888-678-9004

Got a message from this number claiming to be from the IRS. Believe it is BS

Called saying they were looking for me and were trying to avoid contacting my place of employment and gave this 800 number and an extention. thats it, no contact name or even who they were

i left the comment about this call, the number came up from Des Plains IL with a different 800 number then the one they told me to call. I just thought I should mention that.

It is ARS debt collection. They also called me from (847) 257-8326. I received a call from a man named George (extension 246) and called him back after my brother informed me that he also received a call and was harassed by him. George stated to my brother that I gave ARS the family phone number, which is not true. (The only number I have and ever list is my cell phone.) My brother asked him to remove the number from the account because it was not associated with me, resulting in George getting angry and hanging up. When I called George, I asked him to remove my family’s phone number as well, restating that it was not my phone number. Again, he got angry, and every time I tried to start a sentence he screamed "How are you going to pay this $1300 back?!" I never got more than three words in and he eventually hung up on me.

I received several messages at my work from ext.280 Kim Mcgee. When I called back to tell them that more than one call to an employer is illegal, she said "Ma am' you are being very rude, is this Nicole? I need to speak with her or her employer about her debts" Not only is that personal, but it IS ILLEGAL. I then stated that what she was doing was harrassment and illegal so she replied with, "You are being extremely rude (which is completely false) Let me speak to your human resource person immediately" I then said, "You have just crossed the line have a good day" and hung up..    This collection agency is very rude and demanding with their approach & breaks the law. If anyone else receives harrassing, mean phone calls from this company, REPORT THEM!!!

I am an attorney that sues collection agencies. Feel free to contact me at ajflaw@att.net

you seem to bounce

contact me at valuedfriend4u@hotmail.com

I just recieved a call from ARS ext. 280. She was very rude and did not give me the oppurtunity to resolve the situation. It was as if she was treating me like a criminal. she threated to garnish my wages. Im not a lawyer but you cannot gernish wages with out the court system saying so. This phone call totally stressed me out. The sad part is i wanted to clear the debt, but i feel so offended and threatened i want to see what are my legal options.

DO NOT PAY THESE CROOKS!

Read dealing with debt collectors, statute of limitations and recording calls.  


http://www.budhibbs.com/collectorpages/dejana_richard.htm
Ameriquest Recovery Systems, LLC (ARS)
Richard DeJana

126 N. Meridian Rd.
Kalispell, Montana 59901

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

Bud Says                         Consumer Comments Below

COLLECT AMERICA FRANCHISEE

Here is how this group of 'Legalized Racketeering' works:

Ameriquest Recovery Systems, LLC (ARS) is owned by Ed Reiner, Joseph Reiner, Bob Peterson, Ed Reiner JR, and Tony Reiner. They have the franchise agreement with Collect America, they are the ones that purchase the debt. ARS is a "client" of DeJana and Associates (RDA), in their client agreement ARS is to pay all the overhead for the Law Office and supervise the Law Office Personnel as it pertains to the "collection" of ARS accounts. None of the collector/paralegals ever do any legal work for DeJana, they only collect for ARS. Then on a monthly basis, DeJana gets a % of the recoveries. DeJana does not supervise the collectors, they are supervised by ED, Joseph, and Bob. DeJana has almost nothing to do with the collections process or daily operations. Collect America routinely sends people out to audit RDA and gives seminars and the like to the franchises.

ED, Joseph, and Bob are horrible they treat their collectors like they are dirt and they direct their collectors to treat the debtors like "scum."

RED FLAG! STAY WAY....FAR AWAY!!

One more wasted law license lost to a greedy, ambitious debt collector who preys on consumers with his attitude and goons. It makes me wonder if perhaps our law schools are too lenient in their approval of potential law candidates. How does a law license get wasted like this??

Keep DeJana far away from your money by using the FREE cease-comm letter.

If necessary, file a complaint with the Montana State Bar:
http://www.montanabar.org/

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.





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

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

I received a voice message from this # at my place of employment; my caller ID listed 201-297-4725, the guy talked so fast i had to listen to the message 4 times to the #. He did not leave an audible name but only ext 242. Since he did not leave the name of the company he was caller with I do not intend to return his call.

(888) 678-9004 was the number that was left on my voicemail, but they called me from this number: (646) 571-0405

(888) 678-9004  =  (646) 571-0405

Name was Miguel.

In my case, phone number was 404-547-4555. It remains same voice message to (888) 678-9004.
Name was George.

Maybe you people wouldn't have an issue if you would pay your bills!!!  It makes me sick that all of us have to pay increased costs because there are so many others that don't care about paying bills.  I have a good idea - let's wrack up a bunch of debt, then sue the collection agencies so we can get one over on the system!  Or, even better, file for bankruptcy.

Left message on cell .. This is Adonia call 888-678-9004 ex#  242

these calls are not from ameriquest idiot there from asset. ARS!!!

I received several calls from this telephone number 888-678-9004- x. 268 (Sharbel) for an employee of mine.  He was extremely rude and raised his voice.  When I rose my voice he hung up on me.  I immediately called back and told him that I had requested that these calls stop because this is a place of business and I did not take messages for my employee.  I asked for a supervisor's name which he gave me as Steven Ishay.  I told him that I was considering these calls as harrassment and if I was contacted 1 more time, I would be in contact with the police.  He yelled that I couldn't do that because he wasn't harrassing me--he was not calling for me but merely my employee and if I was angry at anyone it should be my employee because if he paid his bills they would not be calling.  He then hung up on my again!  I immediately googled the telephone number and came to this site.  I will be calling my local police to report this as harrassment and I would urge everyone else to do this.

Received a call from a guy with the last name Cabana who called from 281-886-0098 and said that he needed to get a statement from me of what happened on January 13, 2010 with a file # and a call back number of 888-678-9004 x 264.  They have also called my family members.  Chase Bank screwed over my loan modification and forced me into a corner to save my house. None of my creditors were willing to accept the payments that I could make. Now that they've sold the accounts to dozens of collection agencies, I should bend over backwards to pay them.  My credit is already ruined so I intend to ride out the storm for the next 7-10 years with bad credit until it falls off my credit report.  Won't be paying them a dime.  I'm unemployed so my phone will be turned off soon - thank God!

Received a call at home and then at work from someone named Edwin with ARS 951-256-4869 said he needed a statement as to what happened on July 1, 2010 and needed to keep it on file.  Left the call back number of 888-678-9004 x264.  Talks fast and sounds very angry.  I won't play into their rudeness and don't have the money after my husband lost his job, turned down for unemployment and disability!  My credit is in the pits and I am considering bankruptcy if only I had the money to pay for that!

Recivied a call from Kimberly 888-678-9004 she left a message like she was my wifes BF but leaves an 888 number for her to call her back.....................not right.

Received a few calls from 503-925-4167 and 503-925-4168, only once was a message left.  Message was from Kimberly, asked that I call her back at 1-888-678-9004.  Gave no other information (reference number, company name, etc.).

Fell on hard times and lost my job.  Unfortunately credit cards fell to the bottom of the barrel with importance of where the money I do have gets applied to...  so yes, I do have a few collection agencies calling me.  I owe money, I accept that.  I'm not going to complain like most people do, as if I am so inconvenienced because a company wants the money I do owe them.  But, I've received calls from other companies where they identify the company, give phone numbers, give first and last name of the caller as well as extension numbers to call them back on, and they give reference numbers for my account.  Calls that provide me information about who they are will be the first ones I call to set up payments with, the ones that don't give me any information (or don't even leave messages, or don't respond at all when I am able to answer their phone calls) will be the last ones I attempt to deal with...

Company name is assumed from other people's posts, since my one voice message did not leave me with anything other than a phone number...