
12/12/2007 PA

NCO Group to Buy OSI for $325 Million
December 12, 2007

Buyout creates the world's largest ARM firm with 29,000 employees in 10 countries.

NCO Group, the world’s largest accounts receivable management company, announced today it is purchasing the second-largest U.S. collector, Outsourcing Solutions, Inc., creating a combined firm with 29,000 employees in 140 offices in ten countries.

Horsham, Pa.-based NCO, will pay $325 million in cash for St. Louis-based OSI. NCO is a portfolio company of One Equity Partners, a private equity investment unit of JPMorgan Chase. NCO reported that One Equity will provide it with a portion of the funding for the acquisition of OSI. NCO expects to fund the remainder of the purchase price with borrowings under its senior credit facility.

NCO went private in November 2006 in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.

Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and CEO of NCO, stated in a release, "All of us at NCO are extremely excited about the opportunity to bring these two great companies together. Over the past several years both NCO and OSI have had tremendous success in transforming our business models to better meet the diverse needs of our respective client bases.”
Mike Ginsberg, CEO of ARM-industry consultant Kaulkin Ginsberg, told insideARM.com that the deal between the two giants was “not surprising,” adding, “NCO’s platform is perfect for adding some of the unique services that OSI offers that NCO does not provide. The combined company will still have plenty of room for growth.”

by Patrick Lunsford
insideARM.com



Is this NCO or Dept of Ed?
11/6/2007

Back in the mid 1980's I attended one of the National Education centers school of electronics, National Institute of Technology, henceforth NCE/NIT. These schools later were labeled "student loan farmers", and had one of if not the highest default rates in the nation. NEC was sued by a number of state over the years according to my Google search. The latest is California, in 2007.

The school NEC, no longer exists. It was bought out by Olympia. I found this out recently, as I was considering suing them for fraud.

Over the years I have asked DEPT of Ed to send me copies of the records. They never did, nor did they reply.
Only recently have they done so. Like in the last 30 days.

At one time I had the State of Michigan, thru its student loan program Michigan Direct, was willing to pay off my loans and take them over even though they were in default status. I even paid for a 3 way call between Michigan Direct (as it was called back then) and the Dept of Ed, and again DOE refused to cooperate.

I still live in Michigan, the state that has one of the worst economies in the nation.

In July of 2007, NCO financial contacted me about the loans. At the time, this was the first contact from either Dept of Ed, or any 3rd party collections agency in over 10 years. Realizing NCO was a 3rd party collections agency, I did my usual demand for validation form letter, demanding they provide a copy of a contract between myself and NCO financial named as primary parties. NCO failed to respond, and I sent them the default letter at the end of August of 2007.

Now in November of 2007 I get letters from Dept of Ed, claiming I went to a school called Olympia. I never attended that school, and demanded a full copy of all records concerning the same, to validate their claim.

I was sent over 150 pages of documents. Not one names Olympia as the school I attended.

Further more, the Dept of Eds record keeping is completely messed up.

The most recent copies of the so called "promissory notes" do not show a valid signature. Where the signature goes, is covered by various stickers and stuff. And most of the P-notes are incomplete, and have no back side to them.

If there is no valid contract, how can they file a claim? How can they Validate their claim?!

Can I challenge their claim for lack their being able to show a valid contract?

The loans are growing faster than my paycheck, and for me to pay the minimum, would be the equivalent to my housing costs. or nearly 70 percent of my take home pay. I cannot afford to do both.

I have an IRS garnishment on my check (hey, my screw up, and I'm paying for it) and the government is taking nearly 1/3rd of it. Any more and I might as well quit trying.

Now I get a letter from Dept, in an envelope that has Dept of Ed's name and address on it, and it says I have to contact NCO financial.

BULL. Since researching NCO financial, I have found a lawsuit that was settled that said 3rd party collections agencies cannot use false envelopes to make the consumer think the information is coming from a government source, such as Dept of Ed.


If the Dept of Ed thinks I'm going to pay NCO an extra 10K just to collect money that I would be sending to a US DEPT of ED address, they are totally INSANE.

Why should I pay NCO if Dept of Ed is collecting the money?

Will post more on this as things develop.



Scams and the elderly
11/3/2007 Albuququerque NM

I found these letters at my Moms house. My parents are on a tight budget from Soc. Sec. It seems that any company my Mom had an account with is now coming back from NCO has owning the rights to collect. This accounts are 10 years old, and because my Mom is elderly and terrified she will cause them to lose their house she has tried paying this company and working with them. I filed a complaint this morning with the Federal Trade Commission. My Mom received a letter from Jefferson Capital dated 9/27/07 saying they received the account from NCO for $2265. IF my mom pays $508 and make monthly payment on $479.00 they will issue my Mom a new credit card.

All she has to do is fill out the credit application, requesting all her info including SS, mothers maiden name. I am so worried that I may have to stop their mail for 3 months to see who or what else is harassing her. I can't believe our county has allowed this kind of terrorism.

So please people look into your parents debt and mail all the time.


Bounced ACH deposit considered check fraud??
10/22/2007

I wish I had found this site before my first contact with NCO Financial. They called me at work and wanting to get them off the phone quickly I agreed to a payment schedule on a Capital One account they were trying to collect upon. The first couple of bi-monthly ACH payments went through okay but the third one bounced due to insufficient funds. Then I get a call from some guy telling me he's with the check fraud division of NCO. Of course this caught me off guard and I stammered out my apologies. Since when is a bounced check considered check fraud? Anyway I asked him to decrease I just couldn't make that big of a payment. I'll be the first to admit that my credit is tanked at the moment and I have every intention of paying off my accounts, but I can't get them all paid off at the same time. There's way too much month at the end of my paycheck.

Some of the "reviews/complaints" I have read here make me very uneasy in what I may be up against with these people.


Try working there
10/17/2007

Reading some of the reviews on here has made me decide to write a review. Try working there. You wonder why collectors get rude...they are treated worse than they treat you.


Harassing Me On My Job
10/11/2007 Opelousas LA

On October 11, 2007, I received a message from a co-worker that someone had called for me while I was out. I returned the called and asked for the person that had left the message. I asked her who was she with, and she refused to give me that information until I would answer her question, which was, Give me your I.D. Code? Well, my co-worker did not give me such a code. She then said she was with a collection agency. I advised the lady not to call on my job and hung up. She called back and insisted that I pay for a debt that entailed $14,000, but she would accept $7,000 (cutting it in half for me). Again, I told not to call on my job and hung up. Well, she called back again, asking for the payroll department and stated she was trying to do me a favor but now I would have to pay the full amount. I told her we did not have a payroll dept. here and if she had my home number to please call me at home.

She replied yes we have your home number, but can never reach you. I then hung up on her again, because we are not to receive personal calls on the job. What can I do to stop this harassment.


Scam Artists
9/28/2007 New York NY

NCO Financial has got to be investigated. Please contact appropriate authorities if you have been ripped off by them.

Last year I received a collection notice from them about an overdue medical bill. Being a person who doesn't like the idea of having bad credit, I paid it promptly. After trying to get reimbursed by my insurer the insurance company informed me that nothing had gone to collection. Beth Israel hospital has no record of this debt going to collection.

I have repeatedly tried to get NCO to send me info about this debt and they have never sent me any documentation. I was out over $400 for this. It makes my blood boil.

Last week I got a notice for an AT&T bill that was paid years ago. This company is a total con operation that uses semi-legitimate functions to get away with theft.

Please tell your stories to the authorities. What they are doing is criminal.

I am going to pursue litigation against these low lifes.


NCO Group Acquires Loan Servicing Firm / JPMorgan Chase
8/31/2007

NCO Group Acquires Loan Servicing Firm

The BPO and collection giant is looking to expand its service offerings by taking on a loan servicing company in a deal that involves investors and entities controlled by JPMorgan Chase.

Business process outsource giant NCO Group plans to acquire loan-service firm Systems & Services Technologies Inc. (SST) in a deal between two ARM-industry firms majority-owned or largely controlled by banking behemoth JPMorgan Chase.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Brian Callahan, NCO’s vice president of financial reporting, told insideARM.com the deal did not require a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

JPMorgan Chase bought St. Joseph, Mo.-based SST in 2005. Callahan said One Equity Partners, an investment arm of Chase, owns about 85 percent of NCO. One Equity Partners teamed with NCO’s President and CEO Michael J. Barrist and other NCO executives to take the company private in November last year in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.


SST is a third-party collector that has serviced more than $22 billion in auto loan and lease, credit card and commercial equipment loan and lease debt since it began in 1995. It has about 1,000 employees in its two Missouri offices in Joplin and St. Joseph, according to its Web site.

Callahan said the SST acquisition will allow NCO to expand its approach to its collection efforts. “They do loan servicing. We haven’t done a lot of that in the past. This helps us branch out in our service offerings,” said Callahan.

Callahan said the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. He declined to comment on any possible changes in SST’s leadership or staff.

SST did not return insideARM's calls. The Joplin Globe reported yesterday that Glenn Estrella, SST chairman, said the deal meant SST would "grow from a midsize company to another level." Estrella is also a senior vice president with Chase, according to the Globe.


Horsham, Pa.-based NCO is a collector and business process outsource firm with more than 100 operation centers and 22,500 employees that serves clients worldwide.

Source: insideARM.com
by Burney Simpson,




COMPLAINT against NCO Financial
8/27/2007

I had two collection accounts that were bought by NCO. One I had paid in full in Jan 2007, and the last I just paid in full on Aug 06, 2007. I was informed that I would be charged nothing else and my other electronic payments would be cancelled. I check my account this morning and to my surprise I have an electronic check for $50.00 that was pulled on Aug 24, 2007. I have been on the phone with this company all morning, I was told to fax my copy of this check to a 877 fax number, but of course it will not go through. This is my fourth time faxing this info so that I may get my money back. When I called again and asked to speak to a manager or supervisor I was told that the managers do NOT take phone calls. What type of company is this? I found information that this company has violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act and is charged with a 1.5 million dollar civil lawsuit.

This company needs to be shut down and pay back everything it has wrongfully taken from consumers.


This Company must be a Scam
8/17/2007 Trenton NJ

After reading some of the post I felt the need to share my experience. In March 2006 I paid off an outstanding credit card balance through World Financial Network National Bank, I was told no further action would be taken. Recently I've been receiving letters from NCO stating they bought out my account and I owed them...Wrong! I have my cashed check and receipts from last March and knew something wasn't right. Upon trying to contact NCO and clear this matter up the phone # on these official looking letters isn't even a working one! But it states you can go online and pay that way, I don't think so, I don't owe anymore on this account. It's closed and paid in full. I noticed most of the comments when people paid them had been when NCO contacted them, I suggest you try calling the # they give you and see for yourself. Also they state in the letter they sent me that they would share my info including my social security # with other related businesses...WHAT! Big red flag! One last suggestion go online and receive a copy of your free credit report you get one a year, which is what I did. When you get it, it shows all your outstanding debt and which companies it's in collection with, so if you receive calls from someone other than that co. hang up! One last thing on the letter sent it's stated their offices are in Horsham, PA but their return address is a PO Box in Trenton, NJ.


Harrassing Calls
8/10/2007

I moved recently from Virginia to Texas, and when I gave out my new address (to have my last bill sent to me)a couple of companies left off my apartment number (there are 100 apartments at the complex). So, consequently I haven't received some of my LAST bills. And who in there right mind will give out a credit card number to a stranger over the phone.... I have pleaded with them to correct my address and send me something in writing but the NCO representative is a total scum of the earth idiot....she must have gone to Stupid Idiot College because who could be that stupid...All they had to do was listen to reason, and correct my address... I would love to pay my bill but I will not pay NCO one penny..So, I called the Verizon and they were willing to listen to me (after I reminded them that I ALWAYS PAID my bill on time) ...So, now they will send me a bill and I will pay it! So simple, right... but no, NCO employess get their kicks harassing people.... Get a life you stupid scum of the earth employees at NCO Financial...

PS NCO: tell your stupid employees to STOP calling me every day... Verizon was supposed to contact you...Hopefully, you will listen to them...


They lied to get our payment, now we have to pay the original co
8/6/2007 Horsham PA

I had an acct that got sent to Asset Acceptance LLC for payment. I recd letters from them. Couple months ago, I recd a letter from NCO Financial Systems stating that they bought out the bill from Asset Acceptance LLC, and they would accept $1,055.63 for the debt.I mailed a check for $1,055.63 check #6136 on 6/26/07 to NCO Financial System and now Asset Acceptance LLC wants that money. We know this by the bill we recd in the mail today. My husband called Asset Acceptance LLC and they stated they never sold our account to anyone.

They still expect payment. HELP!!



Just to Inform
6/29/2007

Okay, I see that a lot of people are having problems with NCO, so I thought I'd offer some help since I work there. First of all, all the people that work there are not scum of the earth, we're just trying to get people to pay their bills. We're not considered customer service, it's collections. If we're calling your house for your debt, we just didn't pull it out of anywhere in the sky, the creditors we're collecting for send your debt to our office. If you don't answer, we'll keep calling. If you pay your bills we will stop, that simple. Also, if you're really hell bent on us not calling you, tell us to cease all contact by phone. Also, we can't read minds, so if you don't tell us we have the wrong number, we'll never know.
If you're not the debtor then tell us to stop calling and remove your number.
I see people are worried about it going on their credit report, you have to make special secured arrangements if its in the right time period to keep it from going on there, and you have to ask for it, all parties have to agree with the arrangement.
Also if you need a receipt, we don't send out paid in full letters, we have a website where you can access your acct and print out your receipt. The website is on the letter we send you with your web access code or you can get it by calling, so you don't even have to talk to us, or call back after 30 days and request a letter be sent to you after all gets processed.
Finally, if everyone knew what crap we did have to put up with all day, you probably wouldn't be the nicest bill collector either, although I personally try to give all the respect one deserves, just like I would like if someone called me. You really can't expect someone to listen to you if you're screaming in their ear, I understand that. We get screamed at, lied to, and hung up on all day long, and we get tired of calling you too, just like you hate hearing from us.


There's help out there...use the web
6/19/2007

Http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/debtcollectionscams_what_to_do.php
http://www..bbb.org/
http://www.ftc.gov/credit/
http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel/

I screen calls and do not call them...If contacted by mail put a freeze on your credit report so they cannot add info (ftc)...send a cease and desist letter
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip
(Sent via CERTIFIED RETURN MAIL #123 456 789 with RETURN RECEIPT)
Date:
XYZ Collection Agency/Law Firm
1234 Main Street, #100
Any town, USA 10021

Re: File #0000000 - ABC Bank - #4445566778899000 -For: $5555.55

Dear Debt Collector /Debt Collector Attorney:
This will serve as your legal notice under provisions of federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), to cease all communication with me in regard to the debt referenced above.
If you fail to heed this notice, I will file a formal complaint against you with the Federal Trade Commission who is responsible for enforcement, the States Attorney General office and/or the American Collectors Association or local State Bar Association.

I/We have decided that we do not desire to work with a collection agency under any circumstances. I/We will contact the original creditor to resolve this matter directly, as circumstances warrant.

You are also notified that should any adverse information be placed against my/our
credit reports as a result of this notice that appropriate actions will be taken. Give
this very important matter the attention it deserves.
Sincerely,
John J. Consumer

NOTE: This is an attempt to make a debt collector obey the law.
Any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
File a legal complaint for harassment Gov official (even P.O. or local police)

I know how upsetting it is, I've been getting calls for 3 months. If you do answer tell them that you are taping the call.

FYI...http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/10/NCO-Group-Inc.html

Whatever you do make them tell you..do not give them any info, not even your name

Good Luck


Assumptions of Debt
6/12/2007 PA

Received a telephone call from NCO financial this morning and as then went into their script I asked what she was talking about. The woman paused and stated, we have mailed two letters and went right back into her script. Once again I interrupted her and asked about these letters I never received! She then exploded on me and stated that I owed a debt I was not even aware of and threaten to ruin my credit if I did not comply immediately! I asked to be proved documentation of the debt and proof of the letters sent, the woman began to berate and belittle me for asking and then asked if I was going to repay this debt! I am of the mind that if you tell me I owe something show me proof don’t call and abuse me! This is abusive and if they do this to me then how many other people out there just pay with out asking for documented proof! Also they have the ability to destroy people’s credit since the burden of proof falls back upon the person who the debt shows against! Makes you wonder why and how we could allow this to happen when people have this ability without recourse from our legislators


Ruining My Credit
6/4/2007 Conroe TX

I was looking to get a parent plus loan for my son's college expenses. I decided that I would purchase a copy of my credit report prior to applying for the loan. I wanted to just make sure all looked okay. I found that in 1/2007 Conroe Regional had a account showing up as collection. I had a surgery in 2006 and my insurance covered most of it. I was required to pay $2,000 deductible, which I did. I began getting a bill from Conroe Regional and started making payments. Once the insurance company kicked in I received a refund from Conroe Regional for the over payment. When I checked out my credit report it appears that Conroe Regional had gone to collection. I phoned them and inquired. They advised me that I did not owe them and that it must have been placed on my credit by another company. After further investigation the account number on my report matched an account number for NCO Financial. I have sent a letter to all three credit bureaus disputing the debt and I am currently awaiting a response.


Collection Practices
6/1/2007

Let me start by saying that I have had the same phone number for the last 4 1/2 years. During this time, I have received multiple calls from collectors for the same family. I'm guessing I've gotten calls for the parents and the kids as well as calls related to scheduled doctor's appointments. At one point, I had a recorded message on my outgoing messages saying that this was not their residence. 9 months after I got the # I found it on the internet as a fax number for their business.

Each time I've received a call, I have called these collection folks to get this # removed from their list. This time they told me the # wasn't in their record. I have no idea how they found my # if it wasn't in the record. This time NCO is calling me. The last time it was Fannie Mae. It's as though none of the times my # was removed from the record even count. Or were they ever removed from the record. The last time it took 3 months to get the issue resolved. How long will it take this time?

Call me annoyed.


NCO a nasty collections firm who violates every FCC rule in the book
5/24/2007 San Francisco CA

NCO Group, Inc.


Wow, it seems that the bottom feeding group of collectors have all moved to a dirty town called
Horsham,

Say the name of the town ten times real fast and voila, you get another name.

I am writing as much contact data for all those
who are tired of phone calls with these clowns.

You simply write a letter telling them to CEASE AND NOT CALL YOU.

THEN YOU SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE ADDRESS IN CARE OF THE PRESIDENT.

IF ENOUGH PEOPLE FORCE THEM TO ONLY WRITE LETTERS
AND THEY DO NOT,

THEN EVERYONE CAN GET TOGETHER AND FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FIRM AND THEIR CLIENTS.

So, here is the info, study this and tackle
them head on.


This link goes straight to an investment groups
review of the firm.


http://www.hoovers.com/nco-group/--ID__52377--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml


This is the current address for letters

507 Prudential Rd.
Horsham, PA 19044


This is a working telephone which they wish you did not know.
Phone: 215-441-3000
Toll Free: 800-220-2274



NCO does BPO, ARM, and CRM. The NCO Group specializes in business process outsourcing (BPO) accounts-receivable management (ARM), and customer relationship management (CRM) – aiming to streamline the financial, operational, and customer service end of client businesses. NCO serves clients worldwide in such industries as financial services, healthcare, technology, transportation, logistics, telecommunications, utilities, government, and education. The company has more than 100 offices, primarily in the US, but also in Antigua, Barbados, Canada, India, Panama, the Philippines, and the UK. Subsidiary NCO Portfolio Management purchases and manages delinquent accounts receivable.


Company Type Private
Fiscal Year-End December
2005 Sales (mil.) $1,052.3
1-Year Sales Growth 12.0%
2005 Net Income (mil.) $44.5
1-Year Net Income Growth (14.2%)
2005 Employees 20,000
1-Year Employee Growth 20.5%


Chairman, President, and CEO Michael J. Barrist

All this info is subject to change.

Have fun

When James Seidel says something, its true
and blunt, and extremely point blank error less.





Questions
5/24/2007 providence RI

I've read the other reviews on this board, and I am a little concerned. I made a payment arrangement with this company (only after them telling me that they will take me to court and tack on all court and attorney fees and garnish my wages for more than I am currently paying them) I have to admit that scared me into setting up a payment arrangement. I am paying $100 per month, my current amount due is $4552. I'm a single mother who gets no child support I only make $300 a week and $125 of that goes to rent. I don't own anything (i have to take the bus to work). I was looking at how much interest has been added and it seems to fluctuate.In march it was $129.75, In april $29.75, And this month its up to $113.34. I'm not getting into any better situation than I was in. I want to pay my debt off, this is the only black mark on my credit report. I have to call them again next month, to set up another six months of payments.

I guess my question is if I let them take me to court will I just screw myself? Or will it work out better for me in the long run?




BIlling a minor for a hospital visit
5/7/2007 Bartow FL

In July or August of 2003 I visited a hospital with my mother. At the time I was 16 years old. My mother signed the hospital documents and financial documents and is the responsible party for this bill. About a month ago(I am now 20) I checked my credit report because my boyfriend and I are refinancing our house. I noticed a medical bill from NCO Medclear reported in January 2006 that was not mine since I haven't been to a hospital since I turned 18. After getting the run around from the hospital and previous debt collectors I reached a woman at Boyajian law offices that is telling me that it is MY responsibility for my mother to call and settle this debt. I have not been able to get in touch with her for 4 days because I want to speak to a supervisor and have this debt transferred into my mothers name as she is the responsible party. I have never been contacted about this debt prior to calling them myself , so they now have my telephone number to call and ask who's going to pay. It is a ridiculous situation to begin with and I have been unsuccessful in settling it.


Where do they get these people from?
4/26/2007 tucson AZ

These are the sleaziest, low life, so called professionals that I have ever dealt with in my life!!!! Everyone that I came into contact with there was complete TRASH! [Names removed] They even went as far as making personal calls saying that they know where I live and were coming to get me!!! I believe this is the Getzville, New York group. I know there is quite a bit of distance between us yet still I'm concerned. What kind of people are NCO Financial hiring that would go so far as to make personal phone calls and threats???? I plan on paying my debt, changing my phone number, and possibly moving VERY SOON so that I won't have to deal with these scumbags ever again. Apparently your financial debt is not just business to them, they take it very PERSONAL. Tread lightly if you have to deal with them...they are UNSCRUPULOUS!!!!!

Get this...... during my conversation with (one of the illustrious supervisors), I told her that collection agencies have such bad reputations because of people like her and her staff and her reply was that she didn't care about her reputation and that she did the job because the money was good!!! That was all I needed to hear. BEWARE OF NCO Financial!!!!


The worst company I've ever came in contact with!
4/19/2007 FL

I have an ongoing problem with this company I have been yelled at,lied to, hung up on, and transfered everywhere! I am so irritated with the way I am being handled! They have no problem putting something on my credit, but have every problem even finding me in their system! So now because there stupidity we disputed it to Trans-union and by law they have to remove it so because NCO is as "up standing" as they are they lost out in getting paid! My advice to anyone who comes across this company just go the other way wait out the 7 years or just start off by disputing it!


In response to the NCO Financial employee referring to us debtors as crybabies
3/27/2007 Baltimore MD

I just read your response about us debtors "paying our bills on time" and "giving out false information"; first of all, you obviously have no idea what it's like to have to struggle to pay your bills...especially when you have kids...who constantly have to go the hospital...which creates a hospital bill that you don't have money for at the time, because you have to buy everything else that goes with life like clothes for your kids, food, school and of course shelter. Some of us don't have money like you do...some of us have to actually sacrifice one bill for another to make ends meet (meaning, the hospital bill would have to wait because your kids have to eat!!!) And no one said any about you having "Customer Service"! Having RESPECT is what we ask and people like you obviously don't know what that is!!! So before you judge us "debtors" as crybabies, try being a tad bit more sympathetic! Just a tad!!! But I guess you wouldn't know anything about that would you?!?! You probably have thousands of dollars in your bank account and can pay any bill that comes your way!!


Calling for someone else
3/27/2007 Washington NC

NCO calls started coming months ago. I called them back with my information and explained that no one by that name lived here. She was very nice and stated that she was sorry for the call and she would remove our Phone number from the records. I felt that this would be the end of it. WRONG!!!!! The phone calls started again. 8 am phone calls and thru out the day a couple a day. Recorded messages. My husband returned one of the phone calls and the guy that answered the phone would not give him the company name and my husband told him that he needed the company name so at least he would no who he was talking too. The guy told him you are wasting my time and hung up. The next day they called back leaving another message I called them and told them our name and phone number leaving them a message telling them if they would like to speak to MR Or Mrs. _______ to call us back. They did but it was another recording. I called them again and this time a woman answered the phone I told her that I am sorry that you had called the wrong number giving her our name again and information she said you are not the Clarks I told her no and we had called before to get the number off their calling list she hung up not answering me. So is there any way to get our number off thier records. Or I am I going to be pleged with phone calls for the rest of our life? Anybody no. HELP


Dishonest company
3/23/2007 FL

I received a letter from (NCO)in the mail concerning a medical debt back in Oct, 2006 I owed from the hospital. The debt had only been 6 mo's old from the original creditor. The amount was $755.

I agreed to contact NCO within the 30 days to make payment arrangements. They agreed to $100 a month. I also understood as long as i had contacted them to make an agreement with the 30 days then it would not be reported to my credit report. Well guess what..... Last month it was reported to the credit bureau even as i am making payments every month and the balance was incorrect. LOL... I am going to take care of this matter with an attorney if i have to. I can't get it removed even when i disbuted it because the information was correct as far as my NCO account. They did update my balance though. It's going to be my fight of getting NCO to remove this from my credit report once it is paid-in-full. Be careful when you agree to make payments. Make sure you have it in writing that as long as you make your agreed monthly payments it won't be reported to the credit bureau. Anyone have any suggestions as to what else i can do to get this removed. I did fill out the form online with the NCO group and made a complaint.. I know i won't be getting an answer. They only call you when you're not paying. In fact i did call the local office and they won't return my calls. LOL.........God forbid if i quit making payments...... The Phone would be burning up.......


I am paid in full with them but they won't update my credit report
3/16/2007 Derry NH

Back in January 2007 I paid off a medical bill that had been turned over to them for collection. One bill was for me and one was for my husband. As of today (March 2007) it's still sitting on my credit report as "unpaid". I've tried to contact them numerous times and to no avail. They will not even return my phone call. I filed a dispute with the credit bureau and received a response from experian saying it's staying the way it is because NCO is saying it's correct. It's not correct!! I have the receipt and my bank statement to show it's paid. Does anyone have any advice on how to get this resolved? The credit bureau is saying it will remain on my account until 2012 and on my credit report the last update NCO did was Sept 2006!!! That's outragous!!!!


What Is The Deal With NCO
3/13/2007

Boy oh Boy,

I do not get this company at all. The phone calls started about two wks ago (phone calls as in 8 a day)trying to collect some funds for Ebay. They call my business, my cell phone, my home and my automated service. I have informed them that I have never once owned a ebay account and to stop calling me. Do you think they pay attention? Nope they continue to call (like just now) So I asked the lady from NCO "What do the records say about this account" I was shocked to hear her say "They say you made payment plans to pay off this debit" Wrong! The only thing I have told this sorry company! Is I have never used Ebay nor would I post 150.00 dollars worth of product on Ebay.
I do not get it? They violate all the fair debit rules. I have recorded them starting phone calls at 7am, I have recorded threats of law suits and they are getting away with this.
NCO needs to be taken out of the market till they learn how to deal with things. It is obvious these employess of NCO make up things on a daily basis.


Nco is very fair
2/16/2007

Hello my name is RObert I work for nco financial services. I cant belive the garbage i have read on this site about the company. We are very fdcpa compliant and if we have broken fdcpa laws it is mainly because debtors give misleading information to dodge their debt. For instant we run live messengers that leave messages on consumers voicemail which is totally legal considering our skiptracing team was given numbers that were deemed to be accurate the proper thing to if the number is bad is just to call and tell us and we would simply remove the number. I find reviews about our company to be even partially true. All i have to say if debtors dont like phone calls they should pay their bills like any other normal human being. About 90 percent of the people I talk to have in collections for over 2 months and clearly show no intention of paying their accounts simply tell us you are refusing to pay and we will send it back to our client and as far as rudeness if debtors payed their bills on time they would still have customer service we are not customer service. People need to grow up and get a life I think the us should be name United States Of The Offended. What a bunch of low life deadbeat crybabies


Fraudulent Debt Collection
2/2/2007 Beaverton OR

NCO Financial Systems, Inc. of Beaverton, OR has recently been trying to collect a lease my firm paid ON TIME and PAID OFF over 3 years ago with Hewlett-Packard. Despite having cancelled checks and bank statements that clearly show the lease was paid off they have called to harass my wife and I and have mailed us threatening letters, stating "HP is about to sue us".

We have also furnished them with information showing that HP recognizes that the lease was paid in full, including a ledger sheet showing all payments and information from their chief counsel, director of corporate security, and supervisor of recovery.

To stop the action I merely looked up their CEO/founder, Michael Barrist, and using some telcom knowledge from working 32 years in the industry, located his private email address. I also then located his primary home address, as well as several private land line numbers and a mobile number for him. Additionally I located his mother, Mrs. Annette Barrist, and likewise located addresses and phone numbers for her. I informed Mr. Barrist that from now on each time NCO called to try to collect the fraudulent debt I would call him and/or his mother at 3am on the day we receive our call from NCO. I also filed a complaint with the U. S. Attorney's office in Portland, OR and also another complaint with the FTC. Additionally I found a former employee who was willing to share a roster of who worked at the Beaverton office and how to contact most of them at home. After contacting the mayor of Beaverton and complaining about the community of fraud and thieves his town was attracting (there are MANY more debt collection agencies in Beaverton than their 80,000 population would suggest), I also contacted other folks in Beaverton and the surrounding area who could also pressure the NCO folks.

These are nasty people but once they realized that I was going to deal with INDIVIDUALS, trying to have them charged or file complaints against them, rather than the company, the calls and letters stopped. This form of human garbage makes it very personal so there's no reason to not make it just as personal back, calling THEM at home, harassing THEM, and making their lives as miserable as they are trying to make yours. This is much more effective than lawyers or agencies and I recommend it to anyone who wants to put in the time to track this human garbage down and see they get exactly what they deserve. I've used this tactic with other companies who've fraudulently pursued me or my firm for one reason or another and it's amazing how effective calling the CEO or owner of these low-life organizations at home is when you are trying to stop their often illegal harassment.


COLLECTION FOR $150.72
1/16/2007 BLUEFIELD VA

ON 1/13/07 I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NCO FINANCIAL SERVICES TELLING ME THAT VERIZON HAD PLACED MY ACCOUNT WITH THEM FOR COLLECTION. I ALSO TRIED TO CONTACT THESE INDIVIDUALS AND EACH TIME I THOUGHT I HAD GOTTEN THROUGH THE PERSON ANSWERING WOULD ASK ME TO PLEASE HOLD AND HOLD AND HOLD. THEY NEVER CAME BACK TO TALK TO ME. I ATTEMPTED THIS SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS EACH TIME. I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF CONTACTING VERIZON TOMORROW AND INFORM THEM OF WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK my3cents.com; BECAUSE WITHOUT READING THE OTHER RESPONSES FROM INDIVIDUALS I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN OF THE PROBLEMS OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE HAVING WITH THIS SAME COMPANY. THANKS VERY MUCH


False Debt Collection from HughesNet Internet Services
1/12/2007 Oxford NC

NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS attempted a Fraudulent Debt Collection "from HughesNet Internet Services" 1.11.07 - UNTRUE. No past due notices or payments in arrears!

This company called my husband at work and said that our HughesNet satellite internet service was “two months delinquent (total: $200.00),” and that if we did not "pay either a $300.00 partial payment to terminate the 15 month agreement" or “pay in full $900.00 to have the service reinstated in 5-7 days,” we would be disconnected immediately. They insisted that a credit card payment over the phone was the only way to resolve this problem, and it had to be done immediately.

None of this made any sense, as I had not received any past due notices or email notices from HughesNet.com. When I said this, they said "We don't agree with HughesNet policies regarding overdue accounts, but that is how they handle delinquencies. And you are delinquent and scheduled for disconnect immediately.”

When I continued to question them, they said the account was two months past due, at $100.00 per month, would only mean that I owed $200.00, if in fact it was past due (which it was not). As I had been out of the country for the past four months AND had changed my credit card # of one of my cards, I thought this must be the problem and finally gave them my credit card #. Immediately afterwards, I was transferred to the “supervisor” who got my card code # and when he said I was to call HughesNet in 5 to 7 days to have my service turned back on, a week later, I said wait a minute. Why is the service being disconnected for a week if I am paying half of the entire year’s contract in advance?

When I refused to authorize the charge, they put the $900.00 through anyway after stating that they wouldn’t! I contacted Capital One Fraud Dept. who made a three way call to them, including me, and they said it would take “7-10- days to issue a refund.” This is also not true.

The following day I was able to reach HughesNet who said I was NOT delinquent, bills were being paid by my credit card account, and that they did not do business by calling people at work on the phone.

Capital One has now canceled my card since the number has been “stolen,” as NCO also had the three digit code on the back. I will be issued a new card expedited, so my own stupidity cost me $16.00. I can’t believe that I finally got scammed! I had been out of the country, could not find any account information while I was being threatened with “immediate disconnect” and caved in, since the girl on the other end kept saying “she didn’t agree with HughesNet’s policies, but even if I contacted them, I would just be referred back to her.” I could not get through to HughesNet at the first three numbers I found on the internet, did not have a reply to an email and had not received any contract information from them, so I ultimately believed the lies I was being told. Luckily I contacted my credit card company immediately after and found that NCO had in fact run the $900.00 charge through immediately, and then I was able to contact HughesNet at 866-347-3292, and then report NCO. What a mess!

I have seen that this company has scammed many, many people who have reported this all over the internet. They are blaming HughesNet, as I was, until I got in touch directly with HughesNet. I hope this terrible company can be put out of business, but I have found complaints lodged against NCO Financial Systems 1-800-688-3370 filed as far back as 2003. I am sure there are even earlier accounts. NCO has the nerve to not even change their phone number! Luckily I don’t believe that these criminals will profit from their lies. I hope this is the straw that breaks this devil’s back!

I have reported NCO Financial Systems (billed as “NCO FACS R. Meadows”) to Capital One, Hughes Net and on various locations on the internet. I should report this to our Attorney General as well. What a bunch of crooks!

Sincerely, C. Todd, Oxford NC


NCO posted false debt and extemely rude
12/21/2006 saint petersburg FL

Yes I know, they're a collection agency and being rude is a given. They posted a collection account to all three credit bureaus. The account they are attempting to collect on is not mine. I've never done business with the company they bought the debt from. I called NCO to find out more, but of course that was a frivolous waste of time. Besides demanding I settle the debt then and there on the phone, they refused to provide even a shred of information and they were extremely rude. I am fighting them and already have met with some success. I'm going to take it to NCO. I've created a detailed blog to chronicle this story. Read on at: http://noholdsbarred.wordpress.com


NCO Group Expands into Latin America
12/19/2006

NCO Group Expands into Latin America with Acquisition
December 18, 2006



NCO Group, Inc., a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today the completion of the acquisition of the assets of Star Contact (BVI) Ltd. and Call Center-Telemarketing Pro-Panama, S.A. (together "Star Contact"), based in Panama City, Panama.
Star Contact is Central America's leading provider of outsourced, multilingual contact center and customer care services to some of the world's best-known businesses. Joseph Fidanque, III, Star Contact's founder and President, will remain President of Star Contact and assume additional responsibilities as Managing Director of NCO's Latin American Operations.

Commenting on the acquisition, Michael J. Barrist, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "The Star Contact transaction presents NCO with a unique opportunity to continue our global call center expansion, and with Joe Fidanque spearheading our Latin American initiatives, we are poised to launch a complete service offering in Latin America that will include Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Accounts Receivable Management (ARM), and Purchased Debt."

Joseph Fidanque, III, commented on the transaction by stating that, "Star Contact, the first company to offer outsourced contact center services from Panama, is ideally suited to partner with NCO for expansion into Latin America. Star Contact's current mix of CRM services complements NCO's core competencies in Accounts Receivable Management and Purchased Debt offerings, and we are especially enthusiastic about the business opportunities in Latin America for these services. Mr. Fidanque also added, "A critical component to our success has been the quality of our employees and our management. Our unique corporate culture has allowed us to succeed in providing excellent services to leading multinational companies and achieve unparalleled client loyalty. NCO's global leadership will enable us to build upon our success and to profitably extend the NCO model to all the corners of Latin America."

Cypress Capital Advisors, LLC of Coral Gables, Florida, acted as financial advisors to Star Contact and Joseph Fidanque, III.

-----CollectionIndustry.com


Watch out for Ms. Braxton, Angela, And Ken!!!
12/5/2006 NJ

LET ME TELL YOU THAT THIS IS NOT MY FIRST TIME DEALING WITH THIS COMPANY. THE FIRST TIME I DEALT WITH THEM THEY SCREWED MY ACCOUNT UP. MY REP ENDED UP GOING ON VACATION IN THE MIDDLE OF MY SETTLEMENTS AND I COULD NOT SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE. I WAS ALSO SUPPOSED TO RECIEVE A LETTER SAYING I WAS OUT OF DEBT AND SIX MONTHS LATER, STILL HAVEN'T RECIEVED IT!!! NOW I STARTED A NEW SETTLEMENT WITH KEN! NICE GUY BUT DOES A HALF ASS JOB...I CALLED BACK A FEW DAYS AFTER THE SETTLEMENT OFFER TO CHANGE ONE OF THE 2 PAYMENTS TO A WEEK LATER BUT APPARENTLY THAT IS NOT ALOUD BECAUSE THE SETTLEMENT WAS FOR DECEMBER 2006 ONLY!!! WELL MAYBE IF KEN WOULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT.....! SO SWEET (YEA RIGHT) MS. BRAXTON TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE SETTLEMENT. I TOLD HER THAT NOBODY THERE KNOWS HOW TO DO THEIR JOB...SHE SAID ITS JUST BECAUSE I OWE A DEBT THAT I AM MAD....NO I AM NOT MAD ABOUT THAT. I DID IT TO MYSELF.. I AM MAD THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW THERE HEAD FROM THEIR ASSES!!! BECAUSE 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS SETTLEMENT OFFER, I SPOKE TO ANGELA. ANGELA SAID THAT EITHER I PAY IT IN FULL OR I DON'T PAY IT AT ALL. I ASKED IF I COULD MAKE 2 PAYMENTS AND SHE SAID NOT ON THIS TYPE OF AN ACCOUNT....OH BUT NOW I CAN? THAT MAKES NO SENSE. MY DOG CAN GET A JOB THERE.....


Are debt collectors hounding you on the phone?
11/29/2006

NCO SUCKS

A blog about the horrid experiences debtors have had at the hands of NCO, one of the largest collection agencies in the world. Here you will learn how to deal with them effectively.

http://ncosuks.blogspot.com/



NCO Financial Services
11/28/2006 CA

Since the beginning of this month (11/06) we have been getting calls from this company (215-675-1573) and "Jennifer" has been leaving messages asking that we return her call at 888-801-4271 along with an "ID#". Every time we call her back, we get her voicemail. We haven't received anything in the mail either.

"Jennifer" has also been calling us at 7AM!!!! We're keeping logs of this activity.


Unethical AND Illegal
11/26/2006 AL

Here's the lkatest tactic used by NCO via the telephone line.

1. Place a call early in the morning with a "legal" message introduction "stating" it is requireed under the law. This Message will name the company, the purpose of the call, a RETURN NUMBER AND THE FILE NUMBER of the case.

2. Within minutes they will return a call using a "dial around number" which leaves NO message if the call is not answered.

3. Some of the dial around numberS will have a bogus "name" showing on your caller ID...such as "PENNSYLVANIA".

4. Other dial around numbers will not have a company name or any other name...just a phone number on the caller ID.

5. At least one of those dial around numbers is a PORNOGRAPHY COMPANY number.

6. Another dial around number lists a name and n umber, but the number traces back to an individual in our State that does NOT have the name listed on the caller ID

I'm just wondering how many businessnes and individual telephone number they have hijacked to use in their business of harrassing both people who owe nothing and those who might owe a back debt?

Until EVERYBODY who receieve ANY kind of communications from this company and others like it, begins to put pressure on State and Federal legislator's (who are in bed with them) to write NEW laws to put them out of business, they will continue to violate tyhe laws of the lands as the so please to do, without any consequences!

There should be a federal law written that forbids the second and third part purchasing of any debt after the initial lending party or agency has taken action to "write-Off" a debt. This is the business arena that our legislators protect and fail to write laws of protection for the consumer.

Binding Arbitration should be another issues addresed better by laws, for the credit industry. NOBODY should be put into a position of "voluntairly" giving up ANY constitutional protected rights such as have access to a State or Federal Court, for any kind of legal resolve! Especially when dealing with collection companies such as NCO and many other's, who are second and third party purchasers of written off debt.



What I'm doing about NCO...
10/15/2006

Hello fellow NCO victims. I recently received one of these debt collection bills from NCO on behalf of AOL. It was asking for around $30.00.
We havn't used AOL in years and have no outstanding debt with them. We do have teenagers though and my husband was afraid one of them may have incurred the debt and for the amount decided to pay it.
I wasn't satisfied with that answer and decided to do some investigating. Thats how I came across this site. There are numerous complaints here and I havn't read all of them but I was wondering if anyone else contacted the BBB? I sent an online complaint and I guess it will take 30 days to hear something back. I also came across another site that stated that NCO has been sued before. How do these companies do these things? Isn't AOL embarassed about this?
Any way I'm going to read on. Good Luck everyone!


AOL scam
10/9/2006 san diego CA

Omg i can't believe there are so many people out
there that have been scammed by AOL. i also got
a bill from nco for $95.60 for using that stupid
cd 2 years ago.there are some really sad stories
at consumeraffairs.com from people who this
happened to. today i called AOL again and had to
threaten that i would expose them to the media
and report them to the BBB if they didn't get this
collection agency off my back. they said it would
be gone in 72 hours and here's their personal
number to verify it--1-800-220-2274. i'll be
calling them in 72 hours but in the meantime, i'm
still reporting them to the BBB and the media. all
tv stations have consumer affair groups that deal
with things like this and i've already contacted
3 of them. good luck everyone, maybe we'll get a
class action lawsuit out of this. the public needs
to know what AOL is doing!!


Scam
10/1/2006 Wilmington DE

This company sent me a notice that it was trying to collect a debt from AOL. I haven't been with AOL in 7 years, and I know I paid every last cent owed them. I had no outstanding debt with AOL. I am wondering if AOL even knows about this scam, and if they do, what they are willing to do about it. I am going to contact AOL in the next few days regarding this bogus company. I am also going to turn them in to Delaware's attorney general and anyone else who will listen. Enough already!


A Debt from nowhere!
9/30/2006

Last Saturday 9/23/06, I received two letters from NCO Financial. When I opened the letters, I was shocked to find out that I owe some money to AOL. When I realized it was a collection agency I became fearful of the threats contained in the letter, if I do not pay up.

Three years ago I closed my account with AOL by telephone. I had paid off any kind of outstanding balance I had with them. I never heard from AOL again after that. Which is why I found it unusual that AOL didn't contact me first. After all, there was a gap of three years. Usually a company would make a couple of attemps first before sending a collector after you.

Of course, I received these letters on a Saturday, and had to wait until Monday to call and find out what this was all about. In the meantime, I went to their web-site, provided the info they wanted. I couldn't get in because I was told that my info wasn't correct and I had to call them. I was so frustrated by this time, but I waited until Monday to call.

Monday I tried to call them and all I get was a couple of rings and then the sound of a fax. Okay, so I tried later and I get a few rings, then a hang up. BTW, the rings sounded different then any other ring I've heard.

By the time Monday came, I had figured this must've been a scam. However, I wanted to make sure. After these attemped calls, I was convinced this company was a scam.

I wanted to look into this further. I looked them up on the internet and this is where I found this web-site.

Much to my relief, I found others have had this same problem.

I will not pay them because I know I have paid AOL already three years ago. I would rather pay an attorney fee, if it ever gets that far, than to allow anyone to get away with a scam. Which is what I am strongly suspecting this is.

Thanks for allowing me to add my experience in order to inform others.

I am saving the letters if it gets to the point of having to dispute this. Am I doing the right thing?


NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC.
9/29/2006 Baltimore MD

I am adding my 3 cents to the discussion about NCO Financial Systems, Inc. I also rec'd a letter from them telling me that "the creditor" has agreed to accept $36.11 in payment. The only reason I received this letter is that I had originally started to get into a business that was to distribute coffee to stores. That is a long story but suffice it to say that the business was a scam & wanted money wired (cash) to an international bank account. When I backed out of the deal & didn not explain why, didn't want to waste my breath, I all of a sudden receive a bill from DSL for overniting me their introduction package. When I didn't pay it I rec'd this NCO Financial Systems collection notice. When I called the 800 # which is 800-303-2149 I got this voice that was speaking a language I couldn't even begin to understand. So I left a message stating that I have no clue what was just said but I will call back at another time. I do not intend to pay this & I hope people will not fall for this scam. That's my 3 cents. Thanks for listening


Notice of attempt to collect debt
9/26/2006 colorado springs CO

I received a letter from NCO Financial Systems, Inc stating that my America online account had been turned over for collections. I have NEVER had an account with AOL so I immediatley called the # given on the letter (1-866-372-8498) only to find out this # was not valid, it rings with long tone's just as if you are calling an international #. It will ring for a while and then hang up on you. I have attempted this same phone # 10-12 times now.

I attempted going to the website given on the letter: www.ncofinancial.com but it asks for a passcode (which the letter does give me) but I was uncomfortable putting that in as I think this is a fraud and attempt to phish for my information. The website will not allow you past the main page without this passcode which I find very odd.

I called the state of colorado department on collection agencies and debt collection. They in turn gave me a valid phone # to the NCO. I spoke with a woman named Amy Davis and faxed her the letter I received and they confirmed it was a valid letter and she said she spoke with someone at the phone # on my letter (866-372-8498), I told them that phone # had not worked for me all day. They tried calling again with no success saying the # was down and not working and they would call me back in a few minutes.

I then received a call from some man with an accent so thick I could barely understand saying he was with NCO (I guess Amy Davis with the NCO must have given him my phone #). He told me to "hold the line" I did so for 2 minutes and then he came back saying "you contacted us?" I explained to him the situation and then he told me he was not with the NCO and hung up. I tried calling the NCO again and asked to speak with Amy Davis again (the woman with whom I spoke too numerous times and faxed my letter too). Each time I called her she would put me on hold and then hang up on me.

I have contact the billing department at AOL and they cannot find record of me because I obviously do not have a screen name. They stated they would send me a fraud affidavit but that was all they could do for me since I could not provide them with a screenname (since I don't have one).

I am at my wits end, I have NEVER had an account with AOL. The phone # on my letter is not valid, I can't verify information off the website given on the letter and AOL cannot do anything for me because I can't confirm a screen name (because I don't have one).

I do not want this hitting my credit but I do not want to send a check to clear my name (just to keep my credit clean as it's perfect right now and I don't want to have it be hit with something that doesn't have anything to do with me) as I can't verify where I am sending a check too and I am afraid it's mail fraud.

I have filed a complaint with the better business bureau but it can take up to 30 days to hear from them. The letter I received states I need to respond within 30 days. I also filed a complaint with the FTC and AOL is sending me their fraud affidavit form.

All this trouble for something I haven't even done, what a NIGHTMARE!!!!

the letter stated the following:

Creditor: America Online, Inc
Account#: 387494526
Regarding: Past due balance
Principal: $23.90
Interest: $0.00
Interest rate: n/a
collection charges: $0.00
other charges: $0.00
Total balance: $23.90

The named creditor has placed this account with our office for collection. It is important that you foward payment in full.

If you choose not to respond to this notification, we will assign your account to a collector with instructions to collect the balance.

To assure proper credit please pur our internal account number ###### on your check or money order and enclose the lower portion of this letter with your payment. If you need to speak to a respresentative contact us at 1-866-372-8498.

Returned checks may be subject to the maximum fees allowed by your state.

You may also make payment by visiting us online at www.ncofinancial.com. Your unique registration code is ###############.

Unless you notify this office within 30 days after receiving this notice that you dispute the validity of the debt or any portion thereof, this office will assum this debt is valid. If you notify this office in writing within 30 days from receiving this notice, this office will obtain verification of the debt or obtain a copy of a judgement and mail you a copy of such judgement or verification. If you request this office in writing within 30 days after receiving this notice, this office will provide you with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor.

This is an attempt to collect a debt. Any information will be used for that purpose. This is a communication from a debt collector. PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE REVERSE SIDE. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE COLORADO FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, SEE www.ago.state.co.us/CADC/CADCmain.cfm


Valid?
9/25/2006

I received a letter concerning a debt from AOL. Oddly enough I never received a bill from AOL on credit cards that I have, or letters from AOL about a bill. Have I signed up to AOL before? yes. Have I canceled the accounts? yes. Do I even use AOL? no. Does the claim NCO is making even my real name, not really; is Dave and David the same? OK, now lets get down to the letter. They offer a number to call 18663728498, when I do call; you know I am more than willing to hear them out to see how they came about in sending this claim but the number doesn't work it just beeps a million times. Should I even write them a letter to dispute the claim? Thanks in advance.


Harrasing Calls, SOL expired what to do
8/26/2006

Below are links including a cease and desist letter. Copy of FDCPA http://www.pennlawyer.com/fdcpa.htm

FCRA http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm

Junk Debt buyers http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/junk-debt-buyers.html

Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.htm

Statute of limitations http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/statue-limitations-explained.html

BUD Hibbs and NCO http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/nco_financial_systems.htm

A primer on FDCPA http://www.pennlawyer.com/fdcpa.htm

This should answer most of your questions and show you guys what to do. You can sue in State or local court and put the shoe on the other foot. One NCO employee stated the SOL only meant they could not sue, well if they cannot get a judgment, cannot call or contact how can they collect? Many people are harassed and owe nothing, a few of these suites at $1000 up will help keep them at bay. They buy junk debt, get you to make one payment and the SOL starts all over and you can then be sued. Read each one of these and you will know your rights and what action to take.



False Information and Unlawful Act By NCO At India
08/25/2006 Poway CA

After Few Harassing Phone Calls From NCO At India I asked to transfer me to US because I am victim of ID theft, later on tried to misslead me again I asked for US Phone number to verify.
I called 800-979-6560 and ended up in India then he gave me another number 800-445-4918 which was in India, I am not happy my SS# and other information fly over fiber optic lines to any other country.
I PAID my credit card but NCO provide my information to collect what ever they wish.
Statue Limitation is four years.


Check authorization
8/9/2006 NJ

Am writing you to tell you that NCO keeps calling my cell phone, home phone and work phone from a woman named Marie. Not to mention that today she called my co-worker, saying they didn't hear the nane on the voicemail and that they needed to speak to Jody. It was a personal matter and very important that I call them back TODAY! I had been paying off a debt and had two payments directly debited from my checking account.(One of which was more that I had orgianally authorized) The calls are numerous with no number appearing in the caller id for my cell phone. This is the second time they are harraassing me. Their tactis are completely unprofessional. I am concerned they will continually take money out of my checking account without my authorization .


NCO Financial Systems - Constant phone calls
8/2/2006 Los Angeles CA

Ok here's the deal. Two months ago I received a call from this 866 number. I ignored it. Then it came in again, and again, and again. Finally, I got a voicemail saying the call was for "Andrea" and to call the number. And here I am thinking "um WHO are you and WHAT exactly do you want??" So I call them back with a blocked number just to find out the name of the company. It's NCO, what do ya know. I go online and research them and read about all these horrible reviews and what sort of company they are, etc. I decided to ignore their calls so they could not get my information or try to ruin my credit (as many have stated). So here's my basic question: Should I answer their call and find out what they want from me? Or should I continue to ignore, or perhpaps even change my number? They call me anywhere from about 4-13 times a day; I have kept track. It's getting so annoying though. All I know is that I do not owe anyone anything, and if I did, I would prefer to take it up with THAT company. I won't pay NCO anything after what I have read about them. I do not understand what type of debt collection they would use on me though. I have no debts, and I am officially a graduate this Friday, so it cannot be school loans. Does anyone know what I can do to get them to stop annoying me? I do not want to change my number, but if I can change it and be sure they cannot contact me, I will definitely do it. Someone heeelp!!! Sorry for the continuous rambling...


NCO Group Announces Agreement to be Acquired by CEO and Equity Group for $1.26 billion
7/24/2006

NCO Group Announces Agreement to be Acquired by CEO and Equity Group for $1.26 billion

July 24, 2006

NCO Group, Inc., a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by One Equity Partners ("OEP") and Michael J. Barrist, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in a transaction valued at approximately $1.26 billion. Other members of executive management will be given an opportunity to invest in the surviving company and Mr. Barrist will continue as Chief Executive Officer.
Under the terms of the agreement, NCO shareholders will receive $27.50 in cash for each share of NCO common stock they hold as of the effective date of the merger. The price represents a 44 percent premium to the closing price of the stock prior to the Company's May 16, 2006 announcement of the receipt of the proposal from Mr. Barrist.

The merger agreement was negotiated on behalf of NCO by a special committee of the Board of Directors composed entirely of independent members of the Board. Upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee, the Board of Directors has approved the merger agreement and has recommended to NCO's shareholders that they adopt the agreement.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to receipt of shareholder approval and customary regulatory approvals as well as satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Blank Rome LLP acted as legal counsel to NCO and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC acted as legal counsel to the Special Committee. Credit Suisse acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee.

Dechert LLP acted as legal counsel for OEP and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP acted as legal counsel for Michael J. Barrist. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase & Co. acted as financial advisors to OEP.




Collection tactics from hell
7/23/2006

In my opinion, all of these companies buying and re-buying old debts are the scum of the earth. Most often than not prey on the weakest members of society, those who have already hit bottom, unable to pay the original debts, and after so many years they come with new threats and scary stories. If a debt was either discharged or written-off way back and is not showing in the credit report anymore, just forget it! Now, before anyone thinks that I'm advocating not to pay legitimate debts, that's not my intention. However, when most consumers fall into the credit trap or personal missfortune and run into very bad situations, they go through 7 years of hell credit wise. That's why the law makes those unpaid debts dissapear from the credit report. They have one more chance to rebuild their relationship with banks and businesses. While it's true that this will also benefit professional debt beats, those are the minority but the consumer at large should be left alone by this bottom feeders. I'd tell them to go and get a real job instead of making a living out of the misery of others. That's a task for loan sharks :(.


Just Ignore them or send a letter back?
7/19/2006

I agree, if it's a person's debt they should just PAY it, and I will if it comes to it - what I need is advice

They sent me a letter...for a car loan from 10 years ago. My EX husband convinced me to buy him a truck and then skipped town - he never paid a cent on it - 3 years later it was repo'ed and then it was thrown out of court for bad evidence in 2001. That's the last I heard of it.

It has fallen off my credit - my credit looks fab! (**Knocking on wood**)

But now I get a letter saying I owe NCO Financial $10K. Yeah - I don't think so...

Should I send the Debt Validation letter? Or just let sleeping dogs lie.


Collections
7/17/2006

A note for those of you who work for NCO - You are not only pursuing a reprehensible career, but you are in fact, bad people. Like many, I've been in collections for various debt through time, and NCO employees must be the most dense and unkind people I've ever had to deal with.
1. You attempt to vindicate yourselves by saying you are "just doing your job." By that rational, anyone can vindicate themselves for doing anything, as long as they're being paid to do it, including hitmen and Nazi soldiers. If you don't want to catch heat for what you do, perhaps you should pursue a career in Greenpeace.
2. If I (or anyone) doesn't have the money, that's it! Its not there. Empty threats and angry words will not make the money mysteriously materialize. Its amazing how little power you actually have in the end. There is _NOTHING_ you can do that a company cannot do for themselves. The difference is, you pursue and maintain resources that make it even easier for a huge company to trampel a small company or consumer, usually using fear tactics.
3. Keeping that in mind, fear tactics do not work on me. I'm doing better now, but when I had collection calls coming in, that bill or whatever the case may be went directly to the bottom of the pile. I wholeheartedly encourage readers of this board to do the same. If they get nasty, ask for an address where you can send a cease letter. Send it. Know your rights and employ them. If you ever feel that a collector has broken the law, immediately report them to the FTC and pursue prosecution and civil litigation to the full extent the law allows. Make sure to go after the actual collector as well as the agency.
www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm
learn it and know it!
The system is set to trample people who are struggling instead of help them. Put a few of these chumps on the chopping bock, because until someone does it will never change!

Whew, I feel better. All that being said I wish untimely painful death on every last one of you.


NCO proves why we had to make laws!
7/17/2006

NCO Financial Services must by now be at the top of the new evil and hate regime. They totally disregard the laws we have had to make to prevent abuse by their industry. While most collection services work with their clients to solve the problem. NCO attacks...13 phone calls inside a ten minute period because hung up on them after I was verbally abused with things like.... told what a low life loser and idiot I was and YOU signed the contract idiot, we don't care anything about the debt nor the circumstances. Except that you must pay it now! I called the company I owe Choice One Communications which is now part of CTC Communications, which does not deliver the promised services, for the stated prices after signing the contract, after you sign the contract, but I immediately sent a payment and told them on the phone I was doing so.
Today the phone calls from NCO, Kansas, started again, so I called their corporate headquarters in Horsham Pa. to see if I could get the abusive calls to stop and who to file a complaint with IE the FCC or whomever or at least get them to remove what feels like a fascist jack boot from my neck so I can resume operating my business and pay this rip-off regardless of the circumstances. Corporate gave me the run around, obviously they have absolutely no regard for anyone else in our society except themselves and their predatory need to attack people that are already down or in trouble.
The have their Email addresses encrypted so that we cannot communicate with then Via-Email, they would then lose control over their battle field against us.
Lucifer must be dancing.
Here are fines and such that have been levied against NCO yet they continue to wreck havoc on our lives.
News report: http://budhibbs.com/cbs4boston.htm
Payment to State of Pa.(where they are headquartered)
January 30, 2006

NCO Group, Inc., a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that it entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Under the terms of the Agreement, NCO specifically denies that it has engaged in unlawful or inappropriate business practices, and has agreed to pay the Commonwealth $300,000 to be used towards the costs of the investigation and/or future public protection purposes. The Agreement also requires NCO to comply with consumer protection laws and to maintain certain policies and procedures designed to facilitate and monitor its ongoing compliance.

Commenting on the Agreement Michael J. Barrist, NCO Chairman and CEO stated; "It has always been our policy to work with regulators to assure that we are promptly and effectively responding to consumer issues. As the largest provider of Accounts Receivable Collection services in the world, NCO contacts consumers approximately 400 million times per year. Although we provide our services on a national basis, a disproportionate number of consumers look to the Commonwealth for assistance because we are headquartered in Pennsylvania. I am very pleased we were able to reach this Agreement with the Commonwealth since it resolves all issues to date and, more importantly, provides for a positive working relationship in the future."




Annoying NCO collectors
7/3/2006

For the last several months I have been receiving daily phone calls from multiple employees of NCO and there have been a few harrassing calls left on both my cell phone and home phone stating that if I am in a vegatable like state to have someone hold the phone to my ear and grunt to make a decision. I laughed off a few of these calls but now they have my work number and have begun calling there. I have now received messages from 4 different employees at work after I spoke to the first one and told her to never call me at work again or I will file a complaint against them and gave her both my cell and home number and told her that I could not recieve calls like this at work. I owe about 4300 dollars from a credit card account from about 7 years ago. When I got cornered by the first person I told her that I could not afford to make a settlement of 3500 unless I could make monthly payments. She said that if I made a payment of 20% that I could have a month to come up with the remainder of the settlement. I will not be able to come up with that sort of money but I would like to get these losers off my back. Any suggestions from anyone to get them to stop calling me at work. How should I proceed with this. They will not take any payment plans. :(


Harassed for old debt
6/17/2006 NY

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how I should proceed with NCO. They contacted me about an old debt with Dress Barn. I did have an account with them many years ago but I just ordered a copy of my credit report and there is no mention of any debt to them. The person from NCO said that bills were sent for years to my previous address but were never forwarded to me. This has to be going back at least nine years. I have no problem with paying the debt if I owe it but there is no indication that this is true. They told me that I could not contact or pay Dress Barn because they bought the debt and I owe them the money. The man was incredibly rude and threatened to just place this debt on one of my other credit cards because he "has access to my account information and knows all of my credit card numbers." He said that I could have a lien placed on my house and that I could be sued by them. I told the man that I would need to think about this because it did not sound ethical. He proceeded to call me eight times that night and I would just pick up the phone and hang it up. I recently received a letter from their office in Horsham,PA telling me that I can pay my debt in a lump sum. I do not trust these people but I do not want to ruin my credit or get sued. I saw that they had checked my credit report. Any advice?


NCO hard to work with
6/15/2006 Las Vegas NV

I have been getting calls from NCO regarding an American Express account. I have called back and left messages on the extension indicated. I have talked to three different reps who can not find any information on me. Earlier this week I answer a call from Mr. Palmer. He says that I have been avoiding NCO and wants over $4,,700 now. He is very rude and hangs up on me. I call back to more times and he hangs up on me two more times. He refuses to give me an account number and a mailing address to send in a money order. He tells me to cash in my retirement plan and get the money any way I can in ten days. He even threatens me under the Patriot Act. He said that NCO does not accept montly payments and only an electronic check in the whole amount will be acceptable. I called American Express and explained my situation with NCO. They gave me a mailing address and said that the money order was acceptable. Then Mr. Palmer left me a message saying that I face an "escalation." I called back and left a message. I even got a hold of Mr. Palmer and he said he had no record of me. He put me on hold, I hung up after 2 mintues, I don't wait well. What is going on with these people? Who on earth are they hiring?


Can NCO obtain my credit report or my dads, without my dad ever giving his SS out?
6/5/2006 Los Angeles CA

My dad had hosting through 1 & 1 Internet Inc a long time ago, and he closed the account, but they were still charging. He owed $29.97 and refuse to pay the bill, on the grounds that he closed the account.

My question now, is that his name and my name is alike, and I am afraid that my credit may be affected by this. My dad had never given them his social security. Can NCO obtain his social security or mine by mistake and affect both our credit reports?


AGENCY COLLECTORS
5/21/2006

Information from:

Bud Hibbs Helps America Hold Debt Collectors to the Law!
http://budhibbs.com/am_worst_collection.htm

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?



Harassing Phone Calls
5/20/2006 Saint Cloud FL

NCO Financial Systems has recently been calling me regarding a past due Sprint PCS bill. The calls get more and more harassing each time. I am in a situation that because I am on an unpaid medical exernship I can't pay the amount they cloaim until September. Also, the amount I have been told by NCO FInancial doesn't match what I know that I owe on my bill. It supercedes by over $200. I have asked for an itiemized statement and have been told that they do not have one. When I asked if Sprint PCS would have it they told me that they bought my entire account from Sprint PCS and that Sprint PCS would not have any information. Upon my explanation as to why I will have to wait I was told:
1. You need to cut back on your expenses
2. Stop purchasing items that I do not need
3. Borrow the money from somebody
4. What do you mean you are not working everybody works

I have even hung up on them due to the harassing comments only to be called back again several times. I was even hung up on whwn I asked a woman why she was being so rude to me if she is trying to collect a debt. I am not a prejudice person but all of the persons I have spoken to were of Eastern Indian nationality. When I ask questions all they do is verify my information then get loud with me. I got frustrated and had my Mom talk to them to see if she could get anywhere. They gave her the same treatment. HOwever, when she was asked to borrow money she asked the collector if she could borrow the money from him. He siad he didn't find that funny. My Mom and I find it hillarious! I want the harassing phone calls to end. I am about to take legal action if they do not.


NCO News Update
5/17/2006

NCO Deal to be Largest Ever for Collection Firm
May 17, 2006

by Patrick Lunsford, CollectionIndustry.com

NCO Group’s (Nasdaq: NCOG) Board of Directors announced yesterday that the collection/BPO giant’s longtime CEO, Mike Barrist, had made an offer to buy the company and presumably take it private. The total transaction value of the deal will be north of $1 billion, making it the largest in ARM history.

In an industry as fragmented as the collection/accounts receivable management industry, such a large deal involving its largest player is sure to raise a lot of interest. So what affect will NCO Group’s deal have on the industry? It may be too soon to tell, but there are clues hidden in the announcement and in the deal itself.

Barrist stated in his letter to the NCO Board that he was partnering with One Equity Partners II on the deal and that Morgan Stanley will be providing financing for the transaction. One Equity Partners is a private equity arm of JP Morgan Chase, acquired in the latter’s merger with Bank One. With names like JP Morgan Chase and Morgan Stanley in on the deal, it’s clear that the deal has approval from large banking institutions. Some see this as a trend itself.

“This is another example of the strong interest this industry is drawing from Wall Street and big-time private equity,” said Michael Lamm, Associate at industry advisor Kaulkin Ginsberg Company. “We’ve seen quite a few of these types of deals recently, and this particular one may be an indication of what’s to come,” added Lamm.

In April, Nikko Principal Investments Limited (NPIL), the European principal finance arm of Japanese investment firm Nikko Cordial Corporation, announced it was purchasing Cabot Financial, the leading debt purchaser in the UK, for some $478 million. In February, it was announced that private equity firm American Capital Strategies had purchased major industry player Financial Asset Management Systems, Inc. (FAMS). And in November of last year, KRG Capital Partners paid $350 million to acquire debt purchaser/collector Collect America.

Another place to look for industry impact lies in NCO Group’s position in the collection/ARM space. Long regarded as a pacesetter, the company has been on the leading edge of adopting new technologies and business practices, such as offshore outsourcing.

“Since going public in 1996, NCO has been the trendsetter for the industry,” said Mike Ginsberg, CEO of Kaulkin Ginsberg Company. “Even before they went public, Barrist was extremely forward-looking when it came to business practices and new technology. And I truly believe that this deal will allow him to take a longer view on the business rather than bowing to short-term quarterly earnings pressures that come with being publicly held.”

Ginsberg also added that this deal, as it stands now, will definitely be the largest transaction ever in ARM history.

“Obviously, this is not a done deal, and we won’t know the final total until it is. But if Barrist is behind it, I have all the confidence in the world that the deal will go down smoothly,” Ginsberg added.




Latest News
5/16/2006

NCO Group CEO Makes Offer to Buy Company for around $1 billion

May 16, 2006

NCO Group (Nasdaq: NCOG) today announced that its Board of Directors has received an offer from NCO Chairman and CEO Mike Barrist, in a letter sent Monday, to purchase all outstanding shares of the firm for $27.50 each in cash. The Board said that they plan on meeting today and will form a special committee to evaluate the offer.
Barrist has partnered with One Equity Partners II on the deal. According to the letter from Barrist, One Equity manages over $5 billion in capital and has “extensive experience with management-led leveraged buyouts.” Barrist also stated that he and his group have received financing from Morgan Stanley to complete the deal.

According to NCO’s first quarter earnings release, the firm had 36,259,000 diluted shares outstanding as of March 31. Based on those numbers, the total offered for all shares in the letter is a little more than $997 million.

NCO’s stock jumped more than 40% in early trading on Tuesday.

The text of the letter sent to the NCO Group Board of Directors is below:

May 12, 2006
CONFIDENTIAL - Sent Via Federal Express

Board of Directors NCO Group, Inc. 507 Prudential Road Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044

Gentlemen:

I propose to acquire by merger all of the outstanding common stock of the Company for $27.50 per share, on the terms and conditions more fully set forth below (the "Proposed Transaction"). This price represents a 42% premium above today's closing price of $19.36 and a 33.8% premium above the 90-day average price of $20.56 per share.

I intend to partner in this transaction with One Equity Partners II, L.P. One Equity Partners II and its affiliated funds manage over $5 billion in capital, have acquired over 20 portfolio companies for aggregate consideration of over $7 billion, and have extensive experience with management-led leveraged buyouts. Given the extensive work that has already been completed by One Equity and Morgan Stanley, the fact that we have committed financing and our collective knowledge of the Company and its industry, I believe we can quickly and with great certainty complete an acquisition of the Company at what I think is a very attractive price.

The Proposed Transaction would be financed through a combination of approximately $388 million of equity and approximately $815 million of debt. Morgan Stanley has provided to One Equity Partners II a commitment for the full amount of the debt financing (including, if necessary, a bridge facility) required to fund the Proposed Transaction which One Equity Partners II is prepared to accept if we move forward with the Proposed Transaction. A copy of Morgan Stanley's commitment is enclosed.

I would make a significant investment in the transaction and would expect to provide other members of the Company's senior management team with the opportunity to participate as well. I would continue as chairman and CEO of the Company following the transaction, and I expect that our senior management team would also continue with the Company.

I know you are aware of my strong belief that the Company would be best served by a prompt resolution of this process. Accordingly, if we promptly enter into the Proposed Transaction, our proposed merger agreement would expressly permit the Company to solicit superior alternative transactions for a period of 21 days after execution of the merger agreement (the "Go Shop Period") and, at any time prior to shareholder approval of the transaction, to terminate our merger agreement to accept a superior proposal, subject to customary "matching rights." Further, if the Company terminates our merger agreement to accept a superior proposal that was received during the Go Shop Period, the Company would be required to pay a break up fee equal to only 1% of the transaction value, plus reimbursement of actual expenses. If the Company terminates our merger agreement to accept a superior proposal received after the Go Shop Period, the Company would be required to pay a break fee of 3% of the transaction value. Under this arrangement, the Company will be able to guarantee a high premium value for the Company without foreclosing the possibility, which I believe is unlikely, of obtaining an even greater value from a third party.

This proposal is subject to satisfactory completion of confirmatory due diligence by One Equity Partners and Morgan Stanley and the negotiation and execution of acceptable definitive documentation. Based on discussions I have had with One Equity Partners and Morgan Stanley, I am confident that their diligence will confirm their assumptions. Further, given the extensive work they have performed to date, I believe that, with your cooperation, their diligence can be completed within 7 to 10 days, concurrently with the negotiation and finalization of definitive documentation.

I anticipate that you will promptly establish a special committee of independent directors to review this proposal and consider how the Company should proceed. To facilitate this process I enclose a copy of our proposed merger agreement.

Of course, no binding obligation shall arise with respect to the proposal or any transaction unless and until definitive documentation has been appropriately approved, executed and delivered by the parties.

I believe that this proposal is in the best interest of the Company, its shareholders and its employees and I look forward to discussing this proposal with you in the near future.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Michael J. Barrist

Michael J. Barrist




Telephone Calls looking for "old" telephone number owner
5/11/2006 British Columbia

I have been getting a daily call (sometimes 2) from NCO FInancial for 3 months. Our telephone number is new to us 3 months ago and the calls started the day we got the new number. It is from a machine- no human even comes on the line ever. The message is to call back to a phone number and use my number as the reference number. Our phone number is unlisted and I have a serious health condition which makes phone calls difficult for me.

So I just wanted to see how long this company would continue to call for. Well it's been 3 months!

I wrote an email to NCO Financial- no response. SO finally today I telephoned the number. Which is totally against what I feel I should have to do to stop this harrasment. I even called Telus to ask what they could do about it. They can't do anything- except me dialing*69 after I receive the call and then paying for the service of call block.

When I called the NCO number I was annoyed and told them these calls must be for the previous owner of this number because I just moved here from 3000 miles away and have no debts. Plus no one had my number on the day when they started to call. (They were the first people to use the number) The woman was very RUDE! She sarcastically told me that maybe I should have called in then. I explained I have a serious health condition and had emailed her comnpany. She then rudely stated she did not have control over emails. I asked her to stop with the "attitude" and she replied that I started with the attitude first. Then she hung up.

So I called Telus then and called NCO back. So I tried again to get them to listen. This time I got a Christine- she was more polite and I could at least unerstand here name since she spoke it a little slower than the first aggressive rude woman. They tranferred me to someone who could "put a note on the file". The other woman who had hung up on me did nothing to put a note on the file that I was not the person they were looking for. She could have because they know the number you are calling from. This second person I spoke to asked for my name- which of course I refused. I said you can tell me who you are looking for though- and he did- some Dallas .... person. I stated that now one here has that name. He then asked if I knew him and what my address was etc. All this for calls meant for someone else. I do not have much energy with my health and this now just took up a signicant portion of my energy for today!


Debt Collector Harassment or Abuse?
4/26/2006 Horsham PA

Debt collection can be a harrowing experience. Often, debt collectors are underpaid, undertrained, and underhanded. It is the last description that has brought you to this site.

If you believe your debt collection rights have been violated, I would like to hear from you.

By visiting my website, www.ConsumerLawOnline.com, you may learn how it is possible to turn the tables on abusive or harassing debt collectors. Make them pay YOU for the violation of your rights. Complete our comprehensive FREE Online Evaluation Form to find out more. Check out our website today to learn more about your fair debt collection rights.

Sorry, PA, NJ & MD residents only; terms & conditions apply. I am not your attorney. Nothing herein is intended nor may same be construed as legal advice. You should consult an attorney to determine what rights and remedies you may have as a result of illegal debt collection practices.


NCO -Update
4/13/2006

A few monts ago I wrote about a cpllection from NCO, the person was rude,Verbally abusive, disclosed information ect ect. sooooo I started by contacting sears, no help there they condoned the practices even though it violated the FDCPA. so I went a little further and contacted a lawyer. He is working on it and I should be hearing from him within the next couple of weeks. FYI to those of you in Massachusetts. there is a class action being filed in this state. look into it. granted we don't get much by class actions but at least something gets done and its on the records.
Oh and to those with the Pay your bills montra, It's old lay off! and the debt is paid. Sears was not only reporting it on my credit, but on my husbands as well (and he's not even on the account, as a matter of fact it's a card in my maiden name. just hadn't been changed) But since I have contacted them about it his credit score jumped nearly 40 points. so it does pay to take action


Hospital Bill, HELP!
3/30/2006

Hello everyone!
I have been driven mad lately by NCO. Sometimes I feel like finding them in a dark alley and %#*^@*&^#*&. Here's my story (maybe someone can give me ANY advice on how to proceed?).
First, I live in Montreal and I am a student. Because I am a US citizen, I am required by Quebec universities to pay for the international student health insurance that they provide every year. In 2004, I was a student at Concordia University and was insured by SunLife Financial. They were excellent in terms of benefits. I had full coverage for most things, including 100% coverage of hospital bills. Anyways, on Aug. 3, 2004, I had to go to the emergency room of a hospital. They took my insurance info, etc and I thought that was that. A few months later, I get a call from someone in their accounting department asking me if I could send them an insurance form from my insurance company filled out with my information as SunLife had told them they can't be reimbursed without this form. I did this and even offered to go over to the hospital to help them with the rest of the form, since it was a French-speaking hospital and they seemed to have difficulty understanding spoken and written English. They said "no no, it's OK, we'll take it from here." Again ,no word for several months...Come around February 2005, I get another call saying there was some other mixup and they need my info again. At this point, I feel sorry for them thinking it's probably a language issue, and I even offer to pay the bill MYSELF and then ask my insurance to reimburse me since I knew I was more capable filling out the forms and such then they were. The hospital said NO, we handle these bills, everything will be taken care of, it will take a few months (60 days) to clear it up but don't worry. I called SunLife to see if they had made a claim and SunLife said they had no record of it, but yes, the hospital should be the one to make the claim. So now fast forward to the summer of 2005. At this point, I think the bill is settled. WRONG, some ass**** from NCO starts contacting me telling me they never paid. I am super nice with him, give him all my insurance info and he says he'll take care of it. Again, I call SunLife and they assure me that under the plan, I was covered 100% for hospital bills, just send it and they will pay. To make a long story short, it turns out the hospital took too long to put in the claim, since (in a streak of bad luck), my insurance for the 2003-2004 school year ran out Aug 4, 2004 (a day after I went to the emergency room) and any claims needed to be sent in within 90 days of the end of my insurance to be paid. Yes, sure, I was automatically insured again by my school for the next year, but since this occurred in the previous insurance cycle, the 90 days still holds. Anyways, the NCO guy was pleasant at first when he thought he would get his money, but now he is insisting that the insurance people won't pay, and it's my responsibility...screaming at me, calling me a million times a day, etc. I even got a letter from SunLife that a claim was put in but they cannot pay it as it was not submitted within the 90 day timeframe. At first I found the NCO guy amusing since he got so upset. But now he doesn't leave messages, except calls about 2 times an hour and hangs up when the machine picks up. I don't think it's my fault that the hospital didn't put in the claim in a timely manner! I know SunLife would have paid (since they said they would when I asked and they paid my other hospital bills!!) and I was covered, but now this moron is harassing me for close to $700 which I, as a student, don't have! That's why I pay for insurance every year for god's sake! I want the NCO guy to take me to court so I can explain this to the judge, rather than have him call me since I can't reason with him. He lies and tells me the company won't pay because I am not covered for this bill, says it's my duty, etc...Says the same thing over and over (actually, screams it). Any advice on how to procede? Does he have the right to keep calling like this? I won't call him back anymore because I see no point in him screaming the same stuff over and over. And I don't think I should be out 700 dollars because someone in accounting didn't do their job. I tried my best to help!


Fraudulent Credit Report Item
3/29/2006 Miami FL

Based on all the news on credit fraud, I decided to pull my credit report. Glad I did - as there were three items on the report that do not belong to me. One of them was in good standing... but wasn't mine - and the other two were posted by two separate firms on a bellsouth bill.

I called Bellsouth- having had service from the same address for 5 years - and since both listing showed a current date.

Bellsouth confirmed that they have never reported me for collections and that my account has always been paid on time. They could not research the matter furhter without the phone number for which the credit listing was made.

Since the credit report did not show either a contact number for NCO or any phone number information - I reported to the credit service that this was a fraudulent posting.

All have been removed except for NCO who claims that it is a valid bill.

Since I have never had other Bellsouth numbers - how do I go about getting this removed? I have read the HORROR stories on line about people dealing with NCO and it seems like what I should do is send a certified mail return receipt requested - or is there another way?

This bill is not mine - nor has anyone ever contacted me about any delinquent bills - and certainly not Bellsouth.

Tom


Trying to scam $$ over phone w/o letter to me.
3/29/2006 Phoenix AZ

This company appears to be just another scamming collection agency. I received a statement last summer (2005) for a remaining balance from Figis for $98.60 & I had sent in my payment by check in August of 2005 for $98.60 & had not heard anything until the end of January when my cell phone rang.
I was asleep and woke to answer my phone to hear some snotty girl demanding my past due balance of $46.00 and some odd cents. I said I sent a check in last summer for the invoice statement that I had received & would not send anything else in without seeing a statement of the past due balance.
Today, March 29th I received another call asking for the amount of 46.?? be sent in now or to set up payments. Still I have not received an invoice showing my Figis past due balance, and I have not received any letters from the collection company, NCO Financial Systems or Figis.
This in my opinion is a scam for more money. If they can prove I owe it and I get a letter from them & Figis account number with my information, then I would pay it.
Bottom line here is, no letter with statement, then no money will be sent into the scamming company of NCO Financial Systems.

Mark Howard


NCO collection
3/20/2006

NCO contacted me about a debt that has long since been paid. I have the cancelled check to prove it, When I told the collector, he called me a liar and said that they were prepared to take me to court.
He said he was a lawyer with NCO and when I asked him what state he was licensed to practice in he refused to tell me.


NCO Financial Systems, Inc.
3/4/2006 Charlotte NC

I was contacted about 7 months ago by this company regarding an oustanding credit card debt...they offered me a settlement which was about 15% off the total due. I accepted, but had to make monthly payments for about 6 months in order to but the final amount together...once I did, we make the arrangements and they have now taken all the money out of my bank account, which is a significant amount. I continue to get statements from them that my account is deliquent with THEM and showing the outstanding balance, which was the original amount I owed. Obviously they have taken all my payments and not passed them on to the original debtor. There appears to be a problem with their system, as the representative I had worked with called to say they didn't have the payment...this was about 15 days AFTER they were suppose to take the last payment and about 2 days later the payment was taken from my account. Then they called about 10 days later and said they still did not have the payment...we called my bank together, who verified the check did clear and the amount and the date and then I had to send them a copy of the cancelled check from the bank. Then about another 10 days later I get a call from the repsetative I was working with who admitted their systems have been messed up and that the account was now cleared, but there was a problem with the debtor accepting the deal, as it was now late. She said "she was out of it now and her supervisor had taken over", and she gave me his name and telephone number...I called him twice with no return call...on the thrid try he did answer and told me "it was nothing I was to worry about"..it was all handled and OK and I would get my settlement letter...now 2 weeks later I have received the 2nd of letters from them again stating that I am behind in my payments and still owe the original amount of the bill. They cannot be trusted and obviously are not honest. I plan to take all the cancelled checks to the original debtor and show them that I have paid the bill and that NCO is holding THEIR money...My attorney is also contacting their requlator to make an offical complaint....my attorney is also considerting a civil suit if the regulator does not get my money back. I have advised my original representative and her superisor of these actions, however, neither seem to be worried, as I have had no reply from them.

My suggestion to you if you are contacted by these folks is to refuse to deal with them...contact the original debtor and make your payments direct to them.




Union! Union! Union!
3/2/2006

NCO Group Announces Decision of 1,400 Employees to Unionize

March 2, 2006


NCO Group, Inc., a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that the employees at its call center in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada voted to join the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union ("BCGEU").
If the Company is able to reach a collective agreement, it will only cover the Company's Surrey, British Columbia call center. The 1,400 telephone representatives constitute approximately seven percent of NCO's total employees. This facility provides customer relationship management services and generated approximately two percent of NCO's consolidated 2005 revenue. The financial impact of such organizing effort is not known at the current time. Currently, the Company is not aware of any union organizing efforts at any of its other facilities.

Commenting on this development, Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very disappointed that our Surrey associates have voted for union representation. Against a backdrop of increasing pricing pressure from our clients, a strengthening Canadian dollar and a client-driven trend towards moving North American call center business off-shore, the BCGEU convinced approximately 51 percent of the employees who voted that the union could improve their pay, benefits and working conditions. We have informed the clients who are serviced by the Surrey facility, and once they have the opportunity to integrate this information into their long-range planning as to where they want NCO to perform their work, we will be in a better position to inform our investors of the impact of this development."

NCO Group, Inc. is a leading provider of business process outsourcing services including accounts receivable management, customer relationship management and other services. NCO provides services through over 100 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, the Caribbean and Panama.


Source: Press Release


Harrassment about military student loans
2/27/2006 allentown PA

I have a HUGE situation about NCO Financial. i am in the Army, and they offer to pay 100% of tuition using the EAP. i went to school from 2000 - 2001, and eap paid the school directly. at the time, the school was actually getting paid an overage of $187 a quarter, which went to my books and supplies (still no out of pocket expenses) turns out that AES got involved somewhere along the way, saying that i owe the full amount of the tuition in student loans, totalling $12,000. i said whoa whoa, the army is supposed to pay this, and i didn't even know anything about me having student loans in the first place, so i kept referring queries about this to the Army. after a few years, i get a phone call from the lovable Bob Neil from... come to think of it, he never told me where he was from, until i called back and heard "NCO Financial" i was clueless. Still, i had no clue what the heck NCO Finalcial was... anyways, this guy is super rude to me, spouting on and on about what he can do to me to make my life miserable, that he took my income tax refunds, and that he is about to garnish 100% of my wages. i told him you cannot to that, he said that according to some new law passed 2 months ago, he could. i asked what the website is with this new law, he avoided answering me, and instead kept threatening me. he would ask a question and when i would try to answer he would just keep talking rudely. he told me that we could setup a credit recovery thing or whatever and if i make payments until the EAP thing gets straightened out with the school, they wouold totally refund all moneys they took from me 100%. in my own stupidity i aggreed, so i gave them my account info. they took out 200$ the day they said they would, then i get a call 3 days later from the tool mr neil saying my check bounced. i asked him 'what check' and said you guys took the money out. he told me that he has a slip from my bank stating "innsufficient funds" which was B.S., because the funds were there the whole time. this a-hole told me that i had toll 8pm that nite to get someone to give me their credit card info to pay this 'again' or he would take all my paychecks. i refused, and he said 'ohhhh you'll be sorry. what can be done about this? feel free to email me anytime.

andrew


RUDE and ABUSIVE
2/2/2006

I have a debt filed against me with NCO. The man that first contacted me identified himself a lawyer. he kept telling me he needed the money now tonight ect ect. I told him it would be about 2 weeks b4 I could have 2500 dollars. he refused to give me time to get it. called me a liar, screamed at me and told me if I couldn't get it from family they obviously don't trust me.
He then called my husbands work (after I told him he can't be reached there) called the manager a liar when she said he couldn't come to the phone divuldged information about the debt to her . screamed and yelled then slammed the phone down, called my husbands cell . he (husband) called him back when he got a few minutes was all cordial and readily agreed to have the money in 2 weeks. Go figure??? why not do that for me?


here is NCO's corporate address
12/3/2005

NCO Financial Systems, Inc. ****
(May also go by the name of NCO Portfolio Management)
507 Prudential Rd
Horsham, PA 19044-2308
Phone: (215) 441-3000
Fax: (215) 441-3923
Web Address: www.ncogroup.com

150 Crosspoint Pkwy
CrossPoint Business Park
Getzville, NY 14068-1602
Phone: (716) 404-2100
Fax: (716) 404-2120

Here are two address and a couple of phone numbers for NCO I thought you all would like this because they are so rude and won't give you the address over the phone but you can find anything online. Now anyone who wants to write them a dispute letter who was unable to either because they refused to give you there address or you never received anything in the mail you can oh! and here is a great site you can use to help you. www.fair-debt-collection.com We are not all lawyers I found this site very helpfull.

Hart


NCO WHERE ARE THEY?
11/26/2005 St Joseph MO

I had a cousin's adopted son use my phone number and name for a reference to buy some items in which he never paid for. I did not know he did this UNTIL I started getting harrassing phone calls from some creditors. At first I nicely gave them his cell phone number, address and all the info I had on this boy. I don't know him that well, but gave them all I had. Not enough. They started calling every week, then several times a week. I told them (again) that I dont' want to be bothered, they were supposed to take my name off their lists. Next, I start getting phone calls from NCO and they are RUDE, OBNOXIOUS and call back REPEATEDLY time after time during the day. This morning a particularly obnoxious man yelled at my husband and told us that HE KNOWS THAT (this boy) is THERE AND WE BETTER LET HIM TALK TO HIM AND NOW!!! There is no phone number on the caller ID, can't do a call back, unable to use that method, so I don't even know how to report them. Their website, (if it is their website) does not give a valid phone number and I don't have a contact person as they don't leave their name. I have no proof other than I could record them. I am disgusted. How do I find out who these people are and get THEIR phone number?
thanks screwed, blued and tatooed in MO!!!!


Automated check taken out of account without consent
11/18/2005 GA

I just had a run-in with NCO Financial System, Inc. I checked my bank account the other day and noticed it was overdrawn a good bit of money. I called my bank's customer service line and found out that NCO had taken 2 unauthorized electronic checks out of my bank account.

Here is the thing, though - my boyfriend I did at one point have a joint account at this bank. He had fallen behind with his Progressive car insurance payments and was unable to pay for a prolonged period of time. However, we separated bank account before any financial problems had occurred with his car insurance. I was never on his insurance policy either.

My question is, can NCO legally take money out of my account without my own personal consent? I know for a fact that my boyfriend did not give NCO my account number. I was under the impression that, even if he did give consent for NCO to take money out, that would not be allowed because he is no longer included on the account. And, before today, I had never spoken to this collection agency.

I called a few times today and, the first time, I was able to talk to someone in "management." He told me I had to fax the bank documents to them and that was that. I called back 3 or 4 times later and asked to speak to someone in management each time, but I was told they could not connect me to one. The operators told me to call my bank of Progressive. I called my bank and Progressive and they told me to call NCO.

Anyone with advice would be appreciated.


As a collector for NCO....
10/27/2005

Reading some of the things that have been said here have been insane. First of all, I would like to save many of you some time. Read this law, the F.D.C.P.A. by being a bill collector.. you have to be certified under this law to collect money. I went through a lengthy extended training course reviewing laws and going through things we can and cant say. Things we can and can't do. Many of you don't realize that as collectors we don't pick your name and chose to call you every day. That would be a computer system. In only a couple states do we HAVE to cease communication w/a debtor that is not written. However, many actions that you are all talking about are subject to the client we are collecting for. If in the contract a debtor signs and in that small print for your retail charge card or whatever... it says we can garnish wages or take things from you... that isn't us. That would be the client saying we can do that. It really is tricky and when we do call you every day...it isnt a true contact unless we give the mini miranda etc...by law on envelopes, answering machines or to 3rd partys (people who are not the debtor or debtors CURRENT spouse, or parent or guardian of someone under the age of 18)we can not state more than our names, the company we are calling from, who we are trying to contact and a number for them to reach us. We can't tell you what it is in regards to, unless we verify with the information provided that you are the person trying to be contacted. Believe me I have bills too. I try my hardest to pay them. I collect on bills from years ago. We understand things happen when people can't pay...if you are guilty. You are guilty. You still owe the money. If you borrowed someone HUNDREDS of dollars or even TEN dollars and you borrowed it to them years ago and they promised they would pay, even signed a contract.. what would you do? Try to get it back. EXACTLY! Or, take them to court.. since everyone loves doing that these days.
Now from your stand point. I have bills as well that yes, I have fallen behind on. Do they want their money back? OF COURSE THEY DO! So I try but on the other hand if some of these things that all of you are saying are true.... then yes... many of these collectors push their limits. We call it the Gray area. If you push us and shout personal comments at us... of course we will be upset. We are doing our job and trying to feed our family just like you.


Statute of Limitations
10/24/2005 TX

I had a debt with a retail company back in 1996 that was never paid. NCO has just started calling me regarding this account. Can they do that on an account that old? They are calling my house daily leaving messages.


garnishment?
10/20/2005

My sister is constantly being harassed from NCO for her defaulted student loan with the education department, and they are threatening to garnish her wages. Are they allowed to do that? Is there any way she can put this in deferment?


LOOKING FOR HOUSTON TEXANS WHO HAVEW HAD A PROBLEM WITH NCO FINANCIAL
10/18/2005 Houston TX

Hello,

I am a television producer in Houston Texas doing a story on NCO Financial. I am looking for people in the city who have had a bad experience with this company and are willing to talk on camera.

Please email me back at sgreer@kprc.com if you are interested.

Thanks
Sarah Greer
KPRC Local 2



DIANE D. AT NCO IS NASTY!
10/11/2005

To make a long story short, this woman makes the rules at her house. Nasty, rude and screams to me that she is a Jehovah witness and the " end of days" are coming and that I should treat her with a little more respect than what I gave her.
If it is the end of days, WHY PAY THE BILL?


Harrassing, Rude, and Pushy
10/10/2005

I too am being harrassed by these rude folks. I made an arrangement with them. Fine. Well, you'd think. Ha! That was at 2:45pm on 10/9/05. Got another call from them at 6:35pm the very same day. The lady said she'd take me off the call list. Fine. Well, you'd think. Ha!

Today I received a call at 5:32pm. When I tried to explain I already made an arrangement, the rude person at NCO said I didn't, and further stated I would receive more phone calls. I was extremely rude back to him and added a few new words to his English-as-a-second-language vocabulary.

At 6:03pm, they were at it again. According to the woman at NCO they are allowed to call ONCE a day. Again, she said she would take me off the call list.

It's only 7:02, so we'll see. And if they call tomorrow, that will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. They can talk to an attorney next.


harassment/legal?
9/2/2005

I recently started getting phone calls from 3 different people at NCO re: a supposed balance on an AMEX card. One was very polite, one just told me he found out where I lived for the lawsuit and the third gave me 3 days to refinance my house to pay them. These calls were all before I received any written communication from them.

After I received the first little notice, the third person I had spoken with called to ask if I had decided what to do. I told her I disputed the amount of the debt and had sent a VoD letter. She said that wouldn't stop them. Immediately after hanging up with her, "lawsuit boy" calls and I quote "My next call is to your husband to tell him what you did with this account. Got me?" and slammed the phone down. Over the next 2 days there were 3 phone messages to my husband on our voice mail from "lawsuit boy". NCO received VoD letter at 9am 8/31.

Today my husband gets a hand addressed envelope containing a letter to me (he is aware of situation) offering a settlement. Letter is dated 8/30, postmark is 8/31. Is this considered validation of debt? Since it the postmark would be the same as the receipt of the VoD letter, is this a violation?

I believe I may owe something, however have not received statements from AMEX for over a year and want to verify what is really my responsibility and what is fluff. Help!


impolite debitors
8/25/2005 canada

I am an empolyee of NCO financial. I have a bone to pick with all debitors out there. I am tired of when we call all you can do is yell and yell. If you had paid your bill in the first place then we would not have to call. Also I am tired of all of you that if we have a wrong num you act as if we did it on purpose. We didnt that is the way the file comes from the company you owe, if they have a wrong num it is either because the person has changed it or gave the wrong info (probably to avoid collections and I know there are a few of you out there). for ie today i called a num on the dialer system and a male answered and I could not even ask for the person I was looking for when he yelled get off my phone (with a few choice words in there I know you can figure that out) then hung up. Now if he had just waited i would either found out I had wrong num or I could have helped him in clearing his debit. You see we are not customer service you lost that right when you did not pay your bill. I try to be helpful to every person I talk to but some times it is hard when all you debitors do is yell. You did not pay your bill yell at yourself for once.... So my advise is the next time you get a call from a debit collector think befroe you speak and remember if you were me how would you like to be treated?????? If you answer is respect (and I think everyone wants that no motter what) then do it..... So untill the next time I call you which depending on your state you live in (it might be sooner then you think)think before you speak.


NCO Financial's attempts on Bankrupt Chase/Providian Accounts
8/21/2005

I think for all of those who are having problems with NCO trying to collect on bankrupt Chase/Providian accounts should get some answers from the following link. It's very informative. Just copy and paste the link.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/08/19/BUG88E9R9M1.DTL&feed=rss.business


PAY YOUR BILLS!!!!!!!!
8/20/2005 Lockport NY

If you would just pay your bills people like me wouldnt have to bother you. You dont like the calls, well then PAY YOUR BILLS!!! It's as simple as that! You think that we are harrassing you. People, we have the leagal right to call you everyday between 8am and 9pm (were you live) until you pay your bill. Wake up!!! If you just got up off of your butt and got a job (hey maybe you should try collections) you would be able to pay your bills. Try it! It might just work. And to those of you who have jobs and dont pay, well maybe your priorities should change. You say you cant afford to pay your bill well then pack your lunch everyday, dont get that coffe in the morning, stop eating out for a few months, stop shoping for unnessesary things. Then maybe you would be able to pay your bills. Wake up and just pay your bills and the calls will stop!


We sued NCO Financial and won!
8/10/2005 Somewhere TX

We pay our bills! NCO was commiting fraud! We sued NCO! We won.

NCO Financial did the following:
1. Never sent a statement
2. Refused to send a statement
3. Refused an address to send a cease letter
4. Cussed, cursed, made threats
5. Ignored repeated demands to stop calling
6. Identified themselves as another company

Unfortunately for this band of modern day pirates, we use VOIP and had records of every phone call. It took about 6 weeks of nonstop calling, but eventually we got several thousands out of NCO for their illegal behaviour. Now, each time they call us, NCO has to pay us additional damages.



NCO Group Dispute Online Form
8/10/2005

Just a quick note. Went to the NCO Group home page. They have an online form to dispute letters. The only suggestion is where it says "have you disputed this with credit bureaus?"

Check YES, then in comments state that it hasn't appeared on your report yet and your intention is to be sure that it DOES NOT ever appear on your report as it is not a valid debt.

State why you think it is an invalid debt; discharged, past statute of limitations, etc.

Only downside (for me at least) is requirement to list phone number. Not sure they have mine yet since it is unlisted and the letter was sent to my mother in VT. But I'm sure there's ways to get hold of unlisted numbers if they really want to.

Here's the URL

http://www.ncogroup.com/contact/debtor.aspx


Revenge on NCO Group
8/9/2005

Call their 800 number repeatedly (800-685-4343). Act as if you are a deadbeat but can possibly pay something, don't give them any information like phone number or ss#. Makes grat morning entertainment on the speakerphone. Search Yahoo, HotJobs, and Monster and get their e-mail addresses. Post them here. Just muck up their lives!


A "Legal" way to reinstate your discharged debt
8/8/2005

I think the late, great philosopher Daisy Moses, aka Granny Clampett, said it best:

“Ain’t there no limit to what these city folks will do for a dollar?” Sadly, it appears that there is not.

This relates to so-called “pre-approved” credit cards that are nothing more than a thinly disguised attempt to get you to reinstate a discharged debt under the guise of “helping you rebuild your credit..” The scary thing is that it actually appears to be legal.

If you don’t read the fine print (see below) carefully you could find yourself pulling the wooden stake out of the vampire. Sincere apologies to vampires everywhere. At least they only suck the blood they need to survive (and make little vampires.)

It does not concern the current situation with NCO and Chase Providian, but it’s not hard to see how they could use the same tactics. All it would take is for NCO Group to form a ‘credit card’ division. So keep your eyes open if the current campaign fails to get them the results they were looking for. Which I'm sure it won't based on all the postings about this activity.

I added some comments also [in brackets]. Some of this is too good (bad?) to go without reply. This a bit long, but well worth the time to read and protect yourself. I think the original posting is about a year old. The companies named may no longer exist. But I wouldn’t assume for a second that the theory has gone away. Somewhere P.T. Barnum is laughing his butt off.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Company Sherman Acquisition ll LP now has a new debt collector for them. Beware: It is called the Ascent Card Program, Alegis Group, LP PO Box 5025, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5025 Ph# 1-866-206-9770.

They sent my husband a letter today stating you are pre-approved for a VISA. They start out by saying the Alegis Group, LP wants to PRE-APPROVE you for a VISA credit. That this card is being offered to you through the Ascent Card Program.

Then it states this unique opportunity allows Sherman Acquisition ll LP customers, like you, to address their old debt and at the same time receive a VISA Credit Card.

[dhb – A “unique opportunity”????? For what??? To reopen a decade (or more) old wound? I have already addressed my old debt. It’s a non-issue. What a wonderful example of “NewSpeak”]

Then they go on to say that Sherman Acquisition ll LP purchased and now owns a debt that was originally incurred with some alias bank BACK IN 1992 and go on to give you some bogus account number. [dhb - sound familiar?] Then they state the amount you owe and your balance that is due. MIND YOU THEY ARE TRYING TO COLLECT A 12-YEAR-OLD DEBT? YEAH RIGHT!

Then it says to transfer your old debt balance to a VISA credit card with the Ascent Card Program. When you make at least your required minimum monthly payments on a timely basis, you build purchasing power on your VISA. The VISA credit card is accepted at millions of locations worldwide.

Pre-Approved Terms: To obtain this card, you agree to transfer the balance of your old debt to this credit card. You will need to make the required minimum payments, before you can use your credit card, since it will have no available credit when you receive it.

Then on the back it states, in small print may I add, this!

[dhb – the all-caps are theirs, not mine. Deliberately trying to make it hard to read? Or it could be from the person who posted this originally.]

BY RESPONDING TO THIS OFFER YOU ARE AUTHORIZING US TO OBTAIN CREDIT REPORTS ABOUT YOU, BOTH NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, FOR ANY LEGITIMATE BUSINESS PURPOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCOUNT OR THE REQUEST FOR AN ACCOUNT. INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REVIEWING, MODIFYING, RENEWING OR COLLECTION ON YOUR ACCOUNT.

[dhb – the rest is required by law for this type of “offer”. Sort of like saying “here’s a lion who hasn’t eaten in a month. Go ahead and stick your head in his mouth but don’t blame us when he bites it off, rips your guts out and has a nice little meal”]

TO THE EXTENT YOUR OLD DEBT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISCHARGED IN BANKRUPTCY OR YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS OFFER DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OR AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT SUCH OBLIGATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED.

[dhb – so, in other words, this offer is complete BS, we just hope you don’t read this far and figure that out]

TIME-BARRED DEBT:
WE BELIEVE THAT THE AGE OF YOUR OLD DEBT PREVENTS A SUIT FROM BEING FILED TO COLLECT IT. [dhb – damn straight it does. Nice to know they believe in the law.] HOWEVER, WHEN YOU ACCEPT YOUR NEW CREDIT CARD, YOU ARE AGREEING THAT THE OLD DEBT TRANSFERRED AND ANY OTHER CHARGES ON YOUR CARD CAN BE RECOVERED BY ANY LAWFUL MEANS IF YOU DEFAULT. WHEN YOU ACCEPT YOUR NEW CREDIT CARD YOU ARE FUTHER AGREEING THAT THE OLD DEBT TRANSFERRED IS ACCURATE AND JUST, AND REGARDLESS OF ITS AGE, YOU INTEND TO FULLY PAY IT.

[dhb – So why did I go through all the negative effects of bankruptcy in the first place? And presumably the new balance, INCLUDING all the interest formerly accrued, would now start being charged interest AGAIN at god only knows how high an interest rate, probably twice what you originally paid and certainly more than the six percent claimed on my letter.. Compound interest in reverse? NICE! ]

CREDIT BUREAU REPORTING:
WE BELIEVE THAT THE AGE OF YOUR OLD DEBT PREVENTS IT FROM BEING REPORTED TO THE CREDIT BUREAUS. [dhb – right again. They’re pretty smart, but assume the rest of us are as sharp as a bag of wet hair.
Or as Uncle Jed would say, "If brains were lard, he wouldn't grease too big a pan".] HOWEVER, WHEN YOU ACCEPT YOUR NEW CREDIT CARD, THE OLD DEBT TRANSFERRED TO YOUR NEW CREDIT CARD, AND ANY OTHER CHARGES OR PAYMENTS ON YOUR NEW CREDIT CARD, CAN BE REPORTED TO THE BUREAUS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, at least they admit they have no legal right to collect any money from you unless you fall for the scheme. Basically they have done everything “legally required” to get you to reinstate your discharged debt. Unlike NCO who seems to hope that no one will notice the dead possum floating in the punchbowl.

And will your new “credit line” be sufficient to cover the transferred debt? Or will they give you a $500 line of credit, add $5000 or more of old debt and then start charging you over limit fees? And interest on the over limit fees? Just wondering.

They should also be required to remove the words “We believe that”. Makes it sound like an opionion rather than a statement of FACT! Read the statements without those words and see how much more powerful they are. Would anyone fall for this if the statements were so worded?

Does anyone who has had a bankruptcy discharged so long ago still have credit so bad that this kind of cluster-f**k would be appealing? If so, you have no business looking for credit cards anyway. Or if you really need one, get a secured card from a local bank. I now have several unsecured cards, car loan with a major bank, and a credit score over 700. Still room for improvement but no way would I be sucked into this.

Thanks to the creators of The Beverly Hillbillies for the quotes. If more millionaires were like Jed Clampett we'd probably never see activities like this. He was actually embarassed by how much money he had. Unlike some people for whom money is like crack cocaine - they can never get enough and don't care who they have to rip off to get it.



USPS Mail Fraud and Bankruptcy Info
8/7/2005

First part of this is a repeat of comments posted under another review. Wanted it to be a bit more prominent. Second is info on bankruptcy law and court cases.
================================================
Link below to the online Mail Fraud reporting page at USPS. If most of these letters are indeed attempts to collect on discharged debts, then the very act of sending these letters is illegal. Post Office doesn't take kindly to this.

http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm

The form is a bit involved. I picked "False bill or notice" under the subject.

This is the text of the complaint. Feel free to use it, changing amounts, etc as necessary.
----------------------------------------------
I received a demand for payment for what, to the best of my knowledge, is a credit card debt that was discharged in bankruptcy in 1991. The total amount is based on an alleged original principal of $2842.93 and accrued interest of $2439.99. The interest rate stated on the letter is 6.000 %. To accrue this much interest at that rate would take over twenty years.

I have read many stories from other people who have received similar letters. Though the amounts vary, the common thread with many is that they have had debts discharged in bankruptcy 10-15 years ago.

I have also read that the very act of attempting to collect these debts is illegal. I believe this would bring it under the jurisdiction of the Postal Service if the mail was used to conduct illegal activities.

I have contacted NCO disputing the account as well as the Massachusetts Attorney General's office on this matter. I believe this should settle the matter as far as my personal credit report is concerned, but I also want to bring it to the attention of any other authorities who may have an interest in this matter.

Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------

Also some text from the confirmation page after you submit. The more people who report this, the more likely it will result in action.

------------------------
Postal Inspectors base mail fraud investigations on the number, substance and pattern of complaints received from the public; therefore, we ask you to keep all original documents relating to your complaint, including the solicitation, any mailing envelopes and canceled checks.

Under our Consumer Protection Program, Postal Inspectors may contact individuals or businesses on your behalf to request that complaints be resolved. We we will contact you if more information is needed.

Postal Inspectors caution that, once you've been targeted in a fraud scheme, your name may be passed along to other con artists, so beware of future solicitations. If you know of others who believe they were victimized in a fraud scheme, we recommend that you encourage them to submit a Mail Fraud Complaint Form, as well.

====================================
And some info regarding attempting to collect on discharged debts. First part is California law, but other states and US Law should be similar.
----------------------------------------
TITLE 1.6C. FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES
Article 2. Debt Collector Responsibilities
California Civil Code Section 1788.10-1788.16

1788.14. No debt collector shall collect or attempt to collect a consumer debt by means of the following practices:

(a) Obtaining an affirmation from a debtor who has been adjudicated a bankrupt, of a consumer debt which has been discharged in such bankruptcy, without clearly and conspicuously disclosing to the debtor, in writing, at the time such affirmation is sought, the fact that the debtor is not legally obligated to make such affirmation;
==============================================
This is from a case very similar to the NCO situation. It relates to a secured debt discharged, so if others like mine are for unsecured debt they should have even less ground to stand on.
-----------------------------------------
Attempting to Collect Debt Discharged in Bankruptcy May Violate FDCPA.

Facts:
Plaintiff filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and received a discharge of her debts in 1997. Among the debts discharged was a note secured by a mortgage of real property. After the discharge, the note and mortgage were assigned to Ocwen, which is in the business of buying and collecting defaulted debts. Ocwen attempted to collect the discharged debt from plaintiff.

She sued, claiming violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for attempting to collect money from her that she did not owe. Ocwen moved to have the claim dismissed, contending that her only remedy would be under the Bankruptcy Code.

Decision:
Motion denied. Since plaintiff's debts had been discharged, she was not a debtor to Ocwen, who attempted to collect money from her. Ocwen's claim that only the Bankruptcy Code, but not the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, could apply is incorrect. Both laws can be violated at the same time.

Ocwen could be found in contempt of the Bankruptcy Code and in violation of the FDCPA. "plaintiff's FDCPA claim, at its foundation, is no different from that of any other debtor who is dunned by a creditor who in fact is not owed any money; the fact that her debt was discharged in bankruptcy does not logically differentiate her case from that of a debtor whose debt was discharged in some other way."




My 15 Nanoseconds of Fame
8/6/2005 Horsham PA

Never underestimate the power of the people.

As of this posting, my letter to the Mass. Attorney General (posted here on my3cents) is #9 in the top 10 results for a Google search on "Chase Providian" Maybe I should switch to a career in copy writing.

Also found a couple references to Chase and Providian, regarding class action suits against them. Very interesting but not very encouraging if you hope to see any large sum of money from such a suit.

Here's the link with info on many more besides the two we're now so familiar with:
http://www.bcsalliance.com/x_creditcardtricks2.html

The info on Chase and Providian:

Chase -- If you have a card issued by Chase, perhaps you noticed a ten cent rebate on on of your monthly statements several years ago. That generous refund was the result of a class action lawsuit filed against Chase for dubious billing practices (not posting your payment on the date received as required by federal law).

You only got ten cents because the lawyers who filed the class action suit took a big chunk of the $22 million settlement as their fee. There was so little left that everyone got just ten cents.

(Most class action lawsuits against credit card companies result in a windfall for the attorneys with very little left over for consumers.)

Providian -- The king of unscrupulous billing practices and immoral behavior, Providian is considered to be the baddest of the bad credit card companies.

It got caught overbilling its customers and had to pay the largest judgment ever awarded against a credit card company, $300 million. They improperly assessed late fees and charged customers for products never ordered (e.g., credit insurance).

Many visitors to this website reported that they received checks from the California Attorney General for as much as $200.00 as a refund for Providian's billing overcharges. Providian was also signing up its customers for credit insurance without their permission.

What a wonderful world we live in.


Send your dispute letters here too.
8/5/2005 Baltimore MD

This probably will apply to most of us who are in the current cesspool of NCO's attempt to collect on discharged or otherwise past SOL accounts.

The letter actually states that it is from "NCO Portfolio Management, an affilliate of NCO Financial Systems"

While I'm sure it's all one big happy family, the fact that they have (at least) two distinct business names, it couldn't hurt to send copies of your dispute letter there also.

I found the following in the contents of a complaint filed against NCO. It's the address for NCO Portfolio Mgt, which is in a different state than NCO Financial. Could be that this a way of saying they never received your dispute since most people probably send to the address on the letter.

Here's the extract from the complaint:

===============================================
6. Defendant NCO Portfolio Management, Inc., is a for-profit Delaware corporation
with its principal place of business located at

1804 Washington Boulevard
Montgomery Park Business Center
Baltimore, Maryland 21209.

NCO Portfolio Management, Inc., transacts business
in this district.
===============================================
Send copies of your dispute here too. Maybe if there's a class action suit we can at least recover the cost of all the Certified letters we've had to send out.




They are in SUCH TROUBLE
8/4/2005 Horsham PA

Did a bit of Google-ing on NCO. Came across another site just chock-full of NCO complaints.

It's www.ripoffreport.com. Their registration is a bit more involved if you want to post a complaint, but just reading what's there is scary.

Several postings point to a pattern of people who have discharged bankruptcies being targeted by this latest nightmare. One indicated this may also be mail fraud, so take a copy to your post office too.

DebtorBasher, I feel sorry for you. While you may indeed work in a compliant and reputable branch, isn't that a bit like saying you work in one of the few McDonald's that doesn't have rat droppings in the special sauce? (DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A FICTICIOUS EXAMPLE FOR DEMONSTRATION ONLY. So McLawyers relax.) Ever considered a different line of work?


Question regarding NCO debt collection
8/3/2005 Albany NY

On Saturday, July 30th, 2005, there was a message on my answering machine from a woman named Janice from NCO financial asking that I return her call. I have yet to do so and she has called once a day since with basically the same message.

I know what the purpose of the call is. It's regarding a citicard balance of approx. $2300. I'm debating when to get in contact with this woman. I'd like to get this rectified as soon as possible, obviously, but like most people, I don't have $2300 laying around just waiting to be spent.

Now that I have just started a new and better paying job, I could afford to reasonably pay $200-250/month until the debt is paid off.

My question is, what things should I say when calling this woman? I was going to wait until Monday 8/8/05 and call her then, but part of me wants to just call her tomorrow (8/4), and see if she is going to give me a rough time or not and see where I stand in this whole mess.

Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.


Fraudulent Debt Collection
8/1/2005 Mullett Lake MI

Yesterday, 7/31/05, I received a collection letter from NCO Financial Systems, Inc. regarding a debt they said I owned to Case Providian. The letter came addressed to me under my Maiden Name to our P.O. Box that we've only had for a little over one year. The principle amount, stated in the letter, that I owed is $3900.00+ along with interest owned of $3100.00+. The letter stated that I needed to respond within 30 days of receipt of this letter with either a written dispute or send the money due. If I did not they would report it to "all national credit bureaus". I do not and never have had any credit with Chase Providian. I've been doing research over the internet and have found out that I'm not the only one that's received this letter in the last couple of days. I will be contacting the Michigan Attorney General's Office with this complaint and would suggest everyone else who has received a similar letter do this same in their state.


Higher-level ways to fight NCO
7/20/2005

You want to fight back, don't you? Chances are that you're reading this because you're being harrassed by NCO Financial Services. (There are also some NCOnehead lurkers who get masochistic kicks from seeing how much their employer is hated.) In a previous posting I mentioned direct ways you can combat NCO's phone drones. Here, I will list some of the higher-level, indirect ways you can combat this hateful company.

First off, you need the right frame of mind. You're not some isolated, despicable deadbeat. NCO reps will try to make you feel that way. It's easier for them to push you around if you feel down on yourself. They're bullies. They pick on the poor, whack the weak. Halliburton steals more money from U.S. troops in a month than NCO has collected for the U.S. government in its entire corporate history. But you don't see hyenas like NCO going after the powers-that-be. That's too hard. They'd rather squeeze blood from your stones.

You know, you're part of a massive national trend. More and more Americans are sinking in debt. All these people who are refinancing their houses? When the economy crashes and they can't keep up their payments, companies like NCO will be evicting them from those houses. They'll work on changing the laws so they could become your landlord. It's important to stand up to the bad actors -- especially NCO -- because they're going to have a lot more power in the future. NCO is one of the Abu Ghraib attack dogs of the financial industry. If we don't keep them on the leash, they'll be all over us like a horny Marine on Lyndie Englund.

NCO victims have to fight back at the government level. One way to do that is to complain to a Washington D.C. agency that regulates NCO. That agency is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They have a complaint line you can call: 1-800 FTC-HELP. Call them and tell them about the harrassing tactics NCO uses against you. I did it, and I can tell you it's a tricky telephone tree you have to wade through. But you're pished off at NCO, right? If you're angry enough, you'll do it. The FTC isn't going to get involved and investigate. They're collecting masses of data against companies to see if there's a pattern of illegal abuse. But if masses of people complain, it will help point out that something's wrong. Makes it more likely that a hotshot prosecutor like Elliot Spitzer will go after them.

I don't suggest writing to your congress-critter in Washington, though. They're bought off by the campaign contributions of the money industry. That's why they passed abominations like the bankruptcy bill. If you don't know about that, you should. If you're stuck with a debt you'll never be able to handle, it makes it closer to impossible to file for bankruptcy. And it does nasty stuff like putting credit card companies first in line for any money you get, even ahead of child support payments. The fix is in in Washington. That's why you need to get clued to know if you're gonna get screwed -- again.

You'll have more luck if you write your state legislators. They're closer to the citizens than Beltway politicians are. They also have power to regulate corporations based in their state. This is especially important if you're living in Pennsylvania, where the NCO t rolls have their lair. Give the pols specifics of what NCO is doing to harrass you. Demand tighter controls on abusive debt collectors. Don't know who your state rep is? Find out! Is it too much trouble? How much trouble is NCO giving you? Channel your anger outward! The more angry voters that politicos hear it from, the more likely it is they'll do something to improve the laws.

You should also learn what the law is. I'm talking about the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). You can Google this and read up on it, or look at the things that some of the lawyers who post here have written. You're not powerless. There are laws that prevent companies from going totally overboard to wreck your life. When you know about those laws, you can throw them back in NCO's face like a crucifix waved in front of a vampire. (Analogy intentional -- Dracula and NCO are both bloodshuckers.) The danger is that debt collection companies like NCO will pay off Congresspeople to change the laws the way credit card companies did with the bankruptcy bill. The it will be legal for NCO to call you at 3 a.m. every night. (The company outsources jobs, so it would be no trouble for them to have someone in India ring you up when it's a bad hour on this side of the planet...)

So know your rights, get political and fight back against these buggers! If enough of the people stand up, we can stop them. Spread the word...


what should I do? need advice
7/18/2005 OH

I was contacted by letter about a debt owed from May of 2000. I called the hospital provider listed on the letter that says I owe them money. I should add that I was not in the hospital in 2000 at all, and have never been to the hospital listed. After a short runaround, and having to call their billing services company, I found out like I suspected that I am nowhere in their system. There is someone with my name, but different SSN and birthdate. I asked her if they could stop this debt collection against me, and she said I would have to sort this out with the collection agency since it's their mistake.
I called NCO and spoke with somebody who was apparently having a very bad day. I explained to him about the letter I received, the information I gathered about it, and that he had the wrong person. He informed me that I have 2 options. Either I pay this bill (he offered a 35% discount) or I could write a letter of dispute. I asked about the letter of dispute, what I'd have to do, whether it needed to be notarized, etc. He said that was actually pointless, that they'd stop sending me letters but this debt would go on my credit report.
My question is, would a statement from the hospital saying I don't owe anything be enough for NCO? Or should I do something further?
I should add also that while I was on the phone with NCO, he gave me the physician's name that I didn't see. Just out of curiosity, I called the hospital back and there is no physician there by that name, nor was there one there by that name in 2000. There is a professor's assistant there by that name, but he obviously doesn't see patients or bill for medical services. Who do I talk to about this? I realize it's not my bill, but could somebody be getting billed for services at that hospital by a non-existant doctor? Or did the NCO guy just make up a name for some reason?
How did NCO obtain my address in the first place? It's obvious they've got the wrong person, so how did they find their way to me?
Also, this is about something from 2000. Is there some kind of time limit on these things? Should I really be concerned about them putting this on my credit report? Can they really do something like that?
Thank you for any comments or advice.


JUST PAY YOUR BILLS!!!
7/12/2005

To All the complainers in the world....
It's funny, you guys go in debt and its automaticlly the collecters fault! HA HA!! Simple, if you paid your bills in the first place, THEY WOULDN"T BE CALLING YOU!!! DUH!! Common sense people! OH! That's right, you guys don't have any! I know collectors can be unprofessional, arrogant, and abusive, but do you know why? Because they get a commission of all the payments they collect! They want more money, just like any other person in the world! But all you have to do is send a "Cease & Desist" letter to NCO with the account number, and they'll stop calling.... BUT!! PAY YOUR BILLS ALSO!! Bad credit...NOT FUN!!! It will go on your credit as a negative account, and your credit score is dropped, whoever you may owe, and that will prevent you from getting ANYTHING!! A car, a house, a boat, whatever! You need good credit in life, otherwise, you'll be screwed! To all the people in here who complain about more money being tacked on to the account, it's called interest! Everyday that you do not pay your account, more & more interest is tacked on, the creditor CAN do that, read the fine print! The creditor can do anything they want, (creditor-the original company that you owe, not NCO!) NCO is a bill collections firm.... So stop your bi*chin' and PAY YOUR BILLS! Have a nice one! :)


Harrassing Phone Calls
7/5/2005 FL

I have read several of your reviews and noticed 2 from attorneys recently. NCO Financial has been calling my home for over two months now on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day and leaving a recorded message to contact Ms. Hartman at 800-541-2742 regarding an important business matter. Unfortunately I have not recorded all the dates and times of these phone calls. I contacted them today because I had had enough and assumed it was a telemarketer (which I cannot stand) and they are looking for a person whom I have never heard of but they have the same last name as I do. I informed them that I did not know this person and stated that I had been receiving from calls from them for over 2 months. They said that without a phone call back, they wouldn't know that. I have had the same number for over 2 years now and it is listed in my name. I asked how they got Rosilenne out of Rebecca and she said it was just a number that was sent to their office. She said she would remove my number. Do I have any leverage to sue here or do I need to keep track of any future calls since my number is supposedly been removed from their system as of today? What information is needed in cases like this and I will start keeping documented, detailed records. Thanks.


Phone Calls
6/10/2005 Washington DC

I know many of you have the many issues with
NCO Financial. I've been receiving numerous
calls @ work from these slimbags. When they
phone it's early in am (EST). It's just
just a recording stating please call #########
back. They never ask for a individual.

Today, Friday, June 10th NCO just called the
main number stating "Thanks for Calling NCO"
which no one here has done. If what someone
here why don't they just ask for the individual
instead of playing these dumb games.

I did call them back last week and asked
them why they were calling this number. Dumb
Customer Service Rep replied we haven't nor is your this # in our system.

NCO has been playing these games for (2) weeks
now. What can I do? Any legal recourse?




Please Help! This has to be illegal!!!
6/9/2005 TX

I'm so upset and don't know where to begin!

First let me say, we have had an UMBLEMISHED credit history for the past 35+ years! But suddenly our lives turned on a dime and we have had an extraordinary amount of medical setbacks & bills!! (my husband became gravely ill and was given only a 5% chance to survive the night). For approx. the past year, we have been making payments on an account to NCO for a medical bill which should have never been sent to "collection" in the first place. Then a few weeks ago out of the blue, I received a phone call from a "person" at NCO stating that we had not sent our payment. I stated that yes, my husband always sends it religiously and he then agreed and said yes, I see now where you sent it. He then says rudely, "but you are not SERIOUS about paying this debt, otherwise, you would set this up on automatic debit"! I said no, we will continue to pay as agreed. He then became even more rude so I asked him why he was calling in the first place because he already admitted that he received our payment for this month (this was May). He later called again exactly one week later and asked to speak to my husband. I asked if I could take a message and have him call back but when he said his name, I immediately recognized it from the week prior. So I asked him why he was calling again because NCO had received our payment??? He didn't have an answer so I told him, no, I will not have my husband call you, because you have received our payment and you have no reason to be calling us. He then called a third time and left a message which we did not return the call as we were out of town. (In the meantime while he is calling us, my husband's mother was in the hospital and has just passed away).

But now here is the problem. I just ordered our credit report because as of 6/1/05, our state became eligible for a free report. When I received it, I couldn't believe my eyes! NCO had reported an UNPAID collection in May'05, the very same time the phone calls began last month! Now we have been paying on this account for a year already and not to mention, it's now a $1,000. more than it even started out! How can they do that and what shall I do?? I did not sleep all night and that is when I found this website and all of the complaints against NCO. I tried calling NCO today but just got the run around and was given a number to their credit bureau dept. which is always busy. They promised us in the very beginning that this would not be reported to the credit agencies as long as we paid it which we had every intention of doing anyway!! So how can they report it now while we are still making payments????? We are NOT deadbeats that don't pay our bills but rather people that have had some serious health issues (I had two strokes myself and my husband has been hospitalized 5 times w/numerous surgeries in the past few years) which is what created this debt to begin with. When we first made the payment arrangements, we felt as though we were lied to by NCO then and we even had one woman tell us "we've checked you out and you can pay this entire amount now!" How does she know the amount of our other medical bills/income etc. and what we are having to pay! She couldn't possibly! We were inundatd with paperwork, bills etc. and it's a lot for older people to try and keep up with and take care of our elderly parents at the same time.

So if anyone has any idea what we should do or who to contact, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm so sorry this is so lengthy, but I just can't rest until this is resolved.

Thank you.





How you can fight back against NCO
6/8/2005

Chances are you're reading this because you are being bothered by callers from NCO Financial Services. (There are also lurkers from the company who get masochistic kicks from hearing how much they're hated.) They're bugging me too, for a college loan owed by somebody with a name similar to mine. I'm having fun messing with their minds. Here's how you, you poor abused debtor, can fling it back in NCO's face.

First of all, get in the right frame of mind. Don't be scared or shamed by NCO. They try to guilt-trip you or make you worried that they'll do something awful to you. They do that because it's easier to manipulate a person who feels bad. Look inside yourself -- are you a bad person? You might have made mistakes or had trouble in your life -- who hasn't? But if you're living legit, don't let NCO buffalo you. Be strong, and deal with NCO in a spirit of confidence.

Give the guilt back to the NCO rep who calls you! This is a bad company. Read previous posts by people who have suffered unfair abuses by NCO. Read about the times NCO has been ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages for their antics. And remember the specifics. If you say to an NCO rep "Oh, your company was ordered to pay X dollars in X state for X abuse" it will throw them off track. Even if it has nothing to do with what the subject they're talking about, it will still throw a stumbling block in their spiel.

Here's another counter-argument you can hit 'em with. On its website, NCO advertises that it helps companies outsource jobs. Imagine that -- they're bragging that they help take jobs from American workers and give them to people overseas! When an NCOnehead calls me, I ask them whether they know how their employer is hurting America. I also ask them whether they worry that one day they'll find they have been replaced by someone in the Phillipines or India. Ask them whether they can trust their company not to screw them over.

The point is to lower the morale of these workers. NCO isn't some monolithic entity -- it's a bunch of individuals sitting behind computer screens, talking on telephones. The more you rattle them, the worse they'll feel about what they do.

Another way to make them feel bad is to remind them of what an awful job they have. It can't be much fun to spend all day ragging on other folks. Pretend to be sympathetic. Say stuff like "It must be hard on you to spend eight hours a day in such a negative atmosphere. Do you get depressed or angry a lot because of it? It must make you more likely to go home and be harsh to your husband/wife or kids. Are you worried that working for NCO is going to cause you psychological harm?" I don't think you're going to suddenly make them see the light and say "Oh my gosh, I'm going to quit this job right now!" The thing to do is plant a seed of doubt in their minds. That seed might grow and cause them to drop out, or not work so hard. You should mention this website. Some of the NCO phoneys will log on, find out about the widespread crimes of their company, and think less of it as a result. If enough NCOneads start slacking off, it increases inefficiency and hurts the company's bottom line.

Increasing inefficiency is another way to fight NCO. When I've got one of their drones on the phone, I try to string the conversation out as long as possible. It's raising NCO's telephone bill every minute they're on the line. Those people are on the clock -- every minute NCO is paying them while they're not collecting any money from you. And those minutes are also time that they're not able to harrass some other person, so you're being kind to a stranger!

Lastly, be polite. NCO people must get cussed all the time. They're hardened to that. When you curse, it lets them dismiss you as a nasty person and makes it easier for them to be mean to you. It also lets them know that they've gotten under your skin. If you're nice but relentless in your opposition, it will enrage the NCOnehead. Turn the tables -- make them hang up in frustration.

Your lone resistance to NCO will not destroy the company. But if thouands of people start standing up and jamming the gears of NCO's machine, it will make a difference. So spread the word to other people you know. Post here. Read what other posters such as Creditwrench have written, and adopt their techniques. You are not alone. When the U.S. economy implodes under its weight of debt, there will be an army of debtors under pressure by the likes of NCO. The common people need solidarity. There are other ways to fight back on the governmental level, which I will address in a future post.


What to do next?
6/7/2005 Warren MI

I have been dealing with NCO off and on for the past fews of months. I got into a little trouble paying my bills no fault but my own. I take full responsibility.

NCO has since tacked on over $3,000 worth of charges to the original amount of the write-off.

I was originally getting contacted by one Al Santos and he was nothing but rude, harassing and threatening that they would take legal action. I informed him that I would be more than happy to send him a money order in the mail and he said that it was unexceptable and that they would only take a large sum up front and then automated payments after that. It had to be credit card or personal check. Well I dont know this guy from jack and I am not about to give him my personal banking information over the phone with out some sort of agreement on company letterhead in my hand. I maybe blonde but I am not stupid. He said that he can not do that and proceeded in getting nasty with me. He called me at work and I informed him on more than one occassion that I can not receive calls at work and that the only way to contact me is on my cell phone and I will not answer while I am at work 8-5pm. He called me at work again and got really nasty. I then turned around and asked to talk to somebody else not Al Santos and got a Evelyn Valez on the phone. I told her that I do not want to receive calls from Al Santos that he is rude and does not follow requests very well. She said that she had to get it approved by her supervisor. What EVER! She said fine but that we had to come up with some sort of payment agreement. I told her to send me something in writing she said that something had to be worked over the phone and kept on pushing for my bank info on the phone I refused. I told her that I would have to call her back after I look into my financial situation and that I am really strapped right now. Well I am working on paying off other bills right now and forgot to call Miss Evelyn Valez or Lisa or Amanda or which ever other alias she has left on my voicemail. She called my work (HELLO DONT CALL ME HERE) and started yelling at my supervisor asking what type of people do they employ that dont return phone calls and starting questioning my personal character to MY MANAGER. Well my manager got mad started yelling back and ended the call. This is harassment is it not? What can I do? I am lost.

I do not want to set up an automated payment plan with them. They seem shady and personally they are rude and unethical. Especially after reading the complaints and comments on this site I am really worried. I have just written them a debt verification letter and letter asking for proof that I authorized them to look at my credit report. (They have requested and put info on all 3 bureaus). If I offer a payment no matter the monetary value can they refuse? Money orders are legal tender are they able to by law to refuse this payment type?


Fraud & Harassment
6/5/2005 Boston MA

I had an Associates' Credit back a few years. I guess Citibank took them over. I fell behind in payments, as well as my other debts due to my fiancee' moving out and leaving me with a lot of bills and splitting the household income in half. NCO called my house and my work constantly. They left embarassing messages on my voicemail in work that anyone filling in for me could hear. I finally called & made a settlement agreement with them. The man said if I agreed to let them automatically deduct from my checking acct every month, they would settle for a certain amount. I gave him check numbers and we did that for over a year, final payment being in July, 2002. NEver heard from them since. I recently have been in a position to pay off all my debts and am now debt free. I then began shortly after, receiving collection letters from a Financial Services Inc. who claimed they worked for NCO. I stated I paid this a long time ago. They said "prove it!" They said get all the cancelled checks and prove it. Well, at $25 a pop over a year's worth of checks, I wasn't about to do that. I then called NCO and asked them what the story was. Spoke with a Mike Vogle. He said he can see by my records I am paid and sent me a faxed letter stating to so to send to Financial Services. (why I had to do this if they worked for NCO is beyond me). I then faxed the letter. I heard nothing from them and still got collection letters. I just ignored them until I received an updated credit report and it had NCO on it stating that this was a valid debt and I was delinquent. I had just sent away for all 3 credit reports in April...and they were not on any of them at that time. I called Vogle again. Told him I think you saw I paid off all my debts and think you can come after me for over and above the already paid settlement. He stated no..you are paid..let me talk to my general manager and see what's going on. Promised he'd call me back in 15 minutes. Well, it's been two weeks and now after all the trouble I went through to fix my credit and paying off all my debts, NCO is on there. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Atty General's office of Okalahome. I'm awaiting their response. But I'm dissapointed to see all the complaints that have been filed against them so far (even with the BBB) and nothing has been done to shut these people down. I'm wondering if anything will ever be done.


How I'm fighting NCO
6/5/2005

NCO is harrassing me, but I'm fighting back. And I'm having a great time with it, laughing all the way! For you people who are being hassled by this bunch of bill collectors, read on and chuckle.

There's a debtor out there who has the same first name and last name as I do. His middle name is different from mine, but it starts with the same letter. He has a different birthday and Social Security number. (I know all this about him because NCO has divulged the info to me.) They also told me he owes $47,000 in loans, interest and penalties to the U.S. Department of Education.

A few months ago, I began getting calls at home from strangers. They would ask for me, and want me to confirm the last four digitis of my SSN. They wouldn't say where they were from, even when I pressed for info. "We're from a company you do business with," they'd say. I refused to confirm or deny the SSN.

After the second or third call, I figured out it was bill collectors. I don't owe any money except my mortgage, and pay off my credit card balance every month. (Got a union job, working wife, finances good -- woo-hoo!) I knew I was in the clear, so I decided to have some fun with these jerkolas. It starts by refusing to confirm or deny the SSN, or birthdate or middle name. They think they've got the right guy, and I never lie and say I am, so they're always acting on assumptions.

I'm playing the part of a defiant debtor. I'll say "There's no way I'll ever give you anything. You can't make me! You'll never find where I work -- go ahead and try to garnish my wages!" It infuriates them! Many start ranting, try to guilt trip me, etc. I just snicker, knowing how they're barking up the wrong tree. Then I taunt them, telling them up-front that I'm playing a game with them, that they don't even know who I am. Of course, they think I'm lying while I'm telling the truth. They're so suspicious that they're easily fooled.

Part of the game is to keep them on the phone as long as possible. I'll stall them, get into extraneous subjects, anything to draw it out. They always wind up hanging up in frustration and disgust.

I'm doing this to waste NCO's time and money. Every minute one of their pit bulls spends talking to me on the phone is a minute NCO has to pay in salary for a debt they'll never get from me. Every false lead I send them on to research also costs the company.

For instance, I'm a nurse, and they've threatened to take awy my nursing license. I tell them "Just try it! I'm not worried. You might get it in my state, but do you know what province in Canada I have a nursing license in?" The correct answer, of course, is none of them. But the woman I told this to apparently did a lot of research, because in a subsequent phone call she angrily said "You don't have a license in Canada." I jeered her and told her what a fool she was for looking. Man was she ever hacked off!

It's easy for me to do this game because I'm in the clear. Kind of odd, in these days where people steal others' identities, that NCO has done a "reverse identity theft" on me. Instead of me ripping off somebody's name, NCO has GIVEN me another person's name. (He's a dog, too -- owes $25,000 in child support and sundry other indiscretions, all of which NCO has informed me of...)

This post is long, so in a future message I'll have some strategies that you debtors can use to hamstring NCO. If we all fight back, we can cripple this creepy corporation!



Harassment
6/5/2005

NCO Financial Services harrassed our family for two months. They phoned almost everyday.

The problem was that a certain company - (which I am also not happy with - Telus) sent our bill to NCO because Telus had kept charging us for service even though we had moved and cancelled our account. We didnt know anything about this until NCO phoned us (the bills were going to our old address).

This mixup is not NCO's fault, when NCO phoned we told them what had happened - that there was a mixup and we had to settle it with Telus before we would pay them them any money (if we did indeed owe money). They said okay but then proceeded to phone us the next day with another request for money, we told them the same thing. This happened for 2 weeks. I got tired of it and phoned Telus, I told them to tell NCO to stop harassing us. They said they were going to send an email to NCO and tell them to stop - it didnt happen, they kept phoning. I had to put up with these phone calls until the payment was settled - 2 months later.


Credit Date
6/3/2005 Lovely KY

I just checked my credit report and NCO's opening date of my account is actually 2 years to the month later than the date that the original credit card's transfer to an outside collection agency is. I heard that they lost a major lawsuit because of changing dates. Is there anything I can do about this now?


Phone Calls To Work
6/2/2005 Washington DC

A couple of weeks ago I started receiving
recording phone calls from NCO asking me to
call 1-800-685-4343 (John Adams). Since these
calls were to my place of employment and
several other staff members cover the desk I
had no indication who this message was for.

Today, since I was curious I called another
NCO # and was told they were looking for someone
else (name I didn't know) who owed Federal
Express. I thought this was strange since if
this were true why wasn't NCO employees calling
our Finance Dept directly. The man actually
hung up on me so I couldn't pursue asking any
more questions.

I phoned another # at NCO and got a woman who
was extremely rude and she indicated that the
main number at my work was not in their system.

After reading all these complaints I feel this
has been a scam. I will not call NCO from
my home or cell phone just in case they have
caller ID.

One thing I will do is keep a log and if I need
to I will give it to my supervisor and she
can handle the problem.

However, I need to be careful because I'm slowly
paying my debts off and don't need another hassle
right now. I have not rec'd letters, or phone
calls at home so I can think I'm safe.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks




What to do?
6/1/2005 OH

I just received a letter from NCO regarding a past due balance.
Our new (and as of today former) doctor sent us an invoice the day after an expensive procedure. We did not pay the invoice because we knew our insurance company would pay for most of it. Which it did and we decide dto wait for an updated invoice as is customary with all our other providers. The doc never sent us a revised invoice, nor a reminder or warning. 62 days after the procedure we receive dnotification from NCO. I called them to ask for an itemized invoice and they claim they don't have any from the doc just a grand total. Grand total 87% higher than what was due after insurance payment.

If we pay the full amount within the 30 dayswill our credit rating suffer?

Can we pay what we really owe the doc and dispute the remaining amount? If so will our credit rating suffer?

My beef with NCO is that they seem to accept any un verified claim. But my main beef is with my health care provider who put us up for collection after "only" 60 days and without prior warning.

Any advise on how to maintain our good credit rating, which is my main concern? We can afford to pay the bill which validity we don't dispute other than the unexplained discrepency.

We have been loosing sleep over this. We NEVER paid an invoice late.

Thank you






NCO Financial is THE BEST !!!!!
5/11/2005

History.
We were participating with a consumer credit counseling people. We were paying fine and dandy.
My wife' pregnancy turned for the worse and she was no longer allowed to work (per doctors orders). I was working but had to make a choice between putting food on the table or paying of credit cards. Needless tos ay the food won.

November or December 2004
NCO Financial calls telling me my $1200 account which they just acquired from my original creditor is in litigation and they can put a stop to it if I pay. long story short, for a mere 700+ dollars they will consider my account settled and get it out of litigation. Then they will send me my "account is settled" paper work.

December 2004
They cashed a check for 350+

January 2005
They cashed a check for 350+

End of January 2005
I looked into the debt and realized it was not the 1200 after all. I only owed 700+ to the original creditor.

February 2005
I got some letter from NCO stating I paid 700+ and only had a mere 500+ left to pay on the account. (lucky me)

May 2005
I am still waiting for the letter that says my account is settled.

I finally learned that what they did pretending my account was in litigation is totally ILLEGAL

here I am just got out of the service and moved in with family...... I can't wait to get settled in and finally find my folder where I wrote down all this information.

I wonder what the chances are of me winning this matter in a REAL litigation



NCO Paypal Problem
5/7/2005

Yet another saga of Paypal using NCO harassment to try to collect a debt that isn't really a debt.
In brief: I bought an item on eBay. Paid for it using a credit card via Paypal. The seller vanished. I never got the item. I filed several buyer complaints with Paypal, but they couldn't recover any funds. (Big surprise.) I did a chargeback. Now NCO is constantly leaving messages on my answering machine. They have my name wrong. Based on another phone message I got, I think they even tried to send me a FedEx, but they also have my address incorrect! (A word of thanks to whoever made these advantageous clerical errors.)

All things considered, should I ignore the whole thing, or should I send a general dispute/prove it/stop calling me letter? They don't even have my info correct. That doesn't give me great confidence that they can meet their burden of proof or ding my otherwise perfect credit.

I'll dispute this so-called "debt" to my grave and even go to court if I have to since it's not even a debt! It's fraud.I paid for merchandise that I never received! I'm just being punished for a chargeback to Paypal. That being the case, if it comes down to it I'd rather go to court and even pay a lawyer than give NCO or Paypal a single cent.

Any advice? I don't want to gamble with my credit but I don't know which course of action would be better, ignore or send a letter.


Telephone Calls
4/12/2005 Philadelphia PA

If you have received collection calls from NCO on a weekend, or more specifically on a Sunday, please let me know. This is a clear violation of the FDCPA.


In collections, not on credit report
4/11/2005

In 2002 I had a loan charged off very quickly. I received a letter from NCO almost immediately and started getting the harassing calls you all know about. I wrote them a letter and told them to stop harassing me, and I have never rec'd another phone call from them (one good thing). I paid them consistently over the next 2 years in varying amounts each month. They would send me a statement and I would send them some money. No problem there. Toward the end of last year, I went back and reviewed all my bills from them and noticed that my outstanding balance was ALL OVER the place. So... I wrote to them again saying that I would like a DETAILED explanation of how my account was being handled (interest accruing? late fees? what was going on??). I never heard from them again.

NCO has NEVER shown up on my credit report (therefore, none of the money I have ever sent them has shown up either). I was recently on the phone with a creditor I had just paid off and he was looking over my credit report... he asked me about the charge off. I explained to him what I just told you. He told me that as soon as an account goes into collections, that the collection agency shows up on your credit report and all payments also show up. He advised me to call NCO and find out if "they're on the up and up." Yeah, like they're going to tell me. ha!

Anyway... so I've rec'd nothing from them for at least 6 months. There's no change to my credit report. Should I be concerned? Should I really open that can of worms and call them?

It seems that I should get credit for the payments that I have made over the years... but at the same time, I'm happy not sending them a dime if they're not pestering me....

Any advice much appreciated...


Wrongful persecution
3/31/2005 Houston TX

Hi, I have been contacted by the NCO people. They are very nasty. They threatened to hurt my credit and garnish my wages. Ect. If it was a real debt that would be one thing but I don’t owe this. I have spent the last two days researching this,

This is the story, I received a call and they told me that I had a debt with sprint of $34.54 they immediately demanded that I pay it over the phone. I said wait a minute what is this about. They then became very nasty told me they would report it to the credit burrows if I did not pay today. I refused to pay. They said some very nasty things too me then. I ask for the girl’s name and phone number, which she provided. I called sprint next...local they said nope don’t owe us anything. So I tried sprint long-distance. Nope didn't owe them a thing either...just as I thought.... I called the NCO financial people back. A different girl then spoke nasty too me again. I was able to get an account number out of the girl and verify that it was for long distance service.... I called sprint again. I gave them the account number. And it was for a real account just not in my name...sprint would not tell me whose name.... or info on it.... just that it had a balance due.... all I could confirm with sprint was that it was some how associated with my phone number. I then call NCO again. Yep you guessed it nasty call.... but I was able to get out of them that it was named (Sprint tom LP - twc.com) address listed was 6580 sprint parkway Kansas... Now with this info I once again called sprint. I gave sprint the account number and the name on account and address, now they talked to me. I was able to find out that this is billed to time Warner cable... Now I had too call Time Warner cable to see why they hadn’t paid.... TWC said that I was all paid and current never late. They were unable to provide me with who actually paid sprint...so I called sprint back and asked who received TWC money. I was able to talk to a girl that was able to say that this bill should have never been sent out and sure not for me to here from a collection agency... I then tried to provide this info to NCO they seemed to be listening then they just hung up...

Now sprint said that this would be pulled from collections within 48 hours... and that they couldn't provide me with anything in writing to help protect me from adverse actions of NCO...I am worried that NCO has already started some sort of adverse action against my credit and me...

This sort of thing needs to be dealt with...I have had to waist my time to prove myself clear. Collection agencies should be held accountable for they actions.



Illegal Practices
3/30/2005 TX

Recently pulled my credit report because I am thinking about buying a house. There is an entry from NCO on there that I had never seen before. I tried to contact NCO to find out what it was for exactly and just pay it off. well, thats when the fun began. The first five times I called I was hung up on when I asked for validation. So now i'm a little upset. OK, easy fix, contact the original crediter(an electric company), get a bill from them and just pay them. Next problem, they have no record of me ever having an account with them and I had never heard of them either. I dispute the entry with the CRA's. Amazingly it comes back verified. Call NCO again, finally get someone who will stay on the phone. He tells me its for an address for a house I moved out of in June 1999. He also told me that it was set to go to their legal department in 11 days. I requested that an original bill be sent to me. Well, on March 16 I get a letter from their legal representation (Boyajian Law Offices) saying that I never sent the payment I promised. HUH, I never promised a payment, I want some sort of proof. OK, now i'm really ticked. Call Experian to find out how they verified this debt when I can't get any info from NCO on it. Now I find out something real interesting. NCO is reporting this as first going delinquent in March 2003, but originally had the first delinquency date as February 1999. Cute, account starts getting old just reinvent the date. The really weird thing is how could it even be february 1999 when I lived in that house till June 1999. Pretty sure I had electricity, think I would remember if I didn't. Seems like they just like to make dates up. The really funny thing is if they had just sent me a bill when I first tried to call them I would have probally paid up thinking that it was a utility bill I just forgot about. Now they have gotten me mad and I am reporting them to every governing agency I can think of.


The first call
3/28/2005 AZ

I would like to say I don't think I have ever talked to someone so rude. He would not give me any info, he asked me if I was ### I refused to answer until he answered who he was and what he does lol he said he works lol to funny I was so proud of him I told him good I am so happy then said bood bye. Then he told me my number I was shocked I said oh you have caller ID he said yes well good for NCO proud of them. I still don't know why they were calling for me he wouldn't say, SHAME on them. They need to learn customer service skills.


I can't believe they're attempting to extort money
3/25/2005 Chicago IL

I'm in the personal finance industry. I've made it a habit for years now to check my credit report monthly to ensure there is no incorrect information. Today I checked my report as I usually would, and I find NCO FIN/99 - which I've NEVER seen before, claiming a collection of $440.00 for an account opened in Sept. of 2004.

Now, I am not flakey. I keep VERY close tabs on all of my active accounts (7 cards, and 2 car loans) and all are in order, and paid up to date. I've been a financial advisor for 5 years, and I THINK I would know when I open an account, and whether or not I've paid said account. I pride myself on keeping my accounts in pristine order, because I WAS a teenager at one time, and messed up my credit, and have never allowed it to happen since.

I have not received ANY phone calls, or communications through US Mail regarding this debt. The 866 phone number for NCO that I found on Google leads to a machine *obviously* in a non-native English speaking CS department.
I immediately put through a dispute request with the credit company, and as with this site, have found multiple individuals on the internet who have had similar issues with NCO.

I intend to have my husband check his report tonight to make sure the same thing hasn't happened to him.

I can't imagine myself opening an account and then not paying it, as money isn't really an issue. They obviously don't know that they've chosen one HECK of an organized FA to mess with.


NCO guys crack me up
3/12/2005 IL

I get none stop calls from NCO Financial Systems concerning my Ex-Wife. I was nice and cordial and told him she didn’t live here and we were divorced. Honest answer for a serious person doing business.. Their reply, LOOK SIR, DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH ME and put her on the phone. I said we’re divorced and surprisingly enough she doesn’t reside here any longer and then he began to argue with me about it and darn near convinced me I was still married. One of the 8.00 dollar an hour brainiacs actually posed an intelligent question, She asked for my ex’s new address and phone number. Wow, six phone calls later and they finally ask the obvious question… Of course my reply was that it was on a need to know basis only and she would have to convince me she needed to know and that didn’t go over very well and she yelled at me in an angry threatening voice then I asked her if she was married and what she was doing for the weekend and she hung up.. How rude. One guy said that I would be a responsible party if they couldn’t locate my ex and I said cool… Then he said if I didn’t help locate my ex that I would be obstructing justice and I asked him to spell ‘obstructing’ because he sure couldn’t pronounce it but he only got angrier and demanded my social security number which I replied to as 000-00-0001 and then he called me a liar and I agreed with him.

They have been calling for weeks. I actually have a good time with these morons and I really enjoy the ones who seem to get genuinely angry at my wise cracks.

I never heard of NCO before but god help me I love these people. They crack me up.



NCO threatening me
3/10/2005 NC

I recently recieved a message from NCO by a man named Louie out of the AZ office. He said that a formal complaint had been filed against me and that I needed to call him immediately with a claim number he had given me and that I had an account that I owed of $4200. So I called and he was out but I found out it was from a 7 year old account. This account became past due 7 years ago due to a conflict between I and the finance company and I owed then $1700.I would make payments and they would not have it in the system and I quit paying.There was a manager there that said there was a mix up with my account and he would fix it and of course I did not hear anything until a few years later from a collection agency who CLOSED it due to the validation of the debt could not be verified.So to hear from NCO now, 7 years later, was a suprise to me.I had not gotten anything from them. I did not call back due to the age of the account and knowing all the other companies could not verify the actual debt amount. He called again and this time said he was a lawyer and that I was going to be sued and he would garnish my wages or take my property or whatever it would take to get their money and I better call him back! This did not settle well with me and then I later got the letter. I disputed the balance and have since only gotten phone calls.This account is so old it is all off my credit report BUT NCO continues to pull my credit report time and time and time again lowering my score and calling me.They have called my work and my family.Can they pull my credit report like this? How can I stop this and stop them from harrassing me and my family? I have sent certified mail with the no contact form and it is not working.


Maybe DebtorBasher can answer me this question
3/5/2005

Maybe DebtorBasher can shine some light on this for me since I find this quite humorous. So back in November I get a message on my answering machine, stating that there was a mandate against me. First contact with the company and there is a mandate out? Ok whatever, I contacted the guy back and he began by stating he was a lawyer and that they wanted to receive the past due bill I owed. I told him I wasn't comfortable discussing this until I got a letter from the company at which point I would talk with him again.
I received the letter but got busy and forgot to call. When he recontacted me we talked and were actually agreeing to a payment plan. I told him first off that I didn't want to send three postdated checks for the three months to pay it off. He proceeded to tell me that it was illegal for them to take a money order unless it was half the amount. Hmm again don't believe that to be true.
Then I said I wouldn't send anything, until he faxed me something that said we had reached an agreement. Just protecting myself you know, since I had looked up this company's reports. He proceeded to tell me that it was against the law to do so. I then asked him which law it was and he told me that he couldn't tell me the law since it would be a conflict of interest. Well this made me angry,and I continued asking him again what law it was. He then put me on with his supervisor. Hmm a lawyer that has a supervisor lol. So this man proceeds to get snotty with me telling me it was a conflict of interest to tell me which law. He then said I should go down to my lawyer and ask him which law it was that prevented NCO from sending a document that shows an agreement. What he didn't and still doesn't know is that I work for a law firm that deals with consumer law. So I got off the phone and go to my boss and ask him if there was any law. Of course there isn't any law, and trying to say it's a conflict of interest doesn't work.
Since that time I refuse to talk to anyone from NCO. They could've had all the money since I was willing to pay it. But when you lie to me and threaten me with false threats it just makes me mad. I am just tempted to call and say I won't sue you guys if you guys drop the debt hahahaha. Why would I want to deal with a company that just paid 1.5 million for breaking the law. So DebtorBasher which law is it? I really would like to let my attorney know.


Debt Collection Practices
3/1/2005 Houston TX

These people are just unbelievable! They call me at work and harass me and yell at me like a child. They use my credit report as a "paper club". They've called my relatives, who have nothing to do with this debt...calling them by thier full names. Where do they get this info. They don't want payments, they want it all now. They told me the debt is 2400 dollars, they call my grandmother and tell her it's 4000 and she has to pay it (my grandfather helped me buy a car when I was younger...that is what this debt is for). They try to play on your emotions so you will pay right away. My advice to anyone who has any debt is to take a course called Financial Peace University. You will learn everything you need to know about eliminating debt, dealing with these creditors, and wealth building. For more information, go to www.daveramsey.com. I have learned so much about these sorts of things in less than a month and these people will harass me NO MORE!!!! KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!


NCO - You horrible low lifes!
2/23/2005 Metro Detroit MI

I have been going back and forth with NCO for nearly a year. I actually just gave up until today when I was reviewing my credit report. I tried to work with these people in the past. I had a Sprint PCS phone and switched services because Sprint sucks. Well, there was a balance left on my account and I was in the process of setting up arrangements with Sprint when the phone calls started from NCO. These people or relentless. I swear, for a while they were calling up to 5 times a day. EVERY DAY! NO JOKE!When I would ask them to send me all information they had by mail their response was..."we've already done that, we don't feel it necessary to send anything else". When I tried to explain that I hadn't received anything from them she called me a liar!

Now, I have no problems paying what I owe...because, well I owe it (duh). But they are so unwilling to work with you...which is the reason this has been going on for a year!

I just called 1-800-220-2274 (like just hung up the phone). The first thing they ask..."What's your SS#?". I don't think so bud. I'm not giving my most precious possession out to some ghetto ass hole on the other end of the phone. Then he got nasty with me because I wouldn't give it to him. Then he tells me the amount is different than what my credit report shows and gave me another number to call. Mind you, he wouldn't give me the amount owed when asked.

I'm going to try to take this matter back to Sprint PCS, set up arrangements with them and file a claim through BBB, Attorney General and credit reporting agency.

Wish me luck getting this resolved


Collection
2/22/2005

I received a collection notice from NCO for a bogus claim. I contacted them and filed a report for ID theft. They were extremely unprofessional and did not follow through on what they were supposed to do. I am looking now for a way to file a complaint against them with a government agency.


Collecting on a defaulted student loan
2/15/2005 CA

I have been trying to make arrangements with NCO to rehab my student loan. My account rep has told me that the only way to send them rehab payments is to have the money electronically withdrawn from a bank account. The trouble is, I've been extremely irresponsible with money, and can't at present open a bank account.

I was told they would not accept any other form of payment (money order, credit, pre-paid debit, etc.) Is this even possible? I always thought that collection agencies would take money any way you could get it to them.

I can rehab this loan. Does anyone know of any way to petition to have a collection agency changed?


NCO Illegal Practices
1/27/2005

RE: My previous post of "Want to Sue NCO?" the reply has been overwhelming! NCO definitely has stepped on alot of toes out there!

We are particularly interested in speaking with people who have been contacted by NCO, and who live in the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Washington (state).

Call me at (619) 291-7778 or email to Wickmanlaw@yahoo.com

Regards,

Steven Wickman, Attorney at Law


I don't have a clue
1/20/2005 Viburnum MO

I have been recieving calls from NCO Financial Systems concerning a debt that I owe to a certain hospital. I have been making payments, although at times small to this hospital, but NCO says they are trying to collect this debt. One of thier reps in particular has been very rude, and even questioned my character in the matter. I intend to pay this hospital bill, but cannot do it all at once, and sometimes the paymaents might still be small, but I will pay it. Is there anything I can do to stop NCO from calling me?


"Relative" Harassment
1/18/2005

My sister-in-law apparently owes someone some money and NCO has been handed over the collection. How they got my name and number is beyond me. They call anywhere between 4 and 5 times a day, leaving very ambiguous messages with an account number and a person to call. I try to expain to them that I don't know where she is and they just keep calling. My In-Laws even gave them a reach number for her, but they keep calling them as well. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get them to leave me alone?


Want to sue NCO???
1/14/2005

If you have been called by NCO in the past year, I would love to speak with you!

Please contact attorney Steven A. Wickman at (619)291-7778, or email at Wickmanlaw@yahoo.com

Regards,


Steven




Will NCO remove the adverse record from my credit reports?
1/13/2005 Cupertino CA

Due to the closing company’s failure to pay off my loan with Fleet Bank after I sold my house in July 2003, my already closed checking account with the same bank was overdrawn with one extra monthly mortgage payment in August 2003. Few months later, when I found out what happened and informed the closing company about the matter. They promised to pay off my loan and the negative balance in my checking account right away. A week later, I received a copy of a letter the closing company sent to Fleet Bank. In the letter, the closing company admitted their mistakes and asked Fleet Bank to remove any penalties or negative reports resulted from their oversights. Right after I sold my house, I moved from NH to CA.

Just last week, when I received my credit report, an adverse record, posted by NCO, shown up in the report. The adverse record is about my negative balance with Fleet Bank. I called Fleet Bank (now BOA) and found out that the closing company did pay off my loan with Fleet but never paid off my negative balance in the checking account with Fleet. I called the closing company and the reception would not transfer my phone call. When I called Fleet, I was told that if I pay off the negative balance in my closed checking account to NCO, contracted by Fleet/BOA, this adverse record will be removed by NCO two or three months later. So I did what he said. But when I called NCO again to confirm what Fleet told me, NCO said that they would only update the status from unpaid to paid in full. When I called Fleet again, the same person told me that I am all set on this matter and NCO will remove the record. (I have never received any phone call or letter from NCO and my address in NCO’s file is not correct(my old address in NH).

My question is - Will NCO remove my adverse record from my credit report? If NCO won’t, what should I do to resolve the problem? (Fleet Bank told me that they could not remove the record for me. Only NCO can do that?)

Any comment and suggestion would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.




Debt payment
1/12/2005

I have a debt being handled by NCO and have had an extremely rough time dealing with the representative who's been calling me. We have yet to come to any sort of conclusion despite his repeated claims of being willing to work with me. Anyway, I'm extremely leery of setting up payments through NCO, and am extremely uneasy about giving them my account information. I would prefer to make payments directly to the original creditor instead for my peace of mind. Well, the jerk-off told me that I can't do this and the payments would be refused. I honestly don't believe this...why would the OC deny any payment I make to them? Anyway, is it kosher that I am paying the OC directly? What do I need to tell Mr. NCO?


NCO: "Ebay/PayPal debt will not go on credit report." true/false???
1/5/2005

For the past several years, I sold miscellaneous merchandise on ebay and primarily used PayPal to collect payments.

About one year ago, I received a string of chargebacks on high-dollar items. This left my PayPal account with nearly $1,000 in the red. I provided delivery confirmation numbers for all of the cases, and PayPal reimbursed me for half of the cases, but for some reason they didn't decide in my favor for nearly $500 worth of merchandise?!?

I got so aggravated with PayPal that I quit selling on eBay. I ignored the emails from PayPal regarding my negative balance.

Then a few weeks ago, I received a letter from NCO Financial stating that I owed $472! I have a perfect credit-rating and have never missed a payment in my life. I immediately tried to contact PayPal via telephone, which was impossible. I resorted to emailing them which took forever to go through their online screening process... only to receive a generic response telling me to simply pay NCO.

(I ended up losing the letter from NCO on a business trip prior to calling NCO...)

I called NCO, waited on hold for several minutes, and then reached a lady that had never even heard of PayPal. She asked me if it was a department store?! She gave me another phone number to call. I called it, but they couldn't find any record of my account. She gave me yet another number to call. I called it, and once again, they couldn't find a record of my account!

The lady said, "Well, you'll just have to wait until you receive a call from us or get another letter." I was extremely aggravated at this comment, and she explained that "eBay and PayPal collections would not get turned over to the credit bureaus..." and went on to say that they "were having a lot of legal problems with ebay and paypal that were trying to get worked out..."

She confirmed to me that I was in no danger of having my credit record scarred by an ebay or paypal account.

Can anyone out there confirm or disprove this claim??? I want to be absolutely sure that my credit record is not in any danger.

Although the debt was wrongfully forwarded on to me, I am willing to pay it off to clear up this mess and go on with my life... but I don't want to sit around waiting for another letter when time may be running out for me to prevent any negative credit reports.

Thanks for your information!


How do I get a paid bill to stop affecting my credit?
1/5/2005

I received a notice from NCO about a year ago that I owed about $1,000 and had no idea what it could be. They would not tell me anything, but I finally discovered that it was for a 6 month old bill that I never received. I contacted the hospital to see why I never received a bill and why it was so high for a regular visit (my insurance normally pays for all but 10%). The hospital never filed it through the insurance, so I had them do that asap, but they would not let me pay what would be the remaining balance. They told me that I would have to do everything through NCO, since it had been turned over.

So I called NCO and explained the situation. They told me that if I did not pay the entire balance now, it would go on my credit history as negative. I did not have the money, and I knew that if I paid the entire balance, I would never see a reimbursement. I tried to tell them this, but they insisted that they would not wait for the insurance, and that I would have a negative credit history. The insurance paid quickly, and I immediately paid NCO the remaining balance. It shows as paid, but it still negatively affects my credit.

For the past year, I have been turned down for almost everything after having perfect credit my whole life. I explain that this is a mistake that I corrected asap, and it is paid, but I need to get it removed completely to return my credit to normal. NCO says that it is too late to have it taken off, but I think I have done the right thing all along, and there should be a solution. What can I do to reestablish the perfect credit that I once had?


NCO FInancial: The Scam is all to common (View from a business owner)
12/29/2004

I own a successful company and have my degree in business and have been directly in marketing and the corporate world for over ten years.

I have worked my tail off for every cent that I have earned. So when my accountant came to me with an unknown charge from NCO Financial Systems Inc. I decided to investigate it.

The amount was $175.78 and I called our company bank who said it was a check and gave me the check number. But when I called up our records I saw that it was the same number but different price as what was listed.

Our bank mailed us a copy of the check and looking at it I could tell they had written the check to themselves. Then I attempted to call them directly and rectify the situation.

Big Mistake.

At least for them.

When you call them at 1-800-220-2274 and press 8 you go into the section of the company where a receptionist transfers you to the proper person. I keep a solid record and asked for her name. She didn't give it to me and instead transferred me to "Ashley" (If that is this wretched waste of skins real name) who was upset that I was keeping a record of the call and tried to stonewall me.

Real quick about me. I take care of all of my customers and have gone to bat with them quite a few times. I'm a former kick boxer and just a mean SOB when you try to run me over.

Anyway, this little prissy tried to tell me that I did not need her last name and that she was the only Ashley there. So you can feel free to call and find out for yourself if she is even a legit person. I had no problems in telling her that she was messing with the wrong business to which she started a little cussing match that I eagerly engaged in.

Hanging up the phone is the act of a coward. You can tell her that too.

So I called back and had to deal with the same stupid receptionist and then spoke with another victim "Bentley". He asked me for my social and I promptly explained to him this was a business account and not a personal account.

"Oh," he said "then this must be a mistake. I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

You know "Bentley" sounded way too familiar like this was all too common. So looking them up on the web I found this site and saw that this was happening all over.

So here is some key information I found for all of you.

Number ONE: NCO financial does NOT work for Capital one. I contacted Capital one at 1-800-955-7070 and spoke with the lady who runs their collections department who assured me that they handle all collection in house and that they were big enough that it didn't make sense that they would have ever outsourced collections.

Number two: NCO Financial has a horrid BBB status. You can check it out at http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=Y&compid=80002360

Number three: NCO financial has small offices with one or two reps throughout the US. None of which have a positive standing with the BBB.

So if you have become a victim of these people here is the best thing you can do. First call them and ask them for a summary of your bill to be faxed or mailed. Tell them you are going to be getting a credit account with a local jeweler and they want to see anything that you have made a payment with good history. If you haven't made a payment of good history of payments to them then proceed to the next step.

Next Step: Contact your bank and let them know you are a victim of a scam and have been fraudulently charged. Most banks have measures in place to handle this. Let your bank be your big brother in this situation. Once they see this same issue once or twice you can be sure the bank (who does not like to waste money and will make these people pay once it becomes enough of an issue) will be much more devastating than you or I could be.

Next Step: Call Capital One or whoever they claim to be calling on behalf of and tell them you were contacted by NCO and will never get a credit card with them as long as they have such horrid people they outsource to (don't be verbatim). Once they get enough calls and see that it is going to impact them financially they will investigate NCO and file suit promptly.

Next Step: Paste this article into as many message boards as you can get your hands on. This will not only make for a stronger impact; but will also save other from becoming victims as well.

Final Step: Closure. If we all implement these steps it will not be long before NCO is filing for bankruptcy and we can all bask in the joy of watching a group of con artists go unemployed or go to jail, do not pass go, do not collect another red cent.

I am posting this article here, on www.SwapItAll.com, yahoo, google, and every other message board I can get my hands on.



Harassing on Fraudaulant Account
12/28/2004 Dallas TX

During the summer of 2004, I received a call from a collection agency based in OK for a Capital One credit card that was defaulted on payments for a couple thousand dollars. I was fortunate the rep was nice and told me about the account, payment history, account numbers, bank account number the check was written from on the last payment, address on the account now, etc...Anyways, it turns out this is a fraudaulant account. Someone used my SSN, DOB, and address to open the account, ran up the balance and then made one payment and stopped paying on it. One month after the account was opened under my current address, a change of address was filed to some other location in my city that I had never heard of. I even called the bank the last payment was made from and got a teller to confirm the account number that made the last payment was not in my name. So I called the police and filed a report formally.

In November, a new company called me about this account... NCO Financial. The first person who called was insulting and rude. When I explained the account was fraudaulant, he refused to believe me. I kept trying to tell him the account was fraudaulant and wound up asking for a supervisor. God, what a mistake. This guy comes on the phone and I really wish now that I had asked for his name twice and written it down. When he said it the first time, it was so fast I didn't catch it. He wound up being worse than the first agent. He said the account was my responsibility and he didn't know why I wouldn't just own up to it and pay for it. He said he had my credit report in front of him showing it in default and that I had called in to Capital One to open the account and they had the call on record. After about 20 minutes on the phone, I got fed up, told him to go to hell and never call me again.

Later that week, another rep from the company called me about it. Luckily, this person (Peter) was extremely nice and helpful. He noted the account as being a fraudaulant account, put the police report number on the account and marked it to not be called again.

Later that day, someone else from their company called me and again, being fortunate, it was a very nice lady. I explained the situation again. She looked up the information and saw it was noted not to call and had the police report number on the file and apologized for calling.

A few weeks have gone by and I haven't heard from them since until this weekend.

This weekend, I received another call from the 'supervisor' who got involved with the first phone call I received from NCO. I recognized his voice on the phone. Whenever this company calls me, I get a recording saying there is an important business matter that needs to be discussed with (states my name). Then it asks me to press 1 to confirm I am that person. So I get this call doing exactly that and I press 1 so I can explain yet again about the fraudaulant nature of the account.

I also know it's NCO because I don't have anything else in collections. I have several credit accounts (and have had them for almost 10 years now) and pay every one of them on time every month. Once, during a layoff 3 years ago, I had missed payments, but even those never went to collections and all the accounts are back on track.

The guy comes on the phone and says "How will you be paying for this account?" So I said "What account are you talking about?" and he says "The Capital One account." So I start explaining about the fraud again, even tho I have recognized the guy's voice as being the same guy who called me originally and was harassing. I told him I have called in previously with the police report number and it's noted in the account and should not be called upon again. So he looks it up and then comes back and says there's nothing noted with the police report number. So I start up my computer so I can pull up the number and give it to him. He starts telling me that he's looking at my credit report and that I need to accept responsibility for the account and make payments on it. So I ask for his name because he's interrupting me and won't listen to anything I have to say. So I tell him to give me his company name and he refuses. I tell him that I know that by law I have the right to ask for his company name and his own name and he has to tell me and he says he won't tell me and then says in a really snotty and sarcastic tone "I'm from the marriage bureau and we're trying to get you married" (go figure what that is suppose to mean).... Then he starts telling me my social security number and DOB and wants me to confirm it. I tell him I'm not confirming anything to someone who won't tell me what company he's with or his own name. So he says "I already know your name, address, DOB and SSN.... why wouldn't this be a legit call?" and I respond, "How the hell do I know you're not the person who opened this account without my knowledge?" Anyways, I wound getting so pissed off I told him to f*** off and never call me again and hung up on him.

Not even 15 minutes later, another person with NCO calls me and I told him that I had just gotten a call from a rude and abrasive employee about this account. I asked him if he could see any notes on the account with the guys name and of course, he didn't write anything down about the call. So I asked for a supervisor and explained the whole call in detail. She verified the police report number was on the file and was putting it back into a status to not be called and advised me to call Capital One and notify them of the police report number so they would pull the account away from NCO Financial and then it wouldn't be an issue again. But I could tell she didn't really believe me about the rep who had called me because she started telling me that there are several agencies who use the voice system they have (but I don't get collection calls and haven't in almost 15 years), so how can I be sure it's them? She states she will check the call log and try to trace who it was who called me and address it.

After that call, not even 10 minutes later, I get a third call from this company. I explain again.

I come into work yesterday morning and there's a message in my voice mail from them.

This person is driving me nuts. Most of the people from NCO have been really nice and have given me great suggestions for putting fraud alerts on my credit report and notifying Capital One directly, etc.... but I'm almost to the point where I want the head of this one rep on a platter.... any suggestions how to find this person?


Stealing your money
12/27/2004 Mars Hill NC

This is a hugh story, so I will try and keep it short. This company contacted me and said they were a "collection agency" for American Express. I told them my situation, I suddenly come from making around $45,000 a year, and suddenly became Total and Permanently Disabiled at age 41. I received my Disabilty Benefits and that is what I am living on now, which is not much. They said they could reduce my debt by 55% and help me. They insisted on me putting that "so-called" deal on another credit card that had a high limit. Come to find out, they charged me twice (a total of $18,000) on my credit card. It was only supposed to be $9,000. They also got a hold of another one of my credit cards and charged $6,500.00. I didn't even owe that much money on the card they were collecting for. This has been a total nightmare and my credit is ruined. I am now going to contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against this so-called collection agency.


arbitration
12/25/2004 TX

I received an arbitration claim against me yesterday by fedex. I need help as to what to do. I spoke with NCO to try to setup a payment arrangement,but what they would accept is something I could not afford at the time since I was a full time college student. When I told them that they did not care and said if i didn't pay,i would get sued. Currently I am working full time,but have no asset and trying to repay this debt someway, but NCO and Providian won't help me.Either pay more what i can afford each month or they won't talk to me. The debt is about 5000 for a credit card. Any suggestions would be great.


HOLIDAY GREETING TO FAV NCO COLLECTORS
12/16/2004

I think in the holiday spirit we all need to shout out to our favorite collectors. NCO has some good ones but I think anybody that has been abused by NCO should list the name of the person and what they wish for them during this festive season. I know NCO will be cutting me a check very soon. My secret santa at NCO is.......

LANCE MONTGOMERY!!!!!

He was the one that set the legal wheels in motion. He has a very feminine voice, almost what you would expect a gay french waiter in a comedy to sound like. He told me I was a liar and that the people I listed at NCO, that were already taking care of my issue, didnt even work there.

He must be so important that he has the master list of all 200,000 employees memorized. Fancy Lance also told me he taught credit collection law for 7 years. What an honorable guy to step down from being a legal professor to collector.

He was a very bitter boy and his prissy snotty attitude is responsible for making NCO cut me a check for several thousand dollars.

Lance, I want to salute you. Maybe you are fired, maybe you are in the NCO washroomjingling change in your pocket, maybe you are into slurping the umbrella on your 10th margarita down at the ManHole...who knows


THANKS AGAIN LANCE MONTGOMERY AND HAVE A MERRY HOLIDAY!!!!!!


Need information
12/16/2004 NH

I had an account with Fleet Bank (who was bought out by Bank of America) and my account was closed with a balance owed to Fleet.

I contacted Fleet and we made a payment deal for X per month. I have been paying X per month since then.

Two weeks ago I got a call from NCO saying that my account had been turned over to them. They told me that the "deal" I made with Fleet was not valid and it no longer applies. They want 3x the amount of money I was paying Fleet/BOA and have told me that if I don't pay it they will get all my bank/credit card accounts frozen and then they will take "further action" (I'm not sure what that is- I asked but the person avoided answering).

I have talked to them 5 times in the last two weeks to see if a payment arrangement could be worked out but they are telling me that they will only accept four equal payments (again, 3x what I was paying) to cancel the debt. They woulld not even accept the regular amount I have been paying.

I have asked to speak to a Manger/Supervisor but no one I talked to would give me more than their first name and would not tell me if they were a Supervisor or not (I suspect not).

I have twice requested in writing something that states what I owe and to whom for my records and have not received anything from them at all.

So, I have a few questions;
Can they really "freeze" my accounts?
What "further action" can they actually take?
What can I do to keep it from looking like I refused to pay when they would not accept any money from me?

I want to settle this debt, but I can't afford the payments they are asking for- what should I do next?

Any information would be appreciated!


debt collections
12/15/2004 Auburn WA

I happened upon this website after "googling" NCO. I had never heard of this company until November when I recieved two letters. The first one came from MSN bill payer to confirm my opening an account, which I never did. The letter that followed stated that a transaction from this bill payer account could not be completed. Of course, I did not open this account and there was nowhere from which funds could be drawn. But, in this envelope was a check that was made out by MSN to payee NCO Financial systems for $312, and an NCO form asking for personal information. I was completely baffled by all of this. I called the number on the letter and only gave out my name and the address where the letters were sent. The people who I spoke to kept wanting to verify information, but I wouldn't do it. Was I in fact speaking to MSN or was this NCO? Who opened this account in my name? I can't make a definite accusation, but I had to draw conclusions about what had happened through a process of deduction. I am disabled and in serious debt with no way to pay. I searched these messages for similar tactics used by this company, but I could not find any.


NCO's Contact Information
12/13/2004

I started receiving phone calls at my residence from NCO. I told them everytime they called that I recently was issued this phone number. Apparently they can't get this through their thick skulls. That is until today. I have what everybody is looking for, their mailing address and phone number. The person that I spoke with, Rahman who works in the executive office of NCO Financial Services, gave me the following information that I strongly believe that you will find very useful.

NCO Financial Systems
150 Cross Point Parkway
Cross Point Business Park
Geztville, NY. 14068
Attn. John Emmons
716-404-2100


Update NCO
12/6/2004 MA

I wrote a complaint/Question and got an answer from debtorbasher, and was wondering if You have any more Info for me?? I called NCO requestion more information than the account is closed in their office. My original letter I sent them requested validation of my debt from the original debtor before i would do anything else. I was told the account is indefinately frozen due to non validation of debt. What does this mean and what else can they due or can I due?? I also wrote to them requesting this in writing

Thanks
Suspicious2


Harassment/Rudeness
12/3/2004 MA

2 years ago a debt collector called me about an old debt I owed for 8,000. I wanted to work something out with them so they set up a payment plan for $50 dollars a month and stopped the interest accumulating. I payed this faithly for the 2 years, and about 8 months ago I had 2 checks returned to me with no more information. I stopped sending checks until I heard from them which I never did. About 2 months ago a guy from NCO called me telling me I owed them 17,000. from that same debt. I explained to him what had happened and he said that is of no concern of mine, My concern is you give us 17,000. I told him I know I owed this debt but for 8,000 and not any 17,000 and I was willing to continue to pay $50 a month, he cut me off and said that was unacceptable the intererest will keep going up and we won't accept that amount. He told me there was a warrant for court in the mail (which I know has to be delivered to me) and the conversation was being recorded. So I said seeing as this is recorded could you stop threatening me and being rude to me and could I please talk to your supervisor. He laughed and said your talking to him. I asked for another supervisor and he said you can talk to me. After this call I continued to get the same type calls. I wrote NCO a letter telling them about this incident and that I thought this treatment was uncalled for and that I believed Harrassment is against the law in Pennlsyvania where they are out of just as it is in Massachusetts where I'm from. I also sent a copy of the same letter to my atterny and the BBB. I requested they send me a copy of the original debt before I would do anything else about this, and that any more correspondence be done in writing from them and not by phone. I just received a letter from NCO stating Please be advised that the above referenced account is closed in our office. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry. So does this mean my account was sold to another collection agency that I will have to go through this with again??? Any help in regards to this would be greatly appreciated. Should I contact NCO again???

Thanks



Phone call harrassment
12/1/2004 apache junction AZ

NCO financial started calling me on 11/22 and the phone calls have not stoped and its enough!!! I have received 37 phone calls ( yes thats right 37 phone calls since 11/22) and they wont stop calling. When i called them the first time I verified that I am not the person they were looking for. I didnt know who that person is and its a cellphone that they keep calling. Everytime I call they say it will be 72 hours and they will take my name off and they never do. I have been hung up on, I have be abused emotional and i have been told that I am harrassing them. I just want them to stop and to think these calls arent coming from the US, they are coming from Canada. I get these calls anytime from 9:00 am to 7:59 pm and its annoying. I wish they would just stop calling me.


They've crossed the line....
11/29/2004 MS

I need some advice on the next step. The NCO Rep has called my parents again after they requested TWICE in two consecutive calls for him to stop calling them. The rep then called me three times, twice using a blocked number. Also, my dad called the creditor and the NCO Rep's supervisor in the matter, and the CREDITOR rep pulled up my account info and told my dad that they didn't see any reason that it was in collections. Then they said that they could see where there were a couple of missed payments and that could be why. They gave this info to my father who called them out of the blue without any of my information!!!! Or my consent!!!

I have been more than willing to work towards resolving the matter of my account, and I have had to endure the patronization, rudeness, and accusations of the NCO Rep and now this. I'm feeling very violated right now, especially in light of my patience and willingness to communicate. What steps do I need to take in this mattter?

********************************************************************
Thank you for your comments. I contacted the original creditor and they refuse to help me because I am in collections. I explained that I would prefer to work with them because my debt is with them, and they still refused. Not that this surprises me in the least as they refused to work with me before I was turned over to collections.


I need some further clarification....
11/28/2004

On what constitutes a third party. I've already said that my assigned collector has spoken to my parents about my debt (a clear violation), but what about a spouse? The way I'm reading the FDCPA (Sec 805b), a third party is any party other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency (if applicable), the creditor, the creditor's attorney, and the debt collector attorney.

Also, said collector has been calling multiple times a day again (I understand the "no call" tag, but please), alternating between allowing his phone number to appear on the CID and blocking it (I have answered on the blocked call to make sure it was him...it was). Is this a fair practice?

In relation to interaction, said collector has made a few claims in a past couple of calls (including accusations) that I find questionable. His overall tone in his calls is very patronizing. Is there any provision for this?


What to do?
11/19/2004 TX

I know many of you have posted on here in regards to being served or actually being sued and I have read basically every post. What I am curious to know is by law can someone from NCO call me and tell me they are "verbally summonsing me?" He told me this saying he was verbally summonsing me before he signed off on the real one, keep in mind this was all in a a phone message. I have NEVER spoke with anyone at this company, although they have left multiple messages. Just curious, any insight would be great!


my cents
11/18/2004

just a few tips
1)not every agent is the same. with some they yell from the start. ask for another agent, some only yell when yelled at so ia least try on be nice.
2)you can't be frauded with the last 4 of your social. if they ask for it, give it. 10 to one they have the wrong person and stop calling you.
3) these guys deal with hundreds of people screaming at them a day. give them a break.

most of the agents will try to help you if you try to help them by paying a bit on the acct. it's thier job


Growing threats from NCO Financial
11/15/2004 TX

I was referred me to NCO Financial to collect on my debt to AMEX. I have received 2 letters from NCO demanding payment in full immediately. I disregarded the letters, preferring to deal directly with AMEX. Admittedly, AMEX isn't working with me to allow me to repay in monthly installments what I owe. Now, today, my neighbor called me and said that he had been called by someone looking for me and asking him for information. He refused to discuss me with the caller, but got their number off his caller ID. I called the number and spoke to someone (I need to start getting names, don't I?) who said they were with NCO Financial. They were immediately rude to me, demanding payment of the debt in full. I said I wasn't able to and then I got demands for explanations, which were disgarded as soon as I made them. The odd thing is then they said they would accept approximately 85% of the debt as a full payment if I paid a lump sum. Were they willing to relinquish the interest or something? I said I needed time to think about that, but I was greatly distressed that this company is now calling my neighbors in the evening looking for me. I have a phone that works and I did receive some messages from someone with a 1-800 number who did not leave any identifying information. Now that I know who has been leaving the messages, I am curious if NCO can do this and harass my neighbors for my debt? Also, do I have any recourse with AMEX? I haven't thought so since they don't seem to be realistic in their demands for repayment. I mentioned to the NCO rep about being driven into debt management or bankruptcy by their refusal to work with me and I was told that "AMEX won't participate in debt managment programs". Any suggestions? I am new here, so please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong part of the site.


Chapter 7 or 13 Bankruptcy
11/12/2004 AL

I am 32 Years old and i was diagnosed with brain cancer. I have in the past paid most of my bills but since i have became sick doctor bills and alot of other bills have been reported to collection agencies. I am wanting to file chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy but as a person who can barely keep my head up from pain i have went to the depth of how poor i can be.. Luckily i live back home with my mother.. But i need the harrasing phone calls to stop. The ringing of a phone sends so much pain through my head i wanna explode. I have told these people i am broke and very ill.. they laugh and call 2-3 times a day. So can someone tell me how i can file bankruptcy to get these people to stop calling. the cheapest way is the best way for me as i barely work enough because of my sickness that i only make 200 dollars a week. can someone help me thanks.


Response to phone calls
11/6/2004

When you get harrassing phone calls it is best to not engage the person in any factual information other than their name, company, and address.

Then send them a letter demanding that they only contact you in writing. This satisfies the Fair Debt collection Practice act. This letter must be sent Certified Mail with Return Request. The Return (green card) is proof that you sent it and they received it. They will ignore regular mail and call again. This can also be presented to the attorney General of your state for prosecution.

There are several letters on the internet Bud Hibbs has one. There are also letters requesting validation of the debt. You can also add this to the "Quit calling me letter" You should send it Certified Mail with Return Request. It should be sent within 30 days of the first call if you accept their "debt" information. Else they have ground that you are accepting the debt as valid. Debt_elimination@yahoo.com


Need some advice....
11/3/2004

Well first things first, I have a old (at least 2 yrs old) credit card debt, and NCO (The Punks) are trying to collect. The debt started out about 5,000. They kept sending letters and making threating phone calls, (I wish I would have kept proof of the phone calls). Anyway, I got a letter one day saying they were sending it to "Arbitration". The amount in the Arbitration letter said the amount is around 11,000. Well I did not respond to it and I didn't hear anything from them for about 7 months, then I get a letter saying the arbitration was done and they won the "award". My question is, since they went this far with the Arbitration, does anybody think they will further pursue the matter. As in Filing a lawsuit, or other means.... Do I have any options left? I guessing it's gonna be good ol' Chapter 7 or 13. Any ideas will help.


Harassment Complaint
10/30/2004 WA

For the past several weeks, a woman who identifies herself as "Lynn" has been calling my home and leaving this message: "My names is Lynn and it's very important that you call me back today." She proceeds to leave a callback number 800-521-3250. I refused to return any calls because she doesn't identify herself. Then, this past week, a woman identifying herself as "Mrs. Delgado" leaves a vm message for me at work, saying "I was instructed to call you at this number. Please call me back today." Again, she doesnt identify herself. I had a friend call them back this morning and told them that I wouldn't call anybody back until they identified themselves. A manager finally came on and identified the company as NCO Financial.

I called "Mrs. Delgado" back first, and at first she deinied having any record of calling me at my work; it sounded like she was trying to elicit identifying info from me. She put me on hold for a few minutes, then came back on and said she wanted to verify my name, phone number and Social Security number. She read off the last four digits of the person she was trying to track down. It was not me, and I told her not to call back again.
I then called back "Lynn," and the woman who answered the phone (who sounded just like "Lynn") said there was no Lynn; then she became rude and asked me what I wanted. I said I wanted to speak to Lynn adn again she said there was no "Lynn" there. I insisted on speaking to her suepvisor, and a man identifying himself as "Mr. Sanger" came on. I complained that I wanted these calls to stop, and that I would file a harassment suit against his company if they continued. I also siad I refuse to eturn calls to people who do not ientify themselves. He proceed to say "She does identify herself. She says her name is Lynn." He continued that "we would be breaking the law if we identifed ourselves." I asked him what law he would be breaking. He replied "third-party disclosure." He said it was illegal to identify themselves when leaving a message because someone might listen to the message and it would be divulging personal information. I asked him to cite me the law, and he couldn't. I told him to stop calling me, and he asked for my SS number. I told him my number didn't match (having already heard the last four digits from "Mrs. Delgado.") He then became ruder and said, ""So you're saying you're refusing to pay your debts?" I told him I have no debts and they have the wrong person. He then said, in efect, "Just because you say so doesn't make it true. You could tell me anything."
When he asked for my SS number again, I said, "What's yours?" He replied rather rudely, "Why should I give you my Social Security number? You're the one who hasn't paid his bills."

How do I get these people to stop harassing me without giving away my personal info? They have the wrong person and I have never had any debts. The debt they cited was for $11,000-plus and they were trying to collect on behalf of "Household Financial" or "Household Beneficial." That same company called me multiple times a few months ago and I finally got a supervisor there to agree to stop calling me.

What's the best route to take to file a complaint here and to get them to stop calling me?


NCO FInancial Harrassment
10/29/2004

I have been continuously getting calls from a Michael West from NCO Financial. I would come to work and find 3 sometime 5 message on my vm from him. We last week he called and I was actually at my desk and answered the phone. Well I hung up on him becuase I do not appreciate being called at my job especially continuously.
Well he called right back and left a msg that he has declared my account unpayable and that I refuse to pay (which is not true) But anyway. I got a call from a friend on Monday. He and his wife came home to a msg on there answering machine to please have Melissa Holmes call Mike West at 800..... So That really ticked me off. I called him back and asked why he called friends of mine and he said Becasue I did and I don't know why your calling anyway I told you I determined you as a refusal to pay. So I said if that is the case why did you call the home of my friends and he said because he can. I asked how he associated them with me and he claims "Its a trade secret" and that he didn't have to tell me. Well I filed a complaint with the FTC and my friends turned them in since they are on the Do Not Call List.
Not only is that Harrassment but doesn't that violate the privacy laws.?????


I bet this consumer has a case
10/6/2004

Back in May I got a call on my answering machine "This message is for Tanya Wagner and it is very important that you call us back." My younger son got home from school and called me and gave me the number because he thought his older brother was in trouble. I'll admit I thought so too, the person that left the message sounded urgent. Well I called from my cell phone and this woman takes my call and says I am calling from NCO and I said what is that...she perceeds to tell me that I have an outstanding loan with Washington Mutal and I said you are mistaken. Then she asked me to tell her the last 4 digits of my social security number and I said no with all of the identity theft going around. Then she said them and I said yes but you have the wrong person. Then she said well did you ever have a car loan and I said yes---13 years ago I filed bankruptcy and it was discharged. I also informed her that the loan was not with Washington Mutal and then she said that Washinton Mutal merged with Dimes Saving and another bank and again I said no to all three banks. Then I asked her to provide me with details about the car, after all she is calling me and she wanted me to fax her certain documents. I do not know this lady and refused. I recently ran my credit report and noticed that NCO requested a copy of my credit report---that is all so far. Every week I get calls at home and my cell phone number. I just changed my cell phone number because I am at work and do not wish to be disturbed by them. My cell phone is for my family only. When these people call they are rudge, one lady said she is getting a lawyer after me and I told her to do what she must. Another lady I told her that I just came out of the hospital and had a stroke---she could have cared less. I have tried to explaint that they are mistaken because I filed bankruptcy 13 years and was discharged and the bank that financed my loan was not the banks the are calling for.

Tanya
Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.



New question about NCO record keeping
9/30/2004

I was wondering how and what NCO does regarding taped calls. The technology exists to record and store all calls. I have been told they can sometimes "lose" the tapes when asked for them by the court. I would imagine if they listen to it and it proves their employee was a major-a-hole and did violate the customer they wont rush to produce, hence the we lost it excuse.

If they didt violate I am sure they are happy to produce it. What are the legal ramifications when they claim they lost it? Can they be compelled to "find" it or can they just go on saying they lost this but found that?

Has anyone that has sued them actually heard a tape from them that was not in their favor?


Lull in Activity
9/28/2004

I'm feeling that after all the ego trips and subsequent insult wars that have taken place as of late, the integrity of the site, and this forum has been comprimised. It happens, and I blame no one...but we can't answer questions that aren't asked...so to the surfers that are looking for advice, and comfort...don't hesitate to post. The strong personalities who are rough around the edges respect my forums and thusly won't disrespect your needs. We have a treasure trove of experience, perspectives, and ergo...options; what will help you with your situations in regards to the troubling matters that arise out of the decisions that have lead to the phone calls, and possible abuse. A.K.A. violations of your rights.


My Two-Cents
9/19/2004

This is part of a news release posted on NCO's website:

NCO Group News Release
May 12, 2004
In December 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (“FACT Act”) amended and clarified section 623(a)(5) of the FCRA to eliminate liability for accounts receivable management firms, such as NCO, for reporting the same delinquency date that was reported by the original creditor.

I've read the amendments but haven't been able to locate where in particular it states that the liability of "accounts receivable management firms, such as NCO", has been eliminated. Maybe someone here can point it out for me.

I had the pleasure of dealing with one of the employees of this company last year. This guy started out screaming at me...telling me what I had or needed to do and what NCO was going to do. I made an offer of a certain amount in monthly payments I could afford and the guy laughed and told me I would be dead before I ever got the balance paid off. I told him they would have to accept what I could afford and he said they wouldn't. I told him that was all I could do...not to call me again...I would be filing a complaint with the FTC...he could drop dead and I hung up! Of course he called right back and then again about 30 minutes later. I also found out he had called my ex at work and my ex in-laws telling them all about my financial problems. That's a big no-no!!



Where is MADEYE
9/2/2004

Just wondered where the man went. I dont see him around anymore.


Collections In General
9/1/2004

I found this site today, and unfortunatly I'm not surprised at the comments I've read. But what I am surprised at is that so many people our there that are so mis-informed of their rights and of their own credit history. These stories have been in the news for years, but people seem to turn their heads and act as if they play absolutly no part in being put in collections (I know some of you had no part in it). You don't pay a bill, for whatever reason, your going to collections. Wether that be NCO, or some other agency...you're still going. What no one on this site seems to realize or acknowledge is that they were placed in collections by ANOTHER company. Credit card companies, phone companies, banks they're the ones that pay for this service. They know what's going on, how the practice of collections work and they still use these tools. They know about the class action suits filed, the complaints...and yet they re-issue the contract time and time again. Collection agengies fight over who gets the "good paper", you don't hit your monthly goal...you get squat. Now for every 10 good collectors...one's who know the laws and FDCPA in and out, sure there are 2 bad one's who just don't care. Name one place...a hospital, a college, a phone company, credit card company that is going to care that you lost your job and can't pay them. These companies are the end. NCO is 3rd party collections. Which means these debts have gone threw the original creditor and then another collection agency THEN NCO. My advice...learn the laws, do everything threw the certified mail, and don't argue. Hang up. No one says you have to listen. Send a Cease and Desist letter for your address and all phone numbers..they won't call you again. But then it's legal. And for those of you who spend so much time on this site...who seem to know what you are talking about...re-read the postings. How many of these do you actually think knew NOTHING about thier debt? Now, I'm sure you've already guessed I've worked for NCO for several years...not as a collector, but they've been good to me. Be informed of your rights and your credit.


NCo plug
8/29/2004

How is NCO to work for - the last person i talked to sounded like a mental case - was that you?


Recieved Validation Info (now what?)
8/28/2004 WV

I finally recieved the validation information I requested from NCO. They claim that I owe a past medical bill from December '01. This bill was supposed to have been covered by Workers Compensation. It was a work related injury and I have never recieved any bills or notification of denial from either the hospital or WC. What should I do?
The hospital I went to has been taken over by a new owner and claims to not have the documents I need on hand. They are looking for the files and said they will mail them if they are found. (whatever that means)



Lobster on Ice
8/27/2004 Florida

Perfzone I have not laughed that hard for some time. I was wondering, however, Could You ask them to include Shrimp as well next time with that order??
Thanks for the humor, it really was very funny!!!



Unsolicited phone call for my ex's 1st husband (16 years ago)
8/23/2004 houston TX

These people are such jerks. Lying does not even begin to describe these people. Tonight, I received a phone call from a ND (full name withheld, only initials given here) with their company. This person tells me the person he is trying to contact, and I was listed as the contact person on his form. I asked what form. I was told this was some important financial documents. I was told that MR RD (the 1 they are trying to reach) was not returning calls and they were very worried about him..health, etc. I asked for the caller's full name, he only gave me MR D. I asked for his first name, company name, and phone number. He gave me co name, phone #, and finally his first name after a few more exchanges.
From this point, I explained who this person he was trying to reach, and I had never talked, met, or had any contact with him EVER. (the person he is trying to reach is my ex's first husband.) The Cow Patty story he was giving me was a total lie. After I asked to speak to a supervisor, he told me the conversation was being recorded. I said wonderful, save it for my atty when she ask for it. ND said the conversation was totally getting out of hand and was disconnecting the call. The nerd hung up on me. I immediately called back, explained who I was and wanted to speak to his supervisor. A lady identifying herself as C answered. She not only confirmed the information ND gave me, but insisted it was all true and correct. I needed to get in touch with my ex's ex, and get it straightened with him. What a JOKE.
After a moment, I asked to be removed (again, not the first time) from their data base. Hung up and called my ex.
Guess what? Yes, the same guy, ND, had called her not 10 min ago with the same story. Her name was the contact information in that conversation instead of mine. What will these people do to invade the privacy of another? What limit will they go to? What really amazes me is the ethics of this organization. I encourage each of you that deals with these people to contact your attorney general in your home state and let them know of these people. Sure, some will lose jobs, but first the ones I spoke with, need a LIFE!


Unknown Debt
8/23/2004 GA

After reading the post on this site I am convinced NCO has screwed up with my so called debt. I did a credit report so I could buy a house and everything was perfect except for something I owed to NCO. I contacted them to find out what it was. They said it was an emergancy room bill I not paid. But there are 2 things wrong. I never went to the hospital during that time period AND my insurance covers everything except for a 100 dollar co pay. NCO is claiming that I owe them $78 out of a $162 dollar debt and that I made a payment and had also made arrangments to finish making payments. Funny that I had never heard anything about them until I did a credit check? So what advice do you guys have to offer?


NCO & PayPal
8/21/2004

On August 9th I received a letter from NCO stating that I owe $116 to Paypal. I responded with a letter demanding proof of the debt(I closed this paypal acount back in Febuary), today I received a letter from Paypal explaining the debt was due to a charge back that accored in July(Again I closed this account back in febuary)

My question is, if I do nothing and basicly ignore Paypal and NCO what can they do? The only information they have on me is my name and mailing address, they've got nothing else. No Social Security number(not required to open a Paypal account) and my i deleted my back info before I closed out the account with paypal(if they still had it would they have no EFTed for the money owed)?


Post Dating Checks
8/16/2004 NC

I have recently received a call from NCO financial stating that my paypal account went to collections with them. Considering that I hadnt received any type of letter or anything this call was very upsetting. I called paypal and established that the debit was real, and decided instead of having the debt go on my credit report, I would post date checks to NCO. As im reading these postings, I am nervous about my checks. Can NCO send my debt to my credit report if I cancel my post dated check with them? Any advice would be appreciated.


NCO paypal ebay fraud
8/14/2004

paypal fraud

on 23 june 2003, while attempting to use my paypal account to pay for an ebay auction, i discovered that my account had a negative balance of $-1504.75.

timeline

the following is a timeline of events surrounding the activity, later determined to be fraudulent, responsible for the negative account balance and paypal's attempts to hold me financially responsible for the fraud.

the name of the authorized paypal account holder has been removed from all e-mails archived here.

tuesday, 22 april 2003

* thief with ebay user id "e1ectr0nick" (local mirror) sends me an e-mail regarding ebay auction 2724352241 (local mirror). thief asks if i'd be willing to ship the laptop to russia. note that at the time, the user has 0 feedback.
* i respond and tell the thief that i will ship the laptop to russia if he ends the auction with ebay's "buy it now" option, but that he will have to pay more for shipping to russia.
* thief uses ebay's "buy it now" option to end the auction and e-mails me with his address.
* i calculate shipping on USPS.com and e-mail the thief with the final price.
* paypal notifies me that the $1,550 payment from the paypal account owner has been sent to me. note how the confirmation shows the buyer is a "verified buyer" and that there is no shipping address (verified or otherwise) included with the e-mail from paypal.
* thief e-mails me to let me know he or she has sent me the $1,550. i reply to the thief and acknowledge the paypal transaction.
* after e-mailing the thief, i immediately initiate a transfer with paypal to move the funds to my bank account. my transfer is confirmed.

wednesday, 23 april 2003

* i drive to the algonquin post office and send the laptop to the thief. the package is assigned usps tracking number eu55 8005 243u s.
* i e-mail the thief and gave him the tracking number of the package.

wednesday, 28 may 2003

* paypal charge of $1,550 ($1,504.75 after paypal fees) is reversed by the rightful paypal account owner (who shall remain nameless). the cancellation transaction is assigned id 6n348866vw630060n by paypal. it is now over 1 month since the initial payment was made to me and the funds were transferred into my bank account. i have not received any communication from the thief, the rightful paypal account owner, or paypal as of this time.

monday, 23 june 2003

* while attempting to send money with paypal for an unrelated ebay auction, i am notified that my account has a negative balance and that if i submit the current payment, it will transfer the additional $1,504.75 to cover the negative balance. i abort the payment.

note that i still have not received a call or e-mail from paypal indicating that the payment made two months ago had been reversed a month ago.
* i call paypal and speak with someone in customer service about the negative balance. he asks if i have been contacted by the auction winner or heard that he or she was unsatisfied with the goods. i tell him that i have not heard from the auction winner in over two months and as far as i am aware, the transaction went through without incident. the paypal representative looks more into my account and says that since he cannot find any reason why the charge was reversed, he has to transfer me to another department.

i am connected to another paypal representative and i explain the story again. the representative informs me that the paypal account owner's account has been "compromised" and he reversed the charges made on his account. paypal attempted to automatically deduct the $1,504.75 from my account a month ago, but since i had already transferred the funds to my bank account, my paypal account now stands with a negative balance. somewhat baffled by this sudden turn of events, i ask the paypal representative why i am required to pay for this fraudulent transaction. she informs me that since i did not send the goods to the verified address listed on the paypal account (which i did not receive in the payment e-mail, nor can i lookup the address of the buyer), i am not covered by their fraud protection.

the paypal representative informs me that i am required to pay them the $1,504.75, and that there is no way for me to conduct any other transactions without first paying the negative balance. i ask her why the compromised paypal account owner's credit card company is not responsible for covering these fraudulent transactions, and am told it is my responsibility to refund the money given to me for the laptop. she recommends that i consult some fraud sites on the internet to file some reports. i refuse to pay the $1,504.75 back without my laptop in return, so i hang up with the paypal representative.
* i check into ebay's fraud policies and discover that they only cover "up to $200.00 (less $25.00 to cover processing costs)", which doesn't do much good in my case. even so, i attempt to file a fraud alert but am denied since the auction is over 60 days old.
* i file a fraud complaint with the internet fraud complaint center which is assigned complaint i03062314322097.
* i also file a fraud complaint on usps.com since the package was shipped through them.
* i e-mail an inquiry to abuse@zzn.com, andy@spbtlg.ru, bav@spbtlg.ru, and abuse@spbtlg.ru regarding the thief's fraudulent use of the ebay@moscow.zzn.com e-mail address from the ip addresses 213.158.3.149 and 212.48.199.141.
* i contact one of the other sellers listed in the negative feedback of the thief who also appears to have been scammed. he informs me that he discovered the transaction to be fraudulent while his laptop was in route to the thief, and was able to get the usps to return his laptop before reaching the thief. he returned the funds to paypal and forwards me some e-mails he received from others complaining about paypal.

nopaypal.com is mentioned as having resources for buyers and sellers defrauded through paypal. in reading some of the forums, i realize that paypal's method of forcing sellers to recover the costs of fraudulent transactions is unfortunately all too common.

tuesday, 24 june 2003

* i submit a complaint to the office of the illinois attorney general. the complaint and print-outs of e-mails and paypal screens are mailed via priority mail from the algonquin post office with tracking number 0302 2940 0000 8729 7209.

paypal sends me an e-mail asking for more information on the chargeback case, now labeled case pp-019-006-995. i submit the usps tracking number on their website and the current status is "reviewing your response".

monday, 7 july 2003

* i receive a form reply from the office of the attorney general in the mail, stating they "have received [my] complaint and will be reviewing it over the next few weeks to determine what assistance [they] may provide."

the dispute with paypal is still in the "reviewing your response" status with no updates since i provided them with the usps tracking number.

wednesday, 16 july 2003

* paypal sends an e-mail notifying me that they have settled their investigation and sided with the buyer, as i was "unable to provide signed proof of delivery". in addition, they have charged me a $10 "chargeback settlement fee."

thursday, 24 july 2003

* paypal wants some money.

sunday, 31 august 2003

* paypal reiterates that i am breaching their user agreement by not paying, and that "attorneys' fees" and "finance charges" will continue to accrue on my account until i pay.

monday, 22 september 2003

* apparently a dispute that paypal filed with the buyer account owner's credit card company has been denied. i am still not sure why paypal submits claims such as these, since they have already made it clear that they feel the buyer has zero liability in cases such as this.

friday, 5 december 2003

* paypal sends my account to collections. i receive a call from a person with a collection agency stating that my paypal account has been turned over to them and they want to know if i was going to pay the amount paypal says i owe them. i tell him i will not because i do not owe them anything. after i explain why, the person said that the paypal agreement states that sellers assume all responsibility for transactions, that i am responsible for refunding the money for the laptop, and that if i did not feel that i owe them money, that that would be a matter to pursue in the courts. i insist that i would not pay the money, so he said he would close out my account and turn it over to another agency to attempt to collect on the money.

tuesday, 9 december 2003

* i receive a letter from nco financial systems stating that they have "received [my] account for collection from the creditor listed above [paypal]" and that "[they] have been instructed to collect this account".

wednesday, 10 december 2003

* i send a letter to nco financial responding to the collection notice, disputing the charges from paypal on the basis that i am not financially responsible for the insecurity of paypal's website and their inability to verify the users of its service. the letter is sent via priority mail from the algonquin post office with tracking number 0303 1910 0000 6504 4079.

monday, 15 march 2004

* i have not heard back from nco financial nor paypal regarding this collection since my 10 december letter to nco. i pulled my credit report for an unrelated matter a few weeks ago and there was no mention of paypal or nco financial.

thursday, 3 june 2004

* i have just closed on the purchase of a new home, and my credit report still bears no mention of paypal and/or nco financial. it has now been over a year since the initial fraud took place, and almost 6 months since my account was sent to nco financial for collections. i am considering this matter resolved at this point.

conclusion

i receive e-mails almost daily from people that read this page and are in the same unfortunate situation being pressured by paypal and/or nco financial. while i am not a lawyer, here is some advice that might be helpful to protect yourself against fraud on ebay/paypal:

* do not use paypal! their policies offer no protection for sellers. don't assume that because you haven't been scammed yet, it won't happen to you. read the forums linked to above and see how many long-time paypal users have had their paypal accounts frozen or even cleared out just for suspicion of unfounded fraudulent activity.
* i have bought and sold a number of things on ebay after my paypal account has been closed using money orders and cashiers checks. as a seller, insist on these forms of verified payment and refuse to accept paypal.
* if you absolutely must use paypal for whatever reason, unlink all accounts you don't need. while paypal cannot legally take money out of your linked accounts without your prior authorization, the less information they have access to, the better.
* however, if you leave money in your paypal holding account, paypal has free access to it without requiring your authorization. always transfer money out of your holding account into your bank account as soon as possible. do not ship any goods until this transaction has cleared.
* do not accept auction bids from ebay users with significant negative feedback, or zero feedback. you have the right to cancel bids on your auctions from users with bad feedback, so explicitly state in your auctions that you will not accept bids from users with no feedback. they can build up positive feedback buying smaller-ticket items.
* do not ship out of your country. you have the right to refuse bids from users requesting to ship out of your country. in most cases, whatever you are selling is available in their own country, so if they are legitimate buyers, they can save on shipping by bidding on auctions from their own country.
* archive all related e-mails received from and sent to buyers/sellers. keep them for as long as you can, since you never know when you may need them (in my case, i was not aware of my fraud incident until two months after the transaction took place). keep track of all package tracking numbers. use insured, signature-verified shipping methods even if they cost a little more.


F MS Inc
8/11/2004

I have recently sent a request for validation letter to NCO and haven't heard anything but I did get a call last night from F MS Inc. I didn't recognize them on caller ID and when I answered they said they were representing NCO. They were very professional and very nice but my question is does anyone know of this group or what their role is?


collector liability
8/10/2004

Is there any cases where an actually collector was nailed either criminal or civil? I know the company gets named in most suits but I wondered if there are any cases that the actual person that did the damage get it also. Basher do you know what happens at NCO if a particular collector goes above and beyond the call of duty and violates law big time? Do they get yelled at or fired or nothing? What if they recover the tape and the employee screwed up big time? What is the worse thing that ever happened to a collector for violating, ever any criminal action?


NCO FINANCIAL SUCKS
8/8/2004

I am not going to babble on and on about my experience with NCO but I will say that I called them trying to make payments and the man (for lack of a better term) verbally assaulted me and refused to take payments. This went on for about 3 calls and the manager even transferred me back to the jerk that originally took my call when I tried to resolve the issue through him.

I went online and got the number for the President Mike Barrist - his Admin. Assistant listened to my complaint, was very nice and forwarded me to a manager that was equally nice and made arrangements with me. I advise all who are complaining about this abuse to call 800-220-2274 and ask for Mike Barrist and the Admin. Assistant with forward you call to someone that can help and most importantly get the collector that was rude to you written up for this.


Documents that validate a debt????
8/7/2004

When you send a letter requesting validation of debt, what documents is the CA required to provide to validate a debt? If the CA cannot provide sufficent proof of a debt (in my case because there is no outstanding debt) what is the next step to take?


Served At Work
8/5/2004 Bakersfield CA

My husband was served a summons and Complaint at work by NCO on a bill he had before we were married. I thought they had to make 3 attempts at homes before they can serve you at work. I know they did not attempt to serve him at home because I don't work and am recovering from having a baby. We live about 15 miles out of town, I think they just didn't want to drive out here. What can we do, is this a good serve?


Am I responsible
8/5/2004 Richmond VA

My 17 year old son somehow got a cell phone, I did not sign for it, I did not even know he had it. Now NCO is calling me. I explained I did not sign for it, they keep saying I am responsible because my son was a minor. Is that true, am I responsible? what Can I do, they say they are going to ruin my credit?


Calling Neighbors
8/5/2004 Denver CO

I owe NCO about $500.00 on a cell phone bill. NCO kept calling my house so often I changed my phone number. When they couldn't reach me, they called my neighbor and ask them to come over and give me a message. Can they do that? Isn't that against the law? How can I stop them from doing that?


I recieved a summons, what do I do?
8/5/2004 Grand Rapids MI

I have a credit card account that was turned over to NCO. Yesterday I was served with a summons. It said I was being sued and I only have 30 days to respond. Should I respond to this? If I don't what will happen? If I want to respond, how do I do it? I don't have the money for an attorney.


Where did my star go?
8/5/2004

I noticed I had 1 star the other day....now I see, it is gone. Can I launch an investigation and see who over voted to get it removed? That star meant a lot to me. I was lost, then I was found, now I am lost again. Please help.


Reply to Mad Eye
8/4/2004 FL


Tis I the poet!! LOL!!!
This site needs you Mad Eye, very boring room without you present. ;O)


question
8/4/2004

Is this my3cents.com or the Jay Leno Show?
Welcome back Mad Eye, you have been missed, keep doing what you are doing, perhaps, some of your goodness will be contagious!!


Validationof Debt
8/5/2004

I was hoping for information regarding the validation of debt. I sent a validation request and it has not been responded to yet. If they do not respond within 30 days does that cancel the debt?


NCO update, eat it up!!!
8/3/2004

NCO Group, Inc. announced late yesterday that during the second quarter of 2004 it reported net income of $14.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $10.3 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2003. These earnings were above NCO's previously announced guidance of $0.38 to $0.42 per diluted share


Dealing With NCO
7/31/2004

Okay folks,
I haven't been on this site much for the past month due to my recent career change (If you need insurance advice, sanford, melissa, and I are here to help still!), but let me make this CRYSTAL CLEAR for everyone that may be new here:

LOOK THROUGH ALL OF THE NCO POSTS THAT ALREADY HAVE BEEN POSTED BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO START POSTING HERE (CUTS DOWN ON REDUNDANCY)AND READ THE ADVICE GIVEN BY MAD-EYE MOODY, DEBTORBASHER, AND LEGAL COLLECTOR. FOR PISSING OFF NCO COLLECTORS (NO OFFENSE LC!!), READ PERFZONE OR E-JACK'S POSTS (THEY'RE FUNNY!)

In case you misunderstood, stop here and re-read the previous paragraph as many times as it takes until you finally learn how to deal with these bozos. Hope this helps all of the regulars here to my3cents.com.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the madcow is back!!!!


Are You Harassed by NCO?
7/30/2004

Are you harassed by NCO? Do they keep calling you at work when you tell them not to? When you go home, do you have 50 messages on your answer machine from NCO? When you call, do get frustrated because no one seems to listen to what you are saying or you can't understand their broken English? Do they tell you there is no Supervisor available when you ask for one? Do they cuss and swear at you and belittle you? Do you have a problem with them hanging up on you? Well...I have some great news! I saved a bundle by switching to Geico!


What if they try to collect a bill that was already paid?
7/31/2004

I received a claim notice for a bill that WAS paid and was NEVER overdue. I called NCO to try and straighten this out and obviously got nowhere. The only thing the person would say was "How will you be paying today?" I refused and was told that I had 30 days to pay or dispute the claim. What is the best course of action to take with these people? From the many complaints I have read here, I can only assume that this will not be easy to deal with.


Paypal Collection? What Do I Do?
7/30/2004 Cumming GA

Hello,

I sold one item using my paypal account last november (november 2003). I received a letter requesting I pay them $2009.50 for a paypal debt.

July 28th I received the Letter that was dated July 9th, 2004. Why are they bugging me about debt I owe paypal when I havent used that account since last year november. And it seems odd that the letter is dated July 9th when I only received the letter July 28th. They said I need to pay them the money within 30 days of receiving the letter or send them a letter disputing it and theyll send me something back or a judgment (is that how you spell judgement , thats how they spelled it)
What do you do if your a minor?

Thanks.


Can anyone recommend a NM attorney?
7/30/2004 Albuquerque NM

I have been harrassed by NCO as many of you and I feel it may be time to get an attorney. Can anyone recommend an attorney in Albuquerque, NM that could help?


Harrassment by NCO - Possible to Sue?
7/28/2004 NV

I am looking for some advice. My boyfriend had some things sent to collections to NCO. They called my cell phone one day looking for him and I instructed the man not to call my cell phone, that it was my personal phone and I didn't want them calling etc. A week or so later (I have the documentation at home) the same guy called my cell phone again. I got very angry and told them not to call, I am not related to the person they are looking for, it is my phone and I have to pay for it and I am at work. I told them to never call again and hung up. Within 1 minute they called right back and were not very nice so I told them the same thing and hung up. I then called the Corporate office and told them to take that phone number out of their systems. I then filed a complaint with the FTC. Well low and behold, about a month later they called my cell phone again, I asked the guy to once again remove that number. He told me they could continue to call it if they do not have another number for him. I feel that they have harrassed me and I would like to sue or get in on a class action suit. First off they are harrassing me, and they also have contact a 3rd party (being me) numerous times after being repeatedly asked not to.


questions
7/27/2004

hello everyone. I am new to this whole thing and i don't know all the laws but i have one question for you regarding NCO financial systems. I have a past due balance that has been sent to them now the amount not getting paid is my fault but now i am trying to clear up my credit and correct my mistakes so i called them and set up a payment system with them to have a certain amount automatically withdrawn from my checking account twice a month for one year but they refused to give me anything in writing saying that it would only be for one year and how much was going to be withdrawn and how often payments would be made.

Can they legally refuse to send me something in writing? Don't i have the right to have something written down?


Collections in general
7/24/2004 NY

I am new to this site, really I just heard about it! I happen to look up NCO and see pages and pages of postings on this company. Nco is a COLLECTION agency, do you people not realize this? EVERY COLLECTION (not to be mistaken for customer service) do the same tatics and lines. My solution to this is, maybe you people need to pay your bills, then you wont be harassed by collection agencies, just a thought i had while listening to all the complaining about be harassed to pay back money that YOU OWE!!!




Curious about NCO
7/20/2004 NY

I've recently started getting calls from NCO.
I thought they were tele-marketers, so I never answered the phone. Caller ID is a great invention! I didn't know they were collection agents until I happened upon this site and read the comments. If there is an outstanding debt that they are trying to collect wouln't they send a letter explaining this? After "hearing" the comments about their methods, I will NEVER answer the phone. But I am curious about what they want. Any suggestions?


Cryptic Phone Message
7/20/2004 CA

First a little history, I too fell for the credit card ambush when I was 19, malnourished, and a little dumb. I spent too much and paid to little. A few years of this go by and I start to smarten up, pay off three credit cards and get set on the last three (swearing that I will never pick up a credit card for as long as I live) when something unexpected occurs. I fall in love. With a Canadian (feel free to shudder, I don‘t mind). We were so eager to be together and plan our wedding that those last three credit cards were pushed back to a musty corner of our minds. Knowing that I could not afford to move from California to Canada, and pay off credit cards, I made a quick decision. I packed up and moved to Canada, vowing to contact my credit card people just as soon as I got a job. Little did I realise, Immigration Canada would require so much paper work, not to mention they are hopelessly back logged and it takes six to nine months for them to even open your envelope! Still, I wasn’t too worried, then my applications came back to me with horrible news-I’d been rejected due to some bad advice I got from the Immigration Girls at the down town office. Now I have to start all over again and it will be around six more months before I can be approved to work in Canada! NOW I get this cryptic phone message from NCO requesting I call them at their 800# right away because a “decision must be made today”. Not knowing who they were or how they got my number in Canada (no one who has it would ever give it out), I searched them on line and found this message board full of NCOs vulgarities!

I would really appreciate any advice you could give me before I deal with them, if I have to deal with them at all. I have to much stress in my life right now. Many thanks.



question on how to handle NCO
7/19/2004

About a month ago I recieved the infamous rude phone call from NCO. They had some information about me (maiden name, partially correct SS#) and claimed I had an "account" with them.

I told them not to call again, that I had no idea what they were talking about and that they had an incorrect name.

Today in the mail I recieve a letter with my maiden name telling me I owe a certain amount payable to NCO. I have no idea what this debt is and after reading posts on this website I am reluctant to even contact NCO. I do know that if they are using my maiden name this has to be in regards to something that is at least 10 years old.

What should I do? I haven't recieved any more calls as of yet. I'm reluctant to send a cease and desist or request for verification as I don't want to give these clowns more information about me. I'm thinking I will check my credit report and if something shows up there I will dispute it through the reporting agencies. Any suggestions?
Thanks


NCO Recorded Calls
7/14/2004

Earlier this year my mom passed away and evidently she had a credit card with Capital One which became defaulted since then and turned over to NCO.

I now live in the house that belonged to my mom, and i still use her old phone number and recently ive been getting 2 recorded calls a day, every day from NCO asking to return a call to "Ms Tucker", followed by a call to "MR Barkley" . For the first week i just ignored them dismissing them as sales calls but finally i broke down and called the number on the recording. SOme guy answered and i told him i was returning a call from the recording and he verified the phone number, then he asked "Is this Mr. XX" i told him yes and he proceeded to tell me i was in default with capital one for 984 dollars and wanted immediate payment via checking account or credit card.

I then asked if he had the right MR. XX and he said the full name this time (which is my mom, she is oriental and i guess the first name can be misconstrued to be either male or female). I said no she passed away earlier this and this was her son. He then apologized and immediately hung up. I thought that was the end of that, but the recorded calls continue EVERY single day at least twice a day until i got mad and called back. I dont remember her name but some lady answered and i tried to explain the situation with my mom but she was uncaring or didnt believe me. all she said was "well one of you needs to take care of this". I finally gave up and hung up. But the mistake i made with this is that i had called on my cell phone on my way to work, and now i get the recordings on my personal cell phone!

I really am at a loss with this and dont know what to do, should i pay the balance for my mom? iam more then capable of it but the way i was treated by NCO makes me 2nd guess that decision. Am i able to send a cease and desist letter? should i contact capital one? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If i get another recorded call for Ms Tucker or Mr Barkley iam going shoot the phone!

Thanks for any help
John


Notice of claim
7/8/2004

I searched the net for NCO and paypal and this site came up so I decided to see if anybody can help me.

I recieved a notice of claim from NCO. The family name of the person to which it is addressed is mine but not the first name (not any other member of my family either) so I opened it wondering what it could be. It turns out its a claim from paypal for overdue charges. Also today got a voice mail from NCO to call them back regarding a 'personal matter' quoting the case number on the letter.

Before I get myself involved in some potentially endless conversations with NCO and/or paypal maybe some of you can give me advice on what I can do, if anything. Remembering that its not addressed to my first name or anybody else I know or anybody living at this address.
Really makes me wonder about the 'address verification' stuff on paypal's site.

Any help would be appreciated, thanx


Collections
7/6/2004 FL

Today I write to everyone in the hopes that this will help us all. In reference to the NCO collection people, they don't care about us or our problems as you already know. They want money and want it now. If you owe money and can't aford to pay then enter into a DEBIT program. The DEBIT program will assist you in a payment plan and help with your Financial protection. I use DEBITicated Consumer Counseling, Inc. They have been doing a great job for me, ( NO MORE CALLS ). In cases where you don't owe any money at all for any reason then try contacting your local State Attorneys Office Fraud unit and file a complaint. PS, Just tell the NCO callers that you are recording them and log in the times that they call. Remember that are to give you their complete first and last name along with a telephone number from where they are calling from if you ask. File a complaint with the Consumer Affairs, change you phone number and make it un-listed. Or Contact the new media. Remember if your State received enough complaints they may file sue against the NCO People, for the people. Thanks for you time and understanding.


Continuous Harassment
7/5/2004 AL

Dear Mad Eye,

Would I be able to contact you in regards to my ongoing experience with NCO? I would post it here, but I do feel quite uncomfortable knowing that NCO employees engage in the communication on this site. I would rather have a brief, confidential conversation and avoid confrontation at all costs as I have had enough with this company in the past two years.

Thank you so very much. -- Trinity


Are the laws for the FDCPA different in Canada?
7/3/2004

I have recently recieved a call from NCO, and on finishing this very abusive call decided to do a little reasearch in my rights. I did not expect to find such a wealth of knowledge on NCO from this web site, and would like to say that everyone is doing a great job!! My question is; are the laws stated in section 806 of the FDCPA (debt collection and creditor abuse laws) the same for Canada as they are for the US? Also, how can I go about setteling with the original creditor rather then dealing with NCO. Any advice on the right way, or rather, safer way to go about setteling my account would be much welcomed. Thanks for all your help and keep up the good work!
N


Illegal Practice
7/2/2004 england AK

The NCO Financial Services UK are a bunch of foul mouthed, abusive and extremely stupid 'criminals*'. I have just reported them to the Financial Services Authority and Office of Fair Trading over here in the UK.

About six months ago Paypal passed on a debt to NCO. This debt had absolutely no connection with me, other than some fraudster using our details.

This was followed by many calls from NCO, usually involving foul, aggressive language on their part.
The people calling were not forthcoming with what the debt related to - usually just 'you owe us the money - just ****ing pay it','or we will send one of our agents to get it from you'.

The law in the UK is quite specific that debts cannot be collected in this manner ie. that collection can only be enforced by a Court Judgement. Otherwise this is effectively 'demanding money with menaces'* - a criminal offence in the UK.

Made even worse in our own case by the fact that we do not owe any money -
Paypal contacted my wife earlier this week to state that they had investigated the situation, spoken to NCO and neither Paypal nor NCO would be contacting us again.
This was followed by yet another foul mouthed, aggressive phone call from NCO today - not to offer us any kind of grovelling apology as one might expect but to continue harrasing us for the hard earned money that they have absolutely no claim to.




Join the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against NCO Group.
7/2/2004

Join the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT against NCO Group.
Contact me at got2see@optonline.net


Not me, but I got all the info
6/23/2004

Got this garbled v message which curtly told me to call back at 800#. I could never reach the person, but left a message.

Now I have, or did have, a really good credit rating and zero outstanding debt. No call back so I called NCO back...and after several transfers, each rep more rude than the next. None would really not let me speak at all, but kept demanding information that I did not have. They would not even say what NCO did, saying they do a lot of things. I tried to explain but they would not let me and when I asked for a supervisor they hung up on me. I gave up and thought it was still a mistake.

Then today, here is a personal and confidential letter with my correct address and a name that is mine except wrong middle initial. I am being dunned for a student loan which is not mine, I have never had a student loan, and this letter has all the info about the debt including what I find out later is this person's SSN. I call NCO and since I have the SSN of this person, they can look it up. I did not give them my SSN! They ask for my birthdate and the rep tells me that is different from the debtor's, which they disclose to me. So now I have even more personal info on this person who is not me. The NCO rep tells me to just tape up the letter back in the original envelope and write wrong address and send it back. I of course did not do that, but did call the number they gave for dept of education. I am still working to clear this mess up.

I have already filed a complaint via the web with the FTC on the disclosure of information to me by NCO. I am horrified, but is there anything I can do but clear this up and complain? I am really ready to have someone's hide over this. I will not even tell you what the rep for the dept of ed first told me I had to do to clear this up!

Any suggestions?






Advice Needed
6/22/2004 NC

I began my so far unsuccesful battle with NCO about 6 months ago. I pulled my credit report in an effort to clear up any negative marks that may be on there. NCO was one of them. Turns out I was reported to NCO by an electric company back in 1999 for a little over $100 dollars. I contacted the electric company who told me that the account was cleared and paid out in the year 2000 and that it should no longer be showing on my credit report. I contacted NCO to try to clear up the matter. They told me to fax over a letter to them stating that it had been paid. I did that as well as disputed the debt on TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. I got my report back on the disputed items only to show that NCO had listed it as a still valid debt. I contacted NCO again and refaxed the information. I again disputed it with the credit companies. Thats when the phone calls started. I began to get phone calls at home as well as at work from representatives of NCO asking when I was going to pay the outstanding bill. I explained the situation and that I had faxed over the letter stating it was paid twice . They said that it would be "taken care of". One month later the disputed info on the credit report showing debt still outstanding !!! I begin to call NCO again this time asking to speak with the specific rep., Monique Jackson, who was leaving messgs for me . Each time they would transfer me to her voice mail which was full. I would hang up and call back and tell them that her voice mail was full and they would take the message by hand and "put it on her desk". Two weeks of messgs... no return phone calls. I call back and begin to ask for supervisors. I speak with the supervisors and again explain the situation. They tell me that Yes all of the notes are there regarding what I'm telling them but that it just hasnt been "processed through" for some reason and that they will take care of it . Needless to say, Im still getting the phone calls and the debt is still showing as valid on my credit report. I'm still calling for supervisors but unless im able to get one on the line at the moment I call my voice mails are never returned. I got yet another call this Sunday morning. I went through the whole situation again with this rep, April, and asked to be transferred to a supervisor that I could speak with. she promptly hung up on me. At this point my patience is out the window. I feel like I am banging my head up against a wall. I am in the process of trying to buy a house and I cant get this cleared off of my credit report !! Can anyone tell me if there is anything else I can do ? I'm at the point of hiring an attorney .


Question
6/21/2004

My husband received a letter yesterday from NCC (Northeast Credit and Collections). It says that our account with NCO is extremely delinquent and that they will settle the account with a 25% discount. However, the bill is for $0.00 (total discounted amount due). We have no idea what this is for and if it is legit, it has to be at least 6 years old (and from MA). They want us to pay with a credit card and authorize them to pay whatever the full amount is.

My question is how can he owe something when it says the balance owed is $0.00?

And should I contact them to find out more about what this debit is or wait for them to contact us?

Thanks!


NCO INDUSTRY AWARDS LINK
6/15/2004

NCO GETS ACCOLADES EVERY DAY. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT FACT AND CONGRADULATE THEM.

http://www.budhibbs.com/budhibbs/agencydetails.asp?ID=81


Unauthorized debit
6/13/2004 GA

On May 20, 2003 I entered a 12 month payment verbal agreement with NCO Financial. I was in default with my student loan and the agreement was that if I pay $550.00 over 12 month period then my defaultstudent loan status would be cleared and my file would be sent back to the Dept. of Education and my payments would be significantly lower. I would receive a phone call each month to authorize a "check by phone" payment. Needless to say, my last payment was paid on May 1, 2004. On June 9, 2004, I received an overdraft letter from my bank caused by $550.00 payment taken from my account that I did not authorize. I called NCO Financial to inquire about the payment and was told that I authorized the payment on May 26, 2004. It was a blatant lie because I knew that I was not home at the time she stated I authorized it. I asked for phone records and I did not receive any calls back. I have a lawyer friend and she is doing some research about the whole situation. I am very irate because not only have they went into my account and taken money out that I did not authorize, but they continue to lie about the whole situation. What should I do? Do I have a lawsuit case?


Old student loan
6/11/2004 Hartford CT

Just wanted to ask for some help. I have a old student loan fron alaska that I never really made payments on:( Well I got a credit report and am now trying to make good on the old accounts. Turns out that I owe the state like $9000 or so NCO says.

Well they tell me that I can put in for a settlement and all and I do. I sent out the information to the IRS along with money for them to send certified copies of my tax returns for the last 2 years. Next thing I know NCO calls me back up and hangs up on my wife as I am at work?? Well I call her up this evening and she says that they will not forward my request for a settlement to the state of Alaska? So she forwards me to her manager and he says that he will not even forward it to AK? I'm like, "I thought that the St. of AK would at least get my offer?" The offer by the way was for $7500. Well he hangs up on me and I call the Rep. back and she's like "I THINK I'VE BEEN MORE THAN FAIR WITH YOU" I like yea well you told me that this would be forwarded to the state??
So I tell her that I guess I'll have to contact a lawyer now and she says that she will now have to garnish my wages?? She than hangs up on me? Oh yea, I live in CT now.

What should I do??

Thanks in advance, there seem to be a lot of great people on here!

Chris


Civil Suit from FTC - May 13, 2004
6/9/2004

For Release: May 13, 2004

NCO Group to Pay Largest FCRA Civil Penalty to Date

One of the nation�s largest debt-collection firms will pay $1.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by reporting inaccurate information about consumer accounts to credit bureaus. The civil penalty against Pennsylvania-based NCO Group, Inc. is the largest civil penalty ever obtained in a FCRA case.

According to the FTC�s complaint, defendants NCO Group, Inc.; NCO Financial Systems, Inc.; and NCO Portfolio Management, Inc. violated Section 623(a)(5) of the FCRA, which specifies that any entity that reports information to credit bureaus about a delinquent consumer account that has been placed for collection or written off must report the actual month and year the account first became delinquent. In turn, this date is used by the credit bureaus to measure the maximum seven-year reporting period the FCRA mandates. The provision helps ensure that outdated debts � debts that are beyond this seven-year reporting period � do not appear on a consumer�s credit report. Violations of this provision of the FCRA are subject to civil penalties of $2,500 per violation.

The FTC charges that NCO reported accounts using later-than-actual delinquency dates. Reporting later-than-actual dates may cause negative information to remain in a consumer�s credit file beyond the seven-year reporting period permitted by the FCRA for most information. When this occurs, consumers� credit scores may be lowered, possibly resulting in their rejection for credit or their having to pay a higher interest rate.

The proposed consent decree orders the defendants to pay civil penalties of $1.5 million and permanently bars them from reporting later-than-actual delinquency dates to credit bureaus in the future. Additionally, NCO is required to implement a program to monitor all complaints received to ensure that reporting errors are corrected quickly. The consent agreement also contains standard recordkeeping and other requirements to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants� compliance.




MILK EM BABY MILK EM!!!! HEHEHE!!



NCO Hydra
6/5/2004

Two and half years ago I was contacted by NCO about a delinquent credit card account. The lady who called me from NCO was very nice and we set up a 40% settlement to be paid off in 12 payments over 6 months.(Not the smartest move in restrospect since NCO was working on a contingency basis, I should have contacted the CC Company.) After receiving a written settlement letter I provided my checking account info and a series of check numbers. NCO made all the debits but I discovered recently that the account was still open on my credit report and the balance was double what it had been. I called NCO and the person I spoke to said their records only showed 3 payments. Fortunately I had a copy of the settlement agreement and my checking account statements. I sent the proof to NCO via certified mail a month and a half ago. I haven't received anything in writing from them. I have called and have a list of eight or so different numbers I have been given. I was told they can't pull up the account, or it is paid, or it is not paid, or it is located in another office: "NCO has many offices", one said the account is owned by Receivables Management a company NCO subcontracts with. It still shows as an unpaid defaulted credit card on my credit reports. What is the MASTER-PHONE-NUMBER for NCO?



THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS!
2/19/2004 Every city

Hey ya'll, it's your ol' buddy madcow sporting a new name! I've thought of a great way to show those people at NCO how much we appreciate their blatant ignorance to the laws! let's have another contest to see who can come up with the best lyrics for the newest album for nco's hit album: F**K THE FDCPA! it's being released in courtrooms nationwide! EJACK AND PERF...I EXPECT GREAT LINES FROM YA'LL...YOU HAVE THE EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA SO ENLIGHTEN US!!!


Pissed off
6/3/2004 Atlanta GA

NCO Financial has contacted me repeatedly concerning a debt that they say I owe. They are continually rude and abusive. I do not believe that I owe this debt and I was in the process of proving it. I was coerced into giving them my checking account information. I did it as a hold to stop the calls until I could verify if I owed them or not. At that time, they debited the information from my account using check # 750 . . . This was strange to me because my check book numbers are well into the 1500's. I did not authorize them to debit my account. The bank cannot reverse the payment. I feel as if they have stolen from me and no one at there center will do a thing. I have spoken to numerous supervisors all who are rude and abusive.


What your rights are as the debtor
6/2/2004

On Monday, May 31, 2004, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published a couple articles about debt. They were in section A. The titles, "Debt: Creditors sell to recoup losses" and "Debt buyers can hold charges, adding interest". Interesting reading.

The links listed in the second article are the following-

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Consumers who feel they are being wrongly harassed by collectors can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling 800-FTC-HELP or visiting www.consumer.gov/sentinel

Consumers who do not believe they owe what a debt collector claims can dipute the debt in writing.

When dealing with debt collectors, learn about your rights by visiting the Northwest Justice Project at www.nwjustice.org/docs/200.html

Learn about the statute of limitations for debt collection in other states by visiting www.fair-debt-collection.com

The last one above is really good with the free advice and letters that you can send to the collectors, what to say and not to say to them, etc.


Awful Company!!!!!!!
6/2/2004 KS

I work at a company that my mom happened to work for in 1989. I happened to answer the phone last Friday and a man from this company asked to speak to ******** ******* (her name). I was caught off gaurd and said that she hadn't worked here for years and that I was her daughter. He latched right on to that information. He said that I was a concerned daughter and proceeded to tell my how much money my mother "supposedly" owes a certain credit card--which I think is COMPLETELY inappropriate. I told him that he shouldn't be able to tell anyone, even someone's daughter ANYTHING like that. His attitude was VERY bad (as was mine). THEN, he proceeded to call me again the following Tuesday and ask (harass) me if I had given my mom the message. I told him yes. He asked me if I knew if she was going to contact him. I told him I had no clue as this was none of my business! He became very hateful. I told him he could get in big trouble for his actions. He started screaming and said that he could sure put me on hold and I could talk to his supervisor. I told him I don't want to talk to him/her as I couldn't give a **** less about this as it has nothing to do with me. At that time he REALLY started screaming and I held the phone away from my ear so that my friend could hear his tone. I think it is REALLY unethical to call and harass someone's freind/family about something that is none of their business and has nothing to do with them!


Poor record keeping, constant phone calls
5/27/2004

I hope someone can give me some insight on this... I live in NC and had a cellular bill that went into collections. The very first time that I was contacted by NCO I set up payments to be deducted from my checking account. Well, when they put the first payment through it posted to my account and not theirs. They called me to say that the payment was returned and that all future scheduled payments were null and void (basically they were demanding full payment). I checked with my bank which showed that the payment had in fact been processed and was even sent copies of NCO's check to prove it. The irony is that NCO sent the second payment through after they said that they wouldn't and it was also paid by my bank. I faxed them copies of both checks to prove that I had held up my end of the deal. This was in early April. Well, here it is the end of May and they are still calling me (every day)saying that I owe the entire balance. Each time I speak to someone I tell them to go back to the beginning of the notes to show them that I've been paying as agreed and that they need to update their records (ironically the person that I faxed the stuff directly to will never return my calls. Any way the withdrawls did stop after the second check so I did a credit card payment for the remainder on Friday, May 20th and I'm still getting calls(once again the payment already posted to my checking acct. but they don't show it). I've repeatedly left messages for supervisors or asked for one only to be told that they are all busy and I should call back.Any ideas??


2 Questions on 2 Accounts
5/20/2004 IL

I've got 2 topics for the resident gurus. Both of these items were discovered when a credit check was run when applying for a morgage.

1.) On my report, it said NCO purchased my account from ComEd, in the amount of $120.00. I am confident that I owe this money, would like to be responsible for this debt, and would like to resolve the matter as soon as possible. What payment method would clear this up in the shortest amount of time? And how soon can I expect my credit report to reflect the payment?

2.) On my wife's report, there is an entry that says NCO has purchased an account from MBNA for the amount of approx. $2400.00. My wife has never had a credit card from MBNA, and has sent a letter previously (approx. 1 year ago) to MBNA asking them to send her account information to prove the debt. My questions are the following: What should be our next step? Should we continue to dispute with MBNA, or send a validation letter to NCO? How long should I wait before sending a letter to the credit unions disputing this item? And what should be the timeline that NCO or MBNA has to resolve this?

Thanks in advance, and cookies to everyone who reads this whole thing.

Chris


NCO Stands for...
5/18/2004 Surrey AR

Hey guys, I was wondering, do the letters NCO stand for? If I get the answer, I get a small prize from work, woo-hoo!!!


For Your Information
5/16/2004

I am currently employed by NCO Financial sysytems. There are certain facts that one can speak about, but others that a person must keep his or her own opinion to themselves. Yes it is true that NCO has outstanding lawsuits against them, but to consider the collectors "uneducated,etc" is beyond me. I am definitely well educated on the law as well as academically. I am currently working on a Masters in Public Administration. Because of my background I am fully aware of the laws of the land and use my education to do my job to the best of my ability, because after all it is "JUST A JOB."
This really strikes a nerve with me one people judge the company overall by the ignorance of a few. I feel as though if you are in debt that is your business. My job is to make an attempt to collect on the debt. I am not and refuse to become belligerent or even entertain an ignorant person who uses or abuses the system to make a debt and then to become upset when someone calls to collect what is due to that company. Why should I get a headache because some ignorant debtor is mad about being delinquent. I am one of the few who will try to assist in whatever way I can and lying is not one of the ways that I see fit. SO for all of the uneducated people who think that all bill collectors are uneducated the next time you go to the doctor, or call on your lawyer, etc ask them if they were ever a bill collector while trying to finish school.Over 85% of bill collectors are students. I would hate for someone to be seen by an doctor who for some unforeseen circumstance worked for a company as an uneducated bill collector....


The latest NCO FTC info
5/13/2004

May 13, 2004 � HORSHAM, PA - NCO Group, Inc. ("NCO" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: NCOG), a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, announced today that the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") approved the settlement offer on the previously announced claim against the Company for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ("FCRA"). This claim was related to the FTC's review of the Company's delinquency date reporting under section 623(a)(5) of the FCRA, most notably for a large group of accounts previously reported by the Company on behalf of one of its clients during 1999. Section 623(a)(5) has since been amended by Congress to eliminate the liability that was the basis for the claim.



NCO has maintained, and continues to maintain, that it has complied fully with section 623(a)(5) of the FCRA. In agreeing to the settlement, NCO has agreed to pay a fine of $1.5 million but steadfastly denies all allegations. NCO may assert certain claims for indemnification from the owners of the consumer accounts. NCO's expected exposure to this claim was included in the results of operations for the first quarter of 2004.



The settlement agreement with the FTC concludes a review that began nearly six years ago as part of an industry-wide analysis of compliance with then- recent amendments to the FCRA signed into law in September 1996. The review focused on a technical reporting requirement contained in section 623(a)(5) - a provision requiring nationwide consumer reporting agencies to be notified of the month and year of the commencement of a delinquency that precedes an account being reported. In December 2003, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act ("FACT Act") amended and clarified section 623(a)(5) to eliminate liability for accounts receivable management firms, such as NCO, for reporting the same delinquency date that was reported by the original creditor.



Commenting on the settlement, Michael J. Barrist, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our agreement with the FTC provides for an acceptable resolution of the FTC's review, particularly as it relates to accounts of one client that were inaccurately reported for an approximate ten- month period of time beginning in late 1999 as a result of incorrect information received from our client. NCO has always made, and continues to make, accurate credit reporting a top priority. We entered into the settlement in order to avoid protracted and expensive litigation. We are very pleased that Congress passed an amendment to Section 623(a)(5) that allocates clear responsibility for accurate delinquency dates to the original creditor."



NCO Group, Inc. is a leading provider of business process outsourcing services including accounts receivable management, customer relationship management and other services. NCO provides services through over 90 offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Barbados and the Philippines.



For further information: (215) 441-3000



Paypal using NCO to threaten...
5/12/2004 London

Hi there, i am a 19 year old jobless student & i live in London, England, im having some NCO trouble, & i thought i would try to get some advice from this website i found whilst doing some research. What actually happened was:
About 5 months ago, i sold a couple of things (cant remember what cos it was 5-6 months back!) this totalled 400-ish british pounds ($760) this was paid to me by paypal. all was well, i spent the money at christmas etc, but little did i know, the funds that i was paid with were fraudulant, (oh dear! i guess thats my fault! not!) so i then get e-mails from paypal telling me that i owe them $760!!! so i refused & told them its not my fault, but they didnt want to hear it. nothing more happened.
Today is the 12th of may & ive received a letter from NCO stating that i have 7 days to pay the payment in full by cheque, postal order, or cash! (cash?!) now

a. I dont owe ANYTHING so why should I?
b. Even if i did, where do i send the money?! to the NCO address?? wheres my garuntee

Please can you help me as to what they can do? i am a 19 year old jobless student who has been ripped off by paypal, & feel threatened by NCO, can they do anything to me? what do you think they would most likely do next?

Please can you tell me what you know
Thank you very very much
Ash


Excessive Calls
5/10/2004 TN

To begin I recieved a call last thursday night at 8pm. The person with whom I spoke first was just to verify my name and SS#. I verified, and another person got on the phone and just started ranting about what arangements I will make today for the balance.(All of this before I knew the balance, what company this was, or what the amount was for) When they finally gave me the information I told them right then I would have to get with my wife and discus what arangemnets I could make . The person agreed, and we hung up.At 8:03am the next morning they call back, because they said they said they didnt have arangments. I stated i was still trying to work out them and didnt like to be called every 12 hours the person then became angry and expressed " we will call every 12 hours until we get proper arangements. Of course i knew that was not legal, however I asked not to be called again to my home and he verified my home #, I stated that I will call when I have reached an arangment that I can afford. So next morning same thing at 8:02am ( I know these people can set up an auto-dialed system to call at certain times so this was just someone trying to be a smart ***) I wasn't so nice this time and once again asked to not be called, this time I was so upset I yelled and hung up! So they allowed me to rest on Sunday, and behold 8:03am this morning another call, this one however was answered by my wife. My wife asked them who was calling when they asked for me because she knew about the 8am calls I had been recieving the person refused to say who they were and when my wife handed me the phone I asked and the person said NCO and hung up. I returned the call to NCO and got the rudest person I have ever spoken to. The man asked for payment of course and after telling him I had none at this point and I didnt want anymore calls he verified my # and stared back in on me. He asked if I still had a phone, then why cant I just get rid of it and send them that money. That really upset me and I told him we only had one car and someone always stays home with my 3 children so what if something happened with them and I had no phone and he said "walk to the neighbors" I told him my neighbors were around 5 miles he then said "well I guess you better run then ". He then said he would just tell the original company that I had no intention of paying and thats not what I said at all when I tried to tell him that he hung up. I know at this point I probably just ranting , but cant anything be done to these guys???


Poor communication ethics
5/5/2004

I was disabled in 1997 and declaired completly unable to in late 2002. Due to this fact I had applied to have my student loans with the federal student load assoc. forgiven. I had notified the association of my condition and explained that I am now recieving ssi and social security disability, but the ammount is so far below the poverty standard that I couldnt meet my obligation. They then sent me the proper forms to fill out with instructions to send them to this NCO collection agency. Durring the time that my doctor was working with me on the papers, this bunch of people began calling me and making what could be called TERRORISTIC threats to me. At first they wouldnt identify themselves and I in turn reported the calls to our local police and the phone company that services my home. Supposidly they checked it out and I found out that it was the NCO company. This went on for quite a long time and to the extent that in explaining to them that I was disabled and did not purposly seek to default on the loan, I was told that they would come and put me out of my home and set "MY ASS" in the street if I didnt send them 650.00. I tried to explain that I didnt get that much money in my social security check and it was impossible for me to do so. I tried so many times to make an agreement with them but they would become hostile with me and at some points would say some pretty nasty things. I always ended up hanging up and they would call back sometimes up to 8 or 10 times a day always with threats. One particular incident stands out more than the rest: I called them myself and tried to offer a payment that I thought I could handle and the same situation insued. The gentleman( if he could be called that) proceeded to sware at me and SCREEMED at me so loudly that I now have sustained permanent dammage to my hearing on the right side of my face. I am schedualed for a trip to the university of Mn. for an extensive testing searies and if nothing can be done I fully entend to sue the company. The man's name was ANTHONY that did this. I dont know if this was a first,last or manufactored name but he is the main target of my complaint. I simply dont understand that the fcc or any other governing agency would allow this kind of behavior to continue. I am at the point that I fear answering the phone. If any one has a link to an agency to report these people to I'd very much like to help to get it stopped once and for all. I realize more than they do that I have the bill but I cant at this time attack the problem--and adding outrageous ammounts of "Interest and Fees", is only going to make it harder. I am in thearpy over this. I have reported this also to the State Atty Generals Office here in Mn as well as the commerce commity but have had no contact to see if ther were any real action taken. How do these people sleep at night!!!! By the way they refused the forms that I sent from my doctor declairing my disability. Isnt that a surprize?


Too much information
5/4/2004

I am dealing with NCO not about me, but my supervisor. I will not speculate why they are calling him and if he is calling them back because it is none of my business, but what is my business is how the collector has treated me.

The first time he called, he gave his name and phone number - I asked for the company name and he identified it as NCO. No big deal, gave the message to my supervisor and went on. A couple days later, he called back - I recognized his voice. This call was a little more curt - when I told the collector my supervisor was unavailable, he said that I needed to make sure he was called back. I told him that all I could do was pass the message on. The third time, he left a voice mail on my phone, calling me by name and leaving a file number saying that I needed to call him back. I did and got his voice mail - I asked him to call me at home if this was in regards to me, since all of the previous messages had been for my supervisor. The next call he asked for my supervisor and I again recognized his voice but this time he said he was calling from the settlement department of AMEX, but was the same phone number. Another call - my supervisor was on the phone and he asked to hold. I put him on hold - I let him hold for a few minutes - when I went back to let him know that my supervisor was still on the phone, he got really ugly with me saying that he knew that the calls were being avoided and I could be prosecuted for impeding the collection process. At that point, I told him that he was revealing too much information, that I was the assistant, not the person in question and that he needed to speak to me reasonably. He called me an id iot and hung up. The last phone call, he again identified himself as being from AMEX and that asked if my supervisor was deliberately avoiding the phone calls. I told him that I would not comment on that, but that I have passed all of his messages on to my supervisor. He told me that he was going to put in his notes that my supervisor was deliberately avoiding the calls and that I had confirmed that (which I did not) I am just amazed that they would treat anyone this way. They know that they are calling a corporate office and that I am not the party they are after. I am prohibited from giving out my supervisors direct line, so these calls are going to keep coming to me. It puts me in a really awkward position because it is none of my business what the financial situation is of my supervisor. I am sure that some of you will say that if my supervisor had paid his bills, they wouldn't be calling, but this is not what this post is about - it's about how I was treated. It doesn't matter that he may have an outstanding debt - I was threatened with legal action and I don't even own this company any money.


Illegal check withdrawl ???
5/4/2004 UT

I just felt I needed to take a minute and thank everyone for their imput on my question. I also don't really care to admit this, but felt I needed to own up to my mistake !!!!! NCO did not run an UNauthorized check through my account. What had happened was when paying my gas bill on line for Questar gas, it is done so through NCO.
So, in other words, the two payments were not in relation to each other!! (they just happen to be going through the same company.)
This is posted on the gas companies site:
((Customers may pay their gas bill by using a credit card or electronic check (e-check). Online payments will show on your bank statement as "NCO Utility Pay Center" or "NCO Financial Systems."))
If i would have been more attentive, I would have saved myself alot of grief, and not wasted your time, so felt I needed to clear this up, an thank those who were there to help me.....


Illegal check withdrawl
5/3/2004 UT

I am writing this again, hoping to make better sense of it !!!!!! The last write was not very clear. Sorry about that.. I owed NCO 182.14, in which I sent them a payment of 100.00. I was balancing my checkbook on line, when I noticed a check in my checkbook, and a check that cleared my account, both with the same chk# had two different amounts. Looking into things, this is what I found. NCO had done a electronic check, for 256.56, on 4/20, they recieved and cleared my check that I mailed to them for the amount of 100.00, on 4/21. I have never spoke to anyone from NCO, nor has my husband. I have never done any type of electronic payment with NCO. I have mailed them personal checks only. The Dr. bill that was given to NCO, was only in my name, the statesments mailed to me, from NCO has only been in my name. The electronic check that was ran through my account, was only in my husbands name. And on this electronic check it has something to the effect of, as authorized signature for (husbands name). Maybe if the money amounts matched up somewhere I could understand an error. Where do I start to clear this up.


Harrassment and Frustration
4/27/2004 rochester NY

I;ve read alot of information on this site about NCO, and was hoping maybe someone may know what I can do. First off..

I had received a phone call from some woman on my vm saying I or my lawyer had to call this certain # by the end of the day. So I called back right away. I get this very, very ignorant woman, who told me that I had to make a settlement for CItibank, I never had an account with citibank, and she starts arguing me, then goes.. oh.. its citibank seconds.. you must have had a mastercard or something. SO I tell her that I was already making payments directly to mastercard, and she told me that wasnt true. SHe then stated that she has called me repeatedly and left several messages and I have been ignoring her calls. I politely asked her if she could give me some dates so that I can check with my phone companies records to see if I got these calls. She then started yelling at me, and I asked her to please not to raise her voice to me, I'm not yelling at her so I dont feel I deserve that kind of treatment. She kept at it, and I asked her why she was being so apprehensive.. she then goes "HOLD ON" puts me on hold and then when coming off goes.. are you now ready to discuss your options, and I asked her once again to lower her voice, there was no need to yell at me, and she kept at it, I then told her she was being very unprofessional and I dont understand why she is consistently arguing with me. At this point, anytime I would ask any questions she would yell over me, not even hearing what I was asking. She told me that I was unprofessional for not paying my bills and the IRS was coming after me. I asked her to transfer me to a supervisor and was hung up on. SO I call back.. and get a male, who seemed pretty nice, but told kept giving me all these payment options. I told him I could pay 100 on one day and 100 on another and did 2 checks by phone, and I would call him within 30 days to set up another payment, since I just lost my job , I had to see what my finances would be. Well.. 2 weeks later I get a letter in the mail telling me their taking money out of my accound that I "approved"on dates I didnt approve. I checked my checking account and lo and behold the money was taken out. SO I had to call my bank, make out some paperwork that made it illegal for NCO to take out any money from my account and then contacted NCO, I asked to speak directly to the supervisor I had spoken to before and he proceeds to argue with me, saying that since I wrote a letter previous to this, asking them to only contact me by mail, that somehow gave them permission to take money out of my account. I told him I would be contacting my states attorney general and he told me not to make threats to him.

SO I call again and get a female supervisor who apologised and said my money would be back in my account in 3 business days. It came about a month later, but not before I got a letter from NCO telling me they couldnt find proof of my accusation, then poof.. I get the money in my account.. wierd, huh.

So fast forward, a couple months later I get a letter saying that I faulted on the 100 dollar a month payment plan I set up, that I never set up. I made a complaint with both the NY and PA attorney generals and all I got back from the attorney general is a letter stating that they made the investigation and a letter from NCO saying that their "employees are not allowed to raise their voices" and I set up a payment plan with them and they refunded the money they took even though I authorised it ( which I didnt) . I guess at this point I would like to know whatelse I can do. I've been paying them, but Idont feel comfortable in doing so, and really feel like they got away with the horrible treatment I received




Just a few questions
4/26/2004 Ozark AL

I have a few questions.
1. I owe so YES i am GOING to Pay.
2. When i make the payments and they are paid in full and the collector or debtor shows on my Credit Report that it is paid in full.. How will this effect my scores. Will they go up or what?
3. Can a debtor refuse payment of $100 a month to where it is i pay them $250 a month or they will not take payment. Cause iw as told by a NCO employee either i pay $250 a month or they will NOT take my payments. Also i have to pay via credit card or check (I WILL PAY ONLY BY MONEY ORDER)
4. Does anyone know a good website i can view details about paid off old debts?


NCO SOFTBALL TEAM
4/21/2004

I was wondering if NCO has a company softball team. If they do, do they cheat a lot? I can see one of the reps fipping over the little cards that show the score while everyone is eating hotdogs. I bet they put vaseline on the other teams bats also. get your mind out of the gutter I said vaseline on bats NOT butts. They do that in the human resources room when they are trying to get out of trouble for FDCPA violations


Help?
4/21/2004 NY

I think I have had some problems with NCO, actually I know I have but to what degree I am not sure. I owed a phone bill of 180.00 so after opening a new checking account I agreed to make payments over the phone and post dated checks. The two payments of 50.00 were taken out as expected but I also noticed automatic payments taken out for T mobil and Cingular for alost 2000.00! I filed fraud complaints with T mobil and they were able to find who made these payments using my name, but they were unable to give me a name of the account holder. My bank refunded my money and closed my account.... Well I just recieved a phone call from NCO wanting the other 80.00 owed Shania Bey didnt want to take any form of payment other than a check over the phone. Well I told her I would send her a money order and who should I make it out to...She informed me that I should make out to NCO as well as her! I am really begining to wonder if this is the reason for the fraud on my checking account. SO if anyone out there knows how I can track all of this down or who I should go to about all of this please let me know....Thank you


Another Class Action Lawsuit?
4/20/2004

Class Action Notice Sent Out For Lawsuit Against NCO Group, Credit Bureaus for Alleged FDCPA Violations


A class action notice has been sent out for a civil action lawsuit filed in the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania against NCO Group Inc., NCO Finacial Systems Inc. as well as Experian, TransUnion and Equifax for alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.


The class action notice is being sent out to all persons in the United States that have incurred a debt primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, which was previously owned or serviced by Commercial Financial Services and was reported by NCO to one or more credit reporting agencies at any time between October 10, 1999 to March 31, 2004.


According to a release issued today, the Plantiff Carolyn Thomas, bought action against NCO Financial Systems Inc. for violating the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Plantiff claims that NCO used false, deceptive and misleading information when reporting information to credit bureaus for the purpose of collecting debts by changing the actual charge-off date or date of last activity to a later date, or simply failing to report any date of last activity. The Plantiff has also alleged that NCO reported the debt in its own name, or in one or more fictitious names, and did not report the name of the original creditor, which caused confusion or misunderstanding as to the source of the debt and the connection of the debt with NCO.


By proceeding in this manner, the lawsuit alleges that NCO ensured the debt would continue to appear on her credit report, and the credit reports of class members, beyond the seven year period permitted by law.


The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has granted preliminary approval of a settlement between the settlement class and NCO. The settlement provides $120,000 in monetary benefits for distribution to class members and provides for separate payment to the Plantiff for her damages. NCO has agreed to pay the administrative expenses of the settlement and the attorneys' fees and expenses in the amount of $85,000, separate and apart from the Settlement Fund available to the Class.




2004-04-16




I LOVE IT!!!!


Phone Call
4/20/2004 Knoxville TN

I received a voice mail from Jamal Maupin at NCO yesterday at work - I have never heard from this company before - no calls at home, no letters. All his message said was to call him and he left a reference number. When I called back, all I got was his voice mail - I informed him that he was not to contact me at work again as I didn't know what this was in reference to, did not have a private place to talk (sounds like they really don't care) and if he needed to speak to me, he could call me at home or send me a letter. I also wanted him to be detailed in his explanation of what this was about. I haven't heard back from Jamal. I did some research on the company and found the comments here disturbing - how does a company that treats people like this stay in business? It is unfortunate that collectors are allowed to treat people this way. I worked as a collector for a major appliance company and would have been fired if I used the tactics I have heard described.

I recently received a copy of my triple credit report and there is nothing on it from NCO - everybody who is supposed to be getting paid is getting paid - I just can't imagine what this is about. It's scary...


One addition - I just visited the NCO website to see what kind of contact information was there. I found a form that can be submitted if you have a question about an account. It asks for various information including if the account was reported to the credit bureau and if so, wants the account number of the credit report. The tone of the form is a little cold - (paraphrasing here, don't quote me) "What do you want and why?". I would be hesitant to give out the information they are wanting on the form...


NCO FINANCIAL CONTEST
4/17/2004

New contest. Since many toadies at NCO have violated so many people I proposed a contest. I would ask that anyone please contribute to this thread. Please post a few thoughts on what type of person would work for NCO. Feel free to speculate on what personality disorder or substance abuse issue has driven them from the real world into the groin of Satan. Good luck and make them good.

The average NCO employee is either a fetal alcohol, crack or paint chip baby. They do not know the identity of one or both parents. Played dungeons and dragons or was a band nerd. Was touched in bad ways by a close relative and or a carnival worker....you get the idea folks, so let em rip


Lawsuit
4/12/2004

Thanks to Madeyes information and advice concerning the FDCPA...I have won $3000.00 in violation of the FDCPA laws in the Alachua Co. Civil Court. I won based on threats of wage garnishments, calling before 800am, and contacting a third party concerning my debt. In the state of Florida your not allowed to record phone calls unless you have that parties permission. When NCO called..the first thing I said to them is that they are being recorded and any thing said could be used against them in a court of law. Well the NCO rep never declined being recorded so according to the judge that was permission to record the phone call.


Harassing a wrong number for over a year!
4/10/2004

I have had my current phone number for a year now. Prior to me having it, some poor sap who apparently owes NCO Financial Services money had the same number. I have been unable to convince them of that fact and they continue to call and ask for my social security number. When I don't roll over for them they become beligerent and mannerless as though I am avoiding paying them a debt.

They have assured me repeatedly that they will remove me from their call list, yet I continue to be harassed by their agents a year later.

I can't imagine how horrid it would be to really have to do business with these guys.


Rude Phone Call!!!!!!
4/8/2004 Marianna FL

A man by the name of David Kennedy called my house(im 19 so I live with my parents), and was asking to speak to my mother or my father about an old settlement years ago( my mother was at chuch teaching a Youth class and he questioned if she was really there? why would I lie?), my parents are divorced and he asked very personal questions like "you dont see your father?", b/c i didnt know his address, he lives out of town and I do see him!!! He was soooooo rude to me about something that was not even my buisness, I was very upset after he called!! And he hung up on me? I hope I never have to deal with him again!!!
He made NCO Financial Company look very bad, and they may not all be like that.I feel sorry for the people who arent RUDE, b/c someone like him makes them all look bad. Thanks for reading, I hope none of you all have to deal with HIM.


Rate the Company
3/31/2004 AZ

The fifteen percent who gave NCO a four star, must be employed by NCO. NCO SUCKS as do their employees, managers and vice-president Tracy Weild.


RUDE
3/24/2004 PHOENIX AZ

I CALLED THIS COMPANY BECAUSE THEY WERE CALLING ME & LEAVING MESSAGE FOR SOMEONE ELSE-IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WERE CALLING ME BY MISTAKE.I ANSWERED THE PHONE & WHEN THE MAN ON THE OTHER END ASKED FOR SOMEONE OTHER THATN MYSELF I INFORMED HIM THAT HE HAD THE WRONG NUMBER-HE HUNG UP ON ME! I CALLED THEM TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THEIR ERROR & ASKED FOR A MANAGER-I WAS ASKED FOR WHICH DEPT-I STATED THAT I DIDN'T KNOW, A GENERAL MANAGER WOULD DO-I WAS PUT ON HOLD & THEN HING UP ON. SO I CALLED BACK & GO TROUGH THE ROUTINE AGAIN ONLY THE RECEPTIONIST STARTS TO GET SNOTTY WITH ME & SAYS THAT SHE NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT DEPT-WHEN I STATED THE NATURE OF MY CALL, SHE TELLS ME THAT I DON'T NEED A MANAGER FOR THAT-VERY RUDELY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, A FEW SARCASMS WERE EXCHANGED & I TOLD HER I NOW SEE WHERE THE RUDE STAFF COMES FROM. I WAS VERY TICKED OFF-THIS COMPANT IS RIDICULOUS!!!! I'D LIKE TO CALL BACK & SPEAK TO HER MANAGER, BUT IT WILL JUST GET ME ALL WORKED UP AGAIN


harrasment
3/22/2004 WI

I have a crapital one card that I have not paid on because of no longer working(disability) It was turned over to NCO and now I get letters and daily phone calls.I am disabled and cannot pay.Anyone have any ideas on how to handle this?


Double Charged
3/19/2004 troy MO

My wife and I went to pay off nco and gave them a check by phone to make one withdrawal with one check number. The company deducted that one check from my account twice. I have been working with my bank to correct the error and still have not been able to correct the problem.


Question?
3/18/2004

I called NCO today about a letter i recieved concerning a debt. I called to set up a payment arrangement. I told them that because i'm a full time student, I would need to pay them in 8-10 monthly instalments. But they refused, saying that the debt HAD to be paid within six months. Is this true or is it one of their tactics?


here is the deal on nco.
3/17/2004 NJ

NCO is the largest collection agency in the world, now i dont want to hear from any of the reps that there is no bonus plan, because i know for a FACT that there is, because i worked there. Now, in different departments it may differ, I myself have worked one of NCO's hardest papers, purchased debt that has been deliquent for about say 3 days that have been to about 6 agencies before NCO. Now, I will not say I was an angel at NCO, because that would be a lie. But what alot of people do not understand is that there is a difference between people that have assets, that just dont want to pay because they are dead beats, and then there are people that cant due to reasons beyond their control, i.e. social security, job loss(people that have been out of a job for years..not those ppl who lost their job yesterday that had a job for about 10 years making about 90k a year), etc. To determine the situation, debt collectors need to ask about their financial status, many people get offended by this, it is not required that you give us your banking details, or anything like that, just the basic situation like married single divorced, rent or own property, current employer if you have one so we can verify, etc.
Banking information and such like that is only needed if they are taking check over the phone.
I mean banking information is easily obtained if NCO does sue you, but what is called a debtor interegation, once they find that out what they will do is what is called a bank levy and have the sheriff withdrawl everything from your account, and put a freeze on the account for 30 days...but that is really only if NCO the company sues, if is not purchased debt, normally the client sues from there i really do not know what happens.
I am kind of getting off track here.

A common misconseption with divorce is that alot of debtors believe that just because they have a decree obsolves them from the debt, unfortunately, it doesnt. If you are a primary account holder, and you have a decree and you better get intouch with your ex, or pay it off yourself. What i normally do is i call the ex up if they have no intention of paying, i will call the primary up the next day and explain to the primary that the ex does not want to have anything to do with this and legally she is still responsible, alot of times, they dont believe me so what i do is i ask them for their divorce attorney number and go on a confrence call with the attorney, me and the primary and ask the attorney to explain to the debtor what a divorce decree actually is. Normally we are able to settle the account this way, alot of people take advantage of this situation because they hate their ex's, so right after they pay the debt off, they file a contempt of court charge against the ex.

...
Back onto NCO.. NCO has alot of bad apples, but within the company there are some good apples, some of the people i worked with were the nicest people you would ever want to meet, the management was very very iffy, lets just say alot of fraud, and alot of pressure was put onto the collectors telling us that we all are going to loose our jobs etc, just very very unprofessional...probably the most unprofessional management i ever worked for, name calling, the works, you get out of your seat the wrong way you are in for a screaming at, you go to rub your eyes because u are looking at a computer screen for about 10 hours, and they tell you to get back onto the phones, and then asking if you like working there, when you say yes (because the economy is such crap right now) they say well you better get working because right now we arent liking you. Then management calling you names such as, what an a**hole, f**king scum, etc. Good luck trying to report this to corporate, because they just ignore all complaints, just as NCO ignores all incomming validation request and c&d letters. Now I will tell you why I got fired 'their reason': because what i said on an answering machine of what we were trained to do:
"This is ... I need a returned phone call immediately my number is ..., mr so and so i have not recieved a phone call back after months of leaving messages for you, if i do not hear from you today im going to have to assume that your answering maching is broken or i have the wrong number and will have to find other means of contacting you."
Now, they taught us to say this during training.
But the real reason why I was getting fired, was because, they stole paying accounts and put them into a supervisors pool, so she would get credit for the money and then transfered the account back after the money was posted, which made her get massive amounts of bonus and made me look like i wasnt working. So i went to corportate about 2 weeks later i got that big pinkslip.. now im just crossing my fingers i get unemployment, until i find a new job. Any questions about NCO ill be glad to answer... the honest answer not some cover up bullcrap, defending NCO, i will defend what i saw they did correctly and tell the honest truth about anything that i saw incorrect...for instance NCO doesnt care about the California or Texas time barred debt law, when i told my manager about the law and how i didnt want to be blamed for violating the law my manager told me to work the account or get fired, no one knows the state laws just the federal laws.



paying off a bill
3/17/2004

In 2001, I called the company to accept their settlement. They told me that I could send in my settlement in two payments. I sent them their money, but one year later I received a collection letter from the same account saying that I still owed the other half of the bill. I've called them, and no one will give me a response. NCO will not tell me what happened to the account. The representative laughed at me when I talked with them. In my opinion, NCO financial services is the worst collection agency in the country.


Credit card fraud
3/14/2004 Houston TX

I would like some advice from the experts out there.

A credit card was taken out in my name in Jan 2000, and charges of $9900 were made in Jun 2002. I did not learn of these charges until a Northland Group, acting for NCO Financial, sent me a collection letter. After a few phone calls and checking my credit report, I found out the the charges became past due in late 2002 and MBNA (the original creditor) sold the written-off debt to NCO in Dec 2002. Side note: I held an MBNA credit card from 1996 to 2002. A replacement card was mailed to me in Jan 2000, which I never received and I reported lost (it appears in my credit report also). I think the two events may be related.

Anyway, I sent Northland Group the usual contest and request for proof letter in Mar 2003. I never received a reply. Because of no reply, I thought the matter was concluded.

Now in Feb 2004, I receive another collection letter, this time from Riddle & Assoc (again on behalf of NCO Financial). I have also send them the contest and request for proof letter.

I am sending the ID Fraud Affidavit to the major CRAs, NCO, Riddle, and MBNA.

What else can I do? I have no proof that the credit card charges are not mine, unless the CAs send me documentation.

In the mean time, I have been repeatedly turned down for credit, even though I have a spotless credit record since 1982 (outside of this item).

Anyone's suggestions on the next course of action would be welcome.

Thanks.


Bank Overdraft of ONLY 167.00
3/11/2004 OR

I opened up an account with Bank of America whom I suggest you NEVER EVER EVER deal with because they are thieves, liars and in competant. While running my home based buisness I had clients who wrote me checks and they bounced. So when I went to withdrawl money from my account it kept going more and more negative. 167.17 dollars later the account was suspended. I had a loss in my buisness of over 3300. dollars and was not able to pay the overdraft right away. Bank Of America never contacted me on it, just suspended the account. I regularly checked my credit report and found that there was nothing stateing that Bof A had reported me. I even ran a 3 in one. Still nothing. I was glad and as soon as I got 167.17 in cash I went in and paid the overdraft. It was supposed to be cleared and I was even told that it was cleared and within 48 hours NCO Financial Systems had reported on my credit report that I had an unpaid balance with B of A. My husband and I have been trying to finance a house and have had our credit RUINED by BofA and NCO. BofA has had their fair share of us due to the fact that we had multiple accounts with them as well. My advice STAY AWAY FROM NCO AND B OF A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They are about to recieve and notification of impending lawsuit from me and I would be happy to hear from anyone else whom wishes to be involved!


NCO created another account number
3/11/2004 Las Vegas NV

NCO has created a completely different account in my name for a debt that I paid them TWO years ago. They say they have no record of my paying them. The NCO that I paid is out of Tulsa, OK and the people that are calling me are in Torrance, CA. I paid the account in FULL and now they are saying that I owe plus interest.

I paid the account over the phone and have a record of that, but it is not the same amount that they have (on their created account).

I do not know how to go about solving this. Does anyone have any ideas?




WHERE IS THE MONEY!?
3/5/2004 G UNIT MN

To all those who complain, I was a debt collector and it was such a fun job to tell you the truth. It's sad to know how much money the american public owes to credit card companies. It's simple, debtors had a responsibility to get a credit card, you're responsible of the money you BORROWED!! Just give it back to the owners and stop acting as little kids. As an ex collector, I learned from those sad customers to never borrow money. I use my credit card for online shopping ONLY! AS LONG AS I COULD AFFORD IT! NCO got good peeps to work with ;) KEEP IT UP


Quesion! Can anyone help?
3/5/2004

Hi everyone! I just got a call from NCO wanting me to call them back. I am 23 and have some credit card debt that I am deliquent on. My question is does anyone know if collection agencies can take me to court over my unpaid bills and how likely is it? Thanks!


RUDE EMPLOYEES
2/27/2004

I called to inquire about a payment made to NCO Finacial Systems via western union. I called on behalf of my brother who was working at the time and could not do so himself. I encountered the rudest people. A verbal contract was made between not only my brother and Jane Black but between myself and Jane Black to the effect that a letter would be faxed upon reciept of the Western Union wire to a place of my brothers asking, payment was made 4 days ago count them four and Mrs Black seems to be the only person in the office who knows how to type and use a fax machine. The place where the fax was to go needed the fax in a timely manner and has not yet recived it. I completly understand that these people deal with rude people all day long- but when someone calls with a simple question/request AND with nice polite manners one would think it would be a welcome change and anyone who answered the phone would have responed in kind. NO ONE-- not a single person I spoke with had any kindness - helpfulness or maners about them. My and brohter and I made a simple request that would not take more than 5 mins to complete and no one in that office would even let me complete a sentence with out some snotty- defensive -unnessary remark. Please help these people.


lawsuits re NCO Financial Systems
2/26/2004 Cincinnati OH

I received an abusive phone call from NCO last week in which they never identified themselves, but simply claimed to be Citibank. They went through a spiel about how I am supposedly paying other creditors but not them. Two or three days later, I received a bill from them. I'd be only too happy to join any lawsuit as a witness against these unscrupulous cretins...


NCO People have terrible credit too.
2/26/2004 Las Vegas NV

My bud told me recently about a friend he has and who happens to be a Supervisor or Manager of NCO Financial, he recently filed Bankruptcy because he couldn't pay his Truck. He tells me he and his wife are low lifes, his wife hardly makes enough money and they are always broke. Per my friend at one point they were not even answering their home # because creditors were calling. I could not help laughing when he was telling me this. (A Supervisor collecting money when he himself filed bankruptcy to get out of debt.) LoL! I guess you gotta make a living but this is too hilarious.


How do I deal with NCO?
2/21/2004

After recently applying repeatedly for credit with no luck I went to freecreditreport.com to discover that NCO had given my report a $110 black eye. I have never recieved a phone call or anything from this company so I am thoroughly confused. The debt has been on my report since August 2003 so I'm already screwed but I would rather not make it worse on myself. I originally searched the web to find their website to begin resolving this matter when I found this site. Needless to say, I see the big, red flag. Should I just pay the measly little debt or will that just start the roller coaster? Any help is greatly appreciated.


Class Action Lawsuit
2/19/2004

Numerous class action lawsuits have been filed against this company. Research the web and contact the attorney handling the case.


Burden Of Proof
2/17/2004 NY NY

I see a lot of so called collectors, and even people claiming to be collectors for NCO on this site telling everyone else to "just pay their bills", "It's money you spent...you should pay NCO and/or the creditor back."
To all the people who get the calls, simply tell them to prove the debt belongs to you.

You do this by demanding validation.

In law terms, it's called the burden of proof. It means, if someone is suing you for something, the prosecuting party has to have the documentation it takes to support their claim. The same burden is on any entity trying to collect money from you. In ALL collection situations, the collection agency has the burden of proof - they have to prove that the debt belongs to you. This takes time, money, and research. They're not going to bother if they don't have to, and they don't have to if you don't formally request it in writing, and then write a total C&D letter.

These sorts of requests really make NCO collectors angry because they know that they're not going to get a check by phone that day. They know they're not going to get any commission for collecting on your file. They know that any contact with you after that is illegal so they're not going to get another chance to strong arm you.

Here's the deal: NCO buys up all these bad debts for pennies on the dollar. I wouldn't be lucrative to screen every single one and rate it's probability of being collectable. So they buy up ALL of them, and try to collect on as many as possible; most of the time they don't have supporting documentation - they want you to assume they do. So it's an industry based on gambling for collectable debts. They only want to collect on the easy ones - who wouldn't...but the only people making it easy for them are the ones that pay them. Demand the documentation, and they have to provide it. They usually won't, and this is where the violations start piling up because they give the file to another office and another derelict tries his/her hand at testing your knowledge of your rights under the FDCPA by calling and demanding payment. Guess what...when that next office calls you...they've violated the cease and desist all communication letter you sent them along with the original request for violation. Soon enough, you'll have enough documentation, (letters from them; taped calls; records of multiple calls on same day or outside the hours as cited in the FDCPA) to take them to court...and then presto!...the epitome of poetic justice...NCO, a collection agency...has to pay your bills, your legal costs, and are liable for ANY bad marks on your credit report.



What to do once debt has been sold?
2/10/2004

My debt was sold to another collections agency. However I have proof of payment to NCO. The creditor is out of business.

The current collection agency will not acknowledge payment to NCO. NCO will not discuss the file as it has been sold. Somehow the credit reporting bureaus were able to validate the debt, assumingly with the creditor.

How do I get a 'zero balance' letter and from whom?



How about some useful info
2/10/2004

Clearly there are lots of grips about the NCO's model of operations. Although it may feels good to vent, it doesn't do any good by itself.

How about including names, phone and fax numbers, street and email address and so on. If you've made some progress in your dealings with NCO share your methods, who may have helped you, how you got in touch with them etc.

If you have a specific question, perhaps someone eleses experiences could shed some light on yours.



phone calls/no letter
1/13/2004 PA

I have been receiving phones calls from NCO Financial Systems. I have yet to see a letter from them as proof that my creditor has sent my account to them for collection. This account was being serviced through a credit counseling service who sent a new proposal to my creditor when I got the first phone call from NCO. My creditor will not accept the proposal because they have sent this account to collections. In trying to get NCO off my back and to stop calling I requested my CCS to pay them instead but they won't without a letter from NCO.

How can NCO start calling you without sending a collection notice first?


Top Ten Things Bill Collectors Don't Want you To Know
1/13/2004

1. The More You Pay, the More They Earn
Collectors get commissions -- usually 30 to 50% -- on money they bring in, which often double or triple their salaries. This means they have a strong incentive to press for a big "down payment" from you, even if this deepens the cycle of debt.
Collectors hoping for a big commission may claim that the boss insists on a big down payment. In fact, blaming it on a mythical manager is designed to deflect your anger away from the collector.

2. Payment Deadlines Are Phony
Payment deadlines set by collectors are meaningless. Collectors simply want to create a sense of urgency, because the longer it takes to get you to pay, the less chance there is of collecting the debt.
3. They Don't Need a 'Financial Statement'
Collectors often claim they need a "financial statement" from you, so they can work out a realistic repayment plan. You'll notice, though, that the information they ask for -- bank account numbers, references, place of employment -- is far more than they need for that purpose. They're fishing for information that will help them find you if you move or sue you if you don't repay the debt.

4. The Threats Are Inflated
Collectors always graphically detail the disastrous consequences of failing to pay a debt. "Your credit rating will be ruined," they warn. (Not mentioning that it's probably already not so good, since a collection company is after you.) "Your personal possessions, including your car, could be seized and sold at a public auction!" (Never mind that this virtually never happens; it's illegal in some states and impractical because of the expense.) Probably 95% of the time, collectors go after only bank accounts and wages.

5. You Can Stop Their Calls
You have the right, under federal law, to tell a collection agency to stop contacting you. Just do it in writing, and contacts must stop, unless they're to tell you that collection efforts have ended or the agency is going to take a specific action (like filing a lawsuit) against you.
6. They Can Find Out How Much You Have in the Bank
A collector who has your bank account and social security numbers can probably easily find out the balance of the account. Because big banks now have automated account inquiry systems, the collector doesn't even have to speak to a human being; all it takes is a phone call to the automated voice-mail service. When the account number and social security numbers are punched in, the computer promptly supplies an up-to-the-minute account balance.

7. If You're Out of State, They're Out of Luck
Collection agencies routinely call out-of-state debtors to demand payment. But if a creditor has sued you and won, you are probably safe from enforcement action if you bank and work outside the state where the lawsuit was filed. That's because to collect, the collection agency must transfer the judgment to your state, which is prohibitively time-consuming and expensive.

8. They Can't Take It All
Certain income, such as social security, pensions and 75% of your take-home pay, is exempt from enforcement action. You can file a claim of exemption from a garnishment of the other 25% of your wages if it would cause you or your family severe hardship.

9. They May Not Know a Thing
Sometimes a collection agency lawyer, trying to collect a judgment debt, sends questions on a court form asking about your income and assets. (These are called "post-judgment interrogatories" or "information subpoenas.") This is good news for you -- it means that the agency has no information and is hoping you will be intimidated enough by this legal questionnaire to complete it. Many people do, because the forms list sanctions, such as fines, for not doing so. But normally, it is too expensive and time-consuming for an agency to go to court and force compliance.

10. You Can Pay Student Loans in Installments
If you are behind on student loans, you can apply for what every collection agency hates: "reasonable and affordable payments" under the 1992 Higher Education Act. If you can document financial hardship, a collection agency must accept as little as $10 per month for at least six months. As long as you make the payments, you are eligible for Title IV Student Aid, and you can continue the payments unless your circumstances change.


Need Advice in Canada
1/12/2004

The quick facts:

-I defaulted on my student 2 loans about 4 years ago and have been dealing with NCO for about 3 years
-The original loans were for about $12,000 total
- I have paid off 1 of the loans and now have about $3700 left on the final
- In March of 2003 I had an incident with NCO were the rep became abusive, a lot more than he had always been in my entire dealings with them. I therefore called back and asked to speak to someone in charged and stated I would not deal with the abusive rep anymore and complained.
- I was told the next day the rep had been dismissed (I can of course only assume this was true) and was given a new rep. The new rep stated that as long as my payments continued there would be no problems.
- Since then I have made $150 per month payments on time every month and even gave extra payments in August and September.
- December I received several messages from someone at NCO that they wanted to now if I was interested in taking advantage of an 80% payout on the account to save me money. In the past they have offered this before and I have always refused as I can only budget the payments. The difference is this time they gave a deadline for the offer for December 31st. I ignored the message as I knew my payments were going through ok.

On Jan 10th I received a call from someone at NCO stating they have started legal proceeding to garnish my salary and that I have been deemed Un cooperative and that the courts will take 30% of my net income. When I asked why they would do this if I�ve been making the payments, they stated the payments were not enough. They stated I would be served the legal papers this week

Is it just me or is this wrong, and if I have a valid complaint against NCO. In Canada (BC) were do I take the complaint?





civil Judgement
12/19/2003 IL

I had an account with at&t universal for $1700 and it went to collections eith NCO group for $2800 then I had a civil judgement on it for the $2800. That was fine I will pay it in due time . But all of a sudden I get anothe amount on my credit report from NCO financial services for $3700. Can they do that? Didn't they already penalize me once? Can someone give me some advice? Is there anything I can do about this $3700?


Observations from a current NCO employee
12/19/2003

I have worked for NCO for quite some time now. I was first hired as a collector doing accounts for jewelery stores, cell phone companies, car and furniture rental companies, etc...in other words things people voluntarily purchased that are hardly necessities. In my time as a collector, the most common thing I heard from the debtors was, "[Client] knew I could not afford this when I bought it!" ... which of course probably is a factor in the condescending attitude many collectors have with debtors. Now I never worked any hospital, credit card, or student loan accounts so I am in no way claiming to be an authority on those areas of my company. All that being said, there are just as many ignorant and unpleasant people in collections as there are ignorant and unpleasant bill collectors.
For the record, I was fired as a collector for being "too nice" (those were my boss's exact words). I am a nice person believe it or not, and I had trouble giving people hell and being otherwise rude and pushy. Sadly, the collectors who are the most aggressive and unpleasant to people really do get more payments. I am now in bookkeeping; all I do is deal with the mail people send in. (You can't really say ALL NCO employees are evil when a good number of us don't even get on the phones).

But anyway, here are some simple ways to get rid of us, even if it's only temporarily. Keep in mind though if you do owe a valid debt, NCO has your social security number and will continue reporting it to the credit bureau.

1) Saying we have the wrong number doesn't help if we've spoken to the debtor at that number before. Every conversation is documented by the collectors. NOTE: If they are calling you to leave messages for a family member who doesn't live there, just flat out say to never call again. If they continue to call after you tell them to stop, it is an FDCPA violation and you can go after them for it.

2) Tell them you are filing bankruptcy, even if you are not. They will ask for attorney information so bust out a phone book and pick one with a nice name. They can't communicate with you whatsoever if they have reason to believe you are represented by an attorney. By the time the lawyer gets around to telling NCO's corporate office that they have no idea who you are, you will have gotten a nice break.

3) As hard as it may be, DON'T BE RUDE! When you yell, cuss, flip out, etc., we get a kick out of it! Imagine sitting in a cubicle leaving messages on answering machines all day then all of a sudden an 83 year old woman named Mildred starts saying she's going to kick your ... and to go ... yourself. It was always the highlight of my day! But anyway the reason I put that is because they will usually set it up in the computer so it\they will call you every day when you freak out at them just to piss you off.

4)Get a block on your phone for ALL unidentified calls. Make sure it is set up to completely reject the call and not transfer them to the answering machine. It works and it bugs the hell out of them.

5) Write a cease-and-desist letter. Make sure you keep a copy so you can send it again if need be. Get the mailing address for the particular NCO office that's calling you (there are 80-something in the country)and send it there too.

6) Most importantly, be familiar with the FDCPA. Even the most honest and careful collector is bound to slip up occasionally because each state has additional debt-collection laws on top of the federal one. And if you are trying to go after NCO for FDCPA violations, harassment is probably one of the hardest areas to prosecute for because the act doesn't really specify what constitutes harassment. Try to find evidence of third-party disclosure, too many calls within one week, failure to read the miranda, false representation (like saying they are a lawyer) etc. because these are the things that slip through the holes the most.

Let me know if you found this helpful. If anyone wants, I'll find the training books NCO gives to all new hires and see what I can dig up.


wrong doing
12/12/2003 PA

I have been receiving calls from this NCO for the past couple of months now. I ignored them at first because I am already in a debt management program with Onepay and felt that this was a mistake because these creditors are already being paid through the program. Now I am being harrassed on an ongoing basis and feel that both NCO and my creditors are in violation of the FDCPA? Am I correct? In the meantime I have Onepay switching my payments to NCO for these 2 creditors just to get them off my back.


Trying to collect without showing proof
12/11/2003 Lancaster CA

In June of 1998, we rented a U-Haul truck to move within the city. We paid cash and asked if we could bring it back that night and the folks told us yes and to park it in the yard & lock the keys in it. We were told that we would not have to pay extra. A year and half later, we get a bill for $39.44. I call them and ask what was going on and that I owed them nothing, that we had brought the vehicle back as discussed.

About six months later I get my first collection notice from NCO Financial Systems, Inc. and I called them, telling them that I am disputing the bill. They told me that I had to send them a letter disputing the charges (I forgot to make a copy). I did....that was 2000. In January of 2002 I received another collection notice from NCO for the U-Haul bill. I call them again and on Jan. 5th, I wrote and faxed another letter of dispute (copies of which I have sitting in front of me). In this letter I stated "I wish to see the original invoice and any other papers pertaining to this account". I have never received these items which led me to believe that this whole thing was a scam!!

Today, 12-11-03, I received an automated message to call a "Mr. Lewis" at 888-626-2905. Since it was a toll-free number, I called to see who it was (it was after hours)...Lo & behold it was NCO Financial Systems, Inc.!!! WOWWWWW.....it only took them 2 years to contact me!! See a pattern here? It seems they only want to talk to me every 2 years....LOL!!!! I am still disputing the charges and I still want the proof that I owe the charges!! That is my right!!

I figure a company should be consistant at the least....this one seems to wander!!




Payments
11/29/2003

I have set up payment arrangements with NCO. Is there some flexibility with getting the payments to them? What happens if I miss a payment...defaulted account?...legal action?...etc? How long does it usually take for NCO to initiate/complete legal action? What steps do they take? I am doing everything possible to make the next payment, but...have questions about all of the above.


collection agencies
11/26/2003 moneta VA

TO BE BRIEF,
I had a problem with MCI over one year ago, Lieing to sell a product is standard for many companies, by using outside vendors, they divorce themselves from the problem. Instead of taking to court, they choose to harass, when the original companies collection agency cant collect, they turn it over to another, and another, attempting to ad fees, but none HAS THE CHARACTER OR THE INTEGRITY to take to court. Consumers should have the ability to sue for damages for emotional damage when collection agencies try to collect on bogas bills. I have a great deal of compassion for the unfortunate persons who are sucked in and agrees to pay these thugs on a bill that you feel is not just. because that is all it takes for them to come after you. I know of some who are in this net and are still paying.


HYI from HJ
11/18/2003 Des Moines IA

From Horrible Jerk:
I just wanted to get some updates on situations from previous posts. Anyone who posted here over the past year when this NCO thing seems to have exploded, we'd all like to hear how things played out. Any NCO employees with new info; you're more than welcome to add comments...we're all just trying to educated and be educated here. Candace, Wallbreaker, and company, how is everything with you guys? And for the record...I'm really not a Horrible Jerk.




Legal Question(s)
11/15/2003

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone here knows the process NCO uses when turning accounts over to their Legal Department...? Will I be notified before this happens or...? Any assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you...


Unverified Charges
11/13/2003

NCO are absolutely the scumbuckets or the world. I explained to them that I had not had ----for over a year. They don't seem to give a flying ffff.

They started calling me at work....and said emphatically that they would continue to HARASS me at work.

They continue their calls...as a matter of fact they know I am not going to play their sordid games so now I get automated calls which is in violation of the no call list.

When I call them I give them the phone nubmer of the ----account in question and they only want the number where they are calling and harassing me. They are not interested in the alledged debt only collecting...and they don't care if it's legitimate or not.

My guess is that the people who make these phone calls for NCO are the bottom feeders of the earth.

My suggestion is that anytime you get a call or letter form NCO Financial you immediately contact yoru State Attorney's General Office and report their harassing activities


Class Action Lawsuits
11/12/2003 Seattle WA

Does anyone know of -- or can you direct me to -- any information regarding any class actions against NCO Financial? I would be very interested in hearing about any such suits.


Where have all the reps gone
11/11/2003

Where did all the reps from NCO go? They used to just love coming here and telling everyone what deadbeats they were. It's funny...when everyone started throwing the facts back at them...they left. It's the same way when they call you...if they get flustered by your knowledge of the law...they hang up; they go after easier marks.



NCO settlement
11/5/2003

Through divorce, I acquired a debt from my ex-wife's Citibank card. A few months have gone by since the divorce and I recently found out that the debt is in collection with NCO and according to them the balance is around $7000 (probably started at $5000 until they added penalties). My name is not associated with this account so it won't affect my credit, I'm just trying to do the right thing. I offered to settle by paying a lump sum of $3500 but they said the lowest they'll go is 70%. I also spoke with Citibank but they said they are out of the picture. What now? Should I have some kind of debt counselor call them?

Thanks


Question
11/4/2003 New York NY

I had a typical run in with these guys. I requested validation of the debt they think I owe. Right before the 30 days was up - they sent me ANOTHER settlement letter, not a debt validation...this happens to be a debt that isn't mine. I'm sure they've heard that before, but they still have to go through the motions. When they're dealing with confidential information...MY confidential information it worries me that they can't, or won't do something so simple - something that is a routine part of their job. I've spoken to several reps there, and when I ask a question citing parts of the FDCPA (Just to cut the crap and get this handled)...questions that require a yes, or no answer, the one guy I spoke to couldn't mentally process my question..."uh...what?" he said with level of focus.

I repeated the question to which he eloquently uttered "Uh...well sir...you...what?"

I spoke to his 'supervisor' hoping to get the show on the road; I told him I sent a request for validation of the debt via certified mail, and have the receipt...and he paused...and said..."Sir...we need to be focusing on what we can we do to resolve this debt - tonight." I didn't lose my temper but I did feel compelled to ask him. "Are you crazy...is that what your problem is? - what WE can do to resolve the debt is for me to be patient enough to wait for YOU to send the validation."
He said he was going to refer the file to a lawyer (Which I am) if I didn't give him a check by phone.

Yeah, yeah - I know he's in violation of the FDCPA, and the court case will be a breeze - a twenty minute bite out of my lunch hour that will put 7-10k in my pocket; the frightening part is these guys have somehow gotten my information.(they either got it illegally, or a card company that went under gave it to them in error...which constitutes negligence on both parties part...don't dispute me on this...I can prove your mother's responsible for Bush yaking in the lap prime minister of Japan's lap if I ever need to.)

How many SSN's are they selling to terrorists? How many people are out there taking flying lessons that got under the radar with fraudulent documents they used to become citizens? It's the chaos theory ladies and gentlemen...one moron at NCO leaves a file with a SSN on it out in the open, while he goes to puff on a fatty in the bathroom while his boss is upstairs taking it in the rear from the high brass...and ten months later they find that same SSN on a fake ID that landed ten blocks away from the high rise Abdu Al Ramada-bananna-rama slammed a 767 into.

So - aside from the mass murder that can unfold horrifically due to hiring practices at NCO (that have provided us with such intellectual utterances like "Huh", and "Um", and the soothing sound of the frantic flipping of pages as a rep tries to leaf through his copy of the FDCPA for the first time), you're interrupting story time with my kid. He's less forgiving than I, and if you're not careful he may push you into an oven along with the SECOND settlement request letter you decided to send in lieu of a validation.


Back by Popular Demand
11/3/2003

Back by popular demand from all of you asked for it, and those who are new to the site.
(thanks for all your compliments - and NCO; don't take it personally, we're just havin fun!)

NCO reps that visit this site
Test for continuous improvement.

Please circle the answer below as it applies to your skills, knowledge, and experience since during,or prior to working for NCO. Answer to the very best of your ability.

Question 1
Do you know what the Fair Debt Collection Act is?
a. Huh?
b. No
c. Orange

Question 2
Highest Level of Education
a. Some grammar school
b. Tried High School
c. Once walked passed a college

Question 3.
Define Deadbeat:
a. Anyone I talk to. (My supervisor said so)
b. Anyone who won't take my crap.
c. My baby-daddy.
d. Broken Drum.
e. All of the above.

Question 4
Keeping track of the pseudonyms I use is usually:
a. pointless
b. easy for a liar
c. I've never consumed pseudonyms; drugs are bad.

Question 5
When I'm in a bad mood, I tend to blame:
a. People smarter than me.
b. The person owning the debt I'm calling on.
c. The mother of the person owning the debt.
d. Al Qaida

Question 6
The following is considered harassment:
a. Calling a debtor more than once a day (even if it's just because I miss them)
b. Threatening legal action when I have no authority, or intention of doing so.
c. Yelling, and screaming at people I call for debt inquiries.
d. Harboring terrorists

Question 7
When confronting a person who is obviously smarter and more knowledgable about the law as it pertains to the FDCA than myself, the following phrase is typically my counter to their arguement(s)
a. I can tell you're smarter than I, and I'd like us to work together to see if we can resolve this.
b. NUH-UH
c. I'm Telling.

Question 8
What percentage of the time do you typically spend with someone who can actually stand you.
a. 1%
b. Never
c. I hate people
d. My dog bites my children.

Question 9
If asked for my supervisor I should
a. Transfer call to whomever is being 'supervisor' today.
b. Super-what?
c. I eat Legos.

And finally question 10

Of the following, which sentence might be indicative of a tactic that would be an example of illegal collection practice.
a. If you don't pay we're going to sacrifice your first born child.
b. You're going to jail...right now...hear that knock at the door...that's the sheriff...I know it looks like your wife...we cloned her...it's really a sheriff...you should have paid me.
c. Hello my name is...I work for NCO.
D. ALL OF THE ABOVE

If you don't understand question: please raise your hand and have the guard come over to aid you.

If there is a word you don't recognize, please ask a guard to come over and aid you.

If you cannot decide on an answer, please try and pick the one that makes the most sense to you.

When you're finished, turn in your tests, and go home to your cat, and children.



Threatened by NCO out of Canada
10/20/2003 Shreveport LA

I would like to know what is NCO's problem to call me on the phone tonight threatening my life by send somebody like a Black Panther group down to where I live because he claims I'm a Racist Mother F******.....I don't even owe the jerks money and never have!!!!! Heck he even called me by my name! I know he didn't get my number from a phone book for sure!!! NCO is trying to collect money from my son!!! What the hell does that have to do with me!!!!! I called the Police Dept. out here to report it and they tell me it isn't against the law for them to do that? Said it isn't a Criminal matter when I have the dang number on my caller ID that shows it was them....As a matter of fact the phone # is (514)385-4444 and it called here from Montreal....Check it out! Are my ears decieving me when I call that number and hear them say NCO Financial services???? That's a shame when they gotta call me and threaten my life over a dang bill that isn't mine!!! Well NCO if your monitoring this you'll be sorry to hear that I told you not to call back here no more and you did! Not only that you will be sued for that one if it's in my power at all!!! I don't appreciate being done that way at all over bills that aren't mine and you know it or your about to find out anyway!


This company committs FRAUD
10/6/2003

This company had contacted me regarding a past due account with one of my vendors. I authorized them to do a check over the phone for 1/2 of the amount (approx $420). They were supposed to contact me a month later for the rest. I never heard from them and never authorized a second check. I got a notice from my bank that they paid a check for $481 and the check number was way off. The bank faxed me a copy of the check and it was from them. I think this is fraud. Who can I contact about this activity? What state are they located in?

DO NOT GIVE THIS COMPANY YOUR BANK ACCT INFO!!


NCO Financial Systems IMPORTANT
9/30/2003 FL

NCO is so bad, that in 2003, they have been sued 40 times for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). These suits are usually filed when consumers are abused in violation of state and federal debt collection laws.
NCO is a money-mill, gobbling up competitors, buying portfolio's of old debts for pennies and expanding globally. These money-beggars are making their bottom-line profits at the expense and abuse of consumers.
One wonders how many lawsuits are NOT being filed because consumers do not know their rights or that NCO CAN be held accountible for their illegal debt collection practices.

Apparently, NCO is not spending enough time and money to properly train their debt collectors in accordance with law, the FDCPA. Do they hire any derelict that may be in-between court and treatment dates simply to harass, abuse, and oppress consumers? There is no mention of drug testing at their web site, so I assume you can get hired on at NCO if one has bad habits and a need for fast-cash. This must be a 'dream-job' for anyone with a prison record, drug habit, or any con artist out to scam some fast money off an unsuspecting conumer. Are you aware of the personal consumer information these money beggars have access to? I shudder to think how much information is being ilegally used at agencies such as NCO. You should be VERY nervous about the type of individuals who have this unprecedented and open acces to ALL of your personal information.

It may be just a matter of time until collectors start calling with accents from country's like India, Pakistan and ....(ooohhh my gawd!!)

NCO's CEO, Michael J. (kinky) Barrist seems to be astonishing Wall Street(NASDAQ:NCPM)with his financial wizardry. He certainly appears to be pumping up the bottom line.(one lawsuit at a time?) In my experience, this type of greed and consumer abuse will catch up with NCO, just as it did with Commercial Financial Systems (CFS) and Outsourcing Solutions Inc (OSI). Both operations were out of control just prior to their filing for bankruptcy protection. CFS's top brass is facing federal criminal charges in highly anticipated court proceedings scheduled for later this year.

One sure method to stop NCO's consumer abuse is for well-informed consumers to use the law to their advantage. There are three things you can do to slow down the NCO collection process:

1) Within the first thirty days of receiving a written NCO collection notice, send a dispute notice, making demand for all documentation that substantiates their claim.
2) Use the FREE cease-comm letter on ANY NCO debt collector who threatens, intimidates, or abuses you.
3) Tape all debt collector calls (where legal) to use in future civil or criminal proceedings.

If you are receiving abuse from NCO, contact me for referral to a local consumer law professional in your area. NCO, with $800+million in revenues last year, has more money than a South American drug cartel, so use the law to make them pay when they violate the laws and your consumer rights.

Do not let NCO's under-trained, uneducated and FDCPA lacking debt-collectors make a paycheck at your expense.

Big agencies pay big salaries to their ego-driven brass. NCO should spend a lot more time training their collectors and dealing with consumer complaints, in this case BIGGER does NOT mean BETTER! (Except for Kinky and his top brass team of money beggars)

NEVER give a debt collector your banking or credit card information.

NEVER trust a debt collector; they will lie to cheat you out of your money.

NEVER do 'checks by phone' as debt collectors could empty your bank account with little or no accountability.

REMEMBER: Debt collectors have NO power and NO authority and should NEVER be trusted. They will lie and cheat you to get at your money.


Law suits
9/20/2003

Approximately 40 suits have been fiiled against NCO for abusive collection practices in 2003. Anyone care to be a witness? Let me know....


Got Advise?
9/9/2003

Hello,

Through divorce, I acquired debt from one of my ex-wife's credit cards. At the time of the divorce she said the outstanding balance was $5,000. Well a few months have gone by and I never heard anything about it. Come to find out, it has gone into collection with NCO and the balance is now $6,800 due to late charges and penalties. I would like to contact NCO to set up a payment plan but wondered if they might be willing to negotiate to get it back down to $5000. I also want to make sure this has no effect on my credit report because it's not in my name (I was not a co-signer).

Thanks


Please Advise?
9/5/2003 US

I recently got a call from someone from this company and this person sounded really nice. Offering lower payments and saying that they will work with me to pay the debt off. 2 days later i received a letter stating that they were ask by a creditor to collect what i owe. When I got the call I didn't even know who they were. I was dealing with a different collection agency before and they were not very helpful. All i wanted to do is to make a payment arrangement that will be afordable to me. The first collection agency wanted too much.
I need advise from anyone that will read this, on what is the best way to deal with NCO? I am scared to call them. I was thinking of just corresponding with them through letter.
Please advise.



Crystal Clear Credit Actually...
8/15/2003

I just wanted to 'bait' you collection agency employees/devotees. First of all Candice, it's 'You're' not 'Your'...your vocablulary consists of insults, bad grammar and clever cliches like "Get A Life"...I never got a call from a collection agency; my friend at work told me of his experience with one of NCO's brilliant tacticians and mathematical geniuses. Just listen to radio commercials and you can basically hear the dialogue. Candice, the aforementioned 'geniuses' did not include you. You can find me at Lake Invanhoe riding my Yamaha Waveblaster or Sea-Doo XP, hauled by my Jeep Cherokee...oh, my M3 is paid off Candice, so I'm helping the economy out more than you. I won't be back to read your loony reply because I already know what choice of words you'll respond to. I'll tell my buddy Candice will straighten his life out by those witty, albeit, outdated cliches. Candice, talking about 'getting a life', you must live on this board. You notice I gave you a compliment Candice to build up your self-esteem and help you get out of your mundane collection agency minimum wage position---that is if you actually are employed. So Candice, remember, it's 'You're' an idiot not 'YOUR'...use proper grammar if you're going to insult someone. You sound like an angry Mom of 4, who can't order appetizers aor dessert when you go out to eat. You're no college graduate---let's get that straight, ok?...now go play in the traffic and quit annoying people.


PAY YOUR BILLS AND QUIT YOUR COMPLAINING!
8/14/2003 CANADA

ALL OF YOU DEBTORS ARE SO QUICK TO JUMP AT BEING ABLE TO PUT THE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE. FACT IS YOU RACKED UP THESE BILLS AND NOW ITS IN A COLLECTION AGENCY. WHAT DID YOU THINK THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO DO? BE NICE AND PLAY? YOU AREN'T CUSTOMERS ANY MORE SO GET OVER YOURSELVES AND PAY YOUR FREAKIN' BILLS!! STOP TRYING TO SHIFT THE BLAME AND GET OVER YOURSELVES!

OH AND BY THE WAY, WRITE WHATEVER YOU LIKE IN RESPONSE TO THIS, I WON'T BE ANSWERING, I'VE SEEN ENOUGH BS AND SQUABBLING TO LAST MY LIFETIME.


READ BEFORE GOING ON!
8/14/2003 IN

This is CODE RED and I am writting this letter in regards to ICEPICK and WALLBREAKER..First of all I do not have to prove S*** to either one of you low life NCO employees..I graduated from College in May and I have to tell you it's been hard trying to find a job in my field. I am not the only college grad complaining there are lots of students who are working other jobs untill they can find some work in their field..I worked collections while in college and figured I could work it now being that I need some extra cash for my wedding which is coming soon..I am not telling people that they should not pay there bills I am telling them that they should not have to put up with RUDE COLLECTORS like the two of you..This site incase you are wondering is about THAT and I have proven my point as far as the rudeness goes..and unlike the two of you I have a life and wont beable to get on here as much as you LOW LIFES do to clear my name...But soon your mouth will dig a hole that your a** can't handle..


Degree in Psychology ? Code red? Yeah Right!
8/14/2003

A degree in psychology and you decided that working on a collection floor was the best way to use it. Did you get your degree through the mail when you sent in enough coupons from the back of the cereal box? You know I was thinking that for someone with a degree in psych you seem to have a lot of free time on your hands. Maybe you should go out and find a job that suits you more...for example, hog caller or ditch digger you know the type of position that you could use your above average analitical skills. And for the record any collector that does agree with you and your stupid insights and observations is an idiot.In closing I would like to para-phrase you and say : 'GO F*** YOURSELF' !


PLEASE READ BEFORE GOING ON
8/14/2003 IN

IcePick and Wallbreaker are prime examples of all the complaints listed in this site..They are NCO collectors who are RUDE,Uneducated and most of all UNPROFESSINAL employees..You wont have to worry about NCO soon cause at the rate ICEPICK and WALLBREAKER are going they may have NCO shut down before you know it...For the record the statements they have made about me CODE RED are false. No one deserves to be harassed! No your rights! and icepick......HAVE A NICE DAY THE CODE RED WAY!


This is very important
8/12/2003

THIS IS ADDRESSED TO ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE LETTERS AND COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN POSTED TO THIS SITE BY CODE RED !!!
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.



Someone has to do the job
8/8/2003 new brunswick

I know for most of you may have difficulty understanding why collectors have to be so abrupt and straight forward, and maybe even sometimes a little too demanding. But the fact of the matter is someone has to do the job. Most of us don't like to get upset over the phone. We would love to have Debtors who cooperate 100%. But it doesn't always happen. The thing that probably annoys us the most is having to track you down. Also, if you say you are going to make a payment, make sure you do it or call promptly with the reason why. But just remember, if you are screaming and yelling, it will not help, and will make things worst.


NCO is driving me crazy!
8/6/2003

I've been back and forth with AT&T for about three months now. When I switched away from them I got a whopper of a bill - I was charged $3.50/minute for my husband's calls to his family in Jamaica when the usual rate is just $0.54! I've been asking for a credit - they tell me they'll research it and give me a tracking number. When I call back a few days later, the tracking number has VANISHED.

Now, NCO Financial must be involved...they call my house 5-8 times a day - i think they're even calling my cell phone. The wierd thing is - when you answer - most of the time it says, "Please hold for a special message" or something like that and then the line goes dead. (And no, it's not me hanging up!) They have left messages with two of my babysitters now - telling them exactly what the problem is, who the debt is with, etc.

It doesn't really bother me too much because I don't actually owe more than $50 or so with AT&T - but now that they've transferred it to the collection agency I have NO idea if it's going to get resolved.


Capitol One Credit Card
7/27/2003 MI

I recieved a collection amount of $679.61 from somebody named APRIL STARR (sic) NCO Financial Systems for a Capitol One credit card I paid off so long ago I don't even have records of it anymore - and I've been known to keep everything much to the chagrin of my wife. I feel like I'm being slammed and intend to notify the Attorney General of the State of Michigan as soon as possible. I think somebody down the line is stealing from their system and they're expecting me to pay for it. Watch out people, more companies like these and decent people will start stuffing their money in a mattress again.

Somebody screwed up and I'm not paying for it!




Harassing Telemarketers with NCO
6/17/2003

I just received a rather rude call from some male regarding a bill we're trying to get taken care of. After arguing with this male, I was saying "if you're going to harass me...."....I didn't get any further than that due to him telling me that yes he was going to harass me. I hollered into the phone fine and hung up. I understand there is some sort of law in this country that can be used against this sort of harassment but I've no idea what it's called. I'm continuing to research this, so far I'm getting no where. Perhaps someone out there knows about this law perhaps that person can use it against them.


NCO Financial Services
5/13/2003

I have a debt that NCO has been trying to collect. I have chosen to not return the collector's calls. He has called my neighbors, asking them to give me the message to call him, and today threatened to call my employer. He gave me until 7:00 tonight, or else. I fully intend to settle, but not with NCO. After reading all the complaints, I am afraid that even if I pay them, it won't be the end of this issue.


Nasty Phone Calls/Violation of Fair Debt Collection Act
6/24/2002 Sarasota FL

I have been informed that your company has placed my account with Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Florida, on my credit report. On November 27, 2001, prior to my being contacted by your company, I wrote to Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, to let them know I was not pleased with their services or my care and objected to their bill. On February 21, 2002, I copied NCO with that letter when I first received a collection notice. On March 20, 2002, I again forwarded a copy of that letter to Pam or Tiffany at your company. Although I followed the dispute provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Act, NCO Financial has not. In fact, your collectors are the rudest people I have ever come across.

I started making payments on my account directly to Doctors Hospital. Those checks were routinely cashed. Following numerous nasty calls from NCO, your company then sent me a notice regarding payment arrangements. Even though I disputed the bill, I complied with the arrangement and began making payments to your company. This seems to not matter to NCO as a derogatory report has been placed on my credit report.

NCO has failed to comply with the provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act as no one responded to my original dispute within the time frame allowed by law. Now that you have unilaterally decided to put a derogatory report on my credit report, I have no option but to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection - FCRA against NCO and Doctors Hospital for slander to my credit and for violating the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. I am also contacting the various credit bureaus and disputing this bill.

If you remove the derogatory report from my credit report forthwith, I will continue with the payment arrangement and drop this matter. If you do not remove the report, I will cease making payments and file my complaints as stated above.

P.S. Your office just called me and threatend to take my house. I think that's VERY ILLEGAL.

I would like the following:

I want the derogatory credit report taken off my credit report.

At the very least I would like a response from your company regarding this incident, other than rude phone calls telling my I'm stupid. Thank you for your time.


Your Continuing harassing communications
6/11/2001

Even though I have given you ample notice to cease and desist in your collection efforts according to federal rules and regulations, I am still the recipient of your continuing harassing communications and continuing abuses. Your abuses are numerous: First, my mother, a heart patient, was the recipient of your telephone calls even though she was not the debtor. Your continued calls to her has contributed to her deterioration and a gross escalation of her illness. Second, you continue to misreprent that I would pay you $60.00 when the amount I insisted I could pay is only $40.00. Third, you and my original debtor owe me accounting of all the monies ceased by the IRS to partly satisfy part of my defaulted student loans.

I have already told you to cease and desist in your collection efforts. Your continuing letters to me, even though I have established an eight month track-record of payment is tantamount to harassment. I will no longer have any further communication with your company. I have already stated that I will no longer receive any further communications from you. Please cease and desist in your collection efforts.