The random 'Debt Collectors' thread

Kaosu · 04-09-2008, 11:40 PM

Before I start I must mention, besides my credit card (to which I pay promptly and timely every month, way beyond minimum payment - I just use it to pay for things, then I pay it off) I have little, if any, debt.

Things start this previous monday - A call for "Robert". Some creditor wants to talk to him. Obviously, thats not me and call goes largely ignored, mostly for the fact that I didn't have access to my phone for several days. Fast forward to today and four calls later, I've gotten called by the same man and a different person from a debt collectors agency. Nothing mentions anything of owing anything, but I maybe getting called to see if I can provide information to debt collectors.

I've heard cases where someone living within 15 miles of the person have been called, either asking for information or have been in a case of mistaken identity.

I will call the person back tomorrow morning, of course being very careful of what I give out in terms of personal information. However, has anyone else shared a similiar experience?

For your reference, the group that called me was Creditors Financial Group, a group out of New York that have a unsatisfactory rating with the BBB.

Ashes Emberblade · 04-09-2008, 11:54 PM

If you can find a debt collector with a satisfactory rating from the BBB I'll give you a million dollars.

rinthea · 04-10-2008, 12:36 AM

sounds like someones given your address as a fake

i wouldnt give any personal information, just confirm that 'robert' doesnt live there

Simas · 04-10-2008, 01:21 AM

Yea its either a scam or they have the wrong guy. Wouldnt say anything besides dont know robert, good bye.

Astrocreep · 04-10-2008, 01:34 AM

ask that your name be taken off the list. i did that and they stopped calling me.

Draegan · 04-10-2008, 06:24 AM

Blockbuster once threatened to take me to court after long unpaid late fees. Apparently I owed them $1.52 for 5 years without my knowledge. I think they payed more money in postage trying to inform me.

It was awesome settling that dept.

AladainAF · 04-10-2008, 07:13 AM

All you have to say is "There is no Robert that lives here".

I had something similar happen Draegan, basically an old bill I paid 90 cents short and never realized it. Amazing that they will spend spend spend to get their 90 cents back.

TheCutlery · 04-10-2008, 07:18 AM

I actually had what I assume to be some kind of a collections call asking me if I knew the whereabouts of a guy I used to work with. Asked me if I knew him, I said yes, asked me if I knew where he could get in touch with him, told him to fuck off. Very odd. Hasn't happened since, that was at least 5 or so years ago.

Ronne · 04-10-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draegan

Blockbuster once threatened to take me to court after long unpaid late fees. Apparently I owed them $1.52 for 5 years without my knowledge. I think they payed more money in postage trying to inform me.

It was awesome settling that dept.

My house still gets calls and letters from Walmart because my (now deceased) dad bounced a check there eleven years ago.

Hell, when my dad died, 80+% of his debt for medical bills and credit cards was magically shifted to me because we have the same name. That was a long ass time ago and I'm still fighting them over it. I've been denied upwards of 10k in student loans now because some of that bullshit STILL hasn't been taken off my credit record.

TheCutlery · 04-10-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronne

My house still gets calls and letters from Walmart because my (now deceased) dad bounced a check there eleven years ago.

Hell, when my dad died, 80+% of his debt for medical bills and credit cards was magically shifted to me because we have the same name. That was a long ass time ago and I'm still fighting them over it. I've been denied upwards of 10k in student loans now because some of that bullshit STILL hasn't been taken off my credit record.

What, you think that you only get to inherit a fortune when your family dies?

You inherit debt too.

Ronne · 04-10-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCutlery

What, you think that you only get to inherit a fortune when your family dies?

You inherit debt too.

He hadn't lived with us for over 5 years and my parents had been divorced for a bit longer than that. I've got it almost all removed; I think the last company still trying to wring me for cash I don't have is Mastercard.

Quineloe · 04-10-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCutlery

What, you think that you only get to inherit a fortune when your family dies?

You inherit debt too.

You shouldn't have to.

Eomer · 04-10-2008, 08:10 AM

You most definitely do not inherit your parent's debt when they die. Their estate has to pay off whatever debt it can before handing out inheritances, though. And obviously if you wanted to keep their house but it still had an outstanding mortgage, you'd have to assume that as well. Of course, depending on the debt, the creditors might try to come after the kids if they figure assets were handed over prior to their death or something like that.

But unless you signed something you shouldn't have, your dad's debt shouldn't magically transfer over to you, unless as Ronne said, you've got his name and they fuck up and assume you're the same person.

Arbitrary · 04-10-2008, 08:29 AM

My parents have been bullied twice into paying money they aren't sure they owed in the first place for fear of being taken to *gasp* small claims court.

They are now totally in the clear and get calls constantly to refinance their home, letters informing them of how much equity they have, piles of credit card applications, calls from debt consolidation people, calls about helping them with their credit card debt (of which is literally zero dollars).

Years ago when they were cleaning up their debt there was one card my mother just couldn't seem to cancel. Every month they would claim she was short a few cents and through fees that would jump to ten or twenty, and she'd somehow be magically short a few cents the next month. Finally she just over paid them twenty bucks and again they claimed she was short a few pennies. It was ridiculous.

And no, you do not inherit debt unless you've done a bunch of co-signing.

Rythonn · 04-10-2008, 08:35 AM

Many years ago I used to work for a not so nice car company here in AZ. They sold shitty cars for an insane price with an insane 29% interest. But they sold to anyone, and I mean anyone. I have to say my collection days there, were by far the most fun I ever had at a job. Anyways we had this program that would pull up their address and give sometimes have the neighbors phone #. I have actually called a neighbor and gotten them to take their portable phone next door for the customer lol. I am sure I will go to hell for my 3 years as a collector(2 with discover card and 1 with this company). Let me tell you neighbors LOVE helping out for some reason. I always thought they would laugh or hang up, but fuck no they love being all up in their neighbors business. There are certain things we could say and couldn't, like I couldn't tell them I was collecting debt, I just had "very important information for them and I can't seem to reach them with their phone". The easiest way to get someone on the phone is to call a neighbor and ask them if they see the car in their neighbors driveway. Then ask if they feel a tow-truck would fit in that driveway or if any cars where blocking it. They usually called us back with-in the hour.

04-09-2008, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kaosu Lost in the Twilight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert/Chandler, Arizona Posts: 982 -4 Internets	The random 'Debt Collectors' thread Before I start I must mention, besides my credit card (to which I pay promptly and timely every month, way beyond minimum payment - I just use it to pay for things, then I pay it off) I have little, if any, debt. Things start this previous monday - A call for "Robert". Some creditor wants to talk to him. Obviously, thats not me and call goes largely ignored, mostly for the fact that I didn't have access to my phone for several days. Fast forward to today and four calls later, I've gotten called by the same man and a different person from a debt collectors agency. Nothing mentions anything of owing anything, but I maybe getting called to see if I can provide information to debt collectors. I've heard cases where someone living within 15 miles of the person have been called, either asking for information or have been in a case of mistaken identity. I will call the person back tomorrow morning, of course being very careful of what I give out in terms of personal information. However, has anyone else shared a similiar experience? For your reference, the group that called me was Creditors Financial Group, a group out of New York that have a unsatisfactory rating with the BBB. __________________ Like a frenzied horse that is driven. An unseen wind of plague shrieks across the border. Pandemonium, wailing, and stench of carnage fills the air. There is no place to run. No hope of escape. Those who are mourned will never return. The hands of time cannot be turned back.

04-10-2008, 01:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Simas Say word Join Date: May 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 1,278 -27 Internets	Yea its either a scam or they have the wrong guy. Wouldnt say anything besides dont know robert, good bye. __________________ Destroyer

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04-09-2008, 11:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ashes Emberblade Better than You Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NOLA Posts: 1,407 -17 Internets	If you can find a debt collector with a satisfactory rating from the BBB I'll give you a million dollars.

04-10-2008, 12:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
rinthea omghax Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 863 -20 Internets	sounds like someones given your address as a fake i wouldnt give any personal information, just confirm that 'robert' doesnt live there

04-10-2008, 01:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Astrocreep The Undead Shaman Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,891	ask that your name be taken off the list. i did that and they stopped calling me.

04-10-2008, 06:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Draegan Yar Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 4,537 -24 Internets	Blockbuster once threatened to take me to court after long unpaid late fees. Apparently I owed them $1.52 for 5 years without my knowledge. I think they payed more money in postage trying to inform me. It was awesome settling that dept.

04-10-2008, 07:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
AladainAF Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,716	All you have to say is "There is no Robert that lives here". I had something similar happen Draegan, basically an old bill I paid 90 cents short and never realized it. Amazing that they will spend spend spend to get their 90 cents back.

04-10-2008, 07:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
TheCutlery 2k rating -- So easy a caveman could do it. Join Date: May 2003 Location: MN Posts: 1,396	I actually had what I assume to be some kind of a collections call asking me if I knew the whereabouts of a guy I used to work with. Asked me if I knew him, I said yes, asked me if I knew where he could get in touch with him, told him to fuck off. Very odd. Hasn't happened since, that was at least 5 or so years ago.

04-10-2008, 08:10 AM	#13 (permalink)
Eomer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 9,518 +25 Internets	You most definitely do not inherit your parent's debt when they die. Their estate has to pay off whatever debt it can before handing out inheritances, though. And obviously if you wanted to keep their house but it still had an outstanding mortgage, you'd have to assume that as well. Of course, depending on the debt, the creditors might try to come after the kids if they figure assets were handed over prior to their death or something like that. But unless you signed something you shouldn't have, your dad's debt shouldn't magically transfer over to you, unless as Ronne said, you've got his name and they fuck up and assume you're the same person.

04-10-2008, 08:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
Rythonn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,591	Many years ago I used to work for a not so nice car company here in AZ. They sold shitty cars for an insane price with an insane 29% interest. But they sold to anyone, and I mean anyone. I have to say my collection days there, were by far the most fun I ever had at a job. Anyways we had this program that would pull up their address and give sometimes have the neighbors phone #. I have actually called a neighbor and gotten them to take their portable phone next door for the customer lol. I am sure I will go to hell for my 3 years as a collector(2 with discover card and 1 with this company). Let me tell you neighbors LOVE helping out for some reason. I always thought they would laugh or hang up, but fuck no they love being all up in their neighbors business. There are certain things we could say and couldn't, like I couldn't tell them I was collecting debt, I just had "very important information for them and I can't seem to reach them with their phone". The easiest way to get someone on the phone is to call a neighbor and ask them if they see the car in their neighbors driveway. Then ask if they feel a tow-truck would fit in that driveway or if any cars where blocking it. They usually called us back with-in the hour.