PFD illegal? Pfd did more harm than good. Please Help!!

[Anonymous]

I sent out a pfd letter a few weeks ago and it has done more harm than good.  I talked to a representative who was a complete b!tch, she said there is no way that it can be taken off my cr because that is illegal since according to her its a valid debt. I know this is hogwash, but what can I do about it?? She basically told me to pay what she offered 20% off the original debt, by today (gave me 2 days) or I was going to be sued, the last time I was even contacted by this ca was about a year ago, now since the pfd letter its been about everyday for 2 weeks. She called me ignorant and irresponsible, and continued to hang up the phone on me when I wasnt done trying to talk and negotiate with her.  I would very much like to pay this account in order to get it off my report, but she is not budging, What can I do? Please HELP!

[Anonymous]

She is trying to intimidate you.  It is a negotiating technique.  You have to walk away from the table -- or succumb to their demands. 

In this case walking away from the table is easy, just tell them that you no longer consent to contact by telephone.  They have to stop calling.  The next person to contact you will either be another CA or an attorney -- by mail.  (This could take years or a few days depending on how close you are to the SOL.)  Personally, I would rather be contacted by an attorney.  They have to act in accordance with professional standards of conduct or risk discipline or suspension of their license.

If you need to resolve the situation for personal reasons, then resume contact by mail on your own initiative and don't give them permission to contact you by telephone.  Make sure that your letter is clear that you are willing to negotiate and what limitations you may have.  Most of the collections agents are not well-educated.  Their correspondence will mostly be form letters and, to protect their own interests, will not be vitriolic or intimidating. 

Stay calm. 

[Anonymous]

First, are you with SOL for them to sue?  edited

I am assuming your PFD included the 'only contact me in writing' so there are a few violations right there. CAs think we are DUMB (maybe the majority of America is - but you are not).

I am PFDing 2 accounts, both still within SOL - BUT I could pay in full if I had to (and that is my offer right now) - less than $200 total.

BTW - who is the CA?

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Please read the following Credit Repair Discussion Guidelines to avoid having your posts edited or deleted.

I removed a recent post of yours because it was talking about fraudulent ways to improve your FICO score. Please keep in mind only legitimate ways to improve your score can be talked about here. Thank you!

Thanks, Tuscani

Message Edited by Tuscani on 11-26-2007 11:10 AM

[Anonymous]

I would call back, If you are ready to pay. Make a deal with Management.I  had success with this once, when I got a BBBBBH on the other end of the phone. But you have to be ready to Pay. Be by a fax, so they can fax you the terms of agreement. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

send a pfd letter w/a ceast and decsist (spelling?). send it cert mail recpt rqstd, then if any more calls or violations send another pfd advising you will pfd and not pursue the enforcement of your fdcpa rights and sue for the 1k per violation.

also see if they are licensed to collect in your state, if no license include that in your pfd's, advising you will not report to your states ag.

[haulingthescoreup]

This is why they tell you to never talk to a CA on the phone--only by mail! These people are PROS. They know how to bully and humiliate.

Lady Scarlet is right, if you included the no-contact-by-phone in your PFD, you already have them for breaking the law. Document everything--when they called, names if you got them, etc. Good luck!

BTW: I'm all in favor of paying legitimate debts, but I hate the tactics of the sleazy CA's, which is most of them. It's all about getting their commissions, whatever it takes.

[Anonymous]

The ca is National Credit Corp. Im not sure as to how to go about finding out if this ca is licensed in my state, which is Indiana. Thanx for all your help.

[Anonymous]

try a google search for the agency that regulates collections in your state, once you nail that down search that agency's website for registered/licensced agency's.