1. Most of their debt is out of stat meaning they really can't legally collect it from you cause its so old.
2. Ask for a copy of the original loan/credit application you signed cause often they wont have it.
3. Tell them to call back and when they call back, record their conversation where they are breaking a zillion laws.
4. Threaten to sue them for violating the FDCPA unless they send you a paid in full letter immediately.
5. Get a lawyer with your recording in hand and then make some money by suing them.
6. Ask for a copy of their collections license in your state (many states need them) and they only have it in IL. Contact your state's Attorney General and report them.
7. They all use Aliases. The owner's name is Nelson Macwan.
8. There is no "legal division" and they don't have any lawyers on staff. If they represent themselves as lawyers then I believe this is a big law violation (check with your lawyer). Again tell your attorney general.
Each state usually has a number of agencies where you can call and complain and make life very difficult for these law breaking collection agencies. In Illinois you need to have a license and so you can contact http://www.idfpr.com/contact.asp. Also if a particular agency is harassing you, then you can just contact the state where it is based out of and get the owners name and then start calling the owner directly. Use their own tactics on them. If you have proof they broke the law then you can start scaring them.
***Remember to record ALL conversations for evidence***
Reply with any additional helpful information that I forgot or your stories on fighting back.
