Fraud Scum Alert – NCO Financial Systems
5/16 UPDATE: I have learned that NCO’s attempt to collect on my phony debt, while sleazy in a number of ways, was probably not fraudulent. Apparently, Bank of America’s policy is to hand questionable debts over to collection agencies immediately if they are assessed against accounts that have been closed – and also to hide this information where ordinary customer service representatives cannot find it. After getting a notice in writing from NCO, I called B of A and got the number for their “recovery” unit, which can see the transactions their ordinary customer service people can’t. The validity of that debt remains in dispute, but NCO’s role in attempting to collect it is not wrongful in and of itself (their methods are, but that’s another issue). As such, please note that to the best of my knowledge, NCO is merely a sleazy collection agency, not a fraud ring.
If you get any collection calls from “NCL NCO Financial Systems” or asking you to call (800) 394-3194, don’t give them any money. Call your local police and the FTC, instead. Today I received a voice message from a certain “Mr. Martin” of that allegedly existent outfit, informing me that it was “very important” I contact him at (800) 394-3194, Ext 5644, but neglecting to tell me why. When I called I was told that Bank of America had filed a claim against my Social Security Number for a $483.61 overdraft, and that it was now going to go immediately on my credit report if I didn’t pay up over the phone. When I pressed him for further details about the claim, he insisted he doesn’t get that information from the bank, so I’d have to contact B of A instead at (800) 432-1000. I was a tad bit skeptical, for a number of reasons:
- B of A had never contacted me about any overdrafts.
- I don’t even bank at B of A anymore.
- When I did bank at B of A, I never had any overdrafts.
- When I banked at B of A, I had overdraft protection, so if I had had any overdrafts they would have been charged to the associated credit card, not .
- When I closed out my account at B of A, the bank confirmed I had a zero balance.
- My old account at B of A was based in a California branch, which uses a different customer service number, (800) 622-8731. The number “Mr. Martin” gave me, (800) 432-1000, is a national number used in most other states. Not an unreasonable guess, however, if you’re trying to scam some random guy in Virginia whose credit report implies that he has a B of A account.
Unsurprisingly, my skepticism turned out to be warranted; a quick call to B of A confirmed that no such claim existed, that they wouldn’t have turned it over to these guys if it had. As it was now pretty clear NCL Financial Systems was a scam, I called them back to request a mailing address so I could send them a check. “Mr. Martin” informed me that they can only accept payment over the phone, and threatened to ding my credit report immediately if I did not pay up. I told him I had never been served with any demand in writing, and he put me on hold for 15 minutes. After that, I was handed over to a female “supervisor,” who reiterated that they can’t accept payment by any method other than telephone because the charge was now “delinquent.” I then requested that she fax me a copy of the report from the bank, so I could investigate it from there. Of course she wouldn’t do that, either, presumably for “privacy” reasons. O-kay.
UPDATE: Apparently I misheard their name, which is NCO Financial Systems, not NCL. I suspect this may be by design; call the 800 number yourself and see if you think they called themselves NCO or NCL. They’ve got plenty of Rip-Off Reports, both under their real name and under their accidentally-on-purpose misheard one. They also have a web site of their own.
UPDATE x2: The story keeps getting weirder. Now, after talking to a second round of customer service, it appears that some schlock made a charge against my account on April 25, a whopping 10 days before NCO started hounding me over this “delinquent” debt, in the amount of … you guessed it … $483.61. Meanwhile, some other schlock allowed the transaction to go forward even though the account had been closed for more than a month, and schlock #3 must have passed the information along to NCO as a joke.
UPDATE x3: See my comments at the topic of the post. B of A has finally fessed up to having turned this “debt” over to collections. That doesn’t make NCO’s collection methods any less sleazy, of course, but it does dispel the notion that they are a fraud ring, as I had originally suspected.
May 4th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
I get calls from Ms. Jenkins. The first time she got my wife who can give as good as she gets but it was still very annoying; the second time she got our baby-sitter who could tell her nothing and got very upset with her attitude; the third time she got me and I gave her some advice about more pleasurable ways to spend her time. SHE STILL KEEPS CALLING. I just let the answering machine pick it up or I pick up and hang up.
May 5th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Do we know if they’re connected to Infotel in any way?
May 8th, 2006 at 10:26 am
I’ve played with them before over an alleged overdraft at a bank at which I never had an account. I discovered that a certified cease and desist letter on the letterhead of the firm at which my wife was then practicing worked wonders in getting them to leave me alone and stop calling.
Tim
May 8th, 2006 at 11:53 am
What if we’ve already succumbed to the scam? Assuming that it is a scam. I had a past due account with Cingular. Cingular informed me that I had been reported to a collection agency. My account with Cingular went completly deliquent by the end of Oct 05 and then early in November I got the call from NCO. I set up payment arrangements since I was on my way to Iraq at the time. Then in March (06) I offered to make a payment of $2000. The bill was around $2700. They told me that if I made a payment of ~$2100 then they would forgive the rest of the debt. Okay! Of course! I’m saving myself about $600 there. Now its May and I’m hearing it might have all been a scam. How do I confirm all this? Cingular just always told me that I would have to deal with the collection agency. I don’t want to have thrown away $2100 when it is still going to hit my credit.
May 8th, 2006 at 12:34 pm
In your case it probably wasn’t a scam. If Cingular told you to deal with a collection agency, they’re in a lousy position to argue that that collection agency had no authority to collect on their behalf. You might want to check your credit report just to be safe, though.
May 9th, 2006 at 11:10 am
[...] A is for alerting the blogosphere to the latest financial scam. [...]
May 12th, 2006 at 12:54 am
Re, your second update:
Don’t be too sure that it’s as innocent as a joke. These guys are a modern-day shakedown racket. They know that they are buying “debts” that would be laughed out of court but they buy them at 1/100th of a penny to the dollar and even if they collect 1/10th of what they demand from some poor guy afraid of hurting his credit rating they come out way ahead. There are lawyer groups organized just to fight them. I’ll Yahoo for links, if any.
July 29th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
I’m looking for information about NCO. I am getting strange calls and they could be fraud and/or NCO Financial.If you know for sure what CA or other party this number belongs to-please let me know. Calls are from unknown caller saying to call (unnamed) 1 800 322 2608.3 callers have said this seems to be NCO Financial. Can anybody verify? If it’s not, it could be some other phone fraud. Either way I never return calls like that and would not give out any information on the phone.I just want to know what company name and address to send my letters to and my reports against if this is fraud or other violations.
August 21st, 2006 at 9:04 pm
NCO Financial Systems, formally Risk Managewment Alternatives, arranged to clear my credit report with a payment for said debt that they sent a letter to me regarding. I made the payment and they assured me that the debt would be cleared from my credit report. One year later the debt still remains on my credit report. When I called NCO they pretended not to be able to locate my account, even going as far as to accuse me of dialing all 12 digits of their number in error (read verbatim from their letter)and getting them by accident. They then hung up on me, and did so twice after I attempted to contact them again. It definitely appears as if I got ripped off. The only thing to do now is WHAT??? I Guess report their fraud to the Better Business Bureau, and to the the Attorney General in their state? I will do so but it does not change the fact that I still got ripped off. BEWARE NCO Financial Systems is not only aggressive with their collections, but will actually rip you off for any money they collect by not updating your credit status.
August 29th, 2006 at 1:17 am
They went as far as calling my PARENTS, who are in their 70’s. He claimed to be a Mr. Alexander who was a lawyer and was going to take me to court in this county if I didn’t contact him the next day.
A call to them go the usual runaround. I asked for proof of the debt, to which they said “You’ll get it when we hand it to you in court.”
They went so far as to pretend that they were Mr. BEGGins not the similarity to begging… from the bank that I supposedly owed money to. I know that this person was not from the bank as I asked enough questions and got absolutely no answers.. what is your phone number, what is your employee id number, what is your FIRST name, who is your supervisor, where is your office… all countered with “I don’t take calls from customers, so we’ll just see you in court.”
First off, they don’t have the right in most cases to sue. Second, if they use an improper name or title that misrepresents who they are (an attourney or employee of another company) they are breaking The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Info can be found here: http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/fdcpact.htm.
Notice section 805 subsection C.. it reads: (c) CEASING COMMUNICATION. If a consumer notifies a debt collector in writing that the consumer refuses to pay a debt or that the consumer wishes the debt collector to cease further communication with the consumer, the debt collector shall not communicate further with the consumer with respect to such debt, except —
(1) to advise the consumer that the debt collector’s further efforts are being terminated;
(2) to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor may invoke specified remedies which are ordinarily invoked by such debt collector or creditor; or
(3) where applicable, to notify the consumer that the debt collector or creditor intends to invoke a specified remedy.
November 1st, 2006 at 12:51 pm
I have been getting messages for some time about “we have an important business matter for you – please call 800…. ” I have always assumed it was someone trying to give me a sweet deal on satellite TV or something. Just this week I got a message asking to call the same # yet this time specifying it was an attempt to collect a debt. I called and asked for details. All she could say was it was a Sprint / Nextel debt for $200. Problem is I have been a sprint customer for over 6 years now, and my bill is charged automatically to my credit card and the phone is still in good standing. Confused I asked her to please mail me records of whatever she had regarding the matter and I would look into it. She became very angry and refused to send me anything. After I pressed her a bit more she agreed to send me a bill in the mail, but said I would need to contact Sprint for any sort of record to which this was pertaining. This is actually very out of line with the fair debt collections practices act. I checked my credit report and they have already dinged it. These people are total slime.
November 2nd, 2006 at 11:19 pm
I just got a call from these people today at my workplace, aggressively insiting that I verify SS# and DOB info with them. They were looking for someone with my name but different SS# and DOB from me. Obviously I kept my personal info to myself. But how the heck did they figure out where I work and my name and work phone number! I am a teacher and can’t get calls at school so I don’t ever even give out my work number! The whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable.
November 14th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
My step daughter got a call about a delinquent B of A account. She never recieved anything from B of A about it. I called them and they said the only method of payment is Visa or Mastercard Debit or Western Union Quick pay. I asked why they don’t accept money orders and she had no answer. What company who’s sole purpose is collecting money wouldn’t accept a money order?
December 18th, 2006 at 3:12 pm
regarding post #9 —
NCO will tell you anything to get you to pay. At the end of the day if you’ve received any notice from NCO then they’ve already made a negative mark on your credit report.
December 27th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
I am dealing with NCO due to an outstanding account with my university. I owe $928.00-which I have in hand. NCO wants the balance of $1,200.00 so they can make a commission.
The agents said they will only accept withdrawing directly from my account on a particular date setup by me. To make it worse, they said that if I did not give the information right then, they were going to take me to court. I understood that they were just reading persuasive lines. I hung up from the sheer rudeness. It was the same as listening to an actor reading out a script. There was not any interpersonal communication here.
My concern is that an agent would have my account and tracking number information. Another is that that person can be malicious and take out the balance on the wrong date just to get his/her cut ASAP. They said that giving information over phone creates a verbal contract to ensure the money will only be taken out on that particular date. Is that truly legally binding? How will I prove anything? A tape recording rarely holds up in court.
I just want to pay directly to my school and get it over with. It is difficult to trust this agency, especially when I had to deal with manipulative antagonism when I wanted to get this resolved (I called them, they did not call me). Why do they not accept payment by mail or have reasonable payment options? They would be more likely to receive their money if they eased payment methods to those willing to pay.
December 28th, 2006 at 12:02 pm
I recently started receiving phone calls at my home for my mother regarding an account that she supposedly owes money on. Which REALLY surprises me considering that the LAST time she even had a credit card or anything of the sort was in 1993.
The first call was, by chance, received by my mother when she was watching my child. And when the person on the phone, a man with an Indian accent, told her the debt she owed was to a bank she’d not been with since 1995, she became very suspicious. She believed he said it was a bill for about $400.
She told him to tell her what company he represented (meaning, if he was with a collection agency…give her the name) and he did not. But he did become rude with her. So, she hung up.
Then, I received a call last night. It was, again, a man with an Indian accent and I told him over and over again that my mother doesn’t live here. And I asked him HOW he got my phone number…being that neither my number nor my address have EVER been connected to her. She has lived independent of me since I graduated college in 1992!
But, he refused to tell me. And he became beligerent with me. So, I hung up.
Today, I recieved an automated call from the same ‘company’ and it said, if you are not “insert name here” please hold. I did and was transferred to a ‘live’ person.
And as soon as the man, yes…a man with an Indian accent came on the phone, I told him who I was and said right off the bat, “Look, I am her daughter and I want to know right now what company you represent.” He sort of sounded confused and said, “Uh…yes, NCO Financial Systems” And then, the phone went dead.
I do not appreciate being hounded by ‘wanna-be-thugs’ who have to try and intimidate little old ladies. Until SHE recieves an official letter at her home from the no-longer in existance bank, I’ll keep track of every single call.
And it’s not like she’s been ‘hiding out’ or something. Any company with half a brain-cell could find her via her driver’s license number, tax-returns, etc.
By the way, just to let you know…the Assistant District Attorney for my county lives two houses down from me as well as the chief of police and a Federal Marshal. Maybe I should let THEM know. Or, maybe, I’ll contact someone a little higher up, like the State Attorney General.
December 29th, 2006 at 12:54 am
I am a 24-year-old and have incurred a debt through an online company which I feel is fraudulent. When I told the company I would not pay, they sold me debt to NCO Financial Systems Inc.
I live 175 miles from my parents and have lived separately for over 3 years. Despite this, my parents received a call from NCL Financial Systems. It was automated and stated that the call was for me and was concerning debt collection. The calls have continued nearly daily, and often more than once a day for almost 3 weeks.
I checked my credit report and there is a mark there from NCO. My credit report contains my current phone number, so there is no reason for NCO to have contacted my parents. In fact, it is not legal for them to inform my parents that I owe a debt of any kind. I’m certain that the NCO/NCL mixup is also a deliberate attempt to bewilder people.
About a week after my parents began receiving calls, I got a letter in the mail. It was dated 7 days before I received it even though it was sent from a neighboring state and was not in the mail over any holidays. This is probably an attempt to shorten the 30-days reply period.
I am currently working with a lawyer to draft a reply letter which will get them to leave me alone. If need be, I am not afraid to sue.
In case anyone is curious, my NCO is located in Horsham, PA and gave the number 800-688-7929
December 31st, 2006 at 12:01 pm
Simple Advice:
Don’t EVER, EVER, EVER, give money to an outfit like this. You can ALWAYS settle the debt with the original bank or business and obtain confirmation from them that the debt is settled.
These people are liars and worse. Note their responses to ANYTHING you ask them to provide in the way of proof of the legitimacy of their threats or their ID or contact numbers. Never ever give them SSN or personal data inluding D/L, DOB, or account numbers. They have everything already and should be able to give at least part of a SSN for confirmation they’re talking to the right person.
Don’t take the harrassment lying down. Complain to the FTC and be thorough about filling out the complaint form.
Think of them always as the filthy parasites that they are.
January 4th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Hello there today is January 4th and had recieved a letter from NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEM INC with the regards to what I Spencer Clark does not have a clue, And being billed $54.88 for one thing or another, And not recieving it nor ordering it, And last but not least I Spencer Clark am financially BROKE. Spencer
January 26th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I got a call from an Indian woman at NCO in New York from this phone number: (718) 280-7639 also aggressively insiting that I verify SS# and DOB info with them so they can provide me with a “Business Calling Plan.” They were looking for someone with my name but different SS# and DOB. I, too kept my personal info to myself.
BEWARE
January 29th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I received recorded messages on my cell phone saying to call “Ms. Shotwell at a tollfree number,” which when I called was always WRONG. The recording itself is shoddy but they kept calling me. Finally, I got a call with a recording from a different, more understandable, person who gave me the correct toll free number to call. When I called it, the lady was very defensive, wouldn’t explain who she was or what she wanted. I had to give her my cell phone number just so that she “could look up what they called me for.” She said they were trying to reach a person — again, very difficult to understand — who was not me. I told her I didn’t know who that person was. She said, “I’ll take you off our calling list immediately.” I said, “Fine, but tell me who you are and what you’re doing.” She would only say NCO Financial Systems. I asked where she was located and she saind Richmond, Virginia. Then, “she didn’t have time to answer my questions.” I said as a consumer, I have a right to know who had been harassing me. She then hung up on me.
These are bizarre people and I don’t think they’re particularly well trained or sophisticated.
I feel sorry for anybody they’re after.
I want to file a complaint against this company, but I’m not sure where to go. Would it be the Attorney General’s office??
January 29th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I found things on my credit report from this company that I can not explain.. Who should I contact?
February 3rd, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for the post. I’ve been getting messages from these guys for several months now, and just ignoring them since the messages start up halfway and I can never understand what they’re for. I’ve just always assumed they were telemarketers, and was curious today and googled the number and got the company name from a rip off report (the number was different than what you listed but it was also a “Mr. Martin”). I checked my credit report and everything looks fine, never had any debts, etc. I might call Bank of American just to check, though, since I recently closed out my account with them.
February 6th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
NCO just posted an uncollected account on my credit report yesterday. I called and they gave me the number of Merchant’s financial who supposedly knows what this is all about. They didn’t. I called NCO numerous times to be disconnected and hung up on. They would not give me NCO’s address. I immediately wrote a letter to the FTC, all credit bureaus a the BBB. My credit score dropped 70 points. This is the only uncollected account on my report and I don’t know what it’s for. Isn’t this illegal? They have not contacted me. Equifax gave me their address its: NCO Financial 507 Prudential Rd. Horsham, PA 19044
How do they have the right to do this?
Linda
February 9th, 2007 at 11:38 am
I got a call last night from NCL Financial Services–I played the message over 3 times and it was not a mistake–it did say NCL and not NCO, but the message was the same recorded message everyone else is getting. To top it off, it was for someone with my last name–but not the first name.
I found a website:
http://www.ethannonsequitur.com/nco-financial-systems.html
that addresses these calls and how to deal with NCL/NCO, They suggest a “cease and desist” letter and have the language to use in the letter. If the letter is sent certified, return receipt requested, and NCO ignoes it, you can press charges against NCO and get $1,000 of the fine and in some cases they may have to pay your debt. Please go check out this website.
February 9th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I got a call from these freaks tonight. When I pressed them for who they were and to state their business, they gave language about being recorded. When I pressed further, the caller hung-up on me. So I called the 800 number above.
The message kept repeating, “All of our representatives are on the phone. Please hold monentarily and the next-available representative will be with you shortly.”
Over 12 minutes have passed and the recorded voice keeps saying, “Thank you for calling. Please be assured that your call will be answered as quickly as possible. Please continue to hold just a minute longer, we will be on the line shortly to answer your call…”
Fifteen minutes and counting and no human has come on the phone.
How do you spell SCAM?
February 12th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I have been getting recorded phone calls/messages on my business phone for about two weeks from NCO Financial Systems (I thought it was NCO Financial Assistance at first). They call from 410-986-0085, a Maryland number, and want me to call 1-800-638-5630 about collection of a debt. Here’s the thing – they are calling my business number (I own the business) and the business does not owe any uncollected debts (we are only 6 months old anyway). I haven’t called back the 800 number, but I had assumed it was a scam since we don’t owe anybody. I’m not sure what to do to stop this and I also don’t know what damage they could do to the business.
February 16th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Hello.
I got a call today from a girl at NCO Financial. The number on the phone was 866-287-2543. She was very rude, and wouldn’t discuss the matter with me, because it was my husband’s name. When I asked for an address she started to give one, then stopped half way, and started spitting out a P.O. Box. Here is what she gave at first: 75 Port Royal Suite 240. Then she switched to p.o. Box 3434 Station Ahuntstic Montreal, Quebec H3L3V5. The 800 number has no one on the other end of it, just a recording that says to call the number on your letter……………I DIDN’T GET A LETTER!!!
Should I ignore it???? call the police??? what should I do??
February 19th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
In responce to 19. Who are the filthy parasites? Not people who borrow money and never pay their bills. Those people are pillars of society. I have worked for collection agencys before and of course there are some bad collectors. But for every bad collector their are a thousand and one deadbeat debtors, who lie and cheat and tell them that they have the wrong person. How are they to know which is which? There are many more people trying to run out on a real debt than there are who are truly a case of mistaken identity. You may call Collecters filthy parasites, but collectors and people who pay their bills call you guys deadbeats.
thanks,
Nick
February 20th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Shorter Nick: some people really are deadbeats, so why should we care if sloppy and/or dishonest collection agencies run around treating non-deadbeats as though they were deadbeats too? By that reasoning, maybe we should let cops execute all suspected murderers on the spot. Most of them are probably guilty of something, right?
Idiot. No wonder you used to work for these guys.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I have been getting calls from NCO or NCL for a long while. The keep leaving a recorded message on my answering machine. The caller ID says unavailable. I never answer calls anyway unless I know whos calling. The number they say to call back is 800 622 1699 and they give a case number at the end to mention when I call back. Im sure its not me they are after anyway, i never recieved anything in the mail either.
February 20th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Oh yeah and I just checked mine and my wife’s Equifax report and nothing is out of the ordinary.
February 21st, 2007 at 2:52 pm
I recieved a call from NCO about 1 year ago wanting me to pay a PAC BELL bill that I knew was not valid. I moved from CA in the mid 90’s and turned off that phone. After about three weeks of me searching just to make sure that I had actually paid the last bill in full, I was pleased to know that I did find my last bill. Upon finding that, I googled NCO and guess what? There I ofund another site just like this one. I copied all my reciepts and when that scum called back, I blasted him with what I had and that I was forwarding this action to District Attorney’s office. Well, he never called back again. Three days ago, guess what? I got another call from NCO and he was very rude. He said his name was Ken Lewis and demanded to know how I was going to settle this (another) debt. Well, I fired back I am not. He said that he was going to send me a letter stating the options of payment. I said go ahead. I’m not paying it. I recieved the letter today and called the number on the letterhead. She gave me addresses that I have never heard of and asked me if I lived in California and I said yes and she said “well then how are you going to settle this debt?” I said, “So everybody in the state of California lives at that address. She was stumped and I then told her that I held and upper manangement position at that company and I knew that this was a scam. She changed her tone and said that she would send me another letter.
This is just a guess but it seems to me that they run old credit reports and then exploit the information hoping that people will have lost or disgarded their reciepts. In my case, those bills were never sent to my address but they used my social. Just forward them to your DA’s office and if it cintiunes, hire legal council.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:18 am
I’m getting the same calls ever since I got this phone line. The calls used to be every, single day, now they are at the most, a few times a week, and always on Sunday around 10 AM. Anyway, I phoned over their several times in the last few months, and they are viscious! I spoke with a woman who first blamed me for having some debt, that she herself could not find in her system. She could only find that there was a debt tied to my phone number, but under a different name (the name of the person she gave still gets a lot of calls, both business-related and personal, and apparently used to share the number with his mom). I told them many times that I do not know these people, and the real geniuses that they are responded, “Well, we called their recently and spoke with Ms. ‘XYZ’, so we know this number is good!” I laughed and I said, “RECENTLY? When was “recently?” And she responded, “It was only back in May!” (I didn’t get this home phone line until November.) When I explained that this was a new phone line for me, they then asked, “Well, do you live with these people?” I’m serious! This is how intelligent these people are (not). I said, “Excuse me for not being clear, but I do not know these people, nor do they live with me, nor have I ever in my life been in contact with them.”
I then instructed them to remove my number from their calling list, and if they refused to do so that I would report them to the FCC. For a while they flat-out refused (honest to goodness) saying that they had a right to call me as often as they liked because they were attempting to collect a debt (for someone else, mind you, as even they themselves admitted that they had nothing under my name). I explained to them that I have given them due notice and that since I do not owe money to them, and had notified them of this, and we had agreed this to be the case, that their continuance of phoning me was a form of harassment. Then the woman (supervisor) told me that I was threatening her by telling her this.
They have told me that they can not always remove the numbers from the system that automatically generates calls from numbers in their database. (Apparently, they can’t strike the number without having another number to replace it.) This isn’t my problem though, and I am going to call the FCC today.
February 22nd, 2007 at 9:31 am
Me or More wrote, “This is just a guess but it seems to me that they run old credit reports and then exploit the information hoping that people will have lost or disgarded their reciepts. In my case, those bills were never sent to my address but they used my social. Just forward them to your DA’s office and if it cintiunes, hire legal council.”
Yep! That’s exactly what I think they are doing. Since they have my phone number, they assume it must be me that has the debt, eventhough the name they have for this number is completely different and a guy (I’m not a guy). They asked for my name and social security number, and I told them that I have no record of doing business with them, or owing any debt to the companies for whom they collect, and I by no means, was going to give them my personal information. Eventually, I gave them only my name, and they even then admitted that they did not have an account under my name, yet…. YET, they still harass me by calling my phone number.
My guess is that as soon as they would have my social security (if I didn’t know better and had given it to them), they would have transferred the debt to my name, since they could no longer reach the elusive debtor. (I was tempted to track him down, since he apparently now lives in a neighboring town.) Still, it’s not his fault how they are acting to me. And the proper thing to do is to file a report. Oh, I had already contact the FCC immediately after calling the first several times back in December. The FCC actually made a report (apparently, they normally just ask that you call the DNC number and have the offending caller’s number be put on a list.) I’m going to call them back to give them an update. They now have enough to go on to pursue a Federal case against them. I will also go to the FTC if the FCC so advises.
Also, it does sound like “NCO” or even MCO” on the phone messages. But based on what I’ve read about other people’s experiences, that must be deliberate because it is definitely one and the same company, calling from Maryland, “410-986-0055″.
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I’ve been getting calls from these idiots for about the last few months or so. When I check the number it’s always some recorded message. I just hang up on them. Haven’t had any problems with my bank account or credit that I’m aware of.
February 23rd, 2007 at 6:44 pm
So my question is…would there be some massive group filing suit against this company for illegal activity? Although stated very carefully as to stay out of trouble, NCO has sent some collections letter which I believe to be completely bogus. This letter stated that “A credit reporting agency also shows that an inquiry has been made on your credit report”. They are basically saying that they are checking my credit reports in an illegal way and want me to know it. Did I mention I’ve heard NOTHING of this “debt” before I checked my credit report and I got the letter 2 days after I applied for a loan? They are fishing credit reports for activity. Now..4 days after I got the letter..I’m getting phone calls from what sounds like NCL but I’m now gathering is NCO. Just a recording though…but annoying none-the-less. I know this will get worse so I’m looking to stop it here. Any ideas? Oh yea…the letter insists payment sent to GA and directs calls to SC…but sent the letter from NJ. What a scam!
March 1st, 2007 at 12:35 am
LOL
I would like to say to all u whiners that continue to bitch on the internet to pay ur dam bills. Obveously if you are reported to a collection agency like NCO, which by the way is not responsible for delinquent accounts, then it is ur fault and if u dont want a bad mark on ur credit then pay ur bills. When u pay a bill that is already on ur credit report it cannot be removed for 7-10 years unless the “client” that turned u over to collections does so. Which means ur credit will be updated as a debt paid but will not be removed. God No one is out to scam u ppl. They do not randomly call ppl demanding money. If they have the wrong phone number tell them and they remove it. Obevously if u are reading this then u have access to the internet wich means that u obveously have an income so pay ur dam bills and stop trying to push the blame on ppl that are just there to help u with ur credit. Seriously they really dont care if u dont pay ur bill they go home to their families and their credit is fine.. y u ask? obveously cause they PAY THEIR BILLS and READ THE FINE PRINT OF ANY CONTRACT YOU SIGN. God must love stupid ppl… He sure made a hell lot of u’s
March 1st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
In reference to reply # 38 (Romage), I think you are at the head of the line of stupid people.
You OBVIOUSLY (not Obevously) aren’t reading what most of these people are saying. What most are saying is that these people are trying to get them to pay bills that they don’t owe!!!! They have also stated that when told to take their numbers off their list, since the number they are calling does not belong to the person they are trying to reach, they claim they CANT.
March 2nd, 2007 at 12:27 am
In reference to reply #38 (Just Me Says), have u ever even spoken with anyone from nco? Over half the ppl on this page are lieing though their teeth, NCO does not demand that u pay bills u do not owe. If you are sent to collections u do not owe the bill that is linked to your ss/sin then u need to obtain proof. Just because no one “told” you that u owe a debt does not mean that one does not exist. Thousands of ppl each day sign their names or agree to contracts without even so much as glancing at their terms and condistions. So i’m guessing that because u are lashing out towards myself u must be one of these ppl that are stupid enough to sign somthing without reading it. I do work at NCO and never once have we made somone pay a debt they did not owe. They are just too lazy to verify that they are the responsible party and refuse to act like adults. If you are not going to pay ur bills then just tell us. It is a waste of our time and effort to try to help those of u who do not care about ur credit score. It’s simple.. repeat after me “I am not going to pay this bill”. bam what u know no more calls no more letters ===> straight to credit report and we can go on to help those who want help. We are not thugs we do not threaten our job is to get u out of collections b4 u mess up ur credit. We are the ones who are trying to help u and us are all rude, vulgar and act like 4 year olds. So basiclly what I tryin to say is blame the ones who put u in collections.. aka the creditors and yoursleves… if u want help in finding out how to save ur credit when it comes to collections post on here and i will reply. I personally treat every call with a positive attitude and never once was a rude to a debtor. Well thats all i got to say post if u need advice i do know the inside track on collections.
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:35 am
Okay #40… I have been trying to work with you people over the phone regarding an account that I know I owe and that I want to pay. I have offered to make a payment and the person I spoke to REFUSED TO TAKE A PAYMENT. That’s right. He said there was no payment option. I was to pay it all in full or NCO was taking legal action. NCO was just assigned my account a week ago so its not like they have been trying to collect this for a long time. So what is your response to that? You work for a collection agency that won’t accept a payment for a debt you’re trying to collect? How is that helping me? How is that legal??? WTF?
March 4th, 2007 at 11:21 am
NCO cannot refuse any paymnt but the only way that we can stop the collection activitys is to have payment in full on file. That means u have to set up postaded checks indicating when the debt will be resolved. This too will not prevent it from reporting to ur credit until the last payment clears. Sending in payments though the mail is not a garunteed method that is why we cannot stop collections, ie lost in mail, forgot to send, stuff like that. If somone refused a pymnt that u wanted to give then call them back and ask for the supervisor and tell them this person refused a pymnt. belive me they are going to get in alot of trouble. you need to make a payment of at least 25 dollars or more to be able to do it by phone anything under that needs to be sent in the mail and until it gets recived there not much we can do.
March 7th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
#42 – your total lack of grammar, spelling and sentence structure scares me. What’s the problem, you’re just not that well educated ? I actually googled NCO after receiving some obviously fraudulent phone calls for a mysterious ‘bill’ i have never paid that has definitely NEVER existed. All my bills are automatically paid from my accounts and have been for quite some time. They are also all in good standing. Clearly NCO is engaged in some type of fraud/scam, the fact that I am posting here at all is proof enough of that for me. I have already contacted various agencies about this bizzare phone call. Hopefully you will be out of a job sometime soon when some type of law enforcement agency is breathing down your neck
March 9th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I will probably never check this website again, becuase of lack of time so dont bother responding to my comments please. I am a collections agent (not NCO), from my experience NCO is a scam, they do lie cheat and steal. When my company charged off debt we used to sell are accounts to NCO until we started getting some heat from our customers as well as attorneys, whether or not those attorneys were hired privatly i dont know but I do know it was enough for my employer (GE MONEY BANK aka GE Consumer Finance) to discontinue any relations with NCO. The practices incorporated by NCO would get me fired in less then 2 seconds flat. Call your attorneys, and file charges against NCO, The definitly violate the Fair debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Goodluck All.
March 13th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Romage
One of those freaking people that cannot speak or understand ENGLISH!
You are taking the time to defend NCO because you work there, NCO has a responcibility to the public to amend information that is untrue and obviously they are not doing that.
PS I bet you are from INDIA or something, correct aren’t I????????????
GO HOME ROMAGE
March 14th, 2007 at 12:26 am
Replies like those from Romage are worse than getting NCO calls about an actual debt. I truly take offense at the pretense of ‘we’re just here to help you get these bills paid’. These people HOUNDED me, morning, noon, and night, after BofA sold off a delinquent account I held.
After years of being the main breadwinner, I was laid off and unable to find a job for over three months. When I finally did find a job, it was at 50% less pay than I had made previously. As hard as we struggled to pay all of our bills, or even some of each bill or make arrangements, as well as feed and clothe our children, cutting every thing down to bare essentials, we eventually fell behind.
I received the automated calls (cut off in the beginning as stated above), then was treated with contempt when I called back and asked who they represented. I was told that the original creditor would not work with me (incorrect); I was told that if I would not pay the full amount immediately, then they would make my life “hell” (professionalism at its best, intimidation in every sense); and I was told that I must not be trying hard enough to refinance my home in order to pay my debts. I heard the legal threats from some guy who claimed to be an attorney, yet he didn’t understand when I asked through which court would they sue me, before he claimed to be “licensed to practice in any state, babe”… as if it were plausible that someone of who was actually licensed to do so would complete such a menial phone call. The sexist noun thrown in really helped me understand that NCO was truly interested in helping me to get my bills paid. At that point, I told the NCO rep that I would not pay the bill and advised him to cease any and all communication or attempts to communicate with me. They had already hit my credit report, and we had decided a course of action. The rep was yelling something incoherent when I finally hung up. I found it very interesting when my husband commented, “Wow, I could hear him screaming from across the room… why weren’t you yelling back?” I realized, then, that despite staying calm, the rep had escalated the call into a personal matter, hurling insults and threatening when I would not get worked up. Try it, if you are getting these calls. It is worth the extra effort, when the rep loses it.
We eventually declared bankruptcy; I highly recommend anyone else do anything possible to avoid this action. The shame and stigma does not really soften with time, and we will probably live frugally for the remainder of our lives, since it is now habit. I feel very badly, on a moral and ethical level, that some of our creditors will never recoup the balances we had with them, let alone what they had to spend in their collection efforts.
Except when it comes to NCO. Tonight was a great reminder of why I feel that way. I received another automated message, but for a name that I do not know. To clear up any misinformation NCO had on file, I held for the next available person, who started the call with a very curt “Hello!! Hello!!!” as if I had annoyed them by calling them directly. I stated that I was holding to notify them that there was no one by that name at my number, then I was asked how long I have had the number. Before answering, I asked the person to identify herself. After a deliberate pause, I was given “Miss ….”, since the name was mumbled in a way which could not be understood. When I apologized for not understanding, and asked for the name again, I was abruptly given the statement about being recorded, then assured that my number was being removed from the account. I asked again for a name and was given “Ms. Smith” (I guess her maiden status had changed in those few moments) and she again asked how long the number had been mine. I asked who she represented, and was given another mumbled answer. Again, I apologized and asked her to repeat it. She barked “NCO!” then repeated the recording statement and said she was removing my number from the account information. I said thank you… I have had this number for more than four years. She hung up on me.
So, as a valid debtor, as well as an innocent bystander during tonight’s event, I can say with confidence that NCO reps are the most unprofessional, rude, manipulative, boorish, and relentless collectors I have ever experienced. A friend of mine, who is in rental property collections, was appalled at the tactics used, and frequently urged me to file complaints against them. I wish I had, but realize now that my mentality at the time – feeling ashamed, laying low and trying to fix things – is probably what many debtors feel. I have a feeling that if more debtors were as defensive about their rights under the Fair Collections Act as they were about maintaing some sort of dignity while on the phone with these vermin, then more would be done to tame the extreme tactics used. Yes, there are deadbeats out there who do not use credit responsibly. And then there are those who are a horrible warning of the fluctuating economy to others.
If NCO is treating you this way, I encourage you to find out your rights, document every conversation, and above all, keep your calm while dealing with them. They relish weakness and ignorance. Educate yourself, and stay strong.
March 14th, 2007 at 6:25 am
NCO group website server is in the US
Report their fraudulant acts to the DA in question
here is the information on their servers
NCO Financial Systems Inc
ATTN: NCOGROUP.COM
c/o Network Solutions
P.O. Box 447
Herndon, VA 20172-0447
570-708-8780
Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
McBack, Pat
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:56 pm
I posted a reply in Feb. about NCO posting an uncollected account on my credit reports dropping my score. Since, I have written one letter to NCO, CCing the FTC, BBB, all 3 credit agencies explaining my situation with NCO and their Repeated phone calls at work, etc. I have had NCO removed from my credit reports b/c they could not verify that they had an uncollected account with me. I did this also by disputing this information and reporting them as a fraudulent company. The letter worked.
And for Romage,I feel very sorry that you are so ignorant.
You work for a terrible company that I have proven to be fraudulent and harrassing. No wonder they hire people like you.
April 5th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
My experience with NCO sounds VERY similar to all the other accounts. It is my belief that this company may have legitimate accounts to collect on, but they look up whatever name is on the account and pretend that everyone with that name owes for the account. They called and left messages at my parent’s house saying that it was urgent that I call them. Then when my mother happened to answer one of their calls, they told her that I owed over $2000 on a credit card and that she could pay it off by sending them $1800. She immediately called me worried that I was having money trouble. I called the bank that they had referenced, but the office I needed to talk to was closed for the day. So, I decided to call the number NCO Financial had left with my mom and find out if it was a scam. Instead of a recording that said the phone call may be monitored, the guy that answered the phone actually recited the speech before saying hello I know this because the second guy that I talked to said the same thing in his own voice. So I’m thinking “this is not legit!” So of course they want me to give them my SSN, and of course I wouldn’t let them have it! I demanded that they give me any information that had led them to believing this was my account, and in the end all they had was my name (which is not even my legal name anymore since I got married last year!) I am furious with this company for giving what they thought was my person financial information to my parents who have nothing to do with my accounts, especially when they had no reason to believe that they were my accounts! If you get a call make sure that they are talking about you and not someone else with your name! Call the customer service line where you have an account. DO NOT give them your information and do not send them money!
April 6th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
NCO Financial Systems, Inc., has attempted to collect a ‘debt’ from me that is non-existant. They claim that I owe their client, EBAY, $81. I contacted Ebay myself to make sure I was correct in suspecting this was a fraud and Ebay confirmed that my account is in good standing – as it always has. At first I thought this was just another form of phishing but after reading other complaints and seeing NCO Financial’s name on http://www.budhibbs.com, I realize that they are just what other’s have claimed – ONE OF AMERICA’S WORST AND SLEAZIEST ‘debt’ collectors. I encourage anyone reading this to go to budhibbs.com and do some research on your rights and how to protect yourself.
April 9th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I have worked for this company for the past year and I have to say not only does NCO scam their account holders, but they also scam their employees. This company gives all the other honest collection agencies a bad name. If you do have an unpaid debt that NCO is contacting you about,just contact the original debt holder and they will be more than happy to settle your account. This company uses strong-armed tactics to try to make people feel like this is a life or death issue, and it’s really not. If an agent threatens to sue, contact the FCC, why, because this is illegal and NCO will have to pay your bill off for you and if you get a lawyer, they ‘ll have to pay lawyer fees and harrassment fees. Goodluck to anyone out there having a hard time.. God Bless….
April 12th, 2007 at 3:43 am
You know, the best resolution is probably to go to court if your amount “owing” is less than $1000. What lawyer is gonna work on a case with full effort on their part for a cut on the $1000? Plus NCO is going to want a piece of it too for the company themselves. So the worst thing that could happen is you have to pay. Yeah, credit history is getting smeared around by these guys, but you’d also think that banks are catching onto this if its as big of a scam as it appears. They keep calling me too, and I keep letting my answering machine talk to them. Asked them to send a letter for proof of any kind of claim (im not just gonna pay because someone calls and says I owe them money) and I still haven’t received a letter.
My amount owing is around $500. So if it goes on your credit score that you couldn’t pay $500 worth of stuff, mortgage brokers are definitely going to think that’s fishy if you are trying to buy a house. Bottom line, these guys can get in line and have a suck…..
April 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
Somehow I got into the sights of National Paper and Ink which is nothing more than a racket, possibly based in Quebec, possibly run by some Greek gypsy named “Gus” and his girlfriend. Their racket is to send out phony invoices for never ordered or furnished office paper and ink cartridges and to follow up with harassing phone calls. I am getting about five calls a day from the “girlfriend”. She has a very thick skin. She won’t take “F___ you, there ain’t no money for you here, b____” for an answer. Hell, I didn’t even get an invoice let alone the “supplies”. My “invoice” amount is $294.00, less than the $500.00 jurisdictional amount of RICO the last time I checked. It’s annoying but I get to practice my profanity in the event that I ever enter a cussing contest.
April 25th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
I have NCO calling me about an ATT charge from 1994. I left ATT for Verizon that year. They started calling me in December of 2006. Does that sound right to you? I told them that I didn’t know of such a debt and that it is too old to recall so send me some call detail and charge information. They can’t. They did hit my perfectly good credit with a delinquent charge so my credit’s messed up over a lousy $84. ATT can’t help and I can’t get TransUnion to help so whats the deal? Do I have to pay the $84 to these bandits just to clear my credit even if I don’t own anyone the money?
May 2nd, 2007 at 4:13 pm
I have been called by these people several times, they can never seem to find me in their system and so I started calling them back and demanding money, telling them that they owed me, I did not have to prove it and I was going to contact their employer, demanded their ss # and all that stuff they do to us.
They called me a child and hung up on me.
What was funny is they tried to call me on legality and morality, that I was being rude. LOL
NCO are the lowest filth there is on the planet
May 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm
NCO Financial systems is definitely fraud. I monitor everything single bill I have and never had a 59 dollar amount unpaid. They are full of shii. FRAUD trash whatever.
DO NOT CALL them that’s how they truly get your information. it’s a scam. let them call you and or send you mail.
May 3rd, 2007 at 4:40 pm
My 12 year old son has been getting calls from NCO on his cell phone. I called the number today to find out what this was about and was lamblasted by the NCO employee as to who I was! he kept on about this person they must have on their ” call” list and was very adamant that I must be this person’s wife…. I am glad to have been able to access your website and will contact the authorities.
May 5th, 2007 at 11:45 am
These people called me at 11:02, again at 11:02, 11:03, 11:04, 11:05, and 11:20 when they finally said something on the machine. I hung up on the call one time. They left 3 blank messages. They also said it was important that I call them back.
May 5th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
i paid my debt of reliant energy to NCO. They refuse to send me corespondence of any paymt i made to them and keep dinging my credit and are not even crediting my reliant account. I called reliant. any help please..
May 10th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
They have hit me too! This stinks… I went to a mortgage lender to get a loan on a house and he said this company had posted 2 clams!?! ONE FOR LAWYER FEES??? They are claiming a lot of money is owed, so my lender said I have to straighten it out first. I had to go home and tell my wife who was devistated… I have read hundreds of complaints against them which amount too: you cant do anything. Either way, we arent getting the house we wanted, which is disappointing. This should be against the law. How can they ruin my credit like this for a fake charge? I just cant believe this goes on in Amercia.
THIS IS EXTORTION!!!!!
May 15th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
i had an account with cingular. and it was due also. Nco called me and i made arrangements with them. for so much a month. well now the lady that had my case quite. and the lady i have now say that i still 566 even though i have paid 350. and they wont make an arrangements again they also said now they have never got there money wich i have bank statements stating they did. and she would not give me a fax number so i could fax my info to them. i told them there is no way i still 566 and they still say i do. so how do i now if this is the scam or not.
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:08 am
Hello Debtors….
“This site may be monitored or recorded(or simply cut and pasted) for Quality and my Pleasurefull purposes…”
I am a Professional Debt Collection Agent At NCO Financial Systems… And with me are 5 of the best Collectors there….
I just read about 10 pages of DEBTOR SCUM Excuses as far as to why they shouldnt pay there BILLs
I noticed that debtors seem to think there untouchable.
We warn them about non-payment and the possible legal action that may be taken against them and they totaly shrug us off like the fags who posted on this site. They Hang up stating “SUE ME” or “You cant squeze blood out of a turnip” or another favorite “do what you have to do”.
Then when there file is forwarded to an attorneys office and there first attorney contact is made. They seem to RUN back to NCO for help? why? Dont you hate us? But by then it is far too late. Our mercyfull hands cannot untie the knot they tied. The Irony in this business is that the debtor wants to make deals after we gave them pennies on the dollar. Now the attorney wants a P.I.F or payment in full, plus court costs and any other fee accrued. So we get the pleasure of stating that you have been served and what you asked for is what you got! Your all debtors and you wouldnt have anything to talk about if you didnt owe money to the bank or credit card you maxed out.
So in conclusion WE ARE THE BEST AND NO ONE CAN TEST NCO AND THE COLLECTORS THAT RUN IT. You just do what you do and be a debtor and one of these days im gonna be giving you a call and collecting MY MONEY! bitch
P.s
Fuck the FDCPA and im Gunning for your Work number and exposing you to your boss! lol
WE HANG DEBTORS ON TREES! N.C.O LINCH M.O.D
Money Over Debtors Bitch !
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:17 am
Yea…you guys are awesome. i never stated the MRD.MMDC and i never will. I live to harrass debtors to the brink of statis 30 Bank Ruptsy or better suicide.
I love to make the woman cry over the phone about how they feed there children bread and peanut butter on Thanks giving. and How Christmas i call…its a wonderfull world were you can make people beg you for help. I feel like GOD. Im jesus to these debtors and the file is my wafer. debtors to debtors and its a must not to trust. NCO WE BUST WITH DISCUST.
bIOTCH!
M.O.D
ps.
FUCK BUD HIBBS
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
If you’re getting a call, particularly to a cell phone, from any collections agency, and you know you have no debt with them, what they’re doing is skip tracing. All numbers they had for a particular debtor came up bad, so now they’re calling up numbers with similar names/last names. The collector will try to treat you like you’re the debtor because that is what they’re trained to do. Presumably, acting this way will throw off the person if they’re the actual debtor and trap them into the call. So if they keep pushing, just hold your ground and say that you are not so-and-so, you do not and have never known so-and-so, and you want your number to be removed from their calling list.
Legally, they have to remove it, even if, for whatever reason, they think you’re lying.
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Oh yes, and here are some good links:
This one is a must for anyone who is dealing with debt collectors: http://www.pennlawyer.com/fdcpa.htm
And here is a link regarding NCO Financial and some legal troubles it’s been having, as well as some help if they’re screwing with you or still trying to contact you even after you request your number be removed: http://www.ethannonsequitur.com/nco-financial-systems.html
May 31st, 2007 at 7:09 pm
The people at NCO are scumbags, they know they break the law and continue to do so. They paid the largest FCRA to date in 2004 of 1.5 million dollars.
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/05/ncogroup.shtm
A quick search of FTC.GOV includes pages and pages of information about them and their sleezy practices.
Apparently, this is chump change to them.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:25 am
I’m happy to have found this site. I too grew very suspicious of this company very fast. I received a letter in the mail today stating that NCO is attempting to collect a debt from me that I supposedly owe to Paypal – the letter states that Paypal is an Ebay company. I do not use Ebay, and I don’t owe Paypal any money that I’m aware of, so obviously, I was wondering what was up. The letter included a website and offered a “registration code” for people who want to pay online. I logged onto the site hoping maybe by logging in, I could access some sort of record to gain more information about the alleged debt. When I tried to log in, it said the registration code I’d been provided was not valid. I typed it in with and without caps, with and without the dashes, and still it didn’t work. I was considering just paying it, since the amount is less than $80. However, now that I’ve read all of this, I will definitely not pay it. I’m going to dispute it and see what happens. After reading what’s been posted here regarding people’s credit reports even though they’ve paid, I went ahead and checked mine just now out of curiosity. They’ve already reported me, even though I just learned about the debt today. That in itself is illegal, and my dated letter from them stating this is their initial contact plus the print-out of my credit report with the debt already listed is proof enough to both get the information removed from my credit report and to prove them wrong in court should it come to that. They have to give you 30 days to dispute the debt before they report you to the credit bureaus. If they want to take me to court over $73, they can be my guest. I’m a bankruptcy paralegal, so I happen to know that it costs over $100 just to file an appearance, let alone the fee to file the complaint. These people are screwing with the wrong person. All I can say is these people are lucky they don’t have my phone number. For all of you who have had your families harassed, all I can say is I hope you reported them. Reporting them doesn’t do much good, but it’s better than doing nothing.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:45 am
P.S. To Rick M., send a letter to the credit bureaus telling them you disputed the debt and that you want it removed from your credit report. If you disputed the debt in writing, enclose a copy of that letter. The credit bureau is obligated to request proof from the creditor that the debt is legit. If the creditor doesn’t prove you owe it, the credit bureau is obligated by law to remove it from your report.
August 30th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I’ve been in the collection industry for over 25 years and have owned a collection agency for the last 15 years. A young lady that works for me had a problem with NCO, so I offered to intervene to resolve the issue. NCO was completely uncooperative with my requests despite my willingness to pay her debt in full. I simply wanted written verification that they would not subsequently report this debt to her credit(it was not yet reported) and I would send them full payment by overnight mail. They refused. The only basis for their refusal was so they can report a debt that’s already been paid in an attempt to collect it again at a future date. They have engaged it this practice numerous times. Without a doubt, NCO is a rotten and uncooperative company. They are abusive and unethical law breakers. I run an honest business and comply with the law. I try to work with people to solve problems on behalf of my clients. There’s no need to be abusive with people..that’s not the way a professional collects money. NCO is staffed by a bunch of uneducated hotheads that were probably hired as soon as they were released from prison. They are the joke of the industry. Eventually the empire will cruble just as other scams have in the past. I don’t work in a glamorous industry, but companies like NCO make us all look like criminals.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
These people have called my cell phone numerous times! Im 16 years old..and I’ve never even had a credit card! And I know I don’t have any debts!.. I never answer, though.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Tell them the number they are calling is at a specific agency within a state/city/federal government, an educational institution, hospital, or similar entity. I won’t tell you which one I belong to, but it stopped the calls.
October 31st, 2007 at 1:42 pm
To all you who defend NCO, I’m sure it’s our personal responsibility to pay fraudulent debts that mendacious companies make up to scare you into paying. Otherwise, we’d be nothing more than deadbeats, right? I got a call today from these guys claiming my dad owed $12,000 on a loan he took out from CitiBank. He never even goes to that bank AND NEVER took out a loan. They asked him if their fake birthday and address was correct and asked for the last four-digits of his SSN. There are honest collection agencies out there as the poster above attests, but NCO isn’t one of them.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I just recieved a letter from NCO today saying I owe(can’t tell who)over 15,000 dollars, 10,000 plus in interst for a 4,900(approximate)dollar loan I don’t think I ever made. I then just checked my credit report and there is NCO’s name for inquiry. I reported to the PA attorney general office, but does anybody have any ideas about what to do next.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
These idiots have been calling my cell for two weeks. At first I picked up and heard half a recording about collecting a debt, I have none. After that I ignored the calls. Today I learn that 13 months ago someone used my name and phone number and home address to purchase a movie, it was an internet transaction.
1. I didn’t buy a movie
2. I never received a movie.
3. If they’d give me the IP address of the alleged purchase order I could have the police at least locate the computer that was used.
As for the losers who’s only hope at earning an income is by using unethical methods to pry money from other people’s hands all I can say is good luck…I’m disabled and you can’t touch my income and I already own my home so go right ahead, ding my credit report all you want and by the way, all I need do is open a new credit card account to increase my credit score if I so wanted.
As for the company that sold the movie,
1. They openly admit the movie was never shipped…so what’s there problem? They never lost anything.
2. They refuse to share the IP address of this alleged purchase, go figure…if they really think it was me what would be the harm in telling me my own IP address?
Note: Over a decade ago I took down a collection agency by recording them over the phone, logging the date and time of each call and asking for help from my state governor who actually provided me a lot of help since I was in a hospital bed at the time and that collection agency disputed my disability and my illness and made a huge amount of other accusations about me, all of that I recorded. The investigation eventually showed that I owed a whopping $1.46 on a student loan I thought had been paid off years earlier. In a rare event (at least rare in my life) the collection agency paid me over $700.00 and expunged their claims on my credit report and gave me a letter of apology. Other investigations into that agency lead to them being shut down so don’t let a collection agency bully you or frighten you even if you do owe a debt, simply pay what you can. I find it best to work directly with the company you owe and if they refuse, get it in writing.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I have been receiving calls from NCL Financial for the last 2 weeks. I never returned any of their calls, cause I know that I do not owe any DEBT. Well today Mr. BUELLER called my sister. How the hell would they get my sisters number? She lives over an hour away and has noting to to with any of my financial situations. Thank God she checks everything out. She called me immediatly after she got of the phone with them (and she did tell them off) she gave me this web site. I thought I was going crazy calling my credit cards company and banks trying to figure out if I owed anything. Than I started panicking that someone stole my idenity. Turns out its all a scam. A$$HOLES
June 12th, 2008 at 1:55 am
I have been so upset with this NCO group. I have no idea who they are, but I have recently been getting my credit cards disappreoved because NCO reported bad debt on my my credit history. Funny, I never actually had received a collection letter from NCO nor a bill from any creditor. So, at this point I am still tryiing to find out whom it might be and how I may dissolve this situation. I have wrttien mutiple letters and emails, but never got any explonation on this nor did their representatives said anything other than that I will receive something in mail, which obviously never happened.
Can I get some help from anywhere? Whome should be contacting for such situation???
June 16th, 2008 at 9:33 am
i got a call from nco financial and they told me that i need to make a payment i told them i was unemployed and they sat on the phone and argued with me saying that we made a arramgement with you for 30 dollar and i can at least come up with that they also screwed up my checkin account i did tell them to take the money out but then i was unemployed again i told them and they said i never told them that they screwed up my account in checkin and im 59 dollar in the whole on my account they called me today and harrassed me about giving them 30 dollars and said u can get it from somewhere and he kept argueing with me it was a man with indian accent named pac i hung up on him
July 20th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hello. I think you are eactly thinking like Sukrat. I really loved the post.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Hello everyone,
This are some of the guys working in NCO please call them and let them know how you feel.
http://www.linkedin.com/search?search=&company=NCO+Financial+Systems&currentCompany=currentCompany
February 5th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Poeple here is some of the SCUMS send your luv to them
Brooke.Arent@ncogroup.com
Bruce.Tuck@ncogroup.com
David.Jones@ncogroup.com
Gene.Gaultney@ncogroup.com
Janice.Louden@ncogroup.com
Jay.King@ncogroup.com
Kerry.Reeves@ncogroup.com
Patti.Dollens@ncogroup.com
Robert.Corsi@ncogroup.com
Jimmy
February 5th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Friends,
This is some information about NCO… Your TARP Money is paying for them now.
NCO was purchased by JPMorgan Chase’s Structured Finances Services group of the Treasury & Securities Services Division in 2002
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCO_Group
February 5th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Hello Everyone,
Here is some jobs in NCO… Please feel free to apply for these since NCO pays monster by application. just make sure give them names other than yours.
http://jobsearch.monster.com/Search.aspx?q=NCO
Happy typing :-)
February 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
These are some of the SCUMS in NCO please feel free to send them you LUV
“Gene Gaultney”
“Janice Louden”
“Robert Corsi”
“Kerry Reeves”
“David Jones”
“Bruce Tuck”
“Patti Dollens”
“Jay King”
“Brooke Arent”
February 16th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I would just like to say a couple things to clarify some points. One is that I hate collection agencies as much as anyone. I am currently in debt since I lost my job and I am constantly ignoring phone calls from collection companies, knowing that I can’t pay yet. However, I also used to work for a collection company, so there are some things that I do know. Some things that are being complained about here is not because NCO is “scumbags”, but they have rules too. For example, it is against the law to give any information about a debt to anyone except the debtor. Which means that if a creditor leaves a message they will not tell you why to call back, just that you need to call back. They are not legally permitted to leave on an answering machine that you owe money because anyone could hear that message. They may not release information unless they know for sure they are talking to the debtor. Also, debt collection agencies DO have the authority to put things on your credit report, provided you have been informed of the debt. If you have ever answered a phone call from them or they have sent you a letter and not received returned mail, they can only assume you are aware of the debt, and may report it to your credit. And another thing, realize that these people have to push hard for the money. They generally have quotas to make of money they have to bring in, like sales goals in retail, why salespersons always push products on you. And besides, while obviously I’m not accusing anyone here of anything, so many people lie, just refuse to pay, don’t even try, promise to pay and then never do, say they’re unemployed and don’t even try to find a job, pretend they don’t know about it, pretend they’re the wrong person, debt collectors have heard every excuse, lie, and sob story in the book. It gets old fast.
February 25th, 2009 at 10:36 am
i have been contacted by nco for several months now regarding an outstanding student loan from back in 87′i had contacted the loaner at that time to inform them of my disability years ago and was making payments up until i was severly injured in a house fire back in 07′i am currently involved in a case regarding that accident,anyway somewhere along the way nco picked up my debt,i talked with someone back in 07′ about my situation and there was a understanding or so i thought,but in or around sept. 08′ i started recieving phone calls that stated i needed to call ????? whoever at 800-???-???? about an important business matter…everyday starting at 7am and continuing every two hrs. until sometimes 11pm,they would even call me at work…..then after i lost my job i filed my tax return….but nco withheld my return and refuses to give me any info as to how much they are taking from it or how soon i will get it if i contact them i get automated service or have to wait on line for several hours before someone answers only to inform me that they cannot give me any info and to please call at another time… i have since contacted a lawyer and i strongly suggest those of you that are also having problems do so as well….as for those who work for nco and those who work for other agencies and wish to defend nco…..its good to be paid ,to be aholes…ain’t it
May 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Last december, I received a letter from NCO Financial offering to settle my $2000+ emergency room bill for
$324. I sent them a check and they cashed it.
Now another collection agency is asking for $400+
saying the bill was never paid.
What am I supposed to do ?
May 13th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Had received some letters wanting to settle and account last year but ignored them because a lawyer thought it was a scam. I have a clean record… Now I am receiving recorded messages to contact NCO Financial. Should I make contact?
May 20th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Same thing is happening. Started getting calls on my cell phone while on vacation. I was actually on the Rocking Roller Coaster in Disney World when the fun began on May 7.
I could not pick up the phone (being in a roller coaster) and when I got off the ride and checked the messages later, It’s a cryptic pre-recorded voice mail claiming they are a collection agency contracted by Bank of America to collect an overdraft fee of $1,200.
I elected to wait until I got home to deal with this. Back in March 2008, another agency Client Services called claiming they initiated an account on behalf of Bank of America opening in June 08 and defaulting in Aug 08. I called Bank of America and they claim they have no record of any past due bills or accounts in my name.
They had some records of old Fleet Bank accounts, but after the merger – I switched banks and was never a Bank of America customer.
So this is on my credit reports and the Bank claims no affiliation with Client Services and no relationship wiht the company so they can’t fix the credit report. I write to the Attorney General where these goons are physically located and the whole issue is resolved. The company makes a loose response claiming they were contracted by Bank of America and will remove the derogatory trade line listing but it took until March 2009 to get the issue resolved and corrected.
So now, NCO calls May 7 claiming they represent Bank of America, give all this info on a voice mail about wanting $1,300 for a Bank of America account overdraft and providsing an account number.
When I come back from vacation, I call Bank of America and they research again under this new dollar amount/account number. They claim no affiliation with NCO and NCO is NOT contracted to do any work for them. They claim they don’t know how this company attached this unknown bill to me or my cell phone number. The bank again refuses to intervene with this company to tell them to lay off.
I am still waiting for my credit reports to see if they falsified information there, but the company has received notice by phone and mail to cease calls and send something in writing validating who they are, evidence the bill is mine, AND evidence they are contracted to be acting on behalf of Bank of America.
I get calls daily, and they disregard the do not call regulations. I report them daily to the FCC and have already reported them to the Attorney General in Pennsylvania. I reported the involvement and denials of Bank of America to the Comptroller of Currency who regulates the bank asking them to encourage the Bank to action against these companies they claim do not represent them on bills that they claim are non-existent.
It is my theory that Bank of America somehow mixed me up with someone else. Possibily a similar name – who knows. What I do know is that after two instances of companies not contracted to do business with the bank and receiving the same contact number is suspicious. Either the Bank is blatantly lying about relationships with these disreputable firms OR they are dropping the ball on protecting personal indentifiable information again.
In any event, I would recommend dealing with the PA Attorney General, send in an e-complaint to the FTC, and file a complaint against Bank of America for failure to assist in resolving whatever issue you have with the third party claiming to represent them.
May 25th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I received an invoice from NCO referring to a debit with Federal Express of USD 5k. It was strange from the beggining as there was no Logo in the invoice and it was cppying an employee who worked here 4 eyars ago, and we don´t even have a Federal Express account. i replied the email asking for the copy of the documents and 2 minutes later a girl called me saying a lot of blabla about suiting the company etc. I hanged and calmed down two minutes and wrote her an email that assume if she doesn´t present me any baackup document it is a fraud..never called me back or sent me any email. Be carefull.
May 30th, 2009 at 12:45 am
Ha, Great posts whiners! I do harass some of you deadbeats, but that’s my job. Deal with it and pay your bills and we won’t have to call everyone and track down you losers. I’m a tough guy and can deal with it so I’ll keep calling. It is a great job actually. I will sometimes smoke up a bit on break or at lunch and when I make my calls then I can hardly keep from laughing at all of your bullshit excuses. Pay your bills and we’ll stop calling. NCO has been a great company to work for and maybe some of you low-lifes should get out of the gutter and come work for us http://www.ncogroup.com/Careers/Search_for_Careers_at_NCO.html and pay off your debt. Get a job and pay your bills losers!! You can send all the Cease and Desist orders you want. Our managers trash them and tell us to disregard them anyhow. That’s why we keep calling. What are going to do? Sue us? C’mon now you can’t pay your bills as it is so what lawyer are you going to get. Take care, I’ll be calling! Eric