phishing for info
Complaint
rza
Country: United States
They left 2 voice mails on my work phone. I called back and was told it was an official court issue and that they couldn't release anymore info until I confirmed my address. Since my home address is my official address, via the BMV and USPS, I know that any official documents would have found their way to my home. Especially since that's how courts handle business, via mail so you can't say you didn't get the message.
She demanded that the only way to either get the info (which as I said was obvious [***]) or to even get them to stop calling, I'd need to confirm my address. HA! Ya right, lady. I'm not that dumb.
I filed with the FTC. And if they dare call me again, I'll sue.
She demanded that the only way to either get the info (which as I said was obvious [***]) or to even get them to stop calling, I'd need to confirm my address. HA! Ya right, lady. I'm not that dumb.
I filed with the FTC. And if they dare call me again, I'll sue.
Comments
They are also trying to evade validation, by pretending that they have not contacted "you" unless and until "you" identify yourself, allowing them to pretend they don't have to send ;you a "g" letter notifying you of your dispute rights. They want to keep alive as long as possible the opportunity for deceiving you with a "talk-off" before they have to notify you of your dispute rights.
Why should every consumer they contact by "guessing" disclose and compromise their identity information to every caller claiming to be a "debt collector", just so they can cheaply browse through searches and guess at who they might try billing?
She was also deceptive about "the only way to either get the info or get them to stop calling". You can get them to stop calling by sending them a letter, mailed certified, notifying them that you dispute any alleged debt and that it is inconvenient for you to receive phone calls. You would have to provide some identification, like your name and address, but you would not be subject to her likely verbal deception, you would have documented the communications, and you would have triggered their obligation to provide validation before any further demand for payment, something you will not accomplish in a phone call.
Your notification that you dispute the debt is also a cease communications notice, leaving them no option but to obtain validation before any further collection, while still allowing them to notify you that they have sued if in fact they have done so as she implied. If as is likely, she was full of BS, and they have not already sued, then they would have to validate before filing suit, or you would have them on another FDPCA violation. Alternatively, if they continue calling and harassing you, continuing to say ths is some "legal issue", you have them on FDCPA violations for harassment, continued collection, and deceptively implying they are taking some action they can't or don't intend to take.
Check your credit reports, since if they are reporting erroneously, you will want to file a dispute after they receive your dispute letter. If they "verify" to the CRA and they have not sent validation, you have them again on continued collection without validating, and also for FCRA violations if they verify their erroneous reporting.