Debt Collectors!

[tantricia44]

It was 3 days after New Years when I open this mail that I didn't recognized. I looked at it & almost drop dead on the spot! This company which I won't say just in case I have to take this to court. It says,I owe them $ 1,133.73 for breaking security contract to install an alarm system.  I didn't now this company they were associated with the security company that I had business with. Their name was not on the original contract. According the debt collector, that was Authorized Dealer next to the company's name means. I told her that the word doesn't mean anything to me. If they were not hiding this 3rd party why not just state the name instead hiding it behind other another word? They claim that I didn't send them the cancellation contract form. The last day to cancel without penalty was Nov 18th 2010. On the 17th of Nov., I called the Rep. & left a message to cancel the contract on 17th. Called the # to the people that was suppose to install the equipment, & left the message that I canceled the contract & informed the Rep as well. The installers never called me back & never came to my house to conform or try to install the equipment. There4, I thought they understood that I canceled everything. I mailed the cancellation letter that day. Dec. goes by nobody, calls or sends me anything. First week of Jan. 2011 I get that debt letter from hell. I tried to dispute this,with them. They claim that they never got my letter of cancellation. There is no trace of me canceling within the 3 day trial. 3 day trail, what a total joke! The lady on phone told me to stop screaming at her. I told her if I was screaming it's nothing compared to how I was talking to her now. I told her, I canceled via phone to rep & the installers on the 17th of nov. I sent the letter & if something happened to it, it wasn't my fault. I told her I refuse to be charge with a bill in which I canceled 1 day b4 the last day to cancel & w/the installers on that day in which they didn't install b/c I canceled.  There4, I'm thinking they understood that I wanted to cancel the contract . The lady told me that they were going to do a research track my activities that month. They will tell me the verdict on Mon. Great that day is my Dr.'s appointment, I'm so stressed a/o this that my medical outcome will probably be off the charts! Has anybody or somebody you have gone through this? Whatever the verdict on Mon, If they don't believe me, it doesn't matter, I won't be able afford to pay them. They will report me to the BBB if I don't pay up. I paid off my credit cards in 2007 after getting fired. I paid off with my last pay check. Now, this *bleep* of a company wants to dirty my name! Well, if I have to pay them I'll send a $1 a month,they be paid off in about 100 years!!!! LOL.... Thanks FC family for letting me vent.

[constance312003]

It is such a shame that you can trust no one anymore.  I use to do trial offers all the time but haven't for many years because of lack of trust.  Hang in there and hope they drop everything. Remeber there is always another boss to speak to

[madeara]

I am very sorry.  I hope they drop everything.

[wahmomonline]

Wow - that's tough. I sure hope you get this straightened out. Be sure to keep records of all contact you make with the company.

[mc1962]

I wish you luck, it is sad the way some companies take advantage of the fine print that we as consumers miss in a rush to get what we need or want.  I think you should get legal advice from a small claims workshop in your city.

[angelicamuniz1]

You are not the only one... I have my damaged credit that's why same. For things and for contract that not fact... Bad company in which we have fallen down.

[tuyetmai]

Sorry to go all the trouble hope you solve it out soon. 

[marygalla]

i see you're in a pickle, yet dont let what happened with this situation get you so worked up.  i hope you're able to work this out.  unfortunately, many companies are doing their best to cheat people these days to try to keep there own heads above water.  my only suggestion to anyone is that you send a cancellation letter with return request only 50 cents to do at the post office.  then you have proof you sent.  good luck with your situation young lady. i'll be watching here to see if you win.

[ULuvCeCe]

First of all are you dealing with the company still? Or is it their internal collections? Or is it an actual collection agency. All of that can make a difference in how you handle the situation. Also, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the Fair Debt Collection Practice Act. If it with an actual collection agency make sure that they understand you dispute the debt, do it verbally over the phone and send a letter, in this dispute ask that they validate the debt. If I remember correctly they have x amount of days to provide this information. Watch your credit report, if it makes it on your report dispute it there as well, Transunion, Equifax and Experian. You can always get a free credit report at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/index.jsp this is not like the other sites that say it is free then charge you later this one is sanctioned by the FTC (http://www.ftc.gov/freereports) . If this does make it to court make sure that you keep record of all communications and actually go to the hearing otherwise it will just default right into judgment and then they can proceed with garnishing your pay checks and your bank accounts, your debt is not large enough to garnish a lien on your property but you never know. Hopefully you can get it handled swiftly

[kqa]

These people are so unscrupulous sometimes.  Some of them will send you letters for debts you have never even had or don't owe.  A few days ago, my mother received a letter from a debt collector saying she owed money to Sears, which is completely wrong.  She is nearly 93 and lives in a nursing home.  Many years ago she sold her house and paid off every single debt and paid cash for a car.  Unbelievable.  In your case, I wish you all the best.  They will hound you to pieces.  Good luck!

[ElleRich]

Debt collectors are the scum of the earth and most use illegal tactics to obtain their objective on buying dead beat debts.  Do not pay them a dime.  My husband is being pursued by a debt collection firm that says he owes $50.00 for an unpaid parking ticket several years ago in Atlanta and he was driving a Ford Explorer. #1.  He was visiting his family in New York at the day of the parking ticket was issued.  #2. He has never even owned a Ford Explorer. #3.  The state of Tennessee Motor Vehicle Department has sent the debt collection company a sealed letter stating he has never owned a Ford Explorer. #4.  The dc company claimed that they never received the letter, even though someone from the company telephoned us and told him they received the letter from The state of Tennessee Motor Vehicle Dept. #4.  They continue to call him weekly and says he needs to provide proof and he owes them money.  Go figure!!

[healthfreedom]

Be very careful when dealing with anything that requires a contract, and that you have to enter a financial obligation. Companies write contracts to give them the advantage. BE CAREFUL!!!!

[tantricia44]

vent.

THANK YOU FC FAMILY!!!!

I checked that phone call I made to cancel that contract thus the installers never came that day. In My phone bill history on nov 2010; I found the REP's phone # call made at 1:14PM. I didn't see the installers cell# prob. it's a private # but I know I called him after I called the Rep. to cancel. I copied it on the hard drive & put it on a flash disk to print out later.

On my Doctor's appointment today, I was right my BP is elevated & all my meds had to be increased. I blame them for this stress. I just seem to get one blow after another. I lost my husband 2yrs go, my sister in law's grand mother dies a year after my husband died, then I get robbed in June 2010, which lead to this Security contract, then I find out my dad was just diagnosed with prostate cancer, & now this company is charging me with BS!!!! When will it all end?!!!!!

I was suppose to get a call from them today to inform me if I was going to be charged or not but i checked my voice mail & nobody called. So, I'm not going pursue it. They told me for sure they were going to give me the verdict today. I refuse to sit by the phone wait. If worst come to worst I'm going to take them the small claims court. My dad says that it no big deal that it's not that much money. To me, it's not the money, it's the principle & I refuse to let these thugs break Me!!!!

Thank You FC Family for giving your input on this distressing subject. It helps me a lot to know that I'm not alone. If anyone needs help in anything just let me know.