RPM trying to collect a fake debt

ComplaintsCollection AgenciesReceivables Performance Management (RPM)

Complaint

0
JP
Country: United States
On 4 Apr 08 I got a call from Receivables Performance Management (RPM) claiming that I owe $85 on a Verizon account from 2000.  I know that I’ve never had a Verizon account, and that my phone account from 2000 (I forget which company) was paid properly.  So I told the RPM rep that they were full of s**t, and that I wanted written proof that this debt is actually mine.  They had the last 4 of my SSN and tried to pass that off as “proof” that their info was legitimate.  I still didn’t fall for it and asked for everything in writing.  

Fortunately I have records that go back that far.  I also called Verizon to confirm that they don’t have any account information with my name on it.  Surprisingly they have no record of me ever having an account with them.  I then went online to find out if RPM is some sort of scam.  They are a “legitimate” company, yet seem to be practicing what I would describe as predatory debt collection, or legal extortion.  Unfortunately, there is not much information on the internet yet about RPM.  However, there is a lot of information about AFNI, who seem to be doing the same thing.

So, after I found this web page, and read all of the information about AFNI, I downloaded the FDCPA and FCRA and read them.  I’m sending RPM a letter in accordance with the FDCPA.  I’m also sending the letter to my state’s AG and the WA state AG.  (RPM is located in Bothell WA.)  I also checked all of my credit reports to make sure that nothing has been placed on them.  I’ll continue to monitor my credit reports very closely for the next few months.  As this develops I’ll update this comment.

I’m considering contacting a lawyer to see if what RPM is doing is in any way actually extortion.  It’s a crime that the max penalty under FDCPA and FCRA is only $1000 or actual damages.  Obviously that small amount isn’t enough of an incentive to keep these companies from violating the law.  I’m also going to contact my Congressmen about this.  Maybe if enough of us complain the law can get changed?    

Oh, and a huge thanks to the poster on this site TJ!  His information and advice was invaluable!!

Comments

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  • 0
    Harassed in CA for over a year
    RPM has been calling my home daily (often 2-3 times a day) for over a year, any time they are trying to find someone with the same a last name as mine who lives in Oakland, CA they call me. I've begged them to stop, I have a terminally ill parent that I care for and they continuously disturb her sleep. I have NEVER had a bill sent to collections so they have no reason to call me. One lady accused me of lying for the person she was trying to reach and then set her phone to redial me every hour the whole day. I realize that people don't always pay their bills (we have a business and have lost money many times) and I'm sure many people give RPM a hard time but I learned long ago that you will always get more by treating people the way you want to be treated. Reading the RPM responses on this list make me sick. I have worked in Human Resourses and runa business most of my life and would never hire people who act this way. Shame on RPM and it's employees for their harassing methods, expecially for innocent people like myself and many of the people on this list. I will just keep reporting them to the "Do Not Call Registry" and if that doesn't work hire a lawyer.
  • 0
    John Smith
    My complain isn't with the fact that I have an issue paying my debts owed it is with the people attempting to receive said debts. Through RPM my information has been recorded incorrectly twice and my paper work has been "lost" a few times as well. I have attempted to set up a structure repayment plan only to receive an automated call the next day with RPM telling me I have a "broken promise" and we still need your money. I love the fact when I ask to speak with upper management every rep is trained to say "Oh I in fact happen to be a senior rep". I fell for that once and still got the same issue I have given my bank information as well as routing number, billing information, credit card information and debit card information only for it to be lost time and time again. Whats the deal RPM?
  • 0
    SHELL
    REALLY??THEY DID EXACTLY THAT TO ME, THEY ARE HORRIBLE
  • 0
    RPM Must Be Dealt With
    First of all, I'd like to thank you TJ for your clear, concise, and incredibly educated responses to the predatory nature of collection agencies. You have provided me valuable insight and much needed knowledge about how to deal with this ever increasing fraudulent company known as Receivables Performance Management (RPM). I too, had an "account" with them that I know didn't really exist. I provided proof that the account was opened in error. But good 'ol Zane, who just so happened to be the agent who "handled" my account when I called told me during a recorded conversation that after 30 days I'd receive a Satisfied In Full letter (which never arrived), as well as the REMOVAL of their account on my credit report. Well, that was three months ago, and as you may have already guessed, not a damn thing has happened EXCEPT for a [***] garbled email that can barely be made out from RPM that apparently IS the Settled In Full letter that they were supposed to mail me! But the email isn't even legible as I can't even make out what the hell it's saying! But now, after numerous calls to them to find out why Zane lied to me about "sending notification to have the account removed from your credit report", all I'm told is that he no longer works there and that nothing can be done. I've even spoken with a "manager" who swears he'll check into it and "review the conversation you had with Zane". But upon asking if that conversation would be reviewed over the phone WITH me I'm told "Well....that's proprietary information that I'm not at liberty to review with you, and there's really no way for me to set up a call to be monitored that way" Now I know this "manager" is feeding me a load of [***] because it's obvious by his response he doesn't even intend to review the conversation AT ALL! I've been as civil as possible with them and all I get in return are rude and condescending agents who could care less about my legitimate issue. How do I deal with these [***]? How do I get that damn account removed from my credit report? Please TJ, I need some more insight into which course(s) of action I can take to deal with getting their [***] removed!
  • 0
    tj
    You have been putting up with this far too long.  As you have already found out, just telling them to stop calling you will accomplish nothing.

    Harassment and abusive collection violates FDCPA.  You can sue them for it, and FTCPA allows courts to award actual and statutory damages, and your attorney fees, if you win, so there are attorneys who take these cases on contingency.  

    Contact a consumer attorney.  You might try www.naca.net
  • 0
    tj
    If you didn't authorize opening the account, then the only legitimate correction would be to remove it from your credit report.  "Settled in full" implies you had a bad debt, that you then settled, and still counts as a negative mark toward your credit score.  It also does not accurately represent the fact that you did not owe the alleged debt.

    What did they do?  Con you into paying off an unowed debt, just to make them go away?  Let me guess.  Did they tell you that you had no right to dispute it, like "Zane" says?  That appears to be one of their favorite cons.

    If they are reporting erroneous information on your credit reports, they have no liability unless you dispute it through the CRA, and they fail to correct it while erroneously "verifying" it as accurate.

    Once they do that, you can sue them for their error, for violating FCRA.

    Run this by a consumer attorney in your state, since, as you are probably realizing, they really don't give a damn about anything until it's their own money at stake.

    You might try www.naca.net to find an attorney in your state with experience in FDCPA and FCRA law.
  • 0
    tj
    Stop dealing with them by phone.  As you are finding, it is not safe to do business with them over the phone.  Notify them to cease calling you, and that it is inconvenient for you to receive their calls at any time.  If they call you again after receiving notice to cease calling, they are in violation of FDCPA, and you can sue them.

    Get a copy of a current statement of account, and insist on receiving that before sending any payments.  If they refuse to send it, but response with threats and harasssment, file complaints with FTC, your state AG, and the WA AG, reporting that they are violating FDCPA and refusing to provide an accounting of the debt.

    Pay only by U.S. Mail, and keep copies of everything.

    Mail all correspondance certified, so you have proof of mailing, and proof of their receipt.

    If they violate the law at any time, contact a consumer attorney and sue them.  You can sue for violations of FDCPA regardless of whether or not you owe them anything.
  • 0
    Lawman...
    I'm an attorney, there are several more portions to it than Zane explained or tried to explain.  What you are doing is not within the law, I now because you call my son, 17 yrs. old and he cannot get credit.  Are you telling me that when your numbers (traced back to you) call him at 3am CST you are within the law.  I call the number the next day and I get "Thanks for Calling RPM, hold"  and you disappear... Hmmm...?  Yes, an uneducated monkey you do sound like.  Let me guess... you dropped out of high school in 8th grade because it was too hard and everyone made fun of you so now you do this to make yourself feel better about yourself?  You can't take what they tell you in training as "legal advice"  they'll lie to you to make you feel "right" about what you are doing...
  • 0
    YOU LIE
    Actually Zane, your company practices very poor business ethics. Your company may be located in a certain state that it is "okay" to contact a consumer on a defaulted debt. Yet it is illegal to contact customers on a Sunday in certain many states, where as the debt originated. So your company is a FRAUD AND ACTING ILLEGALLY, OBVIOUSLY TRAINING THEIR EMPLOYEES AS TO DO SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITY!! BREAKING THE LAW, IS BREAKING THE LAW. Be prepared for a contact from the Texas AG.
  • 0
    Tired ofLosers
    For 1.5 years since I got this phone number, these pieces of sh*t have been calling me for someone's debt - have no idea who.  I've explained calmly and politely that they have the wrong number - they usually then just hang up - they don't correct their database because they are lazy and incompetent.

    They still keep calling - so not, I have a new strategy.

    This is my phone.  These are my rules - don't like my rules, don't call my phone.  I am going to imply I am who they are looking for and waste as much as their time and take as much away from their earning power as I possibly can.  I'm going to record the phone calls and put them online for all to hear.  This will be hilarious.

    Zane, I hope i get you - because I'm going to drag it on, and drag it on, and drag it on.  they only understand their earnings - they are lazy and incompetent when it comes to their database - so time to play their game.  Get ready for some really long and hilarious conversations!!
  • 0
    KarenK
    "YOUR an idiot?"  No, YOU'RE an idiot.  And obviously an excellent speller!
  • 0
    sickofrpmshit
    You people are so full of [***] it is unreal. Persistent is the understatement of the century; RPM calls daily, if not twice a day and doesn't think twice about harassing whomever you get on the phone with truly childish tactics. Your company should be shut down and all of upper management should be sent to jail. Get your head out of your [***] and deal with the reality that is your trashy company or shut up and live with the fact that people think you're dirt bags.
  • 0
    alex
    these basturds  called me at school today and i hate them very  much so
    i have given there  head person an ear full i dont like them
  • 0
    Fred
    Sounds like you work for them Jill, you should be ashamed of yourself predatory debt collections are unethical & wrong.
  • 0
    Harassed
    I have told your company several times that the person whom you are seeking has never resided at my home.  BUT RPM KEEPS CALLING EVERY MORNING.  You're company is just in the business of harassment.  We don't even have anything to do with the debt and you know it!
  • 0
    Millie
    I understand collectors needing only doing their job; but you will accomplish more by being polite to the person on the other line.  I am sick and tired of answering my 84 year old mother's harrassing calls from RPM and having to explain ther every person starting with the letter "J" and owe money is not living at my moms.  A man keeps calling and harrasing her to pay a bill she don't owe because her name is not JULIA BAEZ or Julieta, of John or Juan or Jose, etc!!!!!  What upsets me the most is that the collector is rude and refuses to leave his name or give me an address to contact RPM....then rudely hangs up!  Today for the first time this same voice collector gave me RPM and stated Receivable Performance and HUNG UP.  RPM needs to re-train their staff to deal with customers and a little politeness, and sensitivity traiming may improve their reputation!!!
  • 0
    Milagros
    ....SENSITIVITY TRAINING, can work!!!!!  Many people have lost their jobs, homes, etc....and have to choose between feeding their children and paying a bill with money they don't have.

    I have a problem with RPM collectors not identifying themselsves and even when informed that no one lives here by that name they rudely hang up too!

    PROPER TRAINING needs to be given to you guys!!!!!!
  • 0
    Millie
    TJ:

    Thanks for info you posted.  I have reported their harrasing and rude calls to my 84 yr old mother, I have called to block telemarketing calls, and opt out my mom's number, etc and they keep calling/harrassing her for someone else's debt.  I will write FTC again...and let's see.

    I just wish these people would learn to be polite and perhaps they would collect or come to an agreement with their debtors.  However, continuous harrassment to erroneous households are annoying!!!!!
  • 0
    Millie
    Aren't they rude and very harrassing?  I am tired of these collectors calling my sickly 84 year old mother waking her up extremely early and calling late hours at night for a "wrong person" simply because her first name begins with the letter "J" like the debtor's !!!!  I answered the phone a few times and the collector refused to give his name or the name of the company until today!!!! then had the nerve to HANG UP ON ME while I was talking and asking a question....and nooo I did not curse, or impolite at any time.

    They need a "SENSITIVITY" training and perhaps would accomplish more by listeing to the party on the other line.  I have written letters to the Better Business Bureau and they are still calling.....what next????
  • 0
    Millie
    YES!!!!!   Wishing your fight a success!  They need to learn to speak politely and listen more!

    Can't wait to hire a lawyer to sue them for continuous harrassing calls even though I've informed them they have the wrong person!!!!!
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