888-420-2512

The call started off with the caller asking, do you know so-and-so(insert deceased relatives name here) and then the caller gave details of a passed away family member-(all things one could find out from public records).  The caller stated this deceased person owed Sears $1600.  The caller gave the name Valerie and the company name of Ascension Point.  She said her extension number was 4065.  
A Google search of Ascension Point reveals nothing regarding a legitimate collections agency.
This is a horrible scam that attempts to victimize people who have recently lost a loved one.

I had the same experience as Corky and Another Scam.  Valerie was the person who spoke to me, said the same script and used the same ext 4065.  She was extremely calm and polite as if she really wanted to help.  Valerie pressed for a settlement of my deceased brother's account by the end of the month, the day she called.  I told her I would call her back.  She called me before I could call her.  I was surprised that Valerie got as far as she did. In any event we did not give her any money.

A Jeff Shannon called (extension 4066) asking for the representative for the estate of my deceased former brother-in-law. I have been divorced from his brother for over 10 years!! When I called back I told him I didn't know how he got my number and that I don't have any contact with the family but if I somehow reach someone I will have them call him. I told him to delete my number from his records. I told my former sister-in-law about it but warned her about what I read on this website and told her not to call.

this scam is still being played ! Be aware,and do not give any information...

Phone # she gave,to call back   888-806=9074  ext 4064 her name Tesa.
Her # on caller id was   763-235-4050 company name was Teton Assest'

Same thing called last night at 8:39 pm name was Paul from Ascension Point caller ID# 888-420-2510 left a message to call back at ext. 4064 in regards to the estate of "Bill B" from the executor I will call him back and give him our attorney# all claims to the estate have been closed and finalized

AscensionPoint Recovery Services, LLC
200 [***] Rapids Blvd. Suite 200
[***] Rapids, MN 55433-5876
ph: 888-420-2510
Fax Number: 763-235-4055

You’re Dead? That Won’t Stop the Debt Collector

Published: March 3, 2009
MINNEAPOLIS — The banks need another bailout and countless homeowners cannot handle their mortgage payments, but one group is paying its bills: the dead.

Dozens of specially trained agents work on the third floor of DCM Services here, calling up the dear departed’s next of kin and kindly asking if they want to settle the balance on a credit card or bank loan, or perhaps make that final utility bill or cellphone payment.

The people on the other end of the line often have no legal obligation to assume the debt of a spouse, sibling or parent. But they take responsibility for it anyway.

“I am out of work now, to be honest with you, and money is very tight for us,” one man declared on a recent phone call after he was apprised of his late mother-in-law’s $280 credit card bill. He promised to pay $15 a month.

Dead people are the newest frontier in debt collecting, and one of the healthiest parts of the industry. Those who dun the living say that people are so scared and so broke it is difficult to get them to cough up even token payments.

Collecting from the dead, however, is expanding. Improved database technology is making it easier to discover when estates are opened in the country’s 3,000 probate courts, giving collectors an opportunity to file timely claims. But if there is no formal estate and thus nothing to file against, the human touch comes into play.

New hires at DCM train for three weeks in what the company calls “empathic active listening,” which mixes the comforting air of a funeral director with the nonjudgmental tones of a friend. The new employees learn to use such anger-deflecting phrases as “If I hear you correctly, you’d like...”

“You get to be the person who cares,” the training manager, Autumn Boomgaarden, told a class of four new hires.

For some relatives, paying is pragmatic. The law varies from state to state, but generally survivors are not required to pay a dead relative’s bills from their own assets. In theory, however, collection agencies could go after any property inherited from the deceased.

But sentiment also plays a large role, the agencies say. Some relatives are loyal to the credit card or bank in question. Some feel a strong sense of morality, that all debts should be paid. Most of all, people feel they are honoring the wishes of their loved ones.

“In times of illness and death, the hierarchy of debts is adjusted,” said Michael Ginsberg of Kaulkin Ginsberg, a consulting company to the debt collection industry. “We do our best to make sure our doctor is paid, because we might need him again. And we want the dead to rest easy, knowing their obligations are taken care of.”

Finally, of course, some of those who pay a dead relative’s debts are unaware they may have no legal obligation.

Scott Weltman of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis, a Cleveland law firm that performs deceased collections, says that if family members ask, “we definitely tell them” they have no legal obligation to pay. “But is it disclosed upfront — ‘Mr. Smith, you definitely don’t owe the money’? It’s not that blunt.”

DCM Services, which began in 1999 as a law firm, recently acquired clients in banking, automobile finance, retailing, telecommunications and health care; DCM says its contracts preclude it from naming them.

The companies “want to protect their brand,” said DCM’s chief executive, Steven Farsht. Despite the delicacy of such collections, he says his 180-employee firm is providing a service to the economy. “The financial services industry is under a tremendous amount of pressure, and every dollar we collect improves their profitability,” he said.

To listen to even a small sample of DCM’s calls — executives played tapes of 10 of them for a reporter, electronically edited to remove all names — is to reveal the wages of misery, right down to the penny.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/business/04 ... 1&sq=dcm&st=cse

March 11, 2009

Chairman Jon Leibowitz
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Dear Chairman Leibowitz:

I am dismayed to learn from recent media reports that some debt collection companies have made it a practice to attempt to collect unpaid credit card balances – and perhaps other types of unsecured debts – from the families of the deceased. According to numerous reports, these companies call surviving relatives, often shortly after the death of a loved one, to coax or cajole them into making payments on the deceased relative’s credit card.  To say the least, this practice is distasteful and unethical.  Moreover, this practice may very well violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  I am hereby requesting that the Federal Trade Commission investigate whether debt collection companies are violating the law when they engage in this practice, and exactly what information they are conveying to surviving relatives who are under no obligation to pay off their loved ones’ credit cards.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, among its many prohibitions, prevents debt collectors from contacting anyone other than the credit card holder without the prior consent of the holder.  Specifically, the Act provides that “a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than the consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.”  “Consumer” is defined in the Act as a “natural person” who owes a debt.  If this language does not apply to a situation in which the consumer is deceased, I would like to know the basis for such an opinion.  

I find it shocking that a debt collection company would determine that it is worth causing profound anguish and embarrassment in order to collect debts that are sometimes as low as $50, or which result in a payment of $15 a month from a widow or widower who is struggling to make ends meet. If a debt is large enough to be worth collecting, there are legal ways to obtain payment.  First, if a surviving family member has also signed for the card, that family member will be obligated to pay the debt.  Second, an unsecured creditor such as a credit card issuer can obtain payment from the estate of the deceased through a routine probate proceeding, after the holders of secured debt – such as mortgagors– are paid.  This practice of harassing living family members for upfront payments results in putting credit card issuers in the front of the line to get money from an estate, rather than after those who hold secured debt.

Given the current economic situation, in which millions of honest, hard-working Americans are struggling to meet their obligations, this practice is opportunistic and destructive.

In addition to opening an investigation into these practices, I would like the answers to the following questions:

Which debt collection companies (“collectors”) are engaging in the practice of collecting credit card debt from widows, widowers, children, and other relatives of the deceased?

Which credit card issuers are hiring these collectors, or selling their debts to these collectors?  Have the issuers endorsed this practice, either by turning a blind eye toward it or by specifically encouraging it?  

Does the practice of trying to collect unsecured debts from the living relatives of debtors who have passed on violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act’s prohibition on communicating with third parties?  If not, why not?  What measures could be taken to make sure that these practices are stopped?

If these practices are currently legal, are these collectors uniformly making sure that they tell living relatives that they have no legal obligation to pay the debt?  Further, are the collectors informing the living relatives of the statute of limitations for collecting these debts?  Are the collectors informing the living relatives that any credit card debt would be paid from the estate only after other secured debts, such as mortgage and car payments, are paid?

Given that the FTC receives more complaints about debt collection companies than any other American business, I hope and expect that you will be thorough in your investigation of this matter.


Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

http://schumer.senate.gov/new_website/record.cfm?id=309474

The debt collectors are behaving badly again. This time they're hitting up surviving family members for money that's owed by the dead!

The New York Times reports that some collection agencies specialize in this somewhat morbid pursuit. Collectors even receive "sensitivity" training to deal with grieving relatives. They'll speak in hushed tones on the phone like a funeral director and refer you to a legitimate grief counselor if necessary.

In most cases, you have no legal obligation to assume the debt of a late spouse, sibling or parent. But the collectors will never tell you that.

The only states where there is a possibility that a surviving spouse may have some responsibility for a debt are "community property states" -- Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

In such states, an executor/executrix or administrator (in the event there is no will) may be responsible for assessing the estate to see if there's money to pay out to creditors.

But in general, if you get a call from these slimeballs, know that you likely don't owe them a penny.

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/12/103/358/

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-420-2510/2#p17f1PTBnBgCpTAjMTg_vFQ

I received a voice mail message from a "Robert" wishing to speak to the personal representative or relative of my deceased sister.  The number for call back was 888-806-9073 ext.4253.  However, the number showing up on caller I.D. was 888-420-2510.  When I called the number left on the message, "Robert", answered Ascension  Point.  When I asked him what kind of company Ascension Point was, he refused to state saying, "It is just a name".  When pressed, he admitted debt collection was one of the functions of this company.  I told him that I knew I was not responsible for any debts my sister accrued and to never call me again.  The very next day I had a voice message from a female stating no name or extension but asking to speak to the relative of my deceased sister. She stated 888-806-9073 and the name, Ascension Point. These people are relentless.  I looked back on caller I.D. and had over a dozen calls in less than two weeks before they finally left a voice message.  These kind of disgusting debt collectors give a whole new meaning to slime by preying on grief stricken relatives.

I received a call from Ascension Point today from a Jenny Cortez regarding my mother, who died a month ago. She would not give me any information re: accounts, etc., citing privacy laws. Someone there identified Ascension Point as a collection agency. My mother had no outstanding debts.

This is an outfit of scammers and vultures. They should be charged with fraud, at the very least.

Someone earlier (probably one of their employees) posted they have an A rating from the Better Business Bureau... Well, now the BBB has been exposed as inaccurate, faulty, and worthless when a fake company called Hamas was submitted for their review and received an A- grade for $425. Also, ascension point was holding a job fare promising lucrative bonuses, and stated "high school diploma preferred" which shows you why their telemarketers are so ignorant and pushy! So, don't even ask them if they know anything about the law.

A woman saying she was Stephanie from Ascension Point looking for someone who is authorized to discuss the late "Anthony D" my uncle.  

The same people already called my father who told them there was no oe responsible and no money in any estate.  I don't have the last name anymore so they obviously looked online for connections like my facebook with my maiden name attached.  

They shouldn't be bothering people who lost a family member.  If they were a legitimate company they could go to the probate court and discover on their own info about the estate ad any monies available for debts.

I have GOOGLE VOICE. It is a WONDERFUL TOOL. I highly suggest everyone get it. After this fool called me, I pressed BLOCK CALLER, and have never had to deal with him again. But here is the transcription of his call. (I did clean it up so that you could read it properly.)

Yes, Hi. My name is Jerry Harris. I'm with Ascension Point. I needed to speak with the family member or friend who's authorized in handling the final affairs of ********* (my deceased mother). If you could please give me a call back at my toll free number, which is, 1(888) 420-2510 and my extension is 4266. Thanks a lot and have a wonderful day. ((Yeah, whoa.))<<-------- Heavy breathing for about 30 mins into phone before he hung up which was transcribed as 'yea whoa.'

Freak.

I just recieved a call from Ashley Bloom 888-806-9074 ext. 4092. She would not give me any info but was trying to collect from my deceased mom of 13 months!!! It sickens me inside, and I can't believe people are out there doing such a thing. When I went to call back I never even had to put in the ext. Ashley Bloom answered the phone!!  Be aware!

I have a little bit more of a problem with this phone no., my mom passed away almost 2yrs ago and i am trying to settle her estate but this same co. actually put a lein on moms estate! the court house for the county we live in told me the only info. for this lein was a phone no.i call the no. and the man wanted a checking acc. no. or credit card before he would discuss what was owed and i pd moms bills for her when she became too ill to write them out herself so i knew who she owed already and when i refused to give the info to the man he hung up on me.now i cant get this lein off moms estate.not sure what i will do now.this is beyond wrong!

There is a lot of holes in this story. You're settling this estate, correct? Got a lawyer? If after 2 years the estate is not settled, you should have. Otherwise, when they call again ask for proof of debt. Paperwork would of HAD to have been filed at the court house for this to happen.

I too have been having this # 888-806-9073. They have called several times a day,even my cell. Finally left message wishing to speak to executor of my late father in law or 1 responsible for his bills. my father in law had insurance to settle all his debts upon his death & they have been paid. When I asked about type of bill owed lady would not give any information just kept wanting to know who was responsible. Told her to contact lawyer that handled this, but she would not even take his name much less his number. got to be a scam!

These people continue calling, over seven years after the passing of a relative for whom I hold no responsibility for bill payment.  Strangely, the calls only started in the last year.

We received a call today from Ascension Point regarding my ex-husbands ex-wife who had passed.  They indicated they were in Minneapolis  (the death took place in Georgia) and dealt with estates in probate.   Not sure how they got our number but glad to see all the information about this company as we will certainly not pass on her childrens information.

I just got an offer with this company as a debt collector. I do have experience in this type of work and decided to research the company to see if I'd like to work here. I see there are a lot of angry people, but more so uneducated about the debts of a deceased love one. Why must you fear these collectors when you should just deal with it straight on? Ignoring the problem doesn't make it go away. I have ethical values and understand it can be hard, but these companies are working for brand name clients such as Sears, Target, Wells Fargo, Ford and more. Now ask yourself, is it fair to rack up $20,000 in credit card debt and never pay it back? Everyone is responsible for their actions. No, family and friends are never legally responsible to pay for the debt of a deceased love one, but the ESTATE is. If an estate is open, that means there is money to open an estate, hire an attorney, etc...so any assets that belong to the decedent should be use to pay any outstanding debts. If you are not the one dealing with the financial situation, simply tell them you are not and request that they CEASED your #, ceasing a # means don't call here again. However if you just scream into the phone "don't call here again" how would they know who it is they called? It could be John Doe's wife's sister's daughter saying that. So, next time you get a call from a collector - politely ask them to ceased your # in their system. Collecting from the deceased's estate is legal and companies are doing it all around the world.

No, it is not right to "rack up $20,000 in credit card debt and never pay it back".  However it is also not right to call people that have nothing to do with the deceased person's estate.  Calling people years after the person died, when clearly the estate has been settled long ago, is not an ethical way to conduct business.

Called and said I must call immediately