8008409166

we are not talking about a legitamate debt collector here,if they were they probally wouldn't be useing the tatics that they are to get your money.they lie and threaten.they call 6-10 times a day.i offered to make payment arrangements and they wanted the full amount.said they were a law firm and i was going to get documents regarding my debt,never did!i told them it was a crime to say you are a law firm when you are not,then they said that they have a law dept. what ever if they gave me something in writing and were willing to work with me it would be a differnt story all together.

Now they are calling me at work.  Demanding money for something I don't know about and they wont tell me.  I was scared then thankful I checked this website.  They have also been saying things like, Circuit City and your checking account issue.  Never had a Circuit City Acct and would not call them back.   I Called my bank and they said these have been reported by other callers.  I wonder if they know its from these criminals.
Today they said urgent bussiness with out law firm and your acct is 321943.

Send them this Cease Communication letter VIA Certified Mail. Request a return receipt and keep copies of everything. If they refuse to stop calling or validate the debt they are harassing you about, they can face fines (up to and including) $1,000.00 PER VIOLATION.
Today's Date

Your Name
Your Address

Collector's Name
Collector's Address

VIA CERTIFIED MAIL

Dear {insert name of collector or company},

I am writing in response to your (letter or phone call) dated {insert date}, (copy enclosed) because I do not believe I owe what you say I owe.

This is the first I've heard from you, or any other company on this matter therefore, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Section 809(b): Validating Debts:

(b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or any copy of a judgment, or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of such verification or judgment, or name and address of the original creditor, is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.

I respectfully request that you provide me with the following information:

(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) Provide a verification or copy of any judgment (if applicable);
(4) Proof that you are licensed to collect debts in (insert name of your state)
Be advised that I am fully aware of my rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For instance, I know that:

because I have disputed this debt in writing within 30 days of receipt of your dunning notice, you must obtain verification of the debt or a copy of the judgment against me and mail these items to me at your expense;
you cannot add interest or fees except those allowed by the original contract or state law.
you do not have to respond to this dispute but if you do, any attempt to collect this debt without validating it, violates the FDCPA;
Also be advised that I am keeping very accurate records of all correspondence from you and your company including recording all phone calls and I will not hesitate to report violations of the law to my State Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.

I have disputed this debt; therefore, until validated you know your information concerning this debt is inaccurate. Thus, if you have already reported this debt to any credit-reporting agency (CRA) or Credit Bureau (CB) then, you must immediately inform them of my dispute with this debt. Reporting information that you know to be inaccurate or failing to report information correctly violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act § 1681s-2. Should you pursue a judgment without validating this debt, I will inform the judge and request the case be dismissed based on your failure to comply with the FDCPA.

Finally, if you do not own this debt, I demand that you immediately send a copy of this dispute letter to the original creditor so they are also aware of my dispute with this debt.

Signature here
Your Printed Name

http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/Disputing ... ute-letter.html

PS--Phillips & Burns is NOT a "law firm". They are a debt collection agency.

My wife has been getting calls from these people several times a day for a few weeks now.  Every few calls they leave a message saying that her response is needed regarding paperwork filed with them within 72 hours."  I Google'd the number, and this is the first site that same up.

The odd thing here is, this site says they're crooks and not to be dealt with.  However, I contacted the BBB, and they are listed as a reputable company with a satisfactory rating.

So which is it?  A crooked company out to scam people, or a reputable company out to collect a legitimate debt?

I received a call from these folks today.  The voice mail message stated that I had until 6PM this evening to return their call or a law suit would be filed in my county.  (Fortunately I have read the Fair Debt Collection Act and have consulted with an attorney regarding this process)  Representing oneself as an attorney and threatening a suit is illegal...unless you are an attorney and intend to file(Strike 1)  I returned the call and the agent went into the standard mumbo jumbo about the debt owed.  I pulled up my account on-line with the creditor he is representing.  The balance he cited was substantially higher than what my creditor showed as being owed(Strike 2) Interestingly enough I asked in what states the law firm was admitted.  He said "what are you talking about".  I then said you left a message on my phone stating you were prepared to file a suit by 6PM today if I did not return the call.  By doing so you are representing yourself as a lawyer.  I need to know what states you are admitted.  (A lawsuit cannot be filed in my state by an attorney outside the state)  At this time he denied ever making such a statement.  I then asked for his Bar #.  (If he were really a lawyer he would have a number)  He then asked why I wanted to know and denied ever making such a claim. Before I could respond he went on the offensive and said I needed to make a payment today to "move the process forward."  That is when I informed the agent of a payment I made on-line to the original creditor.  He went nuts.  Wanted to know the amount and why I made it to them and not to him.  I told him that I paid what I could afford and I paid them because I do not owe Phillips & Burns anything. Next thing I know he hung.  

Don't let these folks bully you into making a payment to them.  They are nothing more than an agency attempting to scare people into making payments they cannot afford.  I fully intend to pay my debt but cannot afford to pay it in full at this time.  I will make small payments until such a time as I can save enough to offer a lump sum settlement.

Not for nothing but why are you making/letting this alleged precious child answer the phone knowing or not knowing who is on the other end?
I agree that these collectors are scum but so are those that hide behind their kids and then express outrage as far as I'm concern.
Answer the phone yourself. There is absolutely NO legitimate excuse you can give to somehow spin this. Teach the brat some discipline.

They are using these numbers as well 716-961-3108 and 716-891-5800

My brother in another town and my parents in another state both got calls on the same day asking for me. They told my brother that my lawyer or I needed to contact this number reguarding a "delicate" matter. Neither gave out any information fortunately.

Computer voice asking you to enter your name and number. Calls come at all times of the day and night and do not stop. When you return to tell them they have wrong info it is a recording and no customer service.

You know, you have to pay a subscription type service to the BBB to even be listed in there.  It's kind of like how doctors get listed as "Best surgeon" only if they take out ads in the magazine running the story...

A man named Brian Harper (716-558-5818) called and left  message for my ex who I haven't seen in almost 15 years...how did they get my phone #?
He also stated that he works at Phillips & Burns Law Firm.
Oh and the # he gave me is his voice mail.

Watch out for this number too, 1-716-891-5800.  These people call 2 to 3 times a week usually twice a day for my daughter who doesn't even live here anymore.  When I press the number to talk to an agent, the phone disconnects, this happens every time.
By the way, she has paid off all of her debt.
I am filing a report with my state Attorney generals office.

August 5, 2008

Sorry but you lose. A cease and desist letter is the law and if you dont like it you need to talk to Congress. That letter does not prevent a collector from suing but since MOST lack required proof then they never do. Too bad so sad. And tax offsets CANNOT be done for any debt unless it is an IRS tax debt or student loans where prior notice was provided. So eat me again! You are [***] and your efforts to collect on these BS debts are equally as worthless as your tiny brain. BTW I sue collectors like you so dont try to mess with me or you will be more than stupid; you also will be very sorry. LMAO!!!

We received a call this morning, caller ID said 'P B'.  An intimidating, large-sounding guy left a message on our voice mail saying This is an attempt to reach <recorded name of my husband>.  If you're not this person, hang up immediately.  If you are this person, you are advised to call PNB Capital at some 800 number (different than what showed up on ID).    I googled PNB Capital and found a legitimate bank headquartered in the Phillipines.  When I googled the phone number, I found this site.

Thanks to everyone for the great information.  As far as people 'hiding behind their kids', I seriously doubt that's what happened.  11 yr olds are usually old enough to answer the phone.

Spud, if you are outside the statute of limitations (SOL) you should NOT make small payments. This restarts the SOL clock and you can be sued for the amount owed. I would have simply said I knew that and would pay in a lump sum when I could afford it. And if applicable I would inform them they were "time barred" from legal action. These things indicate to them they do not have a dummy on the phone. They will leave you alone then.

You sound like a scum collector to me. You need to learn how to type and write letters. Apparantly, it does not take a genius to collect debts. You need to slither back into your hole and stay there. See what happens when your brain gets fried on drugs.

Has anyone seen the show 20/20 a couple weeks ago on this sort of illegal activity? These snake in the grass debt collectors will practically do or say anything to harass, intimidate and scare people that may not know their rights as consumers. There was a collector that called a couple and told them if a bill was not paid that day they had the cops on the way to their house and they got scared and left their house.But they also recorded the call and took it to a lawyer who tracked the debt collection agency and told them a thing a two about the law. The bottom line is KNOW YOU RIGHTS and don't let these collection agencies say or do ANYTHING to scare you. They will not harass the knowledgable consumer.BELIEVE IT.

Stupid analogy. IRS has "right of offset". Unsecured creditors do not. There is not comparison in your scenarios.

I have received over 400 calls from these bottom feeders, for a debt I don't owe. My daughter passed away owing $580, and they have been harassing me for years.  I finally got a phone service "Phone Power" who successfully blocks their numerous numbers with a busy signal.      What a relief....

I've been getting calls for a couple weeks from these guys.  This is a firm that holds a debt from 2001, which is not mine.  I've explained this to them, but apparently there are other people with my name.  My SSN doesn't even match, nor my date of birth.  I've asked them to stop calling on the phone to no avail.  Sent a letter today written by a lawyer, we'll see if it works.  My advice would be to write a letter demanding they stop calling your number.  Federal law requires them to stop calling upon written notice.  If that doesn't work, I would contact the FCC by phone immediately, which I plan on doing in the next week.  With Obama in office now, this kind of harassment is without merit, and highly illegal.  KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!