I just got a call from a "Blocked" number, which I felt compelled to answer as I am currently applying for jobs.
Caller claimed to be "Nicole Smith" calling from "Processing Solutions", she claimed that there was a case filed against me in court (no more specific than that), and that she had sealed documents which she could deliver to my home address for a charge, or alternatively I could call the "mediation company" at 1-866-949-6450 with a claim # which she gave me.
I have viewed my credit report recently, there is nothing bad other than one amount in collections for under $100 - this is from a Wells Fargo account that I closed about 5 years ago, and which after closing, they tried to levy some interest and other charges of around $30. I disputed it with them at the time as the account was closed with a zero balance, but they sent it on to a collections firm anyway, and I am just waiting for the statute time to expire on that one, I have no intention of ever paying the amount which is now up to around $90, but I have never challenged it either, eg. asking for proof of the debt, etc. I have been simply ignoring calls from a NJ number (another collector) for the past few months now, so I guess they have given up and passed it on to someone else.
A quick google search of the number I was given brought me to a webpage which revealed the number to come from FGZ, a collections firm masquerading as lawyers, based in NY state. I have not called the number back yet, but when I do, I will first of all state (perhaps in an amusing 'robotic' voice) that the call is being monitored and recorded, and that by pressing "1" and remaining on the line, they consent to the recording, and that if they do not consent, they should terminate the call. Never done it before, but I'm told that usually scares off most of the dodgy collectors right away because they know that the BS they are about to tell you is in breach of FDCPA and don't want it to be recorded. If they stay on the line, well, the call really is being recorded and they have had fair warning, so we will see what they have to say....
I just got a call from a "Blocked" number, which I felt compelled to answer as I am currently applying for jobs.
Caller claimed to be "Nicole Smith" calling from "Processing Solutions", she claimed that there was a case filed against me in court (no more specific than that), and that she had sealed documents which she could deliver to my home address for a charge, or alternatively I could call the "mediation company" at 1-866-949-6450 with a claim # which she gave me.
I have viewed my credit report recently, there is nothing bad other than one amount in collections for under $100 - this is from a Wells Fargo account that I closed about 5 years ago, and which after closing, they tried to levy some interest and other charges of around $30. I disputed it with them at the time as the account was closed with a zero balance, but they sent it on to a collections firm anyway, and I am just waiting for the statute time to expire on that one, I have no intention of ever paying the amount which is now up to around $90, but I have never challenged it either, eg. asking for proof of the debt, etc. I have been simply ignoring calls from a NJ number (another collector) for the past few months now, so I guess they have given up and passed it on to someone else.
A quick google search of the number I was given brought me to a webpage which revealed the number to come from FGZ, a collections firm masquerading as lawyers, based in NY state. I have not called the number back yet, but when I do, I will first of all state (perhaps in an amusing 'robotic' voice) that the call is being monitored and recorded, and that by pressing "1" and remaining on the line, they consent to the recording, and that if they do not consent, they should terminate the call. Never done it before, but I'm told that usually scares off most of the dodgy collectors right away because they know that the BS they are about to tell you is in breach of FDCPA and don't want it to be recorded. If they stay on the line, well, the call really is being recorded and they have had fair warning, so we will see what they have to say....
Caller type: Collection Agency
Company: US CAPITAL
Number: 866-949-6450