952-944-7575

Leaves no message-called several times during day hours while I am at work

Michael Day is the name given. Calls several times once during a job interview. Told me he is trying to collect a debt and that I used the credit card company's money and I should borrow from family or friends or why haven't I filed bankruptcy. I tried to make an arrangement on payment he told me to get real.

I get calls from this number constantly.  The debt is in my husbands name only.  My husband is now in a nursing home because of Alzheimer's and a stroke he suffered last year.  I explain all of this, and they call me.  My name was never on any of his charge cards, and I never used the cards, I have my own.  I feel that they are ruining my credit history, as they say I am his contact person.  We are both seniors, my husband just turned 80 this past November.  Any suggestions.

Here is the name and address of the collection agency that's calling you about your husband:

Viking Collection Service, Inc.
7500 Office Ridge Circle, Suite 100
Eden Prairie, MN  55344
800-767-7895
952-944-7575
www.vikingservice.com

I suggest sending Viking a cease-communication letter. In the letter, tell them that they are repeatedly calling you about a debt that is not yours and that they are to cease all communication with you. I would also warn them that you will promptly pursue legal sanctions against them if they disregard your cease communication notice or if they report any adverse information on your credit report.  If Viking contacts you more than once after receiving your letter, then they are in violation of the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), and you and seek damages against them in court for each violation.  Just be sure to send your letter via certified US Mail with a return receipt request, and save a copy of your letter.

Your husband can also send Viking a cease-communication letter. If he's not able to do it himself, an attorney or anyone with his power-of-attorney can do it on his behalf.  (On a personal note, this is something I had to do on behalf of my Alzheimer's-stricken grandfather last year. A corrupt debt collection operation was hassling him for a debt that they knew wasn't his debt; they thought they could scare a senile old man into sending them money. Fortunately, we caught them and put an end to their harassment.) Even though the debts Viking is calling about belong to your husband, the FDCPA rules still apply; if your husband informs them to cease communication, they must do so or face civil penalties.

For more information on protecting yourselves against debt collectors and, if need be, suing them, check out these websites:

Consumer Credit Advocate Bud Hibbs - http://www.budhibbs.com/First.htm
National Association of Consumer Advocates - http://www.naca.net/debt-collection-abuse/
Fair Debt Collection - http://fair-debt-collection.com/
Warren & Vullings, LLP - http://www.fairdebtlawyers.com/
My Fair Debt - http://www.myfairdebt.com/
Consumer Counsel Group - http://www.consumercounselgroup.com

Hope this helps. Good luck.

By the way, Viking is no stranger to the federal court defendant's chair. Here's a lengthy list of federal lawsuits filed against Viking Collection Service alleging violations of federal debt collection laws: http://dockets.justia.com/search?query=viking ... 2&max-year=2008

ec,
I can't thank you enough.  I am going to follow your instructions right to the letter.  I will keep all informed of the progress I'm sure I will make.  Thanks again

Amy Johnson is the one who calls me all the time, several times a day while I am at work. She told me that I was a sorry and irresponsible person for not paying my bills. She said she did not care if I got fired from my job that I am not paying my credit card bill when I have a job so what does it matter. She even harrasses the secretaries that answer the phones at my job, tells them that if they cant tell her what time to get in contact with me that they dont need to answer the phone. I tried to explain my status and how I got behind, told me that I wasnt anything but a liar, even said that she would call my daycare to see what time I pick my child up to verify that I am working when I dont answer her calls. I have no intention on talking to anyone who downgrades me like this woman did, if you are attempting to collect a debt this is the wrong way to go, telling people how sorry they are, that will not get you anywhere, especially not with me.

I have been called several times over the last few months. After I submitted in writing to not call me at work and to submit me paper documents They still didnt and continued to call me at work when I also told them verbally to not call me at work they did 3 times in a 2 and half week period. I reported Viking Collection Services to the FTC we shall see if anything gets done with them or not. I found it funny there where 3 people from that company that had my file it went from Chris Bacon who called me during a funeral, Estella his supervisor who called me at work and told me to do a homework assignment and call them back, and Her supervisor who wouldnt listen to quit calling me at work.

this phone number 952-944-7575 calls our home phone and lies, says is "sergio there?" i said theres no sergio here this is my "last name" resident and now starts yelling well sergio called from this phone, and i politely said you got the wrong phone number only "my last name" resident live here. Then says wheres the owner? (my father) starts swearing and says this is very important that his jobs on the line.

I say to myself
If so whos Sergio? Why swear at me when i speifily politly said wrong resident, and he stills try to get me to give him information. starts saying im stupid beause i dont know the owners cell phone. Why dont he try not unboking his caller ID

someone needs to deal with them.

This company consists of moral less twits who harrass you to no end.  They need to realize that there are more important things in life than trying to settle a debt especially in an economy like this where no work is to be found.  I'm gonna feed my kids before I pay you.  Do you think I really like having my credit score tarnished?  Do you think I'm sitting here on my couch everyday thinking to myself how it's so great to have crappy credit while I keep all the money that I have to myself?  NO!  If I had the money, I would pay you.  It's like a predatory collection agency.  These people must have crappy lives or are going to.  What you put out into the world comes back to you.  I don't wish it upon these people, but one day when they default on a loan, they'll get theirs and I hope they realize what they put others through.  If people want their money back, they need to be polite and try to work out a payment plan that fits the person's income.  I tried doing $200/month to pay you back, but you said no so you won't get a dime from me.  And what's up with people who don't leave thorough messages?  They need to learn proper phone etiquette.  Leave your name, number, and a message as to why you called or I'm not calling you back!

unknown number. just received it. it's irritating. telemarketers have access to cell phones too now?

This number does call me constantly all day long.  Michael Day has called me at work several times.  Ie did file a formal complaint against him with the FTC but it seems like most likely they will continue to get away with harassing people at work.  Michael has been told on 3 separate call do not call me at work.  He has now resorted to leaving voice mail messages at my work.  The voice mail is not a personal voice mail box so he is violating my rights leaving my info on the voice mail and even calling me after he has been informed not to call me at work more than once.  I wish someone would make these people accountable for the violations.  What is the point of have Fair Debt Collection Acts if no one will enforce them.

They also call under a toll free #800-818-4937. They've started calling my cell # within the past week, and even when I tell them I have no idea who they are calling for (Jeffery something-or-rather) the guy (Mike) still didn't believe me. He even lied saying that they've spoken to the person they're trying to reach recently,  even though I've had the same # for over 5 years. I've just been sending their calls to voicemail (which they never leave a message either).

I have been getting 3-4 calls a day from this number and now they are calling work also. I am a teacher and the phone ringing all day is very disruptive. A guy, supposedly named "Mark Summerville", has left a message the last 2 times saying he needs to speak to me regarding my ex-husband--as if I have vital information for a case or something.  When I googled "Mark Summerville", an Atlanta lawyer's name came up. The phone numbers did not match. Obviously "Mark" is a ruse.

A Mike something called me last night on my cell phone asking for my husband. I asked who he was and what this was regarding. He would not tell me what it was about. I asked him how he got this number and he stated that my husband put this number as a contact number (which I know is not the case because any debt my husband has was accumulated before we got married). I told him I was his wife and he asked me to verify my name and my husband's last 4 digits of his social security number, I told him I didn't know it, then he asked for the first 3. Im not sure how he got my cell phone number because even our numbers are in my name only. These people are getting their info from somewhere that seems a little fishy. FYI: I advise that if they ask for any part of your SS# over the phone, dont give it to them. Some places online give partial SS#, all people would need is the rest and they have your full SS#. I know this b/c where I work I can look up peoples first 5 numbers and most places only show your last 4.

Was from a "Jackie" asking for my mother (who lives in another state), they asked to relay a message to her, and said it was "a personal bussiness matter". Very cagey not specific at all. This was the second time in two weeeks (this time on Saturday morn) told not to call my number again for her.. we will see...

I'll just block the number to be sure...

This broad named Leanne keeps calling me at work.  These [***] do not know they are using illegal methods and scripts to collect.  Or maybe they do know and count on people not being wise to their crap. You cannot verbally threaten people, all you can ask is "can you pay the debt, and if so, when and how?"  They're just going to have to suck on it until I get back pay owed to me.  Maybe I'll start getting nasty back, on the phone.

I just got a call from this company as well.  They were very very rude.  I just hung up on them and that is what I intend on doing next time they call.  I like to let the phone ring two times so I can see who it is on my caller ID then I click talk then end.  99.9% of the time when you do answer calls from these types of people they either hang up on you or you can hear them on the other line as you are saying "hello" repeatedly.  So I beat them to the punch anymore.....hehe!

They do know they are using illegal methods, but they also know that the Feds are virtually powerless to do anything about it.

In hundred thousand complaints (for the industry), there has been only a handful of prosecutions nation-wide. They also know that a court case for you is expensive and uncertain; a judge is far more likely to just dismiss the case, the docket being "too busy" with real cases.

Note, too, that the Federal "Do Not Call" list under the FCC has NEVER had a prosecution.

Caller claims his name is Eric Wolfe.  Asked me to get the money from friends and family.  Unbelievable.  I am one of those people who actually want to pay off all my debts - even with the economic circumstances that led to this point, I find no benefit in complaining.  I just keep trying to make good to the best of my ability.  To have someone say that is not good enough and to ask friends and family to pay for my debts is a proposition that does not appeal to me.  My responsibilities are my own and I take accountability - Viking's tactics are reprehensible.