NCO Financial Systems Complaint - I hope nco goes bankrupt - debt collrction

Posted by trmn8r on 2010-11-07:

I can understand people not liking debt collectors, compared with, for example, funeral directors.

But what specifically did you find to not meet your expectations when dealing with NCO? What law have you found that gives you hope of relief?

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

FDCPA, FCB/R, etc will not stop NCO. If you can PROVE they violated any of these acts/titles, by all means, report it.

However, most of the time, they are just this side of the line.

Pay your bill!

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

As long as there are debtors, there will be collection agencies. If not NCO, it will be a different one.
If people really wanted debt collectors to go out of business, the only sure way to do that is for everyone to pay their bills and we all know that's never going to happen. People are in debt for different reasons, some they choose to just not pay and others fall victim to unseen circumstances beyond their control. Either way, there is always going to be debtors and therefore there will always be debt collectors.
What exactly was your experience with them?
What did they do that has you so upset?

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Hey debt collectors are around for a reason. Collection agencies buy debt from banks and companies at a way less amount than what the debit was for. they then get your information and begin to harrass and badger the customer into paying. Even breaking laws, at times. You pay the collection agency, they make money, and debt collector gets paid. Its the way of the world.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Prince, not all collectors break, or even skirt, the law. I will call you ONCE, give you a chance to be a responsible adult.

Then, I will garnish your wages (sometimes at 100%, usually at 50%, sometimes 25%), empty your bank account, and put a lien on every damn thing you own.

When you call me screaming, I will be sweet as pie and remind you that you had a chance.

Quit your job or change banks to avoid me? NO PROBLEM---I am very patient and will be happy to wait as long as it takes for you to make a mistake and show up on the grid again. trust me, you WILL.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Raven, the debtors I love dealing with are those who will swear, scream, refuse to pay, call me names and hang up on me everytime I call. THEN, suddenly they are calling me to see what I can do to HELP THEM because they are trying to buy a house and their debt we have is holding everything up. Then they want to settle the account for less and they demand I drop everything and fax papers to them so they can have something to show that they paid....well, sorry honey, get to the back of the line now. You'll get the paper faxed when and only when your payment clears. They think just because they do a payment over the phone, we HAVE to fax them something right away stating it was paid. Yeah, how many collectors are gonna fall for that one...send the fax, they stop payment on the check then wave the 'PIF' letter in front of our eyes as their defense that they paid it when they didn't. LOL....that just makes me laugh. BTW, I never take a settlement for people like that. If they can afford to buy a house, they can afford to pay their debt in full to get it.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

I agree, DB. I never, ever settle is this case. My law firm requires that you provide a notarized financial statement with all kinds of backup if you want a SIF.

Clearly, if you can buy a home, you are not indigent and do not need a SIF. pay up.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Exactly, they may think they are in the driver's seat when they hide and hangup and refuse to pay...but, when the day comes that they want something from me, well...I'm in the driver's seat now!

I said it before and I'll say it again...Raven, You and I would be dangerous partners! LOL!!!

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Agreed, DB--- we would scare the skirts off some of these fools while raking in the commissions

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Raven, I thought the only way you could garnish wages or clear their bank account is if you sue them, take them to court and win the case. I cant imagine a company just being able to garnish wages or clear a bank account without permission from a court. I had some debt issues in my past, which I no longer am in. Some collection agenies called me, threatened me, belittled me , harassed me. I never took it personal since I know they are only doing their job. Most of the time i just never answered. Never had my wages garnished, never had my bank account cleared out.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Threatening, belittling and harasssing people is not their job...but there are those who do and those are the ones that give Collector's a bad name. I've never collected using any of those tactics.

Posted by Nohandle on 2010-11-07:

Perhaps it varies from state to state but here an individual is taken to court and a garnishment is placed on his wages. The employer is then served with papers. The responsibility is then placed on the employer to deduct and remit the garnishment amount to the court each payperiod. The net wage must be over a certain percent and I don't recall what that percent is.

Some employees accept a job and once the court catches up with them they are then long gone, never to be heard from again.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Prince, I currently work for a law firm that collects on govt debt, including state taxes. We either already have a tax warrant, or swear out a complaint on a defendant in order to get a garn order. Never have we been denied.

Some debt doesn't even require the collector to get a garn order, such as student loans. When I collected on those, every single client had in their contract a clause that said if you defaulted, you got garned. All I did was have my collectors verify employment then garn.

yes,we serve the employer with the garn order once the court approves it. If the employer does not comply, we sue them for contempt of court. And we NEVER lose.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

I agree with DB. When I managed, and now that I am back to collecting, threatening, belitting, etc is NOT an option. I WILL find you, and explain your options.

You, as the debtor are always, and I mean ALWAYS in control. Your actions, or lack thereof, dictate my reactions.

Ignore me? Hide from me? Make a pay arrangement then write bad checks or checks on a closed account?

No problem----I will garn you, lien you and hunt you like the dog you are. I will NOT relent. EVER. For any reason.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

That's my girl!

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

LOL, DB. It's more than priceless to hear the shock and rage in their voice because I called their mom's sister's brother's husbands aunt and left a message.

Folks dont realize how valuable facebook, myspace, linkedin, classmates, spoke, mylife, ancestry.com, and even pogo and other gaming sites are to us collectors.

Posted by clutzycook on 2010-11-07:

DB and raven, it sounds as though you like your jobs a little too much, LMAO :).

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Its simple don't buy things you can't afford and the collectors will stay away.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Those websites are far better than any 'phone lookup' sites when I'm skip tracing. Not only that, but they are very valuable when you have an account and no one can find them, then you fidn them on facebook and find out they recently got married, new name, husband's name, where they work...I better shut up now before everyone goes and changes their info.

Clutzycook...it's a dirty job but someone has to do it! LOL!

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

The only thing I hate about collectors is they always get someone else's number and call me after i told them a million times this person does not live here.

Must of been a deadbeat that had my number previously but dang leave me alone.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I don't like that collectors call me for my neighbor's debts.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Wally, not all people who go to collections and owe companies money are 'deadbeats'

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Yes they are if they don't bother to call the collection company and set up a payment plan ignoring them makes u a deadbeat.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Ok so the $46,000 I owe in hospital bills cause the state denied me insurance when I was pregnant makes me a deadbeat? I tried to set up payments but they refuse to go lower than $300 a month. I can't afford that

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

yaya, if I were you, I would find a way to afford the 300 a month. that will be a LOT less than a wage garn, bank levy, liens, etc, that will NEVER go away.

Why was your insurance denied?

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

YAYA, correct me if I'm wrong didn't you get that debt forgiven?

Posted by Nohandle on 2010-11-07:

Wally, I received a random cell phone number (easy to remember) and I swear I received calls for years for that character. I would have swapped numbers but I expect I would have had to start from scratch with another. Now, if my landline wasn't one digit off from the local Section 8 I'd be pleased as punch.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

YAYA's Back???????????? YEAH!!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I made too much money to qualify for state insurance. And it wasn't 'open season' for insurance so I couldn't get it thru my work. Here it is 4 years later, and I keep racking up interest on what I owe

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

No wally, I only got my doctor's bills forgiven. The hospital bills are still there

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Well, at the risk of sounding rude----you play, you pay. SOMEONE has to pay the bills for that pregnacy, doctors, etc--and since you were the one who was pregnant.....you need to find a way to pay up.

You might want to check with state and local agencies who help folks on the fringe such as yourself. people who dont qualify on one end or the other can be helped by agencies in the middle.

People need to pay their bills, instead of expecting others to do it for them.

Posted by MRM on 2010-11-07:

DB, oh lawd.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I don't expect anyone to pay my bills Raven. I'm still trying to get them to negotiate with me on payments.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Little, did they just tell you they refuse your payment, or did they actually refuse it when you sent it to them? If you send it, chances are good they will apply it to your bill...however if they are like NCO, they will accept the payment but the calls will continue because the payments were not agreed on by both parties.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

300 on month on a 46k debt is MAJOR negotiation. Hell, even the IRS doesnt usually go out more than five years, and you are being offered damn near THIRTEEN YEARS to pay it back.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I've never sent them payments. I thought I had to work out payment arrangements first

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I think they should of forgiven that debt also because of the circumstances.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Wally, that's why the doctor's bills were forgiven. I've had problems holding down a steady job the last few years. As I get more financially secure in the job I'm in now, I should be able to start paying the debt. Raven, I owe the IRS too and only pay them $56 a month for the next 6 years

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

It won't hurt to send them whatever you can. But, be sure to keep a record of all of your payments. As long as they apply it to your debt, at least it will show other creditors that you are paying on it and not just ignoring it on your credit reports. The worse they can do is send your payment back to you and not apply it. But it's worth a try, most places will tell you they won't accept the payment, but when you send it, they will apply it. Give it a try and let us know what happens.

As Raven pointed out $300.00 on a 40K+ debt is what they are looking at, that's why they are requiring a higher payment. Most systems will not accept that as a payment plan, but if you send it, they most likely will apply it. It's just not an 'agreed payment plan'.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I'll try that Basher. Thanks

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

I agree with DB---one of the clients I collect for REFUSES partial payments and puts it on the letters I send. Yet, if I et a payment, I am required to post it.

granted, it will only make a teeeeeeeny tiny dent, but something is better than nothing.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Sending them "whatever" you can is like peeing in the wind, especially on a $46,000 debt. The interest alone will keep that debt rolling til' the day she dies. The best thing is to ask the hospital for relief or help. At our local hospital, they have funds from private donors to help individuals in your situation. You could also look into making a settlement with them, much in the same manner people do when faced with overwhelming odds agains the IRS. But to simply ignore it will never solve anything. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

The hospital knew my situation. They didn't care

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

I've found when I worked with people that way, they would send whatever they can, then as they were able to pay more, they did without me asking.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Obama will make it all better for you...he promises 'he can'!

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I had a huge debt from the IRS and I too was making minimal payments, but with the interest accruing, by the end of the year, I was actually further in debt than when I started making payments. WTH? I sucked up my pride and sat down with an IRS agent on a one-to-one basis and explained my financial situation. An agreement was reached with monthly payments, and an overall settlement was made that drastically reduced my debt. Trust me when I say this to you, even with hospitals..."They would rather settle and get something, than continue playing cat & mouse games and never get anything". Trust me.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I am sloooowly paying off my IRS debt. That's one bill I can't ignore. The late fees are four times as much as my payments

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Thats whats wrong with this country. 46 THOUSAND dollars in medical bills? For what? 4 days in the hospital? Its REDICULOUS. I could never work in the collection industry. screwing over people when they are already down on a regular basis is not my dream job. Id rather clean up cow poop all day than have that on my concious.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Sorry you feel that way, Prince. I collect on taxes and other govt debt. People who live in your city, state and country refuse to carry their weight. That means YOU carry more, unless I am successful in nailing the fools.

Same goes for those who collect on credit cards, hospital bills, etc. Part of the reason interests rates are so high and health care costs are so high is because of people who skip out on their obligation ( no offense yaya, I know you have a mess going on)

Collectors help right a wrong and protect the rest of you from paying for deadbeats. Scorn us if you want, but you NEED us.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2010-11-07:

Prince, you're talking hard core collectors. If a collector follows the laws and collect on legit debts, there is nothing for us to feel bad about. In fact, I have felt very pleased many times, knowing I've helped that person who had their idenity stolen and that person who felt they were sinking so fast and couldn't find a way out that I was able to explain their options, that soilder's wife who never knew anything about the Sailors and Soilders program that allowed the debt to freeze without having additional fees added to it, and I also felt good knowing I helped debtors who had sky high medical bills because they were raped or a attacked and I connected them with the 'Victims Of Crime' so they can get the help they needed with their mecical bills. Yes, there are many, many programs out there that people are not aware of and if they would stop hanging up on us when we called, we would be able to explain to them what options are available to them...but if they choose to just hang up, then we can't help them and their debt isn't going to just disappear.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Ironically, I was a collector once too. I never felt like I was screwing people over. I was just reminding them that they needed to pay their bills. I also understood that sometimes certain situations keep people from paying their bills. All I want is someone to help me in my situation

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

I also enjoy helping folks who NEED it. I help women fill out injured spouse claims quite often. You'd be surprised, even in this day and age, how many men pull the wool over the eyes of their wives.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

yaya, I cant emphasize enough how much offering 300 a month on a 46k debt is MORE than helping you. if you cant do it, I strongly suggest you looking into local options that may help you.

My law firm, as well as the IRS CANNOT, I repeat CANNOT offer such a deal on that sort of debt. Whoever offered it is going out of their way.

What exactly are you looking for in terms of payment??

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

I am looking for something around $100 payments a month until I can afford to pay more. To me, it doesn't seem like they are willing to help cause I think $300 is a lot

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Send the 100 a month. It wont even cover your interest, but it WILL show intent. Check with local agencies who might be able to issue a grant, etc toward some of the debt.

At 100 a month, even if they charge no more interest, that is more than 38 YEARS to pay off. Mortgages dont even go that long.

Usually, my pay arrangements dont go out more than two years. if you cant afford the balances divided by 24, I tell you to send what you can for now, understanding that if you dont pay if off w/in two years, I WILL take it.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Basher suggested that too. Thanks Raven

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Also, you may want to consider a chapter 13---many folks with high medical bills do this. it allows you to pay what you can, so you dont dump it on the rest of us, but at the same time does not drain you

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Unfortunately DB, not all collectors have your work ethic. In the waaaaay distant past I found myself in a situation that I had no control over. Literally. I had a collector call and all he would say is when am I getting my money. I'm like its not your money. I then called the original creditor and worked it out with them. That jerkwad never saw a dime from me. He may have gotten paid indirectly by the original creditor, but I sure as heck didn't send it to him. Had he treated me with any kind of respect like I tried to treat him with in the beginning I would have gladly worked with him.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

John, in your case, the original creditor LOST money. Some will work with debtors who call to complain about collectors,. however, it does not negate the contract with the law firm/agency.

This means the original creditor spent time with you, helping you, but the agency got the money. It would have been best to pay the creditor from the start, rather than waiting for the collection calls

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Raven, after 7 years won't yayas debt get erased from her credit report.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Yes and no---depending on where she lives and a variety of other issues. After seven years, assuming a judgment has not been taken, it can still be collected on, she just cant be sued. If a judgment has been taken, it will be based on the laws of her state.

Just because something can be removed from your credit report does not mean it can lo longer be collected on. That is a very common misconception.

Collecting on debt outside a statute of limitations depends on a HUGE variety of issues.

Posted by MRM on 2010-11-07:

Thnaks, Raven, for the tidbit as I assumed the the debt is permanently erased from the record.

Posted by raven2010 on 2010-11-07:

Welcome, Mr Mike. A very common assumption. Also , even after seven years, and it being "off" her credit report, it can nail her if she tries to make a major purchase such as a home, or tries to get certain professional licenses.

Posted by MRM on 2010-11-07:

Aye Caramba!

Posted by leet60 on 2010-11-07:

@raven & debtorbasher +10. I worked for a time as a child support collections officer. I was also relentless in pursuing those debts and most debtors are VERY suprised when they are located.

I see more and more debtors posting on how "mail this sample letter" and all your troubles will go away. The FDCPA only protects a consumer as far as debt that is NOT theirs or from a collector that is violating it. A collector that does their job correctly and within the law cannot be made to disappear because you mail them a dispute letter.

Posted by Anonymous on 2010-11-07:

Thanks for your input Raven, but my comment wasn't meant to initiate a conversation on how I should have best handled a situation to pay my original debt. Of course I should have. IMO being responsible and paying your debt is a no brainer that didn't need to be repeated yet again on this thread.

As I stated a LOT were happening all at once which I don't feel I need to share here or with anyone else and again, I would do things differently. Some things took priority over others and that debt took a back seat along with one other (which I dealt with) and they were respectful rather than belligerent. Doesn't negate my responsibility to pay the other debt but that doesn't mean that I or anyone else deserves to be berated. Once things calmed down and I could try to sift through the mess that me and my situation had caused that is when things is when things went south. Had this gentleman said look this is what you owe and to whom, lets get this worked out so you can pay your debt then we can all move on. I would have said you know, you're right. Lets get this figured out. But "this is so and so, you owe this and where's my money?" Are you freaking kidding me? It was not a matter of me being defensive and perceiving his attitude. He was GIVING attitude before I barely got to telling him that I was the person to whom he was demanding to speak to. Bottom line is originally the creditor did not want to work with me and referred me back to the collection agency. Once I explained to them what happened I asked the original creditor to investigate my complaint. I don't know if all collection agencies do so, but they were able to pull the tapes of my conversation with the collector. Once they heard it, they apologized and agreed to accept payment directly from me rather than through the agency. Am I pleased the original creditor lost money? Absolutely not, but maybe that collector got the training he needed to best handle his next account.

Posted by clutzycook on 2010-11-07:

Even if you already have said professional licenses, they can be suspended for defaulting on certain debts. When I go to look up some people's nursing licenses, you will see names that have links for any disciplinary actions taken against them. Usually they were refused renewal of their licenses because they defaulted on their student loans (I think it was a specific type). Kinda stinks because if you can't work, odds are you won't be able to pay the bill.

Posted by scarpie on 2011-01-16:

How about the statue of limitations in your state? 90% or more of the debt collection agencies paid only 3 cents on the dollar for the debt that they bought... and then they harass the hell out of the debtor to pay back 3X the original amt to make a profit.. then send you letters offering a 60% settlement like your getting some sort of deal... C'MON people.. if you do your homework, you will see that most of these agencies are scum. after the original creditor "charged off" or wrote off that bad debt... the tax payers paid it and now the collection companies are double dipping. I love firing up these agents and when i talk to them for hours throwing the laws in their face they are still forced to put on a smile.. Raven you know all about it I am sure. but admit after talking to someone like me for 2 hrs you don't go home even a little pissed off. ahah. keep calling my brothers in-laws.. when i file ch7 you can't do S&*t... I will settle, but I will pay NOTHING more than you collection agencies paid for the bad debt...

Posted by raven2010 on 2011-01-22:

scarpie, I work for a law firm. We dont buy debt. We represent several states , cities, etc regarding taxes. Also some fees and fines such as DMV stuff, as well as judgments when folks are convicted of fraud

In most cases, your chapter 7 will not discharge taxes, fees and fines especially if they are trust taxes. (sales tax, withholding, corp tax)

If you dont care to cooporate, I just take your stuff.

I dont talk for hours and I never get frustrated or pissed. I can tell in the first 60 seconds if you are going to pay (been doing this since 1988). Pay or I take it----its really that simple

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2011-02-04:

I'd like to know where scrapie got those figures...the 90% or more..the 3 cents on a dollar, the 3 times the original amount and the 60% settlement offers.