866-719-3523

called me, asked if I was the person or the spouse of the person they were trying to contact.  After pressing #1 on the phone, I had to wait via a recording, and then was asked to leave a message. The message said it was not a telemarketer.

Automated systems identified themselves as Phillips & Cohen Associates.  They gave me their phone number and a "Reference #."  Their website claims to be a Financial Recovery Service.  Did not call number back.

They game this phone # and a reference # as well...I did call them back to tell them to quit calling me, I owe no one anything...so I called they announced they were with Phillips & Cohen Associates and they are a debt collector and any information recovered would be used for that purpose.

Then silence, then disconnected...I even tried multiple times to get through to them, same scenario.  Sometimes I just enjoy arguing with them :)

This number has been calling our house for about 6 months. We don't answer calls we don't recognize. This Phillips & Cohen used to leave recorded messages. For the last few days they call, let the phone ring until voicemail picks up, then they immediately call back....... 3 or 4 times in a row. Friday they called 4.. that's FOUR times within FOUR minutes!!!!!! I put them on my block callers list.

I am getting these calls too. I Googled the number, and then sent a Cease and Desist form letter after doing a few minute's research about how this company buys old charged off debt. Here's how the scam works in my case. I had credit cards stolen almost ten years ago, so I canceled them all and paid the bills to date. One card had about a dollar and change of extra interest that missed the final bill. I moved from that state and never saw that bill. Next thing I know it's a couple of years later and I'm getting collection letters saying I owe several hundred on this card. What's worse is that the bank actually went out of business five years ago, making all of the alleged debts a write off. It is against the law to continue to try to collect on these debts.

Since Philips and Cohen and Associates had that recording call AFTER I sent the cease and desist letter demanding that they stop, I will now report them to the Attorney General's office in Delaware.

Anyone who gets a call from this recording who suspects something like this, should send out a cease and desist letter and then file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in Delaware for violation of the Fair Debt Practices Act.

They call all the time.  They are caller about my ex-husband (marriage disolved 1989) and won't stop.  The ex has died and they still call.  They have his daughter's name but for some reason call me.  I refuse to speak with them.  They leave a reference number as well!

they are calling me about an ex-husband of 20 years who has since died.  Can you please give me the address for the Attorney General's office in Delaware?
Thanks

Please contact legal counsel before talking to these people.  They called me about my late father's "affairs".....As it turns out they were fraudulently trying to bill us for a credit card that my father NEVER EVEN HAD!!  Also, they seemed to purposely wait out the six months that our state requires to place a claim in probate court, as they began calling two days AFTER the six month deadline.  These people are sleazy bottom feeder collection agents, who try to claim they are a law office.  Please contact legal counsel before talking to these people at all.  And please whatever you do.....DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE 'DEBT' THEY CLAIM IN ANY WAY!!!!

If you aren't the person being called, and your name isn't being removed from their solicitation/phone call list:  A good  place to file a complaint is with the Federal Communications Commission.  The rules they govern are stricter.  I believe it is complaint # 1088

FCC doesn't mess with complaints; and my complaints in the past have usually been investigated!!!  

FTC and donotcall, place complaints on a list, and will investigate, file charges if they see a pattern.  So everyone needs to file complaints, so that there will be a definite pattern!.

Anyone have problems with Collection Agencies calling?  There are laws to protect Consumers from these jerks.  #1, they technically do not have any authority.  They usually purchase charged off bills, from other creditors for pennies on the dollar.  #2, because the bill is with an original creditor, and not the Collection Agency, you are NOT obligated to these jerks.  They will try to convince you that you are.  #3 the only way you become obligated to these agencies, is 1) if a new contract/agreement is done in writing, and you sign - but you are NOT obligated to; and 2) is if you make payment arrangements with them; thereby creating a contract/agreement, where none exist, when they first contact you!!!

The "Law of Novation" states that when a new owner of an account or an alleged debt, a New Contract must be written and signed by All parties, for a Contract/Agreement to be in place, with a different Creditor.  Collection Agencies are known for violating Federal Consumer Protection Laws; and they are allowed to, because those uneducated in those laws, keep allowing them to.

If the American people, became educated in these Consumer Protection Laws, Collection Agencies would have to close their doors, due not not receiving any money, when customers are sent bills, or collection demand letters.  

However, you technically do need to respond to them, if they are sent Certified mail, otherwise, they don't know, if you actually received them or not.  A Cease or Desist or Cease Communication letter, similar to:

To: Name
address
city, state

date

RE:  
Original Creditor Account: 689259820
Amount in Dispute: $  

Dear  (Collection Agency).:

I am in receipt of your demand for payment.  However, this Notice is to confirm that I do not wish to be contacted again by you, and that you are hereby put on Notice to Cease Communication pursuant to 15 USC Section 1692c(c).  Failure to comply with said Notice, shall result in a complaint filed and submitted, to the Federal Trade Commission, and possible legal remedies, in an appropriate United States District Court.

In addition, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT, I am not waiving my right to dispute, the alleged debt asserted herein, but at this time I am under no obligation, to respond as a result of  ________’s default.

Sincerely,


Name
Address
City, state

Regular Mail
Certified Mail#:  XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX


If you answer the phone,  simply say:"I do not discuss financial matters by phone - send me a statement in writing and I will respond to it."  Then Hang up!!!  Otherwise, they will have you completely shaken!!!  The longer they keep you on the line, the more chance they have, to get money from you including payment arrangements – or payment agreement/contract!!!  You are NOT legally obligated to talk to them!!!

Collection agencies are ruthless jerks!!!  They will tell you they are the original creditor when they are not - even though it is illegal, for them to do it, per Federal Consumer Protection Laws.  You can legally sue them for $1,000.00 per violation.

When you do get a statement - google "FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT" One or more online Attorney websites will be shown.  These websites will have valuable information, including a Cease & Desist sample letter; or a Cease Communication letter.  Once received, it is a violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, to contact you further.

You can also educate yourself by reading Consumer Protection Laws at www.ftc.gov;  a lot of valuable information.  Don’t have time,  download and read later.  You will be glad you did!!!

I am not an Attorney - just an Educated Consumer, in Consumer Protection Laws.  I have spent hours studying these laws and becoming familiar with them.  They have helped us and friends/family as well; and hopefully it will help someone, who reads this.

And for those self-righteous criticizers, who say, just pay your bills on time; things happen to people with Credit Card debt, medical bills etc., often beyond their control such as job loss, divorce, death, illness etc. and you find your self in a bind.  We've been there, we know.  You do not plan to pay late, or not make payments; but if the income quits - there's not a whole lot one can do!  You then are forced to prioritize, Mortgage, Utilities, Car payment then food, if you can!  Other things have to be let go!  

And if you are having problems with Debt Collector and/or Credit Card Lawsuits, I can probably help you.  tlcpetmommy@gmail.com I hope this information will be helpful to somebody who reads it!!!

I am so glad I read your post.  They are calling me and intimidating me into paying the debt in full, when i can not.  I have agreed to payments, but they want "all of it now".  I was told at one time they would give me till the end of the business day to collect the money from "relatives, friends, sons and daughters."  These people are insane.  I am glad to know i don't have to talk to them.  They just called me back an hour a go and left a message saying that they had good news and I had until 2:00 pm to call them back.   I have no intention of doing so.  I plan to call the company with whom I have the debt and work out arrangements with them.  
And...  I have printed and typed the sample letter to be sent to them today.

Thanks,