FYI

9/8/2009

I have received several calls to my new cell number in regards to this company, and each time I call them and ask for my new number to be removed. To the NCO Financial Systems personnel, I did not create this debt therefore my number should be removed from the calling list, and I should not have to repeatidly ask for this to be accomplished. Not every number you get is an accurate one, to the lil missy who works at NCO Financial instead of writing nasty posts to people who are complaining that your company continues to call and harass people who have the unfortunate luck to get a number from someone who owes money, get back to work, remove in accurate numbers from your system then maybe your boring little collections desk job would be slightly easier!

I've been on hold for 3 hours... NCO is a joke

8/19/2009

I've called NCO numerous times over the past several months. I am trying to purchase a home, and the ONLY mark on my credit report is a $97 charge from NCO. It's a bogus charge, one that I have written numerous letters to the company about. I would even pay it if I could get it off my record. It's costing me a 1/2 percentage on my home loan. HOWEVER, depending on who you ask at NCO, they either can see my account but can't access it, or they have no record of any charge for me, and won't take it off my credit report.

So I can't even pay this charge!

Now I am on hold at the moment for 3 hours already and NO ONE has picked up, because "all representatives are still assisting other callers."

Ridiculous.

She sounded like a Jerry Springer guest.

7/19/2009 Horsham PA

I recently took over my elderly MIL’s bills as she has become incapable of managing her finances. The first thing I did was to call NCO to make alternative payment arrangements. I told the representative to discontinue the auto drafts of $125 that we would have to send in payments, when the funds were available. This individual was professional, explaining that the 28% interest would be added onto the account but I would have to confirm the modification with her supervisor. The transfer to the supervisor is where the fun began.
From the moment she picked up the call, her manner was very rude & abrupt. She yelled at me for cancelling the auto pay. I explained to her that my MIL was incapable of handling her finances, between her light bill & Capital 1, the light bill wins. She screamed at me that she was paying her other bills…and she has enough money to pay them why can’t she pay this one? I told her that if she checked, she would see that the latest check was returned for NSF. I also said that her bullying technique may work on some people, but it’s not going to work on me. She then told me to SHUT UP & LISTEN that she has a copy of her credit report & it shows she’s been paying her bills on time. I then lost it told her that I don’t give a rat’s A** what she’s looking at, she’s a bold face liar. Her exact words were “You’re real charming� and I called her a b*tch who is getting no $$ for this account & hung up.
The next day my MIL received a call from someone else @NCO. Apparently, the account was transferred to another collector, someone who knew how to talk to people. We again declined to settle the account as there is no money. The phone calls have stopped.

Computer Collection Message

11/18/2008

Within minutes of getting a number installed I started getting computer message calls telling me to call this John Barkley and the number comes up as belonging to NCO Financial when I Google it.

I know they are not looking for me as the calls started within minutes of the phone being installed so there is no way anyone looking for me can get access to a new number that fast.

My complaint is partly because it is a computer calling and there is no way to tell the computer you are not the person. And they do not say who they are looking for and I am not going to call a collection agency and give all my personal information just to try and fail to tell them not to harass me looking for someone else as collection agencies never listen when you tell them you are not the person they want. Also if it would have been a live person calling i have to use a tty machine so there is no way I can respond to a person calling without going through the relay service first.

Calls for payment of past due account

12/6/2007

NCO Financial has been used by my company for collection in the past.
For several years we used NUVOX as our ISP and phone service. We dropped NUVOX in 2007 by complying with the terms of their contract. We notified them by email and by phone that we would not be renewing our contract with them and would be changing to AT&T for a substantial cost reduction.
Now, at the end of 2007 we are being called by NCO Financial to pay $1500 they claim we have not paid NUVOX Digital Services.
We have requested copies of the invoices or statements proving what they claim we owe. NCO has made no effort to provide anything. We also informed NCO that in October we receive a refund from NUVOX of several hundred dollars as a result of overpaying our account
Now we are receiving solicitation calls from companies who are going to help us through our so-called "cash flow crisis". I am sure they would offer a great interest rate - something like 12 - 20% if we borrowed from them (sarcasm).

Seeking advice

10/24/2007

About three weeks ago, I had an issue with my day care. They stated I didn't pay them, which is not true. I have a copy of the duplicate check.

The SAME DAY they said I didn't pay, they sent me a letter stating that if I didn't pay in 3 days from the date of the letter, I would be sent to collections. I got this letter the day I left for vacation. During vacation, I tried 3-4 times daily to contact the director but she was never "in". I was calling to tell her I had a trace on the check and see what we could do until the check was cashed.

Today, less than two weeks after the first letter was sent, I got a collection letter from NCO. (I've still been calling the director daily, but no avail).

I currently have a trace/track on the check, and it has yet to be cashed from what I can see.

So what I'm wondering is this:

1. Is it legal for the daycare to send me a collection letter 3 days after they lost the payment? I thought that I had at least 30 days to resolve the debt before they could legally send it to collections.

2. How do I deal with NCO? Should I call them and tell them the situation or should I just pay them?

3. Can I legally take the stop payment fee out of what I owe as it was the daycare that lost the payment?

4. I cannot go into the daycare to talk to the director because she leaves too early in the afternoon and I simply do not have anymore time off work.

I'm NOT disputing that I owe, because the check has not been cashed at this point it's a matter of WHERE the payment is.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Any advice?

Collection calls

9/27/2007 saginaw MI

I recently had occasion to get a call from NCO regarding a bill going back to 1993 that was paid in full.

I was left with messages several times to call their office regarding this "unpaid obligation" and when I attempted to return the call their phone system either cut off or I simply could not get through! I finally got a supervisor who agreed to stop the collection calls and yet, the very next day I got yet another collection call. I finally got through to a lady( KC ) who apologized profusely, making sure that all references were deleted for the system and no more calls were to come to my home.

Further, she said that if it happened again, I am to call her and she would take whatever steps were necessary including a reprimand to the offending party. She also gave me her private line and the address to the corporate office.

When I told her that the company was considered the Bottom feeder of the business she said that she was aware that the companies reputation had suffered and apologized again. I even gave her the address of my3cents so that she could see for herself.

It was a very interesting phone call

Constant Phone Calls and Harrassment

8/28/2007 atlanta GA

I have had the last straw with NCO Financials.

For anybody that want to know, I sent them a Certified Letter with Return Receipt Request.

The letter entail in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, I demanded that they stop contacting me. If they continue to contact you after this correspondence contact the next legal entity.

Incompetent Collectors

8/7/2007

See my other review for American Express, this is a continuation of it.
I got a call today from NCO Financial stating that I had not paid my bill. Well, duh! I haven't paid it because they said that it was no longer with their company! They said that AmEX withdrew the account and NCO had "no idea" where it was! How the hell am I supposed to pay on something that is not existent?
I told the representative the whole story, mind you I was pissed inside, but trying to keep calm because I knew it wasn't her fault. She said that the last payment that they received was in June 2007. That is when I paid it last. I told her that I tried to pay it in July but the website said I owed no money and would not let me proceed.

After all this and verifying that my account balance was still the same, she kept trying to get me to pay the bill. I told her I was not going to pay the bill until she sent me it in writing. All this crap is ridiculous and I'm not going to continue to pay them if they are going to keep shuffling my account around.

She verified my address and email address and said it would be sent out today. We'll see. I've heard the stories about NCO.

I also decided it best to call AmEx to make sure that they are receiving the payments, which I was assured of. I wrote everything down...names, phone numbers and what they said. I can't wait until this is all paid off and I don't have to worry about this anymore.

Deceptive tactics

8/2/2007 NY

I have Callwave on my computer which records online and offline contacts. For two days in a row I received a call from Cancer Research Center. Washington DC. In this message was a telephone number from NCO financial NOT the research center along with a referral number which supposedly is my account number. I will NOT - EVER give NCO ANY information about me or my status. They've outlived the statute of limitations.

After reading about NCO they can call until they're blue in the face!

Just To Inform

7/9/2007

I would like to begin by saying that I am not now nor have I ever been in collections. I am looking on the Internet for information on NCO because I keep getting messages from them telling me to call them. They never tell me who the message is for. I called and they told me they had the wrong number. They said they would stop calling and they still continue. According to the Just To Inform person, they should have stopped calling and yet they haven't.

Isn't this considered harassment

Medical service

6/13/2007 Tampa FL

I had NCO trying to collect a medical service debt that wasn't mine. Contacted NCO numerous times with no luck and was forced to take legal action. For Florida residents you may want to contact againstbillcollectos.com. They were able to help me out. Best of Luck.

NCO = Slimy and rude

3/26/2007 Brick NJ

After months of non-stop phone calls from NCO at precisely 8:30AM EVERY MORNING, I had finally graduated and had started my first full-time job. Since I was finally able to make payments toward my debt, I called NCO and asked to set up a plan. They were nice enough on the phone, at least when they were trying to get me to set up post-dated checks (which is illegal, everyone out there). Since post-dated checks was the only way NCO would allow me to set up a payment plan, I had no choice. For the next few months my payments were taken from my checking account like clockwork. One day I was called and offered a settlement that was too good to pass up. I borrowed the money the next day - those slimeballs made sure I know it was a "limited time offer" and HAD TO GET THEM THE MONEY BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK. Well I did, and I called them with the UPS tracking code just like they asked.

Now, here's where the story gets good (if you're even still reading then thanks! this was moreso for me to vent my anger) - Laurie at NCO had assured me my payment for this month would not be deducted from my account, so long as I got them the money for the settlement by the end of the week. Well the day of payment rolled around and wouldn't you know it - the money was taken from my checking account!! I called, furiously, and was handed off back and forth between rude reps until finally I was able to convey to one of these mental midgets that I had already settled my account. Finally I reached Laurie, a good twenty minutes later (and this is dealing with REAL people, not an automated system!!!) She offered NO apology, basically her explanation was "someone screwed up." She said they could refund the money, but they needed me to fax them a copy of the check as well as a copy of my statement showing the post-dated check had cleared. Yes, that was exactly what I wanted to do after a long day at the office - stop at the bank and try to get the a**holes there to fax something to the a**holes at NCO. Well the bank was closed, so that meant printing out the statement and copy of check from my online banking and running across the street to the pharmacy to pay $3 to fax everything over.

After waiting a good half hour (I should note that Laurie told me if I faxed everything to her by the end of the day my refund would be issued the next day) I called and got Laurie (another twenty minutes with the mental midgets). Laurie's response? "Oh.. I haven't even walked into the fax room yet." Well, this didn't surprise me ONE BIT. When I asked if she could call me after retrieving the fax, she said "I'm sure it's there." So, no call. Two days later I called NCO, got Laurie on the phone, and asked the status of my refund. Laurie told me it had gone to accounting, and would probably be issued Monday or Tuesday (it was Thursday, by the way - they had received my fax on Tuesday.) But wait, "issued?" Silly me, I had assumed they would just credit my checking account. Nope, turns out they are mailing me a check. When I asked if they were overnighting it to me, they hesitated, put me on hold, apparently checked with a supervisor and responded "I believe we can do that." I WOULD HOPE SO!

Anyway, moral of the story? 1) NCO is a bunch of slimeballs. 2) They will make sure you pay THEM on time, but you getting money back from them? That's another story. 3) There is no avoiding any of it, so enjoy!

New Tactic being used!

12/24/2006 SC

NCO is using debt collectors in Montreal, PQ (Canada) to make their calls on Sundays before 9 a.m. (on Christmas EVE) Are they that conniving that they would use another country's laws to circumvent those of the United States? Looks like they are. So I reported them to the FTC!

They won't stop!

11/29/2006

A month ago I started receiving phone calls on my cell phone from NCO Financial. Someone named Greg Adams had given them my cell number as his business number and then apaprently skipped out on a loan. They were, from the 1st call, rude, and completely unprofessional. The one polite and helpful person I contacted assured me that they would take my name out of the computer and I would not be called again. That lasted two whole days. Their computer would call at 8 am, 1 pm, 8 pm. I informed the individual who called yesterday the I was filing a harasment complaint with the FCC and the Better Business Bureau. I filed the FCC compliant yesterday and haven't received a call last night or today. If they were a reputable company they would hire coutious, professional people. They would also verify telephone numbers through the carrier prior to calling. The logic that the person who skipped out on paying what they owe gave them a valid phone number and is then lying about who they are vs. the person having made up a phone number to begin with escapes me. Do NOT Deal With This Company.

Fraud?

9/26/2006 Los Angeles CA

Yesterday, I received 3 identical letters from NCO. Being that it was past their office hours, I could not call until this morning. The number on the letter did not produce any results. The ring tone was weird and then it just cut out.

I have not been an AOL subsriber in almost 7 years. I was the victim of credit card fraud though, so I'm wondering if this is what they're asking for. BUT, AOL always charges the month before, so why would they ever need to collect debt from someone?

This is striking me as very odd, as I've read two other reviews on this letter. Any advice, suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Harrassing phone calls

8/20/2006 Baltimore ME

Recently I answered the call from Maryland that kept appearing on our caller ID. The man on the other end was extremely rude and after sharing what he said to me with my husband he looked up the company and found this complaint website. I believe that he initially violated the law by sharing information with me (because I was the wife) for an account that I had no access to. Then during the course of the conversation he had the gall to suggest that he talked with people every day that are in this situation and have greater debts than the one they are claiming is against my husband and that they say they are living paycheck to paycheck but when they analyse the situation they find that the have jewelry or appliances that the can pawn to get the cash needed to pay off the debt owed. He even suggested that we borrow the money from family or get a loan to pay off the debt owed to them. I was told that there were no payment options, that the amount had to be paid in full in one payment and that if we did not make a decision in the matter of a few days would have an even greater debt owed because they would take it to arbitration and we would be responsible for those fees. Thanks to the person who mentioned the Fair Debt Collection Act; we will read this to see what other violations Mr. Vice (can you believe that is the name he gave me) conducted during our conversation.

Shocked at Behavior of NCO Financial Employees

6/21/2006 PA

I called NCO Systems today because I had been getting a lot of letters and phone calls and was curious as to why they had my phone number and address. I thought at first, they were some type of marketing company and ignored them. Since I am retired and have not charged anything, I called the main number, enquiring as to how they got my number and why were they calling me.
One of the first things they asked was my social security number!!!!!! Can you believe that????
I refused naturally, and they asked how I could be helped. The man was nice enough. He asked if I knew a certain person, and said the name. I explained that was my my grandson and he had purchased a phone at Sprint "on his own at the age of 16" with no problem, just a show of his driver's license. When I heard about the phone bill, I agreed to pay his current basic service, but no added services because he had not asked for that.
However, after we called Sprint and said we wanted nothing but basic service, they added unwanted services back to the phone, after they had removed them.
I had to pay the huge phone for him, since he could not. I told him "No more, he would have to cancel", which he did. He was living with me for a time after he purchased the phone and that is how my address became involved. Apparently NCO got my number through my address.
He has since gone away to college and I did not respond to the mail, since it was in his name.I just thought it was "junk mail" and threw it away.
The man I spoke with at the main number of NCO Systems gave me this number 1-800-709-8625 to call. He told me to tell them exactly what I had told him and they could handle it.I thanked him politely and dialed the number.
HAH!!!I thought I had entered into the script of a horror movie. I got the shock of my life!!!The person who answered the phone was the rudest,loudest, most unprofessional person I have ever spoken to in my entire life, especially for an employee of a large cooperation. NO ONE has ever spoken to me the way this person did. At first I was totally speechless! I tried many times, but never got the chance to explain my case. She refused to let me.
This woman went into me immediately,like dynamite, yelling and screaming like a "Banshee"!!! She was trying her very best to keep me me from saying one word, but I did manage to add a few phrases the whole time she was yelling at me. I doubt very seriously she heard anything I said, she was ranting and raving so. I was trying to tell her to PLEASE just let me talk. She refused! She was in her own world of rude people.
She had no reason whatsoever to treat me in such a deplorable manner. I did not owe her one cent! I did not even have an account there. They were abusing my phone and address.
Where did they find this person? She has to rate in the top 20 "Rude People in the United States"!Has she been trained by her company,NCO Systems to act in such an unacceptable way???
I certainly received the shock of my life. I did not know anyone would hire someone like this, especially a large company like NCO. I was awakened to the facts of life!!!
Apparently she had been on the phone and had heard everything I had told the gentleman, because she went into me before I could get anything out of my mouth. She knew my grandson's name before I even told her anything
I asked her over and over to please let me explain the situation, but she kept ranting over and over. I told her how in the world she was able work for this company was beyond me and I hoped her boss was listening to her.I just hung up the phone with her yelling all the while.
I hope no one goes through the nightmare I just experienced at NCO Collections, a part of NCO Systems. Needless to say the issue was never resolved. She did not want a resolution!!! She just wanted to "blow off steam" and I , unfortunately, was her victim!!!

Thank you all!

3/9/2006 OH

I have to say thank you to all of you for posting all of this information. NCO sent me 2 letters in February for old debts - debts from I was young and stupid about my credit. One was for the Limited and the other from Victoria's Secret. One was initially probably $50, the other $30. Anyways, the letters stated that I owed $328 and $210, which I thought was crazy, and both creditors were listed as WFNNB, which means nothing to me. When I called I spoke with a really nice woman, but something seemed fishy - they immediately knocked the debt down to 1/2, and the dates on the accounts were 1998 and 1999. They did threaten to file a lawsuit against me. They offered to take two payments of $135 and call it even. But I wanted to check things out first and make sure that they were valid, and boy am I glad I did. The first account is not even on my credit report anymore. And the statute of limitations in Ohio is 6 years. I called them, and told them I wanted a full statement of what I owed sent to me, so I could check the statute of limitations on the debt. The guy put me on hold twice, then told me the computers were down. He took the numbers of the letters, my name, and my phone #, and said he will get back to me. Yeah. I believe that. I will be sending them official letters tomorrow disputing the debt. I've read a few of these postings, and some people seem upset that people don't just pay their debts. Well, I would pay the debt - if it was the $30 I originally owed. But I'm not paying some shady creditor I've never heard of $210 instead. Especially since he said that paying the debt would take it off my credit report. Don't we all wish that were true. They also told me that if I didn't pay it it would be on there for 15 years. NCO isn't even on my credit report - how could they affect it?

NCO FINANCIAL HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM

02/23/2006

First and foremost, they record and monitor their calls. Stop it by:

"Per our conversation with your representative our company and the individuals who answer the telephones at our company do not authorize the recording or third-party monitoring of any conversations, in part or in whole. Should your corporation house the data or recordings of any portions of conversations with our employees, you are in violation of Federal wiretapping laws. Please cease and desist further contacts by telephone as a result of this negligence. You have been so advised.

Further attempts to contact us by telephone will be treated as an unauthorized wiretap violation and a suit will be filed in Federal court in against NCO Financial and the individuals initiating the contacts."

This was written for a company. If you are an individual, you have more rights but can use the above.

Let them know that you want them to stop contacting you period:

"This matter is in full dispute, please so advise your client with due diligence. Furthermore, cease and desist contacting me by telephone or mail with regards to this matter. I will not respond further to your requests, I will deal only with your client in writing. Furthermore, continued calls, mails, emails or contacts will be treated as harassment and negligence.

Should it continue, I will file a claim against NCO Financial and name the individuals separately in the lawsuit.

If you need any help further with NCO, contact me by email!

Paul

NCO keeps calling even though we're not the ones they want

10/18/2005 KS

My husband has a very common last name, which I'll call "Smith". Several months ago we started getting automated calls from NCO asking for various people with the last name Smith, but it was never my husband. In the last 30 days alone they have called with automated messages for Edward Smith, Jose Smith, Karen Smith and Heather Smith. The automated call has an option to pick if they have the wrong number, but every time I select it, the next day NCO calls us 3+ times with another automated message for us to call 866-701-1275. THAT number is usually answered by a machine, on which I have left several messages telling them to stop calling because they have the wrong number.

Today I got a human at that number. She insisted that I was Heather Smith or that I let Heather Smith use my phone, and refused to stop calling us.

Since they've been notified multiple times that we are not the people they want, who do I need to complain to for the calls to stop? It's just harassment now. The phone company can't block their calls.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

Rachel...

10/11/2005

Has anyone ever talked to this rude (blank)? She has called me non-stop at work, even when I say I will call back, she STILL calls and calls and calls. I've never spoken to such a rude person before in my life...its sad that NCO ecourages their employees, especially the minimum wage ones like Rachel, to act this way.

Garnish my wages all you want (blank), you will never be as successful as me.

:o)

VICTORY !

9/10/2005 Horsham PA

Well, it arrived a week past the 30 day limit, but I got a letter from NCO today stating that the 'account' was closed and they had contacted the credit bureaus to remove it from my record. As it never appeared there, this probably doesn't mean much. Also there is no explanation of how they came to attempt collection in the first place.

So now I guess it's in the hands of the AG, FTC, etc. to determine if there's any grounds for action based on the nature of the debts.

Employee of NCO

8/25/2005

I currently work for NCO in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. I know all the fun that alot of the ppl are having out there personally I do not work with any financial aspects of the company but I have heard the horror stories from supervisors etc. I completly agree that any problems your having get a lawyer/atterny and have it resolved that way lets get rid of these scams

Bad debts what to do

8/16/2005 Canada

Here’s a tip from a N C O debt collector. If you have a bill PAY IT! Keep Proof that you paid it forever. With computers you can put it on disc and put it away, that way if you ever need it you have proof that it is paid. A debt is a debt forever!!!!!! And when a debt has been charged off…… this means the original company charged it off to COLLECTIONS. A debt does not go away until you pay it or you bankrupted it. What ever way you take care of it Keep PROOF of it. And telling us to stop calling or disputing the debt will just put collections off for another 6 months or so until another collection agency gets it. Then you start all over again. Company will buy and sell your old debt . They will get the money one way or an other. Just pay your bills . Even if it is 5.00 a month at least try!!! oh ya this b.s. about the debt is over 7 yrs old and it can not be collected. Educate your selves all that means is you can not be sued.It still can be collected. a debt is a debt untill it is paid!!!!!!

Contact info

5/19/2005 US

NCO makes it very hard for the average consumer to get in touch with them so... lets level the playing field a little.

First you must know that this company is BIG and they are in bed with everyone INCLUDING the big 3 credit agencies (indirectly of course). They employ about 11,000 and have been around for a while.

Here are some interesting links and contacts.

NCOgroup, Inc
http://wsdex.com/cgi-bin/w_return.cgi?url=ncogroup.com&loc_no=101904&active=Y
http://www.ncogroup.com
Chairman, President & Chief Executive - Michael J. Barrist mike.barrist@ncogroup.com
Senior Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer - Richard J. Palmer
Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel - Joshua Gindin

NCO Group, Inc.
NCO Financial Systems, Inc
NCO Portfolio Management, Inc

NCO Group, Inc.
507 Prudential Rd.
Horsham, PA 19044
Company Web Site
Phone: 215-441-3000
Fax: 215-441-3929
Toll Free: 800-220-2274

NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS, INC
3850 North Causeway Boulevard, Floor 3
METAIRIE LA
70002 USA
Tel: 504-837-6320
Fax: 504-834-5207
infoservices@ncogroup.com

NCO Financial Systems, Inc/Subrogation Services
Baltimore, MARYLAND 21230,
(866) 836-9845
(443) 263-3020

System Admin contacts are:

Robert Scharle
bob.scharle@ncogroup.com
IT Systems - UNIX Administrator


215-441-3018
ITO/NNM and Data Protector cell manager
(on the same server)

Jimmy Riley
Jimmy.Riley@ncogroup.com
NCO Financial Network Administrator
504-834-8800 x2529

Marcantonio.�Marc� Soda
Marcantonio.Soda@ncogroup.com
marc.soda@ncogroup.com
Information Security Engineer

Security by ISS Atlanta – Charles Banton/ Technical Product Manager

Useful Links:

Lawsuit: http://www.budhibbs.com/debtcollectorpages/nco_financial_systems_bud.htm

This is a Very informative link for email verification - a must read for email contact verification and read receipt verification http://www.debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=27326&start=0&

http://www.creditinfocenter.com/
http://www.narca.org/Newsletter/
http://www.debt-consolidation-credit-repair-service.com/phpBB2/

Copy this and Google it exactly (with quotes)
“@ncogroup.com�

Misc Names/ numbers:

Dan Willette
dan.willette@ncogroup.com
813-806-3456
Fax: 813-884-2422

Lance Montgomery
lance.montogmery@ncogroup.com
Phone: 813-806-3451
Fax: 813-884-2422

Michael Meringolo
mike.meringolo@ncogroup.com
215-441-2357

claudette.yanni@ncogroup.com
345 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Z2
Phone, 705-253-3213
Fax, 705-253-1683.

atricia.frickey@ncogroup.com
215-441-3000
800-745-6007 ext.3117

Manny, Cardozo,
manny.cardozo@ncogroup.com
813-991-6654

jason.theriot@ncogroup.com
800-745-6007 ext. 3161
Tallahassee, FL 32312-3893

Wendy Ruiter
Greensboro , NC 27410
Phone: 3363327500
Fax: 3363327509

John Adonnino
Vice President - Sales
john.adonnino@ncogroup.com
507 Prudential Road
Horsham, PA 19044
Phone: (800) 2274000
Fax: (215) 441-3923

Trace Anderman
Trace.Anderman@ncogroup.com

Lisa Ahern
lisa.ahern@ncogroup.com
800-987-0011

NCO Portfolio
1804 Washington Blvd

NCO Financial Systems, Inc/Subrogation Services
(866) 836-9845
Baltimore, MARYLAND 21230, +
1 443 263-3020

Victoria Milligan
NCO Group
4135 Merritt Drive
Cumming, GA 30041
Office: 770-8884711
Victoria.milligan@ncogroup.com

Stacey Lee (Washington, DC )
Stacey.Lee@ncogroup.com
NCO Financial Systems, Inc.
Hampton, VA 23666


Got a name from someone at NCO? This is the company email format. firstname.lastname@ncogroup.com

Misc Email:
lance.montogmery@ncogroup.com
audrey.atkins@ncogroup.com
\brenda.finlayson@ncogroup.com

Carol.fogelgren@ncogroup.com
audrey.atkins@ncogroup.com
norm.berger@ncogroup.com
manuel.blanco@ncogroup.com
juan.melendez@ncogroup.com

Trying To Collect Old Debt

5/16/2005

NCO states that I have an old credit card account dating back more than 16 years or more. I have no record or memory of such debt and told them so. They continue to call. I am at my wits end with them and now understand that the statute of limitations has expired. Therefore, that debt (that does not and has never appeared on my credit report) is no longer on record. What can I do to get them off my back.

Also...if anyone has a sample cease and desist letter, I would appreciate it.

And...if anyone has any legal actions against them for harassment of old debt...I would be happy to jump on the bandwagon.

Help!

WON'T ACCEPT PAYMENT

3/30/2005 DETROIT MI

I'M NEW TO NCO, MY CREDIT UP UNTIL 8 MONTHS AGO WAS IMPECCABLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY CRAP HAPPENS. ANYWAYS 1 OF MY UTILITIES KIND OF GOT FORGOTTEN. THEY TURNED IT OFF. I CALLED UTILITY CO. , THEY REF.ME 2 NCO. MY NAME AND BOYFRIENDS NAME R BOTH ON ACCT. NO CREDIIT CARD 4 ME ANYMORE, I HAD HIS , NCO WOULD NOT LET ME PAY W/HIS CREDIT CARD W/O VERIFYING W/HIM. OF COURSE, HE WAS MIA, I TOLD THEM THAT'S WHY I HAD THE CARD, TO PAY HIS SHARE. THEY INSISTED ON A CHECK. I INFORMED THEM THAT ANY CK. I WROTE 4 THAT AMOUNT WOULD BOUNCE HIGHER THAN A BUNGEE CORD, THEY DIDN'T CARE. SO I GAVE THEM A CK., DEPOSITED WHAT I COULD AND OF COURSE---BOUNCE!!!

NOW THE AMOUNT IS DBL. I;VE BEEN TRYING TO PAY ONLINE AT THEIR SITE MY UTILITY CO. SENDS ME 2, BUT THEY WON'T LET ME PAY W/CARD OR CK. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? AFTER READING SEVERAL REVIEWS OF THIS CO. I'M ABOUT 2 CALL THE UTLITY AND GIVE THEM MY 3 CENTS WORTH.

THANKS 4 LISTENING

KIMBER

NCO False Promise

3/18/2005 Philadelphia PA

My first encounter with this Zoo was a letter stating that I owed for an elctric company(I filed complaints)$156.00. Mind you that I had been paying the electric company a monthly payment. I decided to call them from a pay phone and a women answered who sounded like she just got out of bed and was smoking crack or had a very bad habit of smoking,I could tell from her deameanor that she had no customer service experience in answering the phone(Afraid of That).I was transfered and spoke with a women and began the negotiating to get the amount owed lower. She agreed to settle for 117.00 and gave me a date that reflected 30 days to pay.I requested it in writing and she agreed. The letter arrived a week later. However the letter stated that they would accept a LUMP SUM of that amount and that this offer could expire at anytime without notice. HELLO...I WAS NOT BORN YESTERDAY.Basically the letter states with no agreed 30 day time frame that she previously agreed and the letter reflects they will accept that amount and you pay the rest later and when we get your payment we will send you a letter stating that the offer expired and you owe the full amount. They must think people are stupid.....I read into this letter so quick. I called her back and she played DUMB. Long story short she agreed to the previous again another letter arrived with no mention of previous agreements and asking for the full amount. She then called my phone(THEY HAVE CALLER ID) the day before the letter arrived and sked did the letter arrive she asked. I said you obviously do not know how to do your job and she played dumb again and had no excuse for the mishap.Never pay NCO a dime they are very deceptive and will flat out lie to you and play head games. I did call the electric provider and they agreed to accept continued payments and that after a certain amount of time of not paying the balance they refer them to COLLECTIONS. "Oh gee thanks! I have been paying you by the way every month." NCO WILL NOT RECEIVE NOTHING FROM ME and I will continue to pay Creditor.

Please help me

1/18/2005 MD

If anyone has been called by NCO Financial Systems and the phone number (410)996-0085 has came up on your caller ID please call me. NCO is using my phone number fraudently to contact and harrass it's customers. The only way I can stop this is to supply names and numbers of people they have called using my number. Please help me put an end to this.

Unethical and Possibly Illegal Tactics

1/12/2005 NC

I have a deliquent account with a credit card company and it has been turned over to NCO for collections. The company called and left a voice mail for me to call an 866 number and speak to a Mr. Matthews. I called the number and a voice answers "This is Tom". I thought I had dialed the wrong number because usually when you call a business, they will answer "Business Name, this is ..." So I hung up checked the number again and redialed. Again I got the "This is Tom" answer, so I asked for Mr. Matthews. I was told that he was busy. He asked if this was (my name), and I said yes. (The folks their must have caller id). He proceeded to tell me I was being sued. Now keep in mind he never stated what I being sued for or when this was supposed to happen. He didn't state what company was suing me, just that I hadn't paid my debt and I was obviously trying to avoid the calls by stating that I had the wrong number when I called 15 seconds earlier. I stated that I had just gotten the message and called the number expecting a business to answer, and was taken off guard by the casual way the phone was answered. I also asked him if I was trying to avoid the calls, why would I call back 15 seconds later. This went on for about 2 minutes while I tried to explain that I wasn't trying to avoid the calls. He then stated again that I was being and then hung up without ever telling me how much I owed, the company that was suing me or when I could expect to be served with papers. Now, I know that I owe the debt and am willing to make payment arrangements to pay it back. I am NOT trying to get out of paying this. I want to make good on this debt. When I called back, I got "Tom" again. I explained that I wanted to pay the bill, but first I wanted to let him know I thought his behavior was beyond rude and quite possibly illegal since I had been threatened with legal action but had yet to receive anything in the mail. I think this is illegal according to the Fair Credit Act if legal proceedings have not yet been started. I then told him he could call me at my home number as often as he liked, but please don't call me at work. He then told me he would call me at work as often as he liked until the debt was satisfied. I KNOW that this is illegal. They can't call me at work if I expressly state not to call me there. I called back a third time and finally got someone else who set up a payment plan for me. Again, I want to pay my debt, but these tactics are unacceptable. I noticed that someone named DebtBasher is posting who says they work for NCO and that that is NOT the NCO they work for. I think it's hard to dispute the dozens of postings that clearly state that it is.

About the kind of people NCO hires, listen up people! This is very interesting...

12/22/2004 Buffalo NY

I worked for NCO for 1 1/2 weeks. This was not the place for me. I found the people that I worked with were young kids, just out of high school, most of them admitting that they are drug users. In training, which is supposed to be 2 weeks, but in some instances, only 1 week, you are told that the word "harassment" is not defined in NCO language, which means that the employees of NCO will talk to you any way they want to. I was polite to the people I called on the phone and was told many times that I was the only polite person there. Keep in mind, NCO hires ignorant jerks on drugs. Most of the guys and girls have pink hair with piercing wherever there is a hole on their body that shows. They have no manners and I assume they were rude to begin with and NCO gives them a reason to vent their anger and rudeness on the public. Well, I am in my 50's and I told them to stick the job. I was not cut out for this job, but just remember when someone from NCO calls you, the person from NCO most likely is a druggie that looks like a freak. Thank you for reading. Hugs all!!

NCO employees should get pay raises!

12/9/2004 PA

NCO employees obviously hate their jobs. Maybe if NCO would give them raises then they wouldn't be such angry people or maybe they could afford to get medication to control their anger outbursts. I have never encountered such rude, irate, unreasonable, unprofessional people before now.
For about the last year I have received messages on the answering machine saying for someone to call John Barclay. I had ignored them but yesterday I called back. I told the girl that I didn't know who they were calling for and what they wanted. The person that she asked for does not live here so I told her that and she started to say something and then we got disconnected. I called back and got some arrogant jerk on the phone I explained that the person that they were calling for didn't live here and asked if they were going to take my number out of their system. He said "No, we are going to leave it in there and just keep on calling." I asked him What he said and he replied "yes we are going to take your number out of the system." I said ok you do not have to be rude he started yelling "hang up the phone lady". I know I should't have but I ended up calling him a smart-@#$. This shocked him. He told me that he was going to leave my number in the system and call me everyday. I then told him that he better not and he said "What are you going to do about it" and I told him that if I needed to that I would get an attorney and get them for harrassment. After he yelled at me some more for me to hang up the phone he hung up on me because I wouldn't shut up. I called back and asked to speak to a supervisor (the way these people act I am not even sure they have supervisors). The guy asked me for my number so I started giving him the case number they left on the message and he starts yelling "thats not what I am asking you". I told him that I wasn't giving him my name and my phone number that I just wanted to talk to a supervisor. After he asked me for my phone number and name several more time and I refused to give it to him and insisted on talking to a supervisor he finally connected me to a voice mail. Well, by this time I am furious and I want to talk to a supervisor NOW. I call back and explain to another guy what the situation is he tells me that my number is out of the system and so he doesn't know what my problem is and that I shouldn't call him about another representative and take it out on him. I told him that my problem was that I didn't appreciate being treated the way that I had been and asked to speak to a supervisor. He argued with me for a while and I told him that I couldn't believe how rude they were and I asked where they were from. He asked me where I was from and when I said Texas he said "oh, that figures". I again insisted on talking to a supervisor and he connected me to another voice mail. Of course the two supervisors I left messages for have not and probably will not call me back. I called back today and asked very nicely to speak to a supervisor and gave them my phone number when they asked for it and the guy told me that no one from their office had called me I asked him well isn't this NCO and he yelled yes but no one has called you! JERKS!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays from NCO

11/28/2004

What's with the jerks at NCO? Ten years ago I had a credit card that certain reps on my college campus told me I needed for emergency. Well, we all know how that goes...buying groveries is one thing, but liquor and CD's is another. Anyway, I caught myself ahead of time before things got too out of control, and cut the card and started paying. By the time I found a job, several months went by and I didn't make any payments -totally my fault. I told the people at NCO that I can only give them so much at a time and everything was OK with that. Finally, about five years ago, they called and offered me a settlement for close to $1000 which I took. I thought it was over and done with until a couple of weeks ago when out of the blue, I get a call from NCO. Once again, the past is dug up and they are saying there is $800 left to be paid. Well, I hung up the phone and said there's no way. The last time we touched base was five years ago! Now, almost everyday I'm receiving phone calls again from a Mrs. Rose. She stops short of telling me I'm going to get sued however, tells me that things are going to get miserable for me and they're going to take my paycheck and car...blah blah blah. Both of our records of my payments are conflicting. Since then I've moved four times to other states and know I have proof but don't know where the papers are. I'm not doing anything. Let them sue me. Do they think I'm nuts and forget I paid? The last phone call came in the night before Thanksgiving at 8:00. She tells me about the money while I'm trying to enjoy the holiday. I hung up again. How's that for Happy Holidays? They won't get a red cent from me. Besides, they've been calling lately and the Caller ID doesn't display their number. That's why I answered. I want to get their direct line and start harrassing them. Jerks!

Collection Practices

11/4/2004

We need to understand a day in the life of a debt collector.

1- No one wants to take your call.
2- When they do take your call, they are in most cases nasty.

I was recently contacted by NCO, and at first things were no different. However, when the person at NCO realized that all I needed was documentation to the debt, things changed. It turns out the debt is valid, and I am making arrangements to pay it. Perhaps this is why my contact with them (as of yet anyway) is nothing like being described by many posts. We need to keep in mind, that a debt is a debt. When we needed the money, the companies lived up to their end of the agreement, so we should also live up to ours.

Get a LIFE NCO!

11/2/2004 beavercreek OH

I was just called @ 9pm. to let me know that my account was preferred to NCO...SHOCKED because i pay 30.00 a month on a 270.00 bill ...i asked what the problem was. Well then she gets NASTY! I tell her that this is all i can afford at the moment and boom..put it on your credit card.. LMFAO! like i am going to go further in debt for a 270.00 bill...NOWAY! i tell her this and she continues to be nasty. she then again begins to harrass me ...i tell her there is no need..that there is no more that i can do. WEll... she says she is going to legal action! LMFAO once again. i tell her to go ahead and hang up!

Can NCO report to credit agency w/o contacting me?

9/10/2004

Hi I have a situation that I'd like to resolve. I was riding my bicycle and was hit by a car 9 months ago. The ambulance company that carried me to the emergency obtained the wrong address to send the bill to. 2 months later, I got a message from NCO talking about my ambulance bill. I called immediately b/c I have a great credit history and I rather never deal with them. They asked for my insurance and I gave it to them and I also requested the bill since I have never seen it. I also gave them all my contact information.

Today I was pulling my credit report in order to apply for mortgage financing and see that my FICO is now much lower. Turns out there is a collection on the credit history. I call the ambulance company and pay the bill immediately. Then I call NCO and they tell me that my insurance company did not pay. I asked them why they never contacted me and they said it was not their duty to do so. This collection in my report will cost me $280K (7.4% interest rate instead of 5.6% had my score remained the same) all because the ambulance company negligently used a wrong address, NCO did not want to collect in good faith (I never had any problem to pay at any time) and now perhaps the credit agency will not take this off of my record. What do I do?

To be fair, NCO official (after understanding and sympathizing with my situation) told me to initiate a dispute with Equifax. She said that they will ask NCO the situation ie. 1) how many times they have tried to contact me (once by phone but only left a message), 2) the insurance company situation, etc. In your experience would NCO (now that there is no debt since I paid directly to the ambulance company) be nice enough to recommend this collection be taken out of my report?

What can I do in this situation? I feel pretty wronged by this whole thing that I cannot believe it is happening -- I have never even been delinquent in my life. I almost wish NCO harassed me a bit so I had the chance to correct this problem before they reported immediately to Equifax. I mean not only I have the money to pay, but also I have my own insurance that would pay anyway, and on top of all this, I have an insurance claim due to the accident that will pay many times over -- no motive whatsoever to try to avoid debt/collection.

What do I do -- pls. help. If it is not corrected, I am thinking about suing since my situation is so easy to understand and correct and not my fault...

HEAR YE HEAR YE!!!

8/27/2004 FL

This is to notify all interested parties, that starting immediately, if not sooner, NCO is having a name change. It will henceforth be known as NC UH OH!!!! Or, if you prefer to abbreviate: NC UH O
Enjoy!!!
Have a Chocolate Chip Kind of Day!!
(Unless, of course, you are on a diet).

Treat collectors with kindness

8/26/2004 Salt Lake City UT

I get maybe 4 to 5 calls a day from NCO Collectors I always try to be kind to them and as of yet I have not been cussed at or yelled at. The Collectors in turn are kind to me. You ask, why not send a letter to NCO telling them to contact me by mail only? Believe me I have thought about it, sometimes it is annoying to answer the phone and find a collection agency on the line. When you send a that letter you shut off all comminution, except by mail. Remember as long as they are talking, they are not searching for assets and taking legal action. I would much rather talk to them on the phone then in court. They may start getting nasty, but so far have been very nice.

Help for the Student Loan Poster

8/26/2004 Florida

Please email Mad Eye Moody and ask him to give you my email address, he just finished helping me in regards to a student loan and I want to help you.
I will do so, in private, and not on this site, however, you have already started to help yourself, so do continue with the next step, and email me, and I will help you anyway I am able to do so. You can call this Pay It Forward, that is what this is, I received help, and things are looking so much better, and now it is your turn to receive the same help. I will look forward to hearing from you.

4*

8/6/2004

In response to the person asking if the 4* "Leader of the pack" is helpful. The answer is a definitive YES!!! As well as other posters on the site. If you are ever in need of help, and you ask for help, it will be there waiting for you as well.

Do they want my $$ or not!

8/5/2004 Atlanta GA

I was in the process of buying a house when my credit report showed that I owed NCO Financial on behalf of sprint $600.00. I contacted NCO and was given the run around since the account was old (01)they were having a difficult time locating any information.
Eventually I received the account number and address to send the payment. At closing our attorney sent the amount by certified check to NCO Financial. They returned the check stating that the account number is not located on file. Now I am in a ongoing battle to retrive the check from the attorney's office because they are legally unable to release any check until NCO sends a letter stating that I do not owe any outstanding debt. NCO can not or WILL not send me a letter or my mortgage company a letter because they can not locate my account. UGH! Now $600.00 of my hard earned money sits unused because of poor customer service.
FYI- The sprint account was turned over to collections because I refused to pay them any money for a service that I had not agreed to. I never signed a contract with sprint only bought a phone at their location.

I agree with Codered and everyone else

7/30/2004 Seattle WA

So far NCO has left messages on my phone everyday, automated messages telling me to contact a T.Perry @ such and such number with such and such ID#. I had no idea who the company was or anything, which is fine I guess, but I didn't know what they were calling for. Then when I called back I get caught up in a circle of automated responses telling me it would transfer my call to who knows where. I decided to look the company up online and found this site to be helpful in understanding whom I would be dealing with before I actually speak to someone, if that ever happens...I'll give you the update as soon as I do, but I don't plan on sending them anything without a receipt. I never did receive a letter or anything from them notifying me of their attempt to collect a debt. Just as codered said, most of the time people know when they owe money and really do want to pay it. If I could pay it, it wouldn't be in collections in the first place...I'm going to attempt as best and soon as I can to get this (whatever it is) out of collections but I don't want to be harrassed while I'm trying to do it.

Anyone actually been sued?

7/28/2004 NM

Like many here I have been harrased by this company. My question is, has anyone here actually been sued by them and if so would they like to pass on their experience. Also if anyone has been able to gather enough information and sued them let us know the outcome. Finally has anyone had experience with letting the statue of limitations expire and what happend then?

Odd calls

7/27/2004 PA

Never heard of NCO before, but started getting odd phone calls. When we answered heard recording - "Thank you for calling NCO Financial" so we hung up. We had not called. After several of these someone came on the line before I hung up asking for someone with the same last name. When told they had the wrong number she said they would remove our number from "the list." Then she asked if I knew this person. I would not have told her if I did, since I did not know anything about the company or why they were calling. It seemed shady since they used such ridiculous methods of calling people. Do they really expect to get people when they answer with a recording thanking you for calling? Had to check on what the company was. Also found the name they wanted in the phone book.

Give no Information to NCO Financial

7/20/2004

If you are contacted by NCO Financial, do not give them any information. If they ask you to verify your social Secutity #, don't do it. If they ask you to verify your birthdate, don't do it. If they ask you for your mothers madian name, don't give it. Only verify you address if you have received mail from them. Tell them to give you the information and you will say if is right. They won't do it, what they are after is personsal information to use to find your assets. The less you tell them the better off you are. This goes for any and all personal information they ask for.

Phone Abuse despite Certified Letter

7/15/2004 FL

Well they did it. As suggested by Bud Hibbs I with in 30 days sent NCO a certified letter demanding all documentation that substantiates their claim. 2. Included a cease comm letter. 3. and have now taped their nasty calls left on our office machine.

Three of their calls were erased but I have witnesses and it is all typed out verbatim. Today they left another nasty one that will not be erased, EVER.

What do I do now?

- Jim

Phone calls

6/22/2004 KY

I have , what appears to be, an ongoing problem with NCO. About two months ago, they started calling about a credit card debt of my husband's from about 3 years ago. At, first he told them that he had every intention of paying the debt, but couldn't at that time. They proceeded to call us EVERY DAY for two months. They have even called at 8:00 AM on Sundays and have also called at 9:30 PM. We have caller ID, so we have just stopped answering the phone since the late-night call. First the settlement was $500. I answered the phone last week, and by then we could only pay them $100. They said that they would take that payment, but they also wanted me to post-date a check for the remaining amount. Then they told me that the settlement was for $600, not $500 as they had originally stated. I told them that I didn't have an extra $500 lying around. They asked me when I would have the money. I told them that my husband works a straight commission mortgage job, and I have no idea when we'll have the rest. They did not like this answer. The supervisor got on the phone and when I told them that I would try to pay the rest of the $500 next month. The supervisor said that there was no definite settlement offer from the company, that the $600 had to be approved by the credit card company. He told me that we had to pay $1000 to pay-off the account. At that time I told him not to call anymore and that I would call them when I had more money. This was 2 weeks ago, and they STILL CALL EVERY DAY. Then call my husband at work (which gets him into trouble) and them call at home. They have now started calling me at work as well, even though I never gave them my work number. This is ridiculous. I know he has the delinquent account and were trying to pay it, but these people are relentless and RUDE!!!!! The person that keeps calling us doesn't even speak English very well. I can hardly even understand him. When he gets frustrated when we can't post- date a check, he starts muttering in some language I can't understand. I'm at my wits end, and I have no idea what to do next. i have filed a complaint with the FTC about the harrassing Sunday and late noght phone calls, but I have gotten no response. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question

6/12/2004

This is my first time dealing with NCO. After hearing their message I did a search on the internet and was not surprised to find a site like this. What jerks.

They are trying to collect from the company I work for (and own, but they don't know that). They call my home up to a dozen times a day. Weeks ago I changed my answering machine to say, "Hi you have reached the ---- family. If you are calling for(the name of the company) do not leave a message here. Instead call (and I give the company phone number)."

Usually they just hang up but last week the guy left a message saying, "If you would return your business phone calls I wouldn't have to call you here. Until you do I will keep calling this number too."

They of course had never called or left me a message on my business before this. Today they did leave a message on the business phone where anyone could hear it. Here's what they said, "Mr. ---, I'd appreciate if you would give me a call at.... to discuss this accounts payable matter that's a very serious situation. Ignoring my messages is not going to get the matter resolved and I'm certainly not going to go away so you might as well call me and talk like two grown men and get a problem resolved. Your file number is..... please call me for your sake."

For my sake! I would love to beat this guy over the head with my key board.

Any thoughts?

Interest Rate Changes Daily??

6/1/2004 CA

Having discovered this very informative forum only AFTER I got hooked into dealing with NCO Financial, I have an issue that needs some advice.

I have been talking with an NCO rep for about two weeks to settle a credit card (MBNA)account that was sold to them. When I first spoke with the rep, he offered me a settlement of $9,775 on a $16K debt. Fine..I'll take some cash from my retirement account and just pay it off and make good on my obligations. I explain it will take some time to get the cash on hand and he seems good with that. Well, he calls last week to check on the status and I tell him I'm still waiting for the money to arrive. Now, he says the settlement amount is $11,460 because of the 21% interest I'm accruing daily!! Of course, I don't believe they every mentioned THAT in the earlier calls!!

I called MBNA to see about going back to dealing with them but, as the account was sold, they said "sorry". I did pass on my complaint about NCO for what it's worth.

So now, what's the best way to address this 'settlement' that keeps changing every day?

Part II, Another conversation with my mom.......

5/26/2004 MD

Today I talked to the guy from NCO, obviously when I brought up the conversation he had with my mother, he stated that she knew about the whole thing. However, he talked to me and since he didn't hear what he wanted, he hung up on me. Then he called my mom and they talked again, this isn't what the law says. Well, I am going to be setting up payment arrangements with NCO but what should I know before I do that. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU. WHAT ARE THE LAWS IN MARYLAND THAT GONVERN THIS SITUATION?

Talked to mom concerning debt?

5/25/2004 MD

Well today, while NCO was leaving a message on my phone, my mother picked up. He was saying that it was imperative that he talk to me and wondering my location. My mother inquired why and he said that I was writing bad checks and had a debt of over $1800, legal action was going to be established and I could go to jail for check fraud. He stated that he needed to send me some legal documents to sign. He was rude and caused my mother to be entirely worried about this situation. This is ridiculous since the FTCPA states that a third party may not be talked to about anything concerning a debt involving myself. ISN'T THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS?

Harrassing

5/21/2004 Princeton

I was just reading the complaints by other consumers and I agree that NCO is very harrassing.For about 2 years now these people will call up me to 3 times a week. Looks to me like once they have called they would check their list and pass it on to the next person not to call for at least another month .They want to collect for a debt That I don,t feel I owe and they have waited for 6-7 years to contact me about it. I told them I don,t owe this debt but they insist that I write a letter to the company.

Validation of debt?!?!?

5/3/2004 OK

Okay, I have been reading all about the stuff that is going on with NCO financial, and it has all happened to me!! Especially the violation of privacy!!! Someone from NCO called my parents house, and talked to my mom....they told her my SS#, DOB, and account information...all of which should not have been given out!! UGH, they made me so mad...they talked several times with both of my parents, at different times...trying to make deals to pay off the debt, then I would recieve letters saying I need to pay the agreed upon amount immediately! I had no idea what was going on until I talked to my parents and they told me what had happened. I finally called NCO and talked to someone who was supposed to be in management, and told him what had happened, and he told me I needed to pay or it will ruin my credit--I told him he violated privacy rules and he didnt even care...all he wanted is the money, which he wont get...I refuse to pay NCO, and I need to know what do I do about getting a validation of debt, and who can I contact about the privacy violation and harrassment by NCO? Can I deal with MBNA even though the "debt has been purchased by NCO"?? if I can I will...I dread NCO. apparently everyone else does to...thank goodness Im not alone.

8+ phone calls a day hangups, etc.

5/1/2004 San Diego CA

This company came out of the woodwork. They had called several times trying to reach my daughter. We tried to take a message but they refused and after the first call started to hang up on us when we mentioned she (my daughter) wasn't home (college student). We started to get many calls a day, but everytime we would try and explain anything, we would be left half sentence. So we stopped answering our phone. We had caller ID, but they masked their number. At one point, we had gotten so sick of the calls, I answered the phone and a nice sweet voice was an the other line. She id her company, which sounded like ATT Financial Services, and I explained the hang ups...as I was talking, she hung up on me. She called back and I didn't answer. She left a message - and bingo! her number showed up! I called the number back but it was always busy, and once I got through with call return, but I didn't get to talk to any one just a click and it hung up.

We kept getting the phone calls many times up to or more than 8 times a day and during odd hours, I believe we got calls later at night. I hope I could get a call log from my phone company, but funny thing, I think Cingular is owned by SBC, and SBC owns PACBELL. So who is going to protect who?

My daughter had her bill paid to March 2004, the bill comes back as if we never made a payment even when our bank has a deduction of a payment OVER THE PHONE with Cingular. Later, Cingular said they used this money as a DEPOSIT. We complained and said NO authorization was granted for that purpose. They later said that just this time they were going to waive a deposit, and take the new amount we owed off (by this time, the bill was close or over $200.00 couple of weeks after we made a payment. No record of that payment exists in their bills sent to us, just a credit for the deposit that they were billing out of their own whim!

NCO is collecting on an invalid collection. Meanwhile my daoughter's credit has been threatened by these two companies, and be honest they had previously taken us for more money than we owed because the CONTRACT my daughter signed (which is purposely vague and hard to read)had us by the neck. My daughter's first and only mistake....becoming a consumer of a service or product she really could live without.

We are sending a complaint to the FCC, but hope that these boards can help people see how much abuse tactics are available to these companies they should be happy they have an ignorant person paying them more than what their service are really worth.

NCO has a website and they portray an image far from the TRUE reality of what we as consumers have experienced. Had we truly owed the money, I'm not so certain their tactics would have encouraged cooperation. I know they did foster resentment and frustation. My family experienced problems as a result of their calls. I had to explain everytime a friendly call was coming in why I had to accept or deny their call if it was hidden. I am uncertain how many important calls I missed because of Privacy Manager, and possibly callers not wanting to feel like they have to ask me permission to call me. This service is also costing me money. No matter how I see it ...A group of related companies (Cingular, SBC, PACBELL)are getting more money out of my family as a result of their actions.

Need Help/Advice on NCO Financial

4/22/2004 San Diego CA

I recently got a copy of my credit report which shows a collection account as "NCO Financial" for $1500 from august of 2002. First of all I don't know who or what this debt is and have never received a phone call or letter from NCO Financial. I suspect this debt must be an old medical bill that i had from 1998. Because that is the only thing i can think ok that i did not pay, and it was for around that amount. But i don't know how to verify this because i dont have any way to contact them or a complete account number. any advice as to what i should do. i have been reading all the negative things about this company and am reluctant to contact them but i want to get this off my credit report if possible. i have a young family and want to buy a house in the near future. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

threat of legal action

4/21/2004 Dayton OH

I've been dealing with NCO for the past six months, paying off a closed credit card debt. I've been paying off any and all debts (about $3700 total, including the NCO stuff) for almost seven months but the other debts were still with the original companies and NCO only handles one collections-type debt.

When my dealings with NCO originated they informed me right off the bat that they were going to sue me for the entire $2,000 unless I made a payment arrangement that day. I was told that I could pay in full or I could "settle" the debt for $1700, but that I shouldn't choose the settlement because I would never, ever be able to get another line of credit.

I replied that I couldn't accept either of those arrangements because I couldn't possibly come up with that kind of money all at once. The call ended with me being told that I would next hear from their legal department. So, the following day I get a another call from NCO, only this time they are willing to put me on a payment plan. Great. I had to haggle with the woman to get a payment plan I could handle, but when the call ended, I had agreed to pay $100 a month until I could fully settle the debt.

Yes, I was a complete dolt and authorized "checks by phone." I am knocking on wood because that hasn't come back to haunt me... yet.

So, since November I have paid NCO $100 a month, which they make me authorize by phone on the first of the month and then they take out on the 26th. All was going well, I paid off all my other debts (which were much smaller), kept current on all of my new bills and life was good. So good, in fact, that I was just about in the position to take NCO up on their settlement offer. Oddly enough, even though I had paid them $500, my full debt was still $2000 and my settlement offer was still $1700. I'm told that my monthly payments have been applied to the accumulating interest only. Whatever...

I contacted an NCO representative and informed her that I was just about ready to take the settlement (within two weeks) and that I would like to have the settlement offering in writing before any cash changed hands. She seemed like such a nice woman and was a true pleasure to deal with.

The settlement letter came today. And so did an unexpected monetary need. The need is going to put me off another 2 weeks on the settlement issue. I was just about to call NCO when they called me. Tom told me that he was now in charge of my account and that he needed my payment in full, today, check by phone. I explained that I couldn't do that. I explained that I would be able to in three weeks and that I would make my regular $100 monthly payment for April. He got rude and aggressive with me. He demanded to know what else I was using my money for..blah, blah, blah. He demanded a post dated check for the entire debt amount to be put through for the 26th of this month. I explained that I would not do that because I could not be sure that all $1700 would be in the account then because the unexpected does happen from time to time. Tom then told me that my former payment plan was unacceptable, that the woman I had dealt with was not really allowed to let me make such low payments for such an extended period of time and that is why I was now his case.

And within 30 seconds I began to cry like a baby. Tom informed me that he had no choice,
he was going to recommend that NCO take the "next step". The "next step" is legal, a judgement against me and the garnishment of my wages. I told him I didn't understand why he was calling me since I was taking care of the debt. He replied "You've got to be kidding!" and that he had just "signed off" on a letter about all of this stuff today and that he knew I didn't want to have to deal with legal fees but I should contact an attorney. In fact, I should have my attorney call him tomorrow so that he can explain to the attorney about the garnishment of wages and process.

I said, "Okay, I guess I'll do that..." And then he said good-bye and ended the call.

Why would NCO toss me over to a legal department when I have been paying them in good faith and have informed them that I an about a month away from paying them the settlement agreement?

Can they really do this to me?

Is there anything I can do?

Violation of Privacy!

4/16/2004 CA

Last night I received a shocking call from my father (whom I haven't spoken to in 5 years and haven't lived with in 10 years). I am 27 years old. He informed me that he had received a call from a Daryl @ NCO who had provided him with a tremendous amount of information pertaining to a debt they were trying to collect. He gave my father the following information over the phone:

My SSN, my DOB, my last 3 known addresses, the amount of the debt, my employer name and address, and a bogus settlement amount.

After first recovering from the shock of hearing from my father I collected myself and realized what a flagrant violation of my rights had just occurred, not to mention my privacy!

I am absolutely astounded by the stupidity of this moron and hope someone can give me information on where to begin to file a complaint to remedy this.

I can only say that this guy is fortunate that he was ACTUALLY speaking to my father and not someone pretending to be him... UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I live in California and the NCO office is in Getzville, New York.

NCO harrasment

3/24/2004 WI

This is for debtorbasher and moody.Sorry for being rude on last post,I was just ticked off at NCO.Here is my full story-I had to go on disability in aug.02 and I owed $350.00 to cap1.Disability ins. which I had through cap1 was suppose to make a $200.00 payment on this card(should have dropped to $150.00 owed)This was not paid until june 03,which meant I was being charged interest and overlimit fees on the full amount,instead of the lower amount.I sent crrr letters to both the ins.co. and cap1 with no reply.Now I am getting letters and phone calls from NCO.They state I owe $950.00 and I feel that I might owe around $400.00 if they would have made the payment in aug02 when they were suppose to.What should I do now?Send verif. and c&d letter,try and deal with OC or just ignore them? I have no assets and only ssdi for income.

UNfair Debt Collection Practice

3/18/2004 PA

Per provisions of the Fair Debt Collection Act, I sent NCO a certified, signed recipt, letter 3 weeks ago advising them NOT to communicate any longer with me over an alledged debt. I received the signed recipt 10 days ago. I continue to get calls from NCO. Today, "Jeff"--they all have such great American sounding first names--called me about my "debt". When I told him about my letter telling them NOT to contact me anymore he informed me that my letter had gone to a "non-payment center, had been opened by a computer, and SIGNED FOR by the computer" and therefore, his office was not required to remove my name from the call list. I am just keeping a log of the NCO calls and if I do sue them I am sure Jeff's comment may get a chuckle from the hardworking members of the jury.

I Need Resolution Advice

3/18/2004 AZ

I just received a call from an NCO rep today who threatened to garnish my husband's wages and / or file judgement against me. I literally do not have the money he was asking me to pay, but asked him if we could work out any type of payment arrangement. He harshly said "no", and told me "I hope you get what you deserve". I was trying to be more than cooperative with him, as I would like to settle my debt, but am not able to do so on his payment terms. I am not just a deadbeat - I had a good job for a few months and then was laid off, and then had some medical issues during my second pregnancy. My husband was laid off during the same time frame, and we were scrimping by to make a living for the two of us and our infant son. Anyway, enough of the sob story. What would you suggest I do to remedy this situation, since you are giving free advice? Thanks in advance.

Need contact information

3/11/2004 Las Vegas NV

NCO Financial is calling me at work and leaving a non-working number! I found one other number for them and they said they have no record. I need to contact them and send a cease and desist letter, but have no idea where to contact them. They said they will continue to contact me at work!

Thank you for any help anyone can give me.

The way I deat with NCO

2/6/2004 Buffalo NY

I have a collections agent named Tom on a unsubstaintiated credit card bill I settled 2 years prior. I got multiple harassing phone calls from him. Sometimes he hung up on me after giving me a verbal aruegment. So, I started to get cute. I found out what office he worked in. Then I did my own investigation and found some information on him. On his Birthday I sent flowers to his office, and a card to his home. I was quite funny. On Christmas I sent him a family holiday postcard. Now every time he calls to yell at him I try catching up with him till he hangs up.

I make myself laugh sometimes.

Unprofessional conduct

1/15/2004 Sacramento

1/15/04 12:30 pm

I received an e-mail from the a division receptt that a Mr. Platts (1-800-933-6736 ext 1314) had called regarding a business situation.

I returned the call and found out that it was from NCO. I spoke with Mr. Platts and requested a mailing address so that I may formally request that NCO not contact me at work since we are prohibited from taking personal calls. Mr. Platts told me to “quit sounding like a lawyer” because “I know you’re not.” I told him that harassment is against California state law and he demanded that he speak with my lawyer. I, then refused and he stated that “I knew you were lying about having a lawyer.” I told Mr. Platts that I never stated that I had a lawyer, just that I am fully aware of my rights. I again requested that NCO not contact my employer. I again requested a physical address to send a letter requesting that they do not contact place of employer.

Mr. Platts was very irate and refused to give me the address. He then went on to state that he could verbally accept the request and did not need a written notice. Mr. Platts then went on to be very abusive and to tell me that he’s dealt with people like me for 6 years who are trying to hide from their debts. He then went on to threaten wage garnishment and that I would be "sorry." Mr. Platts said that he’s willing to take a partial payment to settle the debt. I requested that he stop a moment and give me the address. He refused. He went on talking about the debt. I again tried to stop him to let him know that I will listen to the particulars since I did not know what debt he was talking about. He started yelling and accused me of “skating” from my debt and “don’t you remember charging to a credit card or are you trying to lie about that too?” I then told Mr. Platts that I had requested to speak with a supervisor six times at this time, and Mr. Platts wanted to know what I needed a supervisor for since the supervisor would say the same things to me. I again requested to speak with a supervisor. Mr. Platts hung up on me.

I called back and asked the receptionist to speak with a supervisor. I spoke with William Royce (1-800-933-6736 x 1300 at 12:35p.m.) I tried to tell him what had happened and he did not want to speak to the situation. William Royce stated that “I was not a party to the conversation.” He then went on to state that a balance on a credit card account was outstanding. He then asked me how I wanted to handle the account. I responded that I was unable to discuss personal issues at work. He stated that he would be in the office until 6pm tonight.

I then found out Mr. Platts had been calling my home phone continuously throughout the last few days (as many as 4 times a day). My husband had hung up on him earlier in the day because Mr. Platts has been screaming at my husband.

Now that I've had a "taste" of this agency, I've contacted a bankruptcy attorney because I will never pay this agency a dime. I wish creditors knew how much money they are really losing by employing these types of companies!

End Of Year Rush For numbers

12/31/2003 New Babylon NY

First off, happy new year to everyone.
Just wanted to note, and get feedback: The "Chatter" is up at NCO; The call activity to alleged debtors has frantically sky rocketed. Everyone stand strong; keep those Cease and Desist letters ready to mail/fax, keep a copy of the FDCPA in an easily accessable place, and try to keep your cool as NCO scrambles to make their year-end numbers. If you haven't already, get over to Creditwrench.com to start receiving the free email course - the very first email you get (Out of seven or eight that he sends in small easy to handle chunks of info)is SO helpful.

Also see:
Lawdog.com
Ihatedebt.com

Happy holidays to all

Horrible Jerk

Attn Wallbreaker - Question

12/12/2003 Baltimore MD

Wallbreaker - can you provide me with the Baltimore MD office's fax number.


Thanks
Horrible Jerk

Harassing phone calls

12/9/2003 camp springs MD

I have been repeatedly harrassed by NCO Financial systems. I get several computerized messages daily from someone allegedly named John Barclay, but when I call the number this person is never available. I even informed them the person they ask to speak with does not live at this number. When I gave them my number to delete it from their files, they claim it's not in their database. I reported them to the FTC and they said they will follow up on the matter. Since NCO has an 800 number (800-709-8625), I can't block their number. If this company has a heavy fine levied against them, I have a feeling the calls would stop.

nosey people

12/8/2003

i have workd at nco for about a year and if people just keep their mouth shut when it has nothing to do with them then they would get a nicer person on the other line, but people dont know what its like to do this job and every body has something to say.... come here and work one day and see how hard this job really is so if we get the wrong num its not our faulty we only go on what info is handed to us, and im sorry but if i was getting phone calls for 5 years for the wrong person i think i would have enough sense to change my num instead of making something as small as a phone call look like we hurt people so everybody who has something to say about nco and their practises can pick up a book instead of trying to look like a hero

Pre-Litigation? (What is that?)

11/23/2003 Aurora CO

What do they mean by saying they are a "pre-litigation" office? And further, what do they mean when they say they are not set up as a "collection" agency? Why would they tell you that when anyone can see their website and see that they are a collection agency? My thinking is that this is just intimitdation. Has anyone else run across this? Is this not misrepresentation? When I first heard this, (my first phone call by the way) I wondered if this is not illegal. Are they not saying that they are some sort of legal person? Any clues as to what I should do about this? Also, can they advise you about bankruptcy? I received advise about this. They told me that I could not put my claim into bandruptcy because they had "already filed againest me in court"? Is this correct? Does anyone know? Helpful responses requested.

Looking for mis-dealings with Torrance, Ca. Agency

11/15/2003 Manteca CA

I would like to see if anyone has had any mis-dealings with NCO in Torrence California and with the following people?
1-800-707-6502.
Marisio Aviva: supervisor:
Latonya Q: Acting manager 1-310-257-5932 (ext: 5932)
Not quite sure if they are technically in Torrance or Philadelphia, Pa. when I call.


We have been dealing with NCO for the past 2 years and still have no resolution. A medical bill that was paid in 2000 by our Ins. Co. and even though we are sending them proof by the cancelled checks from the Ins. Co they won't clear this!! We were finally told we have rights and can make formal complaints to the office of the Attorney General (California: 1-800-952-5225 or do it online at http://caag.state.ca.us/contact/index.htm.) We just made our formal complaint and we will see what happens. The better business bureau can't help as well as the Dept. of Consumer affairs. The attorney General is technically the credit burea's boss so lets rise up together and begin to flood their offices with these complaints. It's so easy to complain but not do anything about it. I was going to let it go too but I am a tax paying citizen and deserve to be treated better than the scum on the bottom of their shoes!! Send me any thoughts or if you have dealt with the torrance Ca agency and the above individuals.
Thanks.

Help me, I'm confused and a little worried

10/10/2003 Des Moines IA

I recently got into some trouble with credit card debt, so I sought help from a company that could help me settle my debts for a portion of the balance using their program. one of the stipulations of the program is that I'm not supposed to engage in conversation with any creditors or collectors, but to just offer the settlement companies number and they will negotiate through them. I received a notice from NCO for one of my accounts back in August which was about the same time as when I contacted the settlement company for help. The company then sent "cease communication" letters to the creditors which requested that the companies communicate directly with them and that I not be contacted by phone. Despite this request, I've received harassing phone messages from an NCO employee claiming that they are from an attorney's office? The caller left multiple messages claiming that if the call wasn't returned within a certain period of time that they would proceed with legal action. I've never heard of anything like that and the big problem was that the message was left on a machine that isn't even my phone number anymore and that's kind of a personal thing. I wasn't sure if they could really take legal action, so I called my settlement company right after the message was relayed to me and they said it wasn't a valid claim and that they couldn't pursue legal action. That company then contact the caller to request for them to cease communication again, but I have received at least 3 more messages that I know of to the wrong phone number. I'm trying to get this account settled very soon using the procedures that the settlement company suggested, but I just want to call them and tell them that if they are going to bother me that they should at least call the right number. My settlement company has ensured me that legal action won't be taken and they've agreed to contact him again, but i'm still a little worried because I don't want that to happen and I don't want my personal problems to be made public by them calling the wrong people. Has anyone ever heard of legal action being taken so quickly?

communication

7/21/2003 Cincinnati OH

My mother has been having increments as large as $600 a month being withdrawn from her bank account to pay NCO. On the statement it says that I gave NCO permission to take this money out. I have never even heard of this company, let alone given them permission to take out such huge sums of money. They will NOT call me back, nor respond to my emails! I have had enough!

Rude employees

5/1/2003 AZ

Last night - April 30, 2003 - I received a phone call at 9:00 pm from NCO Financial. The person on the other end asked if my name was ---- and I said yes. He then proceeded to tell me that he was calling about my First USA Account. He told me that he was from a collection agency and wanted to find out when they could expect a payment. I do have an account that used to be First USA but is now Bank One, but the account is in my husbands name since he is an employee of Bank One. I asked what he was talking about and he kept insisting that MY First USA account had been written off due to non payment. I tried telling him that he had the wrong person and he kept insisting that he did not, that it was my account. When I asked for the account number he then proceeded to ask me for MY account number. I told him there was no way I was going to give it to him. When he finally gave me the number he was calling him about I informed him that was not my account number and he INSISTED "YES IT IS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO PAY THE BILL." He tried telling me that my credit line was a certain amount and that I was way past that and the account had been written off. I told him I know what my credit line is and the amount due on it and he was not correct. (By the way, I just made a $5,000.00 payment on the account) Of course he insisted that he was correct, when was I going to pay up. He then asked for my Social Security number which I refused to give to him. I then asked for his supervisor and was given to Cheryl Watts. She insisted of course that I was a dead beat and when was I going to pay the bill. I tried telling her the all of the same things that I had told him. She then read off a Social Security number and I told her that it was not mine. She finally said "ok". I told her that I wanted an apology for all of this and she informed me "well, you aren't going to get one". Beleive me, I will complain to anyone and everyone that I posibbly can find. I guess they never figured that there MIGHT be more than one person in this world with the same name as mine.

Harassment

4/10/2003

NCO called my house at 8:00 Am this morning 4/10/03 and my FIVE YEAR OLD daughter answered the phone thinking it was me calling home for our daily good morning chat.
My roommate thought the same until she heard my daughter state "That's my Mommy": "She's probably at work", and "No, I don't know that number". At this point my outraged roommate took the phone away from my daughter to find out who was calling. The person would only give the response that this was a personal financial matter and that I was to call the given number immediately. My outraged roommate continued to demand information from this company angered that this person would interrogate a five year old child!
She hung up, called me and gave me the number, and I of course called the number right away. The person who answered the phone had to have been the same one who had called my house and badgered my child, because as I gave my phone number she could barely get my name out of her mouth without stammering. She then proceeded to tell me that they were trying to collect on a debt, which is NOT a debt, but an oversight in which a particular company forgot to issue a credit to my account thus making it delinquent. At this time, I demanded to know the name of the person who had called my house, and the response was " I dunno" to which I requested that she look at the notes and give me the name. I was given the name of "Mrs. Patterson". I asked for Mrs. Patterson's supervisor and was told that his name is "Mr. Bernal", when I asked for his number, I was given the number that I had just dialed. By this time, I am so frustrated that I am laughing, and I asked to be transferred to this man. A female then picks up the phone identifying herself as Mrs. Sampson, and that she is a supervisor and Mr. Rinald is not in today so I can work with her. I then attempt to explain what happened to my daughter this morning, and was continually interrupted as she read her little script to me and then said "how are you going to clear this up today?!" At this point I am furious, I have received no apology, I have explained my situation and requested their address so that I can file a dispute, but this lady just wants my money today. Ok, we all have a job to do, but she goes on to inform me that a "female" answered my phone, and when I stated that it was a five year old child, I was told that they have no way of identifying this. COME ON! Then I explain that when my daughter's first response was "that's my Mommy" that should have been the clue and they should have left her alone. My daughter now thinks that someone is after her Mom and extremely distraught! This person then told me that it was their job to find out if I have a husband or an alternate phone number. What business is it of theirs if I am married or not?! And you do NOT I repeat DO NOT interrogate a CHILD! By the end of the call, we were in a screaming match! After HOURS of trying to calm down, and reading literally THOUSANDS of similar complaints on this company, I called back for Mr. Bernal and/or Mario Castinator (truly the name I was given) and at this time was told that Bernal had gone home for the day (remember earlier he simply was not in today) and that I they were looking my BLOCKED, PRIVATE phone number up on caller ID and that I had already spoken to her supervisor today and I didn't need to talk to anyone else.
I am more disgusted than I have ever been in my life and I can assure you that I will post to EVERY SINGLE board I can, file as many grievances and complaints as I can, call the Better Business Bureau as well as the company who contracted NCO out to tell them to do a little research and see how truly despicable this hoax of a company is! Just do a search in your search engine to see how this company take unauthorized payments, false accusations, and harassing calls to people THIS HAS TO BE STOPPED!