855-820-4241

It is a scam, technically extortion..

Please do file reports with the FBI, your state attorney general and Department Of Justice,FTC & FCC..

http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
http://www.fbi.gov/
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
https://esupport.fcc.gov/ccmsforms/form1088.action
https://complaints.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx?panel=2

Also read up on the laws and your rights:

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpajump.shtm
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search ...
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0096-fair-credit-reporting-act.pdf

And see:

http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors
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http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/pressreleases/extortion_scam.htm
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Section 809 of the FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf requires 3rd-party debt collectors to give debtors written notice of debt (the key word is *shall*) :
"§ 809. Validation of debts
(a) Within five days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt, a debt collector shall, unless the following information is contained in the initial communication or the consumer has paid the debt, send the consumer a written notice containing—
(1) the amount of the debt;
(2) the name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;
(3) a statement that unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;
(4) a statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of such verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and
(5) a statement that, upon the consumer’s written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor, if different from the current creditor."
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A Collection Agent May Not…

Here are the top 11 actions prohibited by the The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:

Misrepresent Him or Herself

  A debt collector may not misrepresent himself as an attorney or law enforcement officer.

Use the Telephone to Annoy or Harass

  A collection agent may not cause a telephone to ring or engage any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with an intent to annoy, abuse, or harass anyone at the called number.

Threaten Arrest or Lawsuit

  A collection agent may not threaten a consumer with arrest. It may not threaten legal action that is either not permitted or not actually contemplated. In other words, a the threat of a lawsuit may be an empty one.

Use Abusive or Threatening Language

  A debt collector may no use abusive or profane language in the course of communication related to the debt.

Publish a Bad Debt List

  Publishing the consumer’s name or address on a "bad debt" list is prohibited.

Contact By Embarrassing Media

  A debt collector may not communicate with a consumer by post card. It may not use any language or symbol, other than the debt collector’s address, on any envelope when communicating with a consumer by use of the mails or by telegram. A debt collector may use its business name if such name does not indicate it is in the debt collection business.

Contact a Consumer at Work

  A collection agent may not communicate with consumers at their place of employment after being told this is unacceptable or prohibited by the employer.

Seek Unjustifiable Amounts

  A debt collector may not demand any amounts not permitted under an applicable contract or as provided under law.

Contact a Consumer Represented by an Attorney

  A collection agent may not contact a consumer after it learns the consumer is represented by a lawyer.

Communicate With a Consumer After Receiving a Validation Request

  If a consumer sends a written §1692g response within 30 days, the collection agent may not communicate with the consumer until it mails the consumer the requested verification of original creditor's name and address.

Communicate With Third Parties

  A debt collector may not reveal or discuss the nature of a consumer’s debts with third parties other than the consumer’s spouse or attorney. A collection agent may contact neighbors or co-workers only to obtain location information. It may contact a third party again if it has reason to believe the information the party provided previously is false.

Bills.com FDCPA FAQ

Below are questions Bills.com readers ask frequently:

Can a Collection Agent Call My Cell Phone?

  Yes. However, if you tell the debt collector it may not use that number because it is a cell phone, it may not contact you again at that number.

I Keep Receiving Dozens of Calls From Collection Agents. Is That Legal?

  No. Unscrupulous collection agents will use "block parties" or "office parties" where they contact a consumer, multiple neighbors, or co-workers telling them they need to reach the consumer on an urgent matter. This is not permitted under the FDCPA.

A Collector Says I Will Be Arrested if I Do Not Pay

  This was a true statement before the US Civil War, but has not been true since. People may be arrested if an aggressive judge files a bench warrant for a person who does not appear at a hearing relating to a lawsuit regarding a debt. However, in that case, the offense is the failure to respond to a court order, and not the existence of the debt. As stated above, it is illegal under the FDCPA to threaten a consumer with arrest if the consumer does not pay the debt.

I keep getting calls from David Lewiston also telling me they have a claim against me; maybe I should have call them and play with them! They also use  (616-988-9079 to call from; I suppose I could use any number I wanted to; too!) if they were not playing games they would not call from one phone number and use another 855-820-4241.

See my post above and do report them! Keep any recorded messages and don't speak to them unless you record it and tell them right off its being recorded.

you know what is funny about your statement is that i actually got served and they are trying to garish my wages....they really are not a collection agency and for you to be giving people legal advice and not to know what your talking bout is unfair to the innocent people your lying to....your just lucky they havent caught up to you yet!!!

They threatened to take my moms car away if we did not pay her. I thought something was off because they were being extremely agressive and threatening. I asked them to show me proof because my mom has never heard of Metris bank before. They cannot produce any proof.

You really know whats funny? Your a shill!   Whats funnier yet is the lame accusations you go on with! Hate to burst your bubble bubba, but we owe no one anything. We paid our bills off long ago and retirement is real nice!   Its called hard work!

BTW.. whos they? Got a few burr's up your hinney?

You know what, we don't believe you.  What did they serve you, a pizza?

>>>>they really are not a collection agency
mmmm, they claim to be collecting debts, then what are they?  I'm leaning toward fraudulent bottom feeders.  They certainly aren't accounts receivablesthe FC professionals who are playing by the rules of  FDCPA  

>>>>>not to know what your talking bout is unfair to the innocent people your lying to
What about the people you are lying too you shill?  What about the innocent people this supposed company is harassing?

>>your just lucky they havent caught up to you yet!!!
Why would they catch us if we don't own any debts?  In any case, I can assure you neither myself or any of the regulars are scared of them yet

If you are collecting a debt for a third party you are, by definition, a collection agency or debt collector and are subject to the FDCPA.
This poster is obviously some jerk that "works" for this "company".

Even if you are not directly hired by the original creditor and are a bottom feeding, low life debt buyer you are still subject to the law. Actually I've spent way too much time worrying about these bozos. Good night.

I just got the same call. Let me fill some of you in. These companies buy huge lists of people that have very old debt. They might buy a list of 300,000 names with a total of 10m in debt for say $50,000. They then go to work trying to collect from them. I settled a debt about 10 years ago and have the letter but I love messing with them anyway. This one sounds like it will be fun from what I read here. They are basically looking for people who scare easily. If they bought your 10 year old 10k debt for $3 anything they get is great. The thing about these people is they know they can tell you anything on the phone. You MUST not get emotionally charged on the phone because they feed on that. If you want to make them crazy stay calm. Let them motor mouth and interrupt but be polite. Do not talk to them long or they may trip you up to say something that WILL give them a legit debt. They record conversations and will review them later. If you admit you owe the debt they will take you to court with a typed transcript. I dont know for certain but suspect that these companies are connected to people who are involved in identity theft. I dont think they do it themselves but they probably broker the information. There are people who will buy your ss number, mothers maiden name, bank account number etc. to use and broker to others. Here are the rules for these people:

1: NEVER ADMIT YOU OWN THE DEBT. Admitting you owe the debt can make it so you do owe the debt in the eyes of the law. Tell them you don’t remember it and ask them to send you a copy of the paperwork they have from the company. The ORIGINAL credit card agreement, the paperwork you signed, a statement from the company. They are probably not going to have this and if they don’t it is not lajit. To many of these companies you are a name on a list. They probably don’t even really own the debt. They will just try and get you to pay. You will be paying someone who does not even own the debt and they will just sell the debt to someone else once they bleed you. That is what is ironic….paying them means nothing if they don’t own the debt.

2. NEVER EVER pay them a dime. In the state I am in the statue of limitations (SOL) is 5 years and it varies by state. It varies by state but there is zero chance they will get a judgment against you past that date. Unless it is a student loan then your beyond screwed. You need to research the time period for (SOL) for your state. Here is the thing though….if you have a debt that is 8 years old and SOL in your state is 5 years and you make a payment on that debt…the time frame starts all over. Then a debt they don’t have a chance to collect is now collectable for the next 5 years by anyone!!! You do this you are screwed. They will call it a processing fee or something else to get you to pay then even a dollar…does not matter once you pay you are really in bad shape.

3. Tell them in your state the SOL time frame is (xxxx) whatever and they are SOL. They can still sue you and if they do you will have to research the letter you give the judge indicating SOL. Don’t be afraid of being sued as it is not likely they will and SOL always wins. Chances are they don’t even really own the debt. I strung two collection agencies along for a long time over the same paid off 8 year old debt. They got very highly irate many times and finally I told them they are SOL and instantly they just stopped. They gave up right there on the phone.

4. Keep in mind they can say anything to you. Ask them to put whatever they tell you in writing. I always set up a separate email account to get them to send me stuff. Send them letters requesting the info above and keep in mind it does not have to be typed and all that. Just write it on a piece of paper and send it so you get a returned receipt. If you are thinking you don’t have time for this that is the other thing they are counting on. If they are calling you at work send them a letter to tell them to stop….google it. If they are calling your relatives do the same.

These people are predators and they will say anything to get their commission. They are on commission. Like all predators they look for the old or weak to prey on. They will be your friend or your enemy if it suits them. Don’t chat with them and tell them anything about your life. They will use it against you. Don’t be an idiot.

These people try and intimidate you by telling you they are going to sue you and having that process entice you to pay when they KNOW they will loose in court because the debt is statued out. However if you make a payment on the debt or acknowledge the debt is yours and you do owe the money the clock starts again. They are recording every word. WHATEVER YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE DO NOT MAKE A PAYMENT ON A DEBT THAT HAS RUN OUT OF DATE PER YOUR STATE. If you do even one dollar the time starts over. These people try and engage you on the phone and talk to you so that you will say something to reage the debt. Do not engage them in conversation...IT IS A TRAP. As soon as I told Milisa the debt was SOL its like she just gave up!!!  They know they will loose. Just deal in facts not your feelings or philisophical stuff. Dont get angry or upset. This is what they want....they feed on it and it gives them control. Realize when the conversation is over and say goodbye. Research debt collection and learn the rules. Ask for a copy of the original contract, date of last payment, and details of the last payment in a letter return receipt requested. Do not get all worked up about typing it and all that just write itout, copy it, sign it, and send it. Just be carefull what you say. Tell them you do not acknowledge the debt but you want information. Jason at this number told me " we dont have it." Even if they take you to court, do not be afraid of this, they will loose once you produce documents indicating SOL every time unless they can get you to make a payment or verbally acknoledge the debt. You need to research what documents to bring or ask a lawyer. Dont be stupid and pay ancient debts. These people think you are scum, and they will do ANYTHING to get you to fall in a trap. Dont believe anything they say. It only matters what they send in the mail not what they say.


Reply !

Here is the email addressI had for them:

cheryl@arainc.us

I think that's a different group than the one we were discussing. There's a bunch of these outfits using "asset" in their name.

Beware of American Asset Recovery. They called us this morning, how they got a cell number I have no idea, but said my wife's mom had taken out a loan in 1999 and was now in default and how did we want to pay the $900 + they claimed before they began a civil suit. No, they couldn't provide us with any documentation until after the debt was paid and can we have your credit card number? We googled their phone number and there appeared a huge thread of complaints about this scam. We hung up.

The also go by
Global management group
American Asset recovery
Financial mediation group

They call from:

206-639-2221
206-653-0566
303-731-8734

They are commuting fraud and you should report them to your attorney general immediately. Also contact you local authorities if they are pretending to be representing any form of legal counsel, county authority, mediator, etc. as this is illegal as well.

Mr. David Leiston of American Asset Recovery DOES get around doesn't he.  Two, three times a day.
Always with the case number and the unitelligible last name, collecting!  We've turned off our answering machine and no longer answer our phone - the do not call list doesn't even slow them down.  It's a shame that people can't pick up their phone to answer a call without it being this kind of crap!

Well I happen to know something about grammar and spelling, and yours is hideous, as I suspect your visage is.  What's wrong shill, don't know what "visage" is?  Too bad, there are some of us here who have a higher reading level than grade three.  Idiot.

It never ceases to amaze me how people so often fail to make effective use of their brains before pressing that button.  Are you aware that "garish" is an adjective?  I'm sure you are (if you have a brain) looking for the word "garnish" as in "garnish your wages".

You do threaten people illegally and I have tried several times to get your address and you wont give it out.  You break every law in the book and when I find your info I am going to sue you.

Two words, what ever! More words quit shilling it does not work for you and your "department".