American Credit Collections -- How to NOT collect a debt

I got a nastygram from American Credit Collections, LLC. out of Scranton, Pennsylvania in the beginning on June, 2007. I immediately called their telephone number and received a series of harassing telephone calls.

This company does not appear to be a licensed debt collector in my state, a class I felony. Additionally, their collection letter threatened post-judgment remedies, "aggressive legal action" and stated they were verifying my employment and attempting to locate assets that could satisfy the debt.

Please note, this debt, if at all legitimate, is way beyond the statute of limitations. Of course, ACC has somehow managed to re-age or otherwise misrepresent the date of chargeoff. According to my records, the account was opened March 24, 1998, last payment May 10, 1999 and charged off on December 20, 1999 for $658.

What follows is fantastic example of the illegal tactics that "fly by night" debt collection companies use.

Be warned.

Update: If you've paid these people by credit card or check, I'd love to find out the name on the account they routed the money through. Please shoot me a PM!

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Debt
• Collection
• American
• Credit
• Collections
• Finance
• Financial
• Telephone
• Recording
• Recordings
• Phone

[roxcyn]

Uh oh, did you all get permission for the call recording? Both people have to have permission from what I listened you didn't ask for permission :'(.

[NASTYDEBTCOLLECTORS]

@roxcyn The caller went through a menu which stated calls were recorded. By continuing the call, consent was provided.

[kennethgoode2112]

You are my new hero. You got her on alot of points.

But then again, I think that all debt collectors are pond scum, feeders on society who would of been pimps or mafia loan sharks in another age.

I personally think that the entire group should "jump in front of a train".

[aliaevedickenson]

I just got off the phone with some lady named Tracy. She was so mean to me ;-/. I could not believe how rude she was. The first two people I spoke with transferred me or hung up on me and they were really rude too. I told her that I had recorded the previous conversation, and she started yelling at me and telling me it was illegal to record with out her consent, but was she aware that her company gave consent for her when prior to the phone call it said, "this phone call may be recorded?"

[jaybennett05]

Bad credit equals high interest rates. The banks make interest income and late fees. Waste the money then you bail them out.

[oneeyedboxer]

I love you man, you are my hero of the day.

[reymatt76]

That poor woman just sounds like she needs to get laid really, really badly.

[ognywogny]

@roxcyn no, actually only ONE party has to know the call is recorded

[andyO4you]

I knew of a company that paid roughly $600.00 for over 2 million in debts.

In a week they make hundred of dollars per person calling... most dont pay but of hundreds of people some will pay. Again all it takes is one person to pay those $600.0 and hourly wages and everything else is margin. :)

[cebubear]

Very well handled.

[jwb864]

@roxcyn The caller went through a menu which stated calls were recorded. By continuing the call, consent was provided.

[electricsilver]

Well Done. Nice and calm.

What was the final outcome of this?

[WrathOfNolla]

Wow...this video is GOLD for me....i haven't had any run-in's with this "Kim"...but i had a little jack-wad from Providian call me and put me through the EXACT same motions...telling me to ask my grandparents (deceased, thanks for pouring salt on that wound) for money, having some KID (he couldn't have been older than 20) calling himself a detective, show up at my door at literally 9:30pm with a badge and a "court summons", calling my parents home (wouldn't that make them a third party?)...