I am receiving calls about a person I do not know. I have told them 3 times to please stop calling me. They continue to do so. The calls are not about any debt that I owe.
Comments
0
tj
Allied Interstate is a debt collector. Under FDCPA, anyone they are contacting (whether alleged debtor or not) can request that they cease communications. If they fail to do so, they are in violation of FDCPA, and you can sue them or state or federal regulators can sanction them.
Send in written notice, certified return receipt requested, to their corporate headquarters, listing the dates they called, the number they are calling, the dates they promised to stop calling, and demanding that they stop calling. Add "CC: FTC, <your state AG>", and send a copy with your complaints to FTC and your state AG.
0
tj
Allied Interstate was sued by the Minnesota Attorney General for harassing people who did not owe the alleged debts they were attempting to collect. They reached a settlement in 2005, requiring that they cease various abusive and prohibited activities.
If you have further problems with them contact the Minnesota AG, due to the settlement agreement, and the Florida AG, as that appears to be where they are headquartered.
Your State Attorney General State Attorney General is every state they have offices
Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org
If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link www.NYDebtHelp.com This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices. HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!
Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list. You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION! The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!
Dealing with Debt Collectors http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html
Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm
Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm
From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you. Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them. Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.
What types of debts are covered? The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.
Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place? No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.
How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me? If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that: Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.
Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt? If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.
What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt? Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.
Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money? If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.
What practices are off limits for debt collectors? Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not: use threats of violence or harm; publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies); use obscene or profane language; or repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not: falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives; falsely claim that you have committed a crime; falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company; misrepresent the amount you owe; indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.
Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that: you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt; they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.
Debt collectors may not: give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company; send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or use a false company name.
Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not: try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge; deposit a post-dated check early; take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or contact you by postcard.
Can I control which debts my payments apply to? Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.
Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages? If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt. Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.
Can federal benefits be garnished? Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including: Social Security Benefits Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits Veterans’ Benefits Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits Service Members’ Pay Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits Student Assistance Railroad Retirement Benefits Merchant Seamen Wages Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.
Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law? You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.
What should I do if a debt collector sues me? If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.
Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation? Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.
For More Information To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Allied Interstate, Inc. 435 Ford Rd. #800 Minneapolis, MN 55426-1066 Phone: (952) 546-6600 1-800-806-3342 1-866-525-7795 Fax: (952) 595-2311
Web Address: www.irmc.com Head Debt Collectors: Part of the Intellirisk Companies Vikas Kapoor, President & CEO Randy Christofferson, Chairman of the Board Norman Merritt, CFO ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. (BAD REPUTATION!) Jeff Swedberg, President Jim Pond, Senior Vice President 55 N. Arizona Place, #505 Chandler, AZ 85225 Phone: (480) 722-7810 Fax: (480) 782-7001
5062 N 19th Ave Ste 102 Phoenix, AZ 85015-3225 Phone: (602) 841-4332 Fax: (602) 841-7388
31229 Cedar Valley Dr Westlake Village, CA 91362-4036 Phone: (818) 575-5400
3111 S Dixie Hwy Ste 101 West Palm Beach, FL 33405-1520 Phone: (561) 671-2121 Fax: (561) 671-2165
340 Interstate North Pkwy SE Ste 140 Atlanta, GA 30339-2201 Phone: (770) 989-5700 Fax: (770) 989-5724
7103 Chancellor Dr., Suite 100 Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Phone: (561) 671-2152 Fax: (561) 671-2165
This company is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. Sloppy record keeping, failure to validate at every level, under-trained, uneducated collectors SEVERELY lacking in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act training.
Intellirisk must be making BIG bucks in collecting because they sure don't spend it to insure they comply with the laws. Student loans with these idiots is a nightmare. Most Allied collector's don't have a clue in handling even the most basic of consumer complaints. Loans that have been paid, in the wrong names and outdated credit bureau reporting are fast targets for lawsuits because Allied is unable or unwilling to respond.
If you receive a collection notice from Allied DISPUTE IT! Even though you will never receive a reply, it is important that you use the law to your advantage. Allied aptly fits the saying; "the right hand hasn't a clue what the left hand is doing" Brain-Dead! Idiots! Untrained!
May I state again....THANK GOD FOR THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT!! Someone in Washington must have had a dream about companies like Allied to enact the law. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
WATCH YOUR WALLET, YOUR CHECKBOOK AND YOUR CREDIT CARDS WHEN DEALING WITH THESE SLIPPERY CONS OF THE COLLECTION WORLD, THEY WILL EMPTY YOU OUT!
CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email the details w/your location. Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.
0
DHG
Just started getting calls today, we don;t know who they are an d have no outstanding debts. I appreciate this site and the literally hundreds of others that are alerting consumers about this company. If the calls persist we will be following the advice given.
Thanks again for providing this information.
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Jeff in Ft. Worth, Texas
This company recently began to contact me regarding a small debt with Direct TV, which I do not owe and have repeatedly disputed. I thought this issue had been resolved about a year ago, but now I am getting calls from Allied Interstate concerning this disputed debt. In Allied Interstate's initial contact, they maxed out my sister's voice mail system with heavy breathing and curse words. I am not at all kidding, and I have retained this voice mail in my phone system. After that, they made numerous calls; however, each time I attempted to answer the phone, they would either (1) not respond or (2) terminate the connection. Finally, when I did answer the phone and speak with a collection agent, he was completely oblivious to my attempts to explain that I did not owe - and desired to dispute - the debt. I asked them not to call and harrass either me or my family over a small debt I did not owe. The agent was extremely rude and told me that the calls would continue. Allied Interstate is now calling three to five times each day. Each time I or a family member attempt to answer their calls, they simply hang up. I've never witnessed anything like this and am surprised that the state and federal governments allow this level of business activity to exist. The information I've read here today has been most helpful, however. And, I am afraid I'm going to need all the help I can get. Unbelievable.
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Laura R.
This company already stinks in my book!!
Some man named James called last week both at my work and home numbers.
This week, he called again on Monday, leaving messages at both numbers again.
Yesterday, Wednesday, some woman named Amy called and left messages at both numbers telling me I needed to call by 5:00 p.m. I never called - she didn't identify the company at all.
Today, she called again. Same thing, but call back by 4:00 p.m. I called back and left her a message and realized it was Allied Interstate from her message. I left a message that I was being represented by a debt consolidation company and gave that toll-free number; that I never received a letter from them so I had no clue what they were talking about; that I had mailed a C&D letter two days before; and that I didn't need any more harassing phone calls. I noted that she called again from caller i.d. within five minutes but left no message; and that this time there was no message left at my home.
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Con Coc 052010
Allied Interstate keeps calling my two cell phones for the mortgage of over $500k that I never know and never owned a house in the town that I have never been in. I asked them to provide all personal info. of the person who had owned money to them like SS#, DOB, Address .... They told those info. to me on telephone and all were not mine. I told them this debt is not mine and stop calling me 4 times/day everyday. They are the scam who tried to collect $ from the innocent people.
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Peter
About 5 years ago I rented an apartment that had Direct TV. My wife added a DVR to the account and gave my phone number. When we moved out we paid all our debts to Direct TV and returned all the equiptment. Two years later we started getting calls from DirectTV saying we owed money. It was actually the new tenant that owed money. We called several times and the agent agreed that we owed nothing. They said they had no way to take our number off the account. Now, 5 years later, I started getting calls from Allied. I just called them back and told them the situation and the woman said she would remove my number. We will see.
0
buckeyegirl
You should contact their Consumer Advocacy Group Hotline at 800-811-4214 or email them at advocacy.group@iqor.com. If you are in Canada, you can contact them at 888-804-8198 or email at OMB@iqor.com. They will be able to assist with your complaints and remove your number. Hope this helps! :)
0
tj
See FTC settlement in which they agreed to pay $1.75 Million, here:
If you are being harassed by Allied Interstate, and in particular, if they are demanding payment for a debt you do not owe, or they refuse to validate, this would be a good time to contact FTC.
If they threatened or deceived you into paying an unowed debt, you should also contact FTC.
Allied Interstate just settled with FTC over charges that they were harassing the wrong people and failing to verify alleged debts. They agreed to pay $1.75 Million, and also agreed to a consent decree.
I have only one thing to say that is with so many folks in our country seeking jobs, why outsort? Now to my real problem, I called on April 7 and made arrangements to have monies taken out of my account to assist in paying one of my debts. I at the same time told the lady I would call in May to have her take out another payment, also in June and July when the debt would be paid in full. However, they took it upon themselves to take out the monies with out my permission. How did they know I would have monies in the account and at that percise time. If there had not been my bank would have charged me $30. I have called the, out of country, company that is handling this and told them I would sue if they did it again, and I will call in the future, June/July to take out the balance I owe, I still intend to complete the arrangement, but only with my permission. Thank you for listening, but I really doubt if this will fall on ears that really care and do something about it. Kathy
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CLASS ACTION LAWYER
IF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED or TEXTED BY IQOR (or ALLIED INTERSTATE) ON YOUR **CELL PHONE** FOR A DEBT YOU DO NOT OWE, PLEASE CALL THE (626)683-8291. THE MATHEWS LAW GROUP IS CURRENTLY FILING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST IQOR AND WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR STORY.
If you have been called or texted for any of the following reasons, please call us at (626)683-8291: -Debt you do not owe -Being called in error -Being called because you were listed as a reference -Being called for a family members or friend’s debt
0
tj
All of the above would exclude the call from the "existing business relationship" exemption for TCPA purposes.
It will be interesting to see how Allied fares trying to argue FDCPA "location" calls exempt them from violations of TCPA.
FTC settlement with Allied last summer might also undermine a defense of bona fide error.
0
tj
-Being called because you were listed as a reference -Being called for a family members or friend’s debt
These are often just deceptive forms of illegal abusive collection, actually attempts to embarass the alleged debtor through third party disclosure under the pretext that they are trying to "locate" the debtor. They often occur after the debtor has been located and reached, sometimes as an abusive response to disputing the debt.
Comments
Send in written notice, certified return receipt requested, to their corporate headquarters, listing the dates they called, the number they are calling, the dates they promised to stop calling, and demanding that they stop calling. Add "CC: FTC, <your state AG>", and send a copy with your complaints to FTC and your state AG.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Savingan ... torTactics.aspx
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/fXnmPEY6RwBarQjKBIjUPA
BBB report, rated "F".
http://www.seflorida.bbb.org/Business-Report/Allied-Interstate-Inc-9638
If you have further problems with them contact the Minnesota AG, due to the settlement agreement, and the Florida AG, as that appears to be where they are headquartered.
Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en
Your State Attorney General
State Attorney General is every state they have offices
Link to all State Attorney General Websites www.naag.org
If you or they are located in NY – use this SPECIAL Link www.NYDebtHelp.com
This special website was created by NY AG Andrew Cuomo specifically for reporting illegal debt collection practices. HE’S CRACKING DOWN AND SHUTTING THEM DOWN!
Also report your calls and contacts with debt collectors at http://www.budhibbs.com/index.html If the company is listed under agencies – report there. If not on the list YET, click on Watchlist! and add to the list. You can also post here http://www.collectorsexposed.com/forum2/index.php?board=2.0
Debt Collectors DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS INFORMATION!
The INFORMED CONSUMER IS THE DEBT COLLECTORS WORST ENEMY!
Dealing with Debt Collectors
http://www.budhibbs.com/start.html
Statute of Limitations by State – always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/statute_of_limitations.htm
Recording calls from Debt Collectors - always double check YOUR OWN STATE Government Website
http://www.budhibbs.com/record.htm
From Federal Trade Commission Website – FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT
Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.
Under the FDCPA, a debt collector is someone who regularly collects debts owed to others. This includes collection agencies, lawyers who collect debts on a regular basis, and companies that buy delinquent debts and then try to collect them.
Here are some questions and answers about your rights under the Act.
What types of debts are covered?
The Act covers personal, family, and household debts, including money you owe on a personal credit card account, an auto loan, a medical bill, and your mortgage. The FDCPA doesn’t cover debts you incurred to run a business.
Can a debt collector contact me any time or any place?
No. A debt collector may not contact you at inconvenient times or places, such as before 8 in the morning or after 9 at night, unless you agree to it. And collectors may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing) that you’re not allowed to get calls there.
How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.
Can a debt collector contact anyone else about my debt?
If an attorney is representing you about the debt, the debt collector must contact the attorney, rather than you. If you don’t have an attorney, a collector may contact other people – but only to find out your address, your home phone number, and where you work. Collectors usually are prohibited from contacting third parties more than once. Other than to obtain this location information about you, a debt collector generally is not permitted to discuss your debt with anyone other than you, your spouse, or your attorney.
What does the debt collector have to tell me about the debt?
Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money.
Can a debt collector keep contacting me if I don’t think I owe any money?
If you send the debt collector a letter stating that you don’t owe any or all of the money, or asking for verification of the debt, that collector must stop contacting you. You have to send that letter within 30 days after you receive the validation notice. But a collector can begin contacting you again if it sends you written verification of the debt, like a copy of a bill for the amount you owe.
What practices are off limits for debt collectors?
Harassment. Debt collectors may not harass, oppress, or abuse you or any third parties they contact. For example, they may not:
use threats of violence or harm;
publish a list of names of people who refuse to pay their debts (but they can give this information to the credit reporting companies);
use obscene or profane language; or
repeatedly use the phone to annoy someone.
False statements. Debt collectors may not lie when they are trying to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
falsely claim that they are attorneys or government representatives;
falsely claim that you have committed a crime;
falsely represent that they operate or work for a credit reporting company;
misrepresent the amount you owe;
indicate that papers they send you are legal forms if they aren’t; or
indicate that papers they send to you aren’t legal forms if they are.
Debt collectors also are prohibited from saying that:
you will be arrested if you don’t pay your debt;
they’ll seize, garnish, attach, or sell your property or wages unless they are permitted by law to take the action and intend to do so; or
legal action will be taken against you, if doing so would be illegal or if they don’t intend to take the action.
Debt collectors may not:
give false credit information about you to anyone, including a credit reporting company;
send you anything that looks like an official document from a court or government agency if it isn’t; or
use a false company name.
Unfair practices. Debt collectors may not engage in unfair practices when they try to collect a debt. For example, they may not:
try to collect any interest, fee, or other charge on top of the amount you owe unless the contract that created your debt – or your state law – allows the charge;
deposit a post-dated check early;
take or threaten to take your property unless it can be done legally; or
contact you by postcard.
Can I control which debts my payments apply to?
Yes. If a debt collector is trying to collect more than one debt from you, the collector must apply any payment you make to the debt you select. Equally important, a debt collector may not apply a payment to a debt you don’t think you owe.
Can a debt collector garnish my bank account or my wages?
If you don’t pay a debt, a creditor or its debt collector generally can sue you to collect. If they win, the court will enter a judgment against you. The judgment states the amount of money you owe, and allows the creditor or collector to get a garnishment order against you, directing a third party, like your bank, to turn over funds from your account to pay the debt.
Wage garnishment happens when your employer withholds part of your compensation to pay your debts. Your wages usually can be garnished only as the result of a court order. Don’t ignore a lawsuit summons. If you do, you lose the opportunity to fight a wage garnishment.
Can federal benefits be garnished?
Many federal benefits are exempt from garnishment, including:
Social Security Benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits
Veterans’ Benefits
Civil Service and Federal Retirement and Disability Benefits
Service Members’ Pay
Military Annuities and Survivors’ Benefits
Student Assistance
Railroad Retirement Benefits
Merchant Seamen Wages
Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Death and Disability Benefits
Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Benefits
Compensation for Injury, Death, or Detention of Employees of U.S. Contractors Outside the U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Disaster Assistance
But federal benefits may be garnished under certain circumstances, including to pay delinquent taxes, alimony, child support, or student loans.
Do I have any recourse if I think a debt collector has violated the law?
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.
What should I do if a debt collector sues me?
If a debt collector files a lawsuit against you to collect a debt, respond to the lawsuit, either personally or through your lawyer, by the date specified in the court papers to preserve your rights.
Where do I report a debt collector for an alleged violation?
Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your state Attorney General’s office (www.naag.org) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov). Many states have their own debt collection laws that are different from the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Your Attorney General’s office can help you determine your rights under your state’s law.
For More Information
To learn more about debt collection and other credit-related issues, visit www.ftc.gov/credit and MyMoney.gov, the U.S. government’s portal to financial education.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Allied Interstate, Inc.
435 Ford Rd. #800
Minneapolis, MN 55426-1066
Phone: (952) 546-6600 1-800-806-3342 1-866-525-7795
Fax: (952) 595-2311
Web Address: www.irmc.com
Head Debt Collectors:
Part of the Intellirisk Companies
Vikas Kapoor, President & CEO
Randy Christofferson, Chairman of the Board
Norman Merritt, CFO
ALLIED INTERSTATE, INC. (BAD REPUTATION!)
Jeff Swedberg, President
Jim Pond, Senior Vice President
55 N. Arizona Place, #505
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 722-7810
Fax: (480) 782-7001
5062 N 19th Ave Ste 102
Phoenix, AZ 85015-3225
Phone: (602) 841-4332
Fax: (602) 841-7388
31229 Cedar Valley Dr
Westlake Village, CA 91362-4036
Phone: (818) 575-5400
3111 S Dixie Hwy Ste 101
West Palm Beach, FL 33405-1520
Phone: (561) 671-2121
Fax: (561) 671-2165
340 Interstate North Pkwy SE
Ste 140
Atlanta, GA 30339-2201
Phone: (770) 989-5700
Fax: (770) 989-5724
7103 Chancellor Dr., Suite 100
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: (561) 671-2152
Fax: (561) 671-2165
5910 Shingle Creek Pkwy.
Brooklyn Cntr, MN 55430-2322
Phone: (763) 503-6595
Fax: (763) 585-7881
435 Ford Rd Ste 800
Minneapolis, MN 55426-1066
Phone: (952) 546-6600
Fax: (952) 595-2311 13777 Ballantyne Corporate Pl
Ste 200
Ballantyne Corporate Pk.
Charlotte, NC 28277-3425
Phone: (704) 943-1000
Fax: (704) 943-1053
3200 Northline Ave Ste 135
Greensboro, NC 27408-7616
Phone: (336) 333-3100
Fax: (336) 373-4442
15 Hazelwood Dr., Suite 102
Amherst, NY 14228
Phone: (716) 691-1320
Fax: (716) 691-3534
1979 Marcus Ave Ste 100
New Hyde Park, NY 11042-1002
Phone: (516) 437-0800
Fax: (516) 437-6121
3070 Lawson Blvd
Oceanside, NY 11572-2711
Phone: (516) 561-6552
Fax: (516) 561-6548
3000 Corporate Exchange Dr.
Columbus, OH 43231
Phone: (614) 901-7988
Fax: (614) 901-7794
12655 N Central Expy, Suite 925
Dallas, TX 75243-1700
Phone: (972) 934-8448
Fax: (972) 404-1611
14550 Torrey Chase, Suite 550
Houston, TX 77014
Phone: (281) 580-2000
Fax: (281) 580-0396
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Bud Says Consumer Comments Below
This company is a class action lawsuit waiting to happen. Sloppy record keeping, failure to validate at every level, under-trained, uneducated collectors SEVERELY lacking in Fair Debt Collection Practices Act training.
Intellirisk must be making BIG bucks in collecting because they sure don't spend it to insure they comply with the laws. Student loans with these idiots is a nightmare. Most Allied collector's don't have a clue in handling even the most basic of consumer complaints. Loans that have been paid, in the wrong names and outdated credit bureau reporting are fast targets for lawsuits because Allied is unable or unwilling to respond.
If you receive a collection notice from Allied DISPUTE IT! Even though you will never receive a reply, it is important that you use the law to your advantage. Allied aptly fits the saying; "the right hand hasn't a clue what the left hand is doing" Brain-Dead! Idiots! Untrained!
May I state again....THANK GOD FOR THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT!! Someone in Washington must have had a dream about companies like Allied to enact the law. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
WATCH YOUR WALLET, YOUR CHECKBOOK AND YOUR CREDIT CARDS WHEN DEALING WITH THESE SLIPPERY CONS OF THE COLLECTION WORLD, THEY WILL EMPTY YOU OUT!
CAUTION: I recommend you NEVER disclose your bank account or credit card information to a debt collector, as you risk them emptying your account, or maxing out your credit card. If you feel they are reporting on your credit bureau files in error or need assistance in dealing with them, email the details w/your location. Assistance and referral to a consumer legal specialist may be available.
Thanks again for providing this information.
Some man named James called last week both at my work and home numbers.
This week, he called again on Monday, leaving messages at both numbers again.
Yesterday, Wednesday, some woman named Amy called and left messages at both numbers telling me I needed to call by 5:00 p.m. I never called - she didn't identify the company at all.
Today, she called again. Same thing, but call back by 4:00 p.m. I called back and left her a message and realized it was Allied Interstate from her message. I left a message that I was being represented by a debt consolidation company and gave that toll-free number; that I never received a letter from them so I had no clue what they were talking about; that I had mailed a C&D letter two days before; and that I didn't need any more harassing phone calls. I noted that she called again from caller i.d. within five minutes but left no message; and that this time there was no message left at my home.
I told them this debt is not mine and stop calling me 4 times/day everyday. They are the scam who tried to collect $ from the innocent people.
https://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/VDYr ... LCAAYAQjNRUK19Q
If they threatened or deceived you into paying an unowed debt, you should also contact FTC.
Allied Interstate just settled with FTC over charges that they were harassing the wrong people and failing to verify alleged debts. They agreed to pay $1.75 Million, and also agreed to a consent decree.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/10/alliedinterstate.shtm
If you have been called or texted for any of the following reasons, please call us at (626)683-8291:
-Debt you do not owe
-Being called in error
-Being called because you were listed as a reference
-Being called for a family members or friend’s debt
It will be interesting to see how Allied fares trying to argue FDCPA "location" calls exempt them from violations of TCPA.
FTC settlement with Allied last summer might also undermine a defense of bona fide error.
-Being called for a family members or friend’s debt
These are often just deceptive forms of illegal abusive collection, actually attempts to embarass the alleged debtor through third party disclosure under the pretext that they are trying to "locate" the debtor. They often occur after the debtor has been located and reached, sometimes as an abusive response to disputing the debt.