866-452-9518

talk about mediation

Stepanie Marvy (?)-ERA
Stated call urgent!!

Called at some ungodly hour in the morning looking for someone who has never been at this phone #.  When I called to tell them their information was incorrect the guy who answered was a total prick.

company called a neighbor of mine looking for me advising my neighbor that I gave them permission to contact them to get info about me.  My neighbor told me they said they will press charges if I didn't call them back.  I called and they lied and said they never said that and they spoke with a male neighbor when it was a female (the male wasn't even home).  The guy started yelling at me about a debt from 6 years ago.  I advised them not to ever call me again and contact neighbors under false pretense or I would press charges.  My neighbor actually got the last part of the call on tape.

This company keeps calling my home asking for ANGEL HERNANDEZ - I've had this number for 20 years and do not nor have I ever known an Angel Hernandez.

Keep telling them over and over to take my number off - these people are absolutely the rudest idiots in the world.  They start screaming at you and saying you (me) are being rude, beligerent, making racist remarks, cussing, etc.  All untrue.  

All I want are these idiots to stop calling my number - they keep saying they'll remove it but they never do.

What a bunch of losers - this probably is the only job these idiots could ever get, no wonder they're so nasty!

From looking it up, this company is called CRA which is collection agency.

This unscrupulous company is illegally using credit information to harass and scare innocent people. They called one of my former co-workers at home and left a message. NEVER return these calls. NEVER refer them to others. NEVER answer these calls if you see this as a caller ID.

Follow the advice of the fella and you will have 500 credit scores too!  How's that 20% interest rate on your car my friend?  

"This unscrupulous company is illegally using credit information to harass and scare innocent people. They called one of my former co-workers at home and left a message. NEVER return these calls. NEVER refer them to others. NEVER answer these calls if you see this as a caller ID."

Did some homework... Happens to be a very reputable company licensed in all 50 states.  No BBB complaints, no FTC complaints, no AG complaints.  Pretty darn good if you ask me... For a collection firm!

Mike P.
Augusta, GA

They don't have any complaints because they refuse to tell you who they are.

The people I have spoken to have been aggressive, threatening, and used even more foul language than I managed to respond with.

On my caller ID, the number was 310-601-7357 which dials as not in service, but it is a computer dialer, so that isn't surprising.

Recording requested cb & stated case number

called left message concerning some of the wall acocunt number.  never answer these calls!!!

Mike P. (who obviously works for CRA) Wrote

“Did some homework... Happens to be a very reputable company licensed in all 50 states. No BBB complaints, no FTC complaints, no AG complaints. Pretty darn good if you ask me... For a collection firm!”



Nice try, Mike, but anyone smart enough to feed themselves, let alone check out these forums knows better.  You left out the fact that in April of 2009, CRA was successfully sued by the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions for conducting business in the State Of Arizona without the benefit of a license and lying about having applied for one. (Case No# 09F-BD072-SBD) They were slapped with a Cease And Desist Order and $5,000.00 in Civil penalties. Unless you actually live in Virginia, it is doubtful they are licensed in your State either.  As to their BBB record, visit their website and you will discover they have almost none only due to the fact that CRA has repeatedly refused to respond to any of their inquiries, the FTC as well as many AG's on the other hand, have more complaints against this zoo of bottom feeders than would fit on a zip drive! Arizona had the right idea to haul these crooks into court - The FTC needs to follow suit and if they get enough complaints from people like us, they will.

Called number and agent refused to give me the address of the company. CRA is in violation of collection laws. This number should be avoided and reported.

They called and left a message on my machine for someone I do not know.  We have had this number for almost 8 years.  I called the number back and a "Mr. Arnett" answered.  I gave him the account number and said I do not know so-and-so and that he needed to stop calling.  He tried to pressure me into giving my name and phone number.  I told him to look up the account and remove my number.  When I asked for the company name, he refused to give it.  He stated that his "company" was doing "pre-legal" work for the IRS.  I again stated that he needed to give me a company name especially since he identified himself as working for the government.  He stated since the company was "private" he did not need to give me a name.  I did an internet search on the number I was asked to call and came up with Consumer Recovery Associates.  I filed a complaint with the FTC and my state AG.

TRUTH ABOUT CRA---

http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/consumer_recovery.htm

Consumer Recovery Associates
aka Consumer Credit Association
aka CR & Associates
and the world's most grating phone numbers:

866-857-3916
866-499-6608
888-253-9713
866-563-9556
888-413-8823
877-360-1616   800-913-4915
757-368-3622
757-368-8004
757-368-8331
757-271-8788
866-418-3360


2697 International Parkway # 4   Suite 270
Virginia Beach, Virginia  23452
PO BOX 2916, VB, VA 23450

Head Debt Collectors:
Christine Spruill       Mr. Parker          Mr. K C Scott

Peter Brunson           Conrad Grey       Jane

 

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

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

1-866-857-3916 is one of those irritating numbers that show up on your caller ID that can never seem to be identified.   When you return the call, you get the ominous "Can I help you?" or "Case number please."  They refuse to identify who they are when questioned, will not state they are debt collectors, and by tone imply you have committed some illegal act and are in great trouble or they would not have called you.  It is a violation of FDCPA.  It took quite a bit of research and cunning to discover whom the voices were behind the lawbreaking 866 number were...but it's coming together now and they are without excuse.

Give us your stories on CRA and let's put together some useful information to bring these folks down.  Record their calls where legal and save the tapes for future use.  We'll post 'em here if you have something of interest.

In the meantime, hold them to the law; make them put everything in writing, validate the debt.  Use the cease-communication letter.  Violations of the law should be pointed out to the Virginia Attorney General.

CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email  the details w/your location.  Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.



Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!    
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!

Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html


Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm


Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm


From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.

What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.

Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.

How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.

Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.

What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.

Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.

What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
    use threats of violence or harm;
    publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
    use obscene or profane language; or
    repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.

False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
    falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
    falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
    misrepresent the amount you owe;
    indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
    indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.

Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
    you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
    they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
    legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.

Debt collectors may not:
    give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
    send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
    use a false company name.

Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
    try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
    deposit a post-dated check early;
    take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
    contact you by postcard.

Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.

Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.

Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
    Social Security Benefits
    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
    Veterans’ Benefits
    Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Service Members’ Pay
    Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
    Student Assistance
    Railroad Retirement Benefits
    Merchant Seamen Wages
    Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
    Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
    Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.

Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.

What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.

Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.

For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad
February 2009



File complaints with

Federal Trade Commission  https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en

Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices

Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org

If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link  www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices.  HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!

Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html  If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list.   You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0

I am a lawyer in Florida who may pursue this debt collection agency in a lawsuit.  Like others, this company has been calling me asking for someone else, on a routine basis and when I have asked for a fax number, they hung up and then disconnected the number itself so I could not call back. I also plan to contact the Florida A.G. office.  Please email me at jcfullerpa@hotmail.com if you wish to contribute any information you may have on this group.  I find it very difficult to locate them.  thank you.

This company has called my parents house several times, despite being told to remove the number immediately.  My dad finally got very upset with one, Lindsay, who hung up on him.  When I called back, I got a Mr. Montgomery who said he was a "partner of CRA" and would be happy to help me.  When I very firmly told him to stop calling my parents house he seemed very accommodating. Then he tried to get me to verify my ss # "for security purposes", when I refused, he got very aggitated and hung up.  I called a 2nd time and got, I believe, the same female my father spoke to, and she told me, very rudely, that the number was already listed as a wrong number and to have a good day.  Neither person I spoke with would give me any information about who they were or why they were calling.

have had 2 calls one message said that something very urgent came across her desk and to give her a call back this time just a pre_recorded message whatever waste your time CRA go ahead

I was thinking abut calling the FBI or reporting them to the attorney general. I live in Texas and these people called my mother-n-law, who lives in NH asking for my number. Then they called my brother-n-law. The funny thing is that there is no way anyone would have known my mother-n-laws number or know that there was a connection between us and regarding my brother-n-laws phone number, my wife and I don't even know what his number is since they moved. It is really strange that they were able to obtain my in-laws info or know that we are in-laws. I will be reporting them sometime this week.

I got a call from 1-866-452-9518 asking for a Robert Houserman ?
Called the number asked why I was getting the calls had number 1 year stated there numbers showed him at this number 2 years ago? Will remove my number almost [***] when I asked if the address listed abouve was there office. Not to happy to hear people know wheere hey are located. Will keep the info if get another call file complaint with AG for my stated and have them apy some money .