A few months ago, my mother was contacted by "Inspector Bernstein" at her home. He left a message on her machine with all of my personal information and threatened to have me taken to court if I didn't contact them within 24 hours. I had not lived at home since I was 18 (11 years ago), and I never used that as a contact number. I originally fell for their stupid trick of telling me that if I didn't agree to pay the amount of $2000 (which they were willing to split up over a few payments), then charges would be pressed against me and I would have to be in court within 10 days. Well, I agreed to some sort of payment plan of $500 a month for 4 months. They said they needed my bank account information to verify that it was my account, but that I could just send in my checks. Well, a few days before my first payment was due, I had told one of my friends about it, and she used to work as a debt collector. She said that every way they went about it was illegal.
So, I started looking up the company online and found that they used this scam on a lot of people! Well, I tried calling them to talk about what I had found out about them, and they kept hanging up on me. Then they just stopped answering my calls (they must have caller ID), because I called from another phone and as soon as they heard it was me, they would hang up again.
Anyways, they went ahead and just took the first $500 payment out of my account, and as soon as I saw that, I closed that account. The bank said I couldn't report it as fraud since I gave them my account information. So the first $500 was my stupidity. Over the last 2 days (5 months later), they have contacted my mother again, and also my grandparents, who I have NEVER lived with! My 80 year old grandfather was so scared that I was in financial trouble and is freaking out. The guy on the phone spoke with my grandfather and told him that I was going to be prosecuted and gave them all the information.
I am waiting until after I leave work to call them and give them a piece of my mind, but how do I stop them from calling everyone I know?
this story of dept collection is also my story. they took $150.00 from my checking account after I gave my account information over the phone. they said I owed over $7000.00 on a credit card that I never had. they also said because of my age (74) they would except $500.00 as payment in full. the $150.00 needed to be made now to stop further action. I believe that someone opened this credit card account in my name because, I was in jail when the charges were made (oct. nov. 1998. I can be reached at [protected] or fosteredward65@yahoo.com thank you
Your story is also, my story! They've been calling my whole family for $400.00. Which I have no knowledge of. I've sent a certified Cease and Desist Letter 6 months ago, and they still call. I've reported them to the FTC, and Attorney General's office, still they call every other day. I have hired an attorney! I don't know what else to do. This is embarrassing and so illegal...
I HAVE A WONDERFUL IDEA, SINCE THIS COMPANY SEEMS TO HAVE NO REGARD FOR ANYONE. HOW ABOUT IF ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS UNSCRUPULOUS COMPANY FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM AND GO AFTER THEM FOR FINANCIAL DAMAGES...