4:30 pm

2/13/2009 Minn MN

Called on phone bill from 1995 that I had no remembrance of. After I wouldn't agree to pay without proof of debt call given to somebody with firm voice trying to intimidate, but a no go for me, without proof said I have to wait for month for document. I will wait patiently.

Student loan nightmare with NCO

10/17/2007 Horsham PA

I am filing my formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the way NCO has handled my accounts. I'm not sure where to begin but will share that this is one, if not the worst, financial company I've ever had to do business with. The worst part is that I didn't choose this company, they were allowed to purchase my student loans from Educap Loans and now I have a financial nightmare to fix!! Please go to http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/06/factaidt.shtm and file your complaint or www.ftc.gov.

Your complaints and mine will hopefully put them back on track!

10/22/07 - For those of who made assumptions and for those who requested more information... these accounts have been paid on time for 10 years and all payments were automatically sent to Wells Fargo Loan Servicing. In 2006, Educap (the owner of the loans) sold them to NCO Financial. Why??? Because ONE of the three co-signers on the accounts filed for chapter 13 bankruptcy protection. Now, the question is... because one of the three filed Chapter 13, should the action of one person effect the credit of all three? Especially when the payments continued to be made on-time? In addition, NCO added a "other fee" to the account and then blamed Educap!! After calling Educap to find out why, it was stated that this was not caused by Educap and to get a statement from NCO that the fee was charged by Educap, IN WRITING. Needless to say, NCO has not put this in writing yet, continues to charge the "Other fee."

As mentioned, the FTC needs to know about this, so please... if you find yourself in a similar situation and YOU PAY YOUR BILLS ON-TIME, like me, then please file a compliant with the FTC!! Thanks, Brae

Informative / Caution

9/16/2007

The person that said Lighten up,, these people are just trying to make a living is correct,, we made the debt, got in this fix,, now tolerate it..However, any company, whatever they do for a living, should do better that this.

We contracted with NCO to handle 2 accounts,,$150 a month on each,, Over a year later, one of the accounts was in the hands of an Attorney, not NCO,, and thru much calling and talking, I got a payment history from NCO, and there was the obvious reason for transferring to an Attorney for collection...NCO had taken all the money for the two accounts, put it all on one acct, letting the other go to hell.. and even the payments they did post, were mostly all of them posted within one months time, not over the year as I was paying them..

So now, someone in my family is losing a job in the US Military, because we did not pay our one debt, as promised..Do they need new Supervision and a house cleaning also??

As I write this, I am thinking of suing them for all kinds of turmoil that one mis handling of an account has caused..

Collections Agents Errors

7/26/2007

NCO was actually ok by me. They are a little unprofessional in the sense that I was placed on hold and then when they pick up all I heard was laughter and then some said hello instead of NCO Financial. And then they said "Was I just talking to you?" in a thick New York accent. I was actually kinda funny. It actually made my day to hear collectors cutting up instead of being stern, forceful and pushy. Its all good.

Dishonesty & Incompetence--NCO Does Not Pay What It Owes

7/3/2007 San Francisco CA

NCO deducted three times the amount that I authorized them to take, and then blamed an identity thief, so as to avoid paying me what they owe. I am a victim of identity theft--the social security # for the bill I paid through NCO is not mine. Accuracy is not their concern--cash, anybody's cash is their bottom line.

I waded through oceans of phone recordings, faxed copies of my bank's records that NCO has made UNAUTHORIZED debits from my account. Still, they denied it.

Maybe everyone just just lighten up!

6/12/2007 new york NY

I read reviews everyday about people unhappy about collection companys, because they do this and they do that..... they call me everyday.... they add fees....this and that....

Personally I had a large debt with a creditor and the representative at nco that I was dealing with was helpful gave me accurate information as to what I needed to do to get myself out of the bind I was in... She put me on a payment plan that was feasible for me and my creditor and with in four months through an automatic withdraw....my debt was cleared and I was reinstated with my credit!! with helped me repair the credit I had damaged!

To be honest these people are just trying to make a living just like every single one of you, and they would have to call if you yourself didn't incur the debt....so who's the bad guy?

I cant even imagine how stressful that job must be talking to deadbeats all day!

Deceptive Settlement Agreement Practices by NCO

6/6/2007 Columbus OH

NCO contacted me about my student loan. I agreed to their settlement offer because I wanted to be done with the mess. Then the rep said that the settlement could not be approved and upped it another couple hundred dollars. Also she said I had to pay it in full on that day to get the settlement. I could not pay it in full that day. They said I had to make a payment that very day and also demanded more that very day that I could pay them. I could not pay that high an amount so they took a lesser amount. I made the initial payment, and then I was to settle with three more payments in three months. The first two months I paid roughly $2000 each time. My final payment, according to their own letter, for for $500. But the letter that they sent me a few days before my final payment, now stated $550.

When I called the company, the rep I finally spoke to spoke to fast, did not listen to me, and was rude. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told a supervisor did not come in until 11. I said I would all back then to speak to a supervisor and ended the conversation. Just a few minutes later the same rep called me back and I said I was not discussing it anymore, that I would call back and speak to a supervisor. When I called back, I was never connected to s supervisor. When I called back again and requested the fax number, figuring, I'll fax in my statement and offer, I was put on hold for a ridiculous period of time. Just to get a fax number.

This is my second dealing with NCO, and each time they have come back and increased their original settlement offer, saying I was no longer qualified for the lower amount and the supervisor would not approve it. I would suggest to counteroffer what they offer with a lower amount, because they are going to raise their offer, even if you accept their offer. They say, "OK I will get this approved" and then come back and tell you the settlement was not approved, and now you have to pay a lot more. They lure you in with a lower settlement offer and then raise their demands. This seems to be deceptive.

They are crooks.

5/14/2007 Houston TX

Last Saturday 5/12/07 - I received a bill that was for my father for $6500.00 (after all fees were assessed) that he supposedly made in 2005. The only problem is my father died 7 years ago this May. The original amount was a credit card I am assuming because they won't send me anything information on the account or who originally sent it either. The original bill was for approximately $2,200.00. The bill my father received from NCO was $6500.00. Penalties and all. First, this was the first time any bill was ever sent or we heard of, and (especially since he was dead at the time of the original bill, which I tried explaining that to the very arrigant women, and tell her he did not owe this as he was dead at th time this was made. Besides calling me a liar, which ws pretty much insensitive, The lady (who by the way, talk about a dead beat she was) wouldn't even listen to me. She first tried to hang up on me and I told her she had better not that i needed to get this settled. My husband said it doesn't make anu diffeence he is dead and they wil lnevr get any of the money they billed for but I believe that this wrong and it is the principal of the matter. I was defending my father's good name, since he did pay his bills on time and was a model citizen and no Mr. NCO financial person that was complaining about cry babies. You are 100% wrong. There are times when people have problems beyond their control and cannot help what happens, however, in this case it was abolutely wrong as my father never made the debt in the first place and your dead beat company that you are so proud of wouldn't evn listen. It was obviously an idently scam/theft which was made after he died and I understand happens all the time. It doesn't seem tyo matter that they are going after the wrong person for the money. And what is really so funny about this is NCO financial was scammed too. NCO purchased the original debt so they are out whatever they paid for it as I spoken to my attorney and he said by law they cannot harrass me or send anything to him, especially since it obviously is not his debt. Of course upon telling NCO of this they refused and wanted my power of attorney for my Dad. Hey, NCO I am not as stupid as you are if you think I am giving you my POA. I have contacted my attorney and he will be contacting you. People these are the true scumbags as they obviously cannot get a halfway decent job themselves or they would not be working for this terrible place. We all need to contact our attorney general's office to stop this scam for good. I won't let my father be scammed even in death. Shortribs in Texas.

Bad debt collection

5/7/2007

Sent us a bill from a DR we had been to but was not our bill. When I called they said it could not not possibly be a mistake I needed to go ahead and pay it. I asked for a detailed report and the name on the bill or the address was not even ours. NCO put it on credit report before we even got the bill and could verify it. Now they can't seem to get it removed 4 months later!!! We are trying to buy a house and our credit score is 130 points lower than it was. The lender says it will cost us 1% higher on a 30 year loan!!! If our house sells before we get this straight we may have to go to an apartment because of NCO or pay in excess of 70000.00 on a loan.

Anybody know a good lawyer?

Poor Quality of Service

4/25/2007 Philadelphia PA

I can't believe that in the year 2007, businesses are able to get away with the type of work ethic or lack there of as displayed on the telephone by this company. I been cut-off, transferred and disconnected. I’ve spoken to over five (5) people, none of which could or were willing to help me. I could not even tell them what I wanted before being transferred. I asked for a supervisor but all I received was voice mail twice. When the representative first picks up the telephone it is communicated that the call is being recorded. I don’t believe that’s true for one moment. If it were, I believe there would additional training on how to better service the customer. Apparently after reading other comments about this company I’m not the only one who has had a terrible experience with them.

Mixed review

3/30/2007 Plymouth IN

I actually have mixed reviews about this company. I have had numerous medical bills go to NCO. I have been a victim of the countless calls, etc. However, I can't say that I blame them for wanting to collect their money! We just weren't in a position at that time to pay them. At one point I set up a payment plan with them and had to have a payment be late becuase of a vehicle breakdown. I just called the regular representative and he agreed to note that the payment would be mailed the following week. My main complaint is that if they take you to court, they do it right before Christmas!!! Not that we had a lot of money for nice Christmas presents or anything, but that 50.00/month demand toward the account was pretty salty and pretty much left us with nothing for our kids.

I actually came across this site when looking for their number as I was in a car accident in October and the other person's insurance has not paid my medical bills (as per the settlement agreement-- I think I'm going to see if they're listed on here next and post a nice litle review about them) and those medical bills were turned over to collections. I was hoping to contact them before they contacted me and pay it off and hopefully they would agree to remove it from the credit report based on the circumstances. But anyway, my experiences with NCO have simply been embarassing, more than anything, but I think that I may be more cooperative than some because I understand the importance of paying debts, but there were just times in my life where it was not possible. Instead of getting angry that they were calling me because I "gasp" owed them money, I really tried to put myself in their shoes.

Anyway, again, I have mixed reviews. They do call too much and sue at the wrong time of the year, but I've found that when I'm cooperative with them, then they are cooperative with me, at least on the debt collecting end of it. I don't know how it would be to have to dispute a debt with them though, because, well, I've never had the opportunity.

I'm an Employee of NCO and I'm leaving

2/25/2007 Norfolk VA

First of all, to all of the customers who have had a horrible experience with NCO, I just want to apologize. NCO sucks to no end and I can say that because I work for them. They are constantly screwing over their workers and Debbie the "big wig" of one of the sites is constantly messing up!!! I do understand your frustration because they call me too. The only thing I can say in their defense is that its not us actually picking up a phone and dialing the numbers, its the people who are in control of our automatic dialer. They sit back there and do nothing actually. So to sum this all up, NCO SUCKS!! and they don't have to worry about me working there anymore.

Ineptitude of company

2/17/2007 RI

This company tapes its conversations for accuracy however when you make an arrangement with them ON TAPE and they make an error the tape seems to have vanished. Specific dates are NOT adhered to which causes problems in bank accounts and then they SAY they will fix the errors but neglect to do so. This causes further errors in banking, you must be very careful in dealing with them because one hand does not seem to know or care what the other hand is doing. In the end, the consumer ends up paying more and more and more, and nobody at the company will assist you once an error has been made. An example, I made an arrangent with them, i specifically several times gave dates, exact precise dates, they failed to adhere to the dates and my bank account was mangled with fees as a result. They will not fix the problem although they CLAIM they are going to. Funny how fast they take their money but when its yours, they take their sweet time and have a ton of excuses. And faxing info doesn't help because they never "GET IT" even though it says transfer successful at your end.

CONSUMERS BEWARE this is a bad company.

Collection attempt - giving information to other parties!

6/7/2006 Elgin IL

I received an e-mail from my husband at work today informing me that NCO had called my father-in-law - who lives over 2 hours away - in regards to an outstanding balance that I apparently have with them. NCO gave them the dollar amount and personal information that should not have been given to anyone other than me!

This was a collection call that had also already been paid!

Thank you Michael Barrist

5/16/2006

About a year ago I opened a position in NCO Group Inc (NCOG) partly due to all the complaints on this site and partly just for fun. I figured an aggressive collections company who cheesed everybody off combined with the new bankruptcy law and the current political environment was a good pick. The stock has been pretty much a dog for the last year and my little joke wasn’t all that funny anymore. Almost sold earlier this year but I kept the faith and that faith was rewarded.

Today Michael Barrist the CEO announced he is attempting to take the company private with an offer of 27.50 a share. This is a tidy 30% profit. Yippee Skippee.

A tip of the hat to NCO, all the hard working NCO employees,Michael Barrist and all the posters at my3cents dot com. Cyber Drinks are on me.

Terrible

4/3/2006 Atlanta GA

I was never so inbsulted in my life. I had an outstanding medical bill from 1999, I was a 19 year old student at the time and moved around alot since then. I was tring to get a loan from my bank and was informed of the debt. I delt with several of the companys receptionists includingaq Ms williamson, Mrs clark and a Ms Watson and after them I stopped writting names untill I was transferred to Keera, who was the only one who could inform me I was talking to the wrong branch. I was then given another number to the Atlanta branch. I paid the debt to a woman named Kay. She told me the fax would go out the following day......Aweek later I'm fed up and frustrated, I finally talk to a Robert who says it'll go out at the end of the day. It doesen't...So I ask for a manager and I was given to Bud, He was extermly rude and explained that how dare I demand a fax when it took me 5 years to pay a bill. I was floored by the way he treated me. He hung up on me and I asked for him again and he then explained that he was not in customer service he has no leagal contract to fax me any proof that I paid the debt. I am at fault for not paying the bill but I think nobody should ever have to deal with such a lack of total disregaurd. Although Bud did give me a good tip before we hung up, he told me life will go on. What a JERK!!!!!I'll never fall behind a bill ever again just so I won't have to deal with that. Lesson Learned. Claire

Complaint- Long paid Phone Bill

3/24/2006 Louisville KY

Since Feb 05, I have been trying to get RMA (Risk
Management Alternative, Inc. which was bought out by NCO--to remove a bill paid on 10/22/02 to Bell South--off our credit. I have the cancelled check.
Since Aug 05, I found out it is in my son's name too. No matter how many times I faxed over the inf.--it still remains showing unpaid. This has been a most stressful problem trying to work with people that seem to what to co-operate but then do
nothing. Any ideas?

NCO got me

8/29/2005 houston TX

I had a debt owed to sprint pcs of $595. I never paid it and it went to a debt collection agency called Risk Management Alternatives. It went on my credit in 2002. Now in 2005, NCO financial contacted me and said they bought the debt from Risk Management Alternatives. They said if I paid 70%, that they would remove the debt from my credit report. I chose to do this and paid NCO financial $415. Then i found out 2 weeks later that they put the remaing 30% onto my credit report in the amount of $179 and didn't remove the original $595 from Risk Management Alternatives as they said they would. Now I have two collections from two seperate agencies for the same bad debt in which I paid now showing unpaid for each one. My credit score went down 100 points!!!!

NCO FINANCIAL - SCAM ARTISTS!

8/4/2005 LOS ANGELES CA

Can anyone recommend a good debt harrasment lawyer in Southern California??? This NCO Fiancial has created a bogus account for me with Chase Providian, of which I NEVER HAD AN ACCOUNT WITH!!! They are trying to collect $4,000. interest on an alleged $3,000. balance that is 17 YEARS OLD!!! This is totally bogus and I know of at least four other people in my neighborhood who have receive such letters. I want to SUE THE PANTS OFF OF THEM!!! Please post any info on any of you out there have on these collection terrorists! Let's band together and put these goons out of business. As for myself, I just happened to have all of my credit reports copies covering the "alledged" years in question and NCO has definately pulling a SCAM!!!

NCO Group - revenge payback

8/3/2005 CA

Got into my credit report illegaly. Easy payback..

Call from a pay phone, home phone - any phone you can walk away from during normal business hours

Call the 800 number (currently "800-220-2274") - see contact info here

Choose to speak witha rep - NOT collections as they answer immediately with Wal-Mart rejects.
You'll be put on hold forever if you ask to speak to a human.

Call in the norning - go on hold, and walk away from the phone. Doesn't cost you a dime - it's their 800#. Not recommended of course if you have kids/wife, etc at home.

How funny that these people hate their lives. What fun it is to mess with these lowlifes!

Dealing with Collection Agencies

6/3/2005

Depending on the laws of your state one way to deal with a collection agency which you feel is harrassing you is to sue them in small claims court. To do this get the address of the branch you are dealing with. If you get a judgment-you can collect by determining who they are colelcting for-ie if they are collecting for "Ajax Bank"-garnish it.

These agencies are great at threatening and harrassing. They don't like to sue because they lose part of the fee to attorneys. They also hate being sued.

nco isnt that bad

5/10/2005 CA

nco isnt that bad u know what everything is so strick in there that we really cant be rude to everyone cause all of our calls are bein recorded i work for progressive insurance and im pretty nice to debtors and they r just plain rude to me cause they dont know wht they owe i explaine but the curse at me so of course i get mad and be rude they desrve it

Who does NCO think they are?

3/11/2005 Saint Charles County MO

March 11, 2005 -- Saint Charles County, Missouri -- So it's a cruddy Friday out there and I'm sitting at my computer, doing what I do at my computer, and the phone rings. I let the machine get it. It's "Mr. Shapiro" and he's "not calling to sell anything" but he has "important information" for me that he has to "act on immediately." What the heck, I'm feeling feisty today. 1-888-475-6741 is the number he left; it's the number I called. What fun ensued! Not only was the non-native-English-speaking-gentleman on the other end of the phone rude and condescending, he seemed to be absolutely shocked to hear that I wasn't going to discuss repayment of my defaulted student loan. I explained that I was currently unepmloyed and receiving government assistance, and this twit had the audacity to ask why I wasn't going to pay off the loan. I explained (when I could get a word in over him) that repaying student loans was WAY down on my list of priorities. Behind food, electric, water, phone, gasoline, auto insurance, those kind of things. But the twit is persistant. "This is a bill just like any other. You have to pay this bill also," he said. He asked how I paid my rent for over a year without a job and I told him, flat out, "I live in the house my parents used to live in." WHich is true. It's paid for and I get to live here now. They have moved on to bigger and better things. But I digress. Then the questioning moved on to my mysterious ability to pay my other bills. I explained it very simply. I'm a drain on society. The Feds pay my bills. Then Mr. Supervisor jumped on the line. What a peach! Mr Supervisor asked me why I couldn't ask my parents for the money, seeing as I was living in their house? Or better yet, why didn't I just go out and get a job? It was at this point I got fed up. The man wasn't even bothering to breathe between questions. I couldn't get a word in edgewise, so I told him that he knew nothing about me or my circumstances, and that he should just "Have a nice day." Then I hung up. I fully expect to go through something like this on Monday the 14th. I plan to call back. I'll probably call back on the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th too. Who knows, maybe I can find a new friend this way. I guess the gist of my complaint is this: NCO Financial Systems, Inc. (part of the larger NCO Group http://www.ncogroup.com ) claims -- and I'm Quoting from their own freaking web site here: "Our representatives have the specific training and experience to successfully service education receivables. They are familiar with the requirements of Title IV student loan programs, including FFELP and Perkins loans. They are trained to perform with sensitivity to the circumstances of student borrowers while observing the best interest of our collection partner. We have designed, implemented, and successfully provided collection programs according to the unique requirements of our clients and in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations." [ http://www.ncogroup.com/industries/education_guaranty.aspx ] -They are trained to perform with sensitivity to the circumstances of student borrowers while observing the BEST INTEREST OF OUR COLLECTION PARTNER.- It gets better, they BRAG about how they hound people. Read on: NCO's "collection service imparts a sense of urgency upon seriously delinquent customers," and results in "reducing net write-offs and the cost of collecting after charge-off." And how do they manage to do this? I'm glad you asked. You know what? Just read the whole [ http://www.ncogroup.com/services/finance_third_party.aspx ] page. In fact, browse around NCO's entire site and see what scum they are. "Whether eliminating positions or reallocating staff, selling bad debt portfolios will open opportunities for our clients to refocus on core competencies." Sell them your in-house debt and you don't need those people in accounts receivable anymore. Get rid of 'em! Ship their jobs to India, or Antigua, Barbados, Panama, the Phillipines, or Puerto Rico. You know what? If you get a call from "Mr. Shapiro" and he tells you to call 1-888-475-6741, just let it go. ***** A copy of this was sent to NCO Group, let's see if they have anything to say, shall we? *****

double dipping on auto pay

2/17/2005 VT

my husband and i set up with nco for auto pay for our hospital bill, our funds are limited we were in a ch 13 which most of our money was gone befoerwe ever saw it. unforunately after we filed several things happened and we both ended in the hospital a couple of times. they called and harrassed us unreal and when we told them our financial plight they were rude. finally this year 2004 we had made progress with the bank we were dealing with she suggested we start paying the hospital to help our credit score as were going for a home equity loan. we set it up for a set amount for the first of each month the first 2 monthes were ok then it happened the first time they double dipped my account when i called then i was told "put it toward your bill, there is nothing they can do, or wait 90 days". i went to my bank and filed a dispute form got my money back, i was also told by nco that it would not happen again. on dec 10 2004 our loan officer called them for asettlement payoff which then a check was issued for them. we paid off our ch 13. on dec 13 they took out a payment even though they knew they were getting a check plus they were only supposed to take it out the 1st of the month. i called to make sure they got the check and made sure auto pay was canceled i was assured it was. then on jan 4 2005 they got into my account again and double dipped i called them and again i was told sorry but there is nothing they can do i talked to lisa r a supervisor she said it would take 90 days t oput the money back into my account i went to my bank and they said because they would put the money back they could not do anything either. visa rules on check cards. i called lisa back and told her i want my money back now instead i was told it will be 90 days to me that is stealing. advice do not do autpay with them do not give them any access to your accounts the are not honest it is feb 17 and iam still waiting ps lisa said they never double dip i informed her real quick it was not the first time for me. creditors nco is a dishonest system they are rude and they are thieves. if any of you got any ideas on how to get my money back instead of waiting another 45 days i am all ears.

please help

2/16/2005

i recieved a phone call from "ron brown" who was from nco. he wanted to collect on a debt from cross country bank. i know about this debt but am unable to pay now beacuse of monetary restraints on my part. i explained this to him. i also explained i had never gotten any paperwork from his compny about this matter. i asked him to send me this information and he refused. i then asked to speak to a supervisor and he also refused that. i then told him how the fdca states i am required to get written proof of this debt. he ten gets very defensive with me and starts talking about "fraud on my behalf" and "taking legal action against me." i have contacted the bbb about this matter and the ftc. what else can i do to stop them from harrassing me? yesterday they called me twice. i just want them to stop.

Did NCO steal my money???!!!!

2/12/2005 GA


Let me explain my problem w/ NCO and please let me know if this is a common practice for them. And also if I need to get some legal help.
On Feb. 2004, I received a letter from this company saying they were handling the past due accounts for Cingular Wireless. I had a bill of $600 something,, the letter stated if I paid them $323.00 they would settle. I called the number on the letter and the person I spoke with (believe it to be their PA office) he stated that I had to take this offer immediately or it would not be offered again. I set up a payment to be take directly out of my checking account. The date it was to be taken out was Feb 20, 2004.
The amount was taken out and I thought all was settled. Guess that is what I get for assuming.
I ran my credit report on Nov. 2004. Ok,, here is where I'm not too observant... but I was looking over it yesterday (Feb 11, 2005) and I noticed that NCO for Cingular Wireless had me listed as not paid on my account. Well, on my credit report there was a Number for the PA office and I had the account number from Cingular wireless and the Account number from that collection agency. I also have my bank statement, showing that the amount was taken out 2/20/04. What I have not located at this time is the original letter sent by that company in regards to the "settlement payment" (I have moved since receiving it, and it may be in storage, I am in the process of looking now). Well, I called and spoke to a man named Dwight I believe. And his voice was very familiar to me. I honestly believe it was the same person. I remember our conversation back in 2004 b/c of some work related talk we were doing (at the time I worked in a call center and we were commenting on that type of work). When I told him that I noticed that NCO had not marked me as paid he asked for my account number. I gave him both numbers and told him that it was a Cingular Wireless account. He couldn't pull up anything w/ the account numbers so then he asked for my social security number, he didn't pull anything up w/ that(OK, NOW THAT HE HAS MY SS WHAT WILL HE DO WITH IT? I NEVER REALIZED THEY WERE BAD AT THIS POINT!!!) He then stated that NCO no longer handles cingular wireless account. But then he did state that he would try to do a report and it should appear in 30 days on my credit report as paid. But I couldn't understand how since he didn't have my name or anything.
After that I called Cingular wireless,, and they should me as NOT paying ANYTHING!!!!!!
The operator there gave me a number to a NCO office in Alabama. I spoke to a woman there and told her the situation and she directed me to another number,,, by the time I called that number they were closed for the weekend.
Now,,,, guess I have to wait until Monday.
All I know is someone took out my $323.00 directly from my bank and I will go to my bank and they can trace that.
After that I guess I need to find my original letter about the settlement. My GF says that maybe an employee pocketed my money, but I don't know where the money went as of now.

With the problems that you have heard of or encountered,, have any been of this nature w/ NCO?

Disputing Settlement Offer

1/27/2005 Horsham PA

I previously reviewed my credit report to find a derogatory posting from NCO. I contacted the agency to find out the details surrounding this claim and was told that this was an unpaid debt on my checking acct during a bank transition between Summit/Fleet/Bank of America which dates back to 1996. I explained to the agent that I've been banking with this organization since 1996 and always had bi-weekly direct deposits established between the bank and my employer. If my account goes into a negative status, my direct deposits would automatically over-ride any such actions but the agent refused to hear my claim and stated that the balance was still due. I asked the agent if she could provide me with any proof or details of this claim and she couldn't but explained that this account was handed over by Bank of America as an unpaid balance without any explanation. I asked her why haven't I been notified in over 6 years and she told me that "A" letter was sent to an address that I moved from over 6 years ago. I told the agent that my billing agencies were notified of my new address as well as the postal service who forwarded mail to my location and she still could not give me a thorough explanation. I knew I was getting no where with this agent so I ended the call. I immediately contacted Bank of America who explained that they don't have any records regarding this issue and for me to dispute this situation with NCO. I'm sending flaming letters to several organizations to resolve this matter. Wish me luck!

abusive practices by NCO

1/25/2005 philadelphia PA

My son and I have the same name, except he has Jr. on the end of his. His money management is really bad and he has an account that has been sent to NCO Financial Systems.
Last Tuesday, January 18, 2005, a representative from NCO contacted my home about this account. My daughter took the call and gave them my cell phone number by mistake. They contacted me, first by immediately insinuating that I owed the bill and they wanted a full payment immediately. After finally telling them they had the wrong person, and giving them part of my social security number, this should have ended our conversation.. Instead, they suggested that my wife and I pay the entire bill and have our son pay us back. I responded no, that I was not responsible for his bills. They tried to get me to send them a check and even went so far as to offer to put this on my credit card. The representative them tried to get me to write down where to mail the check and what account number to put on the check. As I was driving a truck in heavy traffic, I explained that that was impossible at the time.
Last Wednesday night, January 19, 2005, after my wife and I had talked about how to help my son, I called NCO to try to get the information that I couldn't write down the night before. For some strange reason, they would not give me the information, but, stated that if my wife contacted them they would provide her with the info. She contacted NCO at 1-800-485-2202 about how to make payments and where to mail the payments. NCO gave her all the info, without requiring any iota of confirming whom she was. NCO informed her that the entire balance was due and payable by the end of this month. They told her that it was to "not" be in money order form, it must be in check form. My wife told them that our son does not have a checking account. They told my wife that we should write them a check from our checking account and let him pay us back. The conversation ended with my wife and NCO at this point.
I then contacted NCO once again. Immediately.they start on me about how we should pay this for our son, and let him repay us. They said they could do this by either our credit card or our checking account. I told them that this would not happen. I also informed them that when the payments began, they would be in money order form. They objected to this. I explained to them that if they rejected the money orders, then they would be liable for rejecting payments.
The bill that was turned over to NCO was for the amount of $949.23. NCO has attached a 18% collection fee on top of this, which brings the total to $1120.09. As my son has a problem paying the original amount, what makes it even a better situation by attaching such an outrageous collection fee on top of this.

Does any of this sound strange?

Settlement Fraud

1/25/2005

Stay away from these people. They are aggressive and fraudulent. Any payments you give them will simply disappear with making any difference on the balance of your account, and any settlement you make with them will later turn into a payment instead of a settlement.

I should first mention the situation that lead up to my frustrating and long-running skirmishes with NCO. In 1999 I took out a loan for a truck driving school. The financers of this loan were, in themselves, questionable. Over the next couple of years this company would operate under several different names (among them Student Loan Services) and from several locations. Dealing with them was frustrating and we never really got anywhere with paying down the loan.

Thank God (we thought) that Wells Fargo bought the loan from them. We expected to finally get this thing straightened out and out of our hair. We contacted Well Fargo and were told to wait on a statement before beginning to make our payments to Well Fargo. We were told this on several occasions when we called back to ask why we hadn't received a statement. Well, a few months later they called us and told us that we were two payments behind and had to make a payment of $300+ to catch it up. We did this, and then made regular payments for about six months. Then Wells Fargo told us that they had turned the account over to a collection agency over the $300+, in spite of the fact that we caught it up and had made payments for six months. Oddly enough they never offered us any of those payments back.

Anyway, this brought us to NCO Financial Services.

We had long running skirmishes with NCO. Their tactics were aggressive and none of the payments we made toward the balance we supposedly owed made any difference on the balance of what we owed. Out of desperation, and tired of throwing money down a proverbial well, we agreed to a settlement of $2,900. This was agreed to, foolishly, over the phone. And thought we were promised a settlement statement, we never received one. At least we had the foresight of paying by check instead of by credit card.

A few weeks later NCO called and said that we still owed $400 on the account. I told them to send us a statement showing the balances and explaining why after a $2,900 settlement we still owed $400. They never sent the statement and we didn't hear from them for a while. NCO never removed the account from our credit report, but after challenging it with Experian it was marked as settled on my credit report.

A few months ago we heard from NCO again. Now they're saying that although they offered us a settlement, it was rejected by "the bank." They offered us ANOTHER settlement of $2,000+.

This is ongoing, and I simply refuse to deal with them any further. I consider their phone calls to be harassment and have already consulted a lawyer in regard to filing a lawsuit if this now ancient account shows up on my credit report again.

In my opinion, NCO Financial Systems should be shut down. Their tactics are aggressive and harassing, and they have perpetuated fraud on us, and apparently on person after person. I am stunned that they were not shut down by the powers that be years ago.

- Kevin Lovelace

attacking a deployed soldier

1/19/2005

I received a call today from a lady from NCO. She was rudely asking for my husband who is currently deployed to Iraq. When I tolded her he was not expected to return until mid-march she had the balls to tell me that if i talked to him to tell him to call her immediately. I told her

that I WOULD NOT have him call her since he is busy fighting a war and trying to stay alive.

Not to mention this is for a student loan that if they would learn how to read they would see is DEFERRED!!!!!!
This company needs to reassest how it trains its employees so that they know how to properly deal with people. Or better yet, quit hiring from the local correctional facility.

you all will love this one

1/6/2005

I had a check overdrawn in 2000. it was sent by the company to NCO for collections. in 2001 i sent a check to the company the bad check was written to and they never contacted nco. well in 2002 i pulled up my credit report and nco finanical/99 was on ther for $63. I contacted NCO financial and RUDE is not the word.I swear they have caller i.d. cause sometimes they would ansewer the phone and sometimes they wouldnt and when they did they were the rudest people i ever spoke and said yeah when are you going to pay this. i said well actually i already have. so they got my info and said they would contact the company and find out from them. cool done right. NOOOOOOOOOOO. june of 2003 looked up my credit report and was still on there. So this time i called them and they said they had no info i had ever called and of course was rude again. I told them to give me the other companies info so i could call them and have them contact nco..wouldnt give it....so i called the store where i wrote the bad check and they dont use nco anymore so they couldnt help so i ended up having to go get a copy of my moms check that she wrote for me to pay it from the bank and copy of the original check and faxed and sent it to them and they said they would review it and it would take 4 - 6 weeks...well i just looked up my credit report and guess what its still on there as not being paid...im not sure where to go from here i have given them a copy of the check and a copy of the bill how stupid can this people be and i dread dealing with them again. ANY HELP ANYONE ONE CAN GIVE...PLEASE

I tracked NCO Down

12/23/2004 boise ID

I had a bill of $1,500.00 that I thought I had paid off. I was mistaken, in fact I still owed $389.00.I moved to another state, left a forwarding address, but forgot about the remaining $389.00 A few months ago I did a free credit report and found that I had been turned into NCO Financial for the amount of $389.00 They had never contacted me. After a few minutes online I was able to find a phone number for NCO. I called NCO,made a $100.00 payment over the phone. The following month I made a payment online using my Banks bill payer. Then the very next day I received 2 call from NCO wanting another payment. This went on for 2 weeks. They would leave messages even though I first contacted them and was paying. Now today is Dec 23 2004 and for 3 days I have been calling NCO to make another payment and I get a recording. No one is even returning my calls. I feel they are not proffessional at all but they also dont care.After all, isnt it all about money?

giving out info to others

11/25/2004 Horsham PA

When another person calls to pay a bill for someone else you do not give them that persons social security numer out. That is what happened when my boyfriend called to take care of my bill for me. Minutes before that I told Mr. Nick Blunt that I was not comfortable giving my social over the phone. He told me that it was info. he already had infront of him I told him I could give him my account number and he proceeded to yell at me. When I have called him in the past all I had to give him is my phone number. When he started yelling at me I hung up on him, that is when my boyfriend called back to pay the balance on my account that is when Nick gave my social security number on three different occassions in that phone conversations.

NCO Financial Services

11/11/2004

Hi. I got a call today from this company apparently called NCO about a student loan from the early 80's. In the course of several phone calls (I called back to complain about the original one) I was told:

1) I sound about old enough to collect social security and that they'd collect that way if they have to.

2) That 'Uncle Sam' doesn't honor divorce decrees so they stopped collecting from my ex in 1995. (Apparently they did tho because we were separated in 85)

3) Be glad I don't own a house or they'd take it.

4) They are going to find out everything there is about me and make 'a believer' out of me.

5) Expect to be called every day.

6) Sounds like I'm doing everything I can to hide from the government. They'll find me.

The initial caller identified herself as Kris or Chris Brown. She was not rude, but had passed me off to a supervisor when I would not give her my social security number over the phone without her stating the nature and reason for the call, who then transferred me to a person who got very smart mouthed with me, saying the first four things I listed. He then hung up on me. When I called back to complain I believe the second one said his name was Thomas Davis?
I told him what occurred in the first call.

When I said the school I attended had been investigated for misrepresenting itself and what a person was paying for, in addition to not reporting payments and grants that were supposedly applied to the loan, and thst I want to dispute the amt he told me Uncle Sam doesn't do diputes. I should have 'picked a better school.'

The school I attended had promised an Associate Degree. About halfway through it I discovered it was not an accredited school and that it's 'certification' (Not a degree of any sort!) was basically worthless.

Then Mr 'Davis' and some other people in the background started laughing and he made several sarcastic comments. This time I hung up. I feel this entire interaction was totally unprofessional as well as harassing. I did not appreciate the threats and putdowns. Is there a government agency I can complain to?

Harrassment!!!!!!!

8/30/2004 FL

Today, out of the blue, I was called by a lady from NCO Financial telling me I HAD to call her!!
I, like a fool, called back. I did NOT get the lady who called me, but a man. I will not say gentleman, b/c he does NOT deserve the title!
He started to tell me I had some sort of problem with an account with another company. I piped up and told him I had not set foot in one of their stores in over 10 years, and I closed my card over 17 years ago with them. AND I NEVER had a card with this store in my married name.

He said, something, I couldn't hear, and had him repeat it 2 times. Finally, he just said, are the last 4 digits of your soc sec # blah, blah, blah, blah?(Saying numbers) I said, I am NOT telling you my soc sec#!! He SCREAMED AT ME--LADY, YOU TELL ME THE LAST 4 DIGITS OF YOUR SOC SEC #!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I nicely said, Go SCREW YOURSELF!! I hung up. 5 minutes later, the same lady called, it was recorded, it wasn't even her talking, it was the exact same message!! I did NOT call back, and I will NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a common name, I think THEY GOOFED! BUT, that is NO REASON To treat someone like DIRT!! And this was for another company, who is sort of a homey-type company, down to earth. I just wonder if they realize how AWFUL their so called "finanacial services" are treating their customers!!! The BBB WILL be hearing from me in the morning! I am appalled by that man, and ANY COMPANY that would ALLOW such practices!! UNREAL!!

Employee Conduct

8/25/2004 PA

If life gets any worse, I will give up! I have been called and called about my outstanding student loan, now I realize this is to be paid. But, when you have some of the most obnoxious people calling day in and day out it gets to be completely overwhelming. I have issues of my own that if you don't know me you wouldn't understand. But my mental and phsyical health are putting enough strain on me, not to mention the ongoing calls from NCO. 1. I like many others am currently unable to pay my loans, that is at the rate they want. I had told them in many conversations past that I could possibly send anywhere from $5-100, The latter being a BIG Stretch but if I had it I would be more than happy to send it, from there I was told that if I couldn't send the amount they want that I could send anything, therefore, it was noted on my account that I refused to pay.
Now, today I got yet another phone call, this time it was a man. I didn't catch his name, but it didn't matter, I was in an aggitated state to begin with, not from the call, I talk loud, fast, and short, his reply to this was ma'am, why are you talking to me this way, I appologized and said that this how I talk, upon questioning about payments my answers came back in the same tone. He then says that I had better talk to him with the same respect that he was giving me, Yeah Okay. Some respect. He said so what is you excuse that you cannot repay your debt? I am not currently employed, he says then you refuse to pay, no, I said I can't afford the payment you are asking. As of today, my money situations have gone way down hill, so I said, give me your address and I will send you anything I have, but this was yet another arguement. Finally after I got the address, he said he was going to note my account that I was unreasonalbe, rude, refused to respectful and so on...also that the reason the female didn't want to let me make the very small payment was of course my attitude...you don't know me that's just me....and if you don't like your job you should surely find one better suited to you....he cried about being cursed at all day and how bad of a day he was having...well look at the job you have....yes, I was loud, fast, and short but this is everyday. Now I just wish I wasn't here...but then who would take the reasponsibilities I have....I would never wish my life on ANYONE....it's a nightmare as it is...how am I suppose to deal with this. If you would like to know more of why this difficult for me please feel free to contact me. Thanks for Reading this and have a GREAT DAY!!

Acct Paid-"No record with Payee"

8/7/2004 Birmingham AL

In 2002 I paid off an account I had with Capital One through NCO.

This was done by EFT and approved by one of their supervisors. In fact they were so efficient that they did a double withdrawal and I went through. two weeks of hoops to get the rest refunded.

Now I find that this payment was not received or recorded by Capital One, who says I owe them $4000!

I don;t have the records easily available (I"ve moved 2x and changed jobs) but I do know tha date and name of the supervisor.

Next stop for me is an attorney and a lawsuit against both companies unless they respond to my letter, which I doubt will happen.

NCO Group to Pay Largest FCRA Civil Penalty to Date

7/30/2004


For Release: May 13, 2004

NCO Group to Pay Largest FCRA Civil Penalty to Date

One of the nation�s largest debt-collection firms will pay $1.5 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by reporting inaccurate information about consumer accounts to credit bureaus. The civil penalty against Pennsylvania-based NCO Group, Inc. is the largest civil penalty ever obtained in a FCRA case.

According to the FTC�s complaint, defendants NCO Group, Inc.; NCO Financial Systems, Inc.; and NCO Portfolio Management, Inc. violated Section 623(a)(5) of the FCRA, which specifies that any entity that reports information to credit bureaus about a delinquent consumer account that has been placed for collection or written off must report the actual month and year the account first became delinquent. In turn, this date is used by the credit bureaus to measure the maximum seven-year reporting period the FCRA mandates. The provision helps ensure that outdated debts � debts that are beyond this seven-year reporting period � do not appear on a consumer�s credit report. Violations of this provision of the FCRA are subject to civil penalties of $2,500 per violation.

The FTC charges that NCO reported accounts using later-than-actual delinquency dates. Reporting later-than-actual dates may cause negative information to remain in a consumer�s credit file beyond the seven-year reporting period permitted by the FCRA for most information. When this occurs, consumers� credit scores may be lowered, possibly resulting in their rejection for credit or their having to pay a higher interest rate.

The proposed consent decree orders the defendants to pay civil penalties of $1.5 million and permanently bars them from reporting later-than-actual delinquency dates to credit bureaus in the future. Additionally, NCO is required to implement a program to monitor all complaints received to ensure that reporting errors are corrected quickly. The consent agreement also contains standard recordkeeping and other requirements to assist the FTC in monitoring the defendants� compliance.

The Commission vote to authorize staff to refer the complaint and consent decree to the Department of Justice was 5-0. The Department of Justice filed this matter at the FTC�s request in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 12, 2004.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has �reason to believe� that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant has actually violated the law.

NOTE: This stipulated final order is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by the defendant of a law violation. A stipulated final order requires approval by the court and has the force of law when signed by the judge.

Copies of the complaint and consent decree are available from the FTC�s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC�s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1 877-382-4357), or use the complaint form at http://www.ftc.gov. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jen Schwartzman
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2674

STAFF CONTACT:

William Haynes
Division of Financial Practices
202-326-3224

(FTC File No. 992-3012)
(Civil Action No. 04-2041)

Harassment!! Shout out Mr. Harkness

7/29/2004 PA

Can someone please help me? I am out of options and furious at this coniving, evasive, wretched company. Earlier today, I recieved a call from NCO. (but really they said they were a friend of mine to make sure I answered the phone) The lady finally admitted she was from NCO when I got on the phone after repeatedly dodging the question when asked by my fiance. After she came out and told me she was attempting to collect a debt, already annoyed with her, I told her that the debt had been paid (which it had) and hung up the phone. About 5 seconds later the same woman called me and yelled into my ear, "WHY DID YOU HANG UP ON ME???" At that point I started trying to yell over her voice not to call me again, but I'm sure she didn't hear me since she was screaming in my ear so loudly. She finally hung up on me and when I tried to call the company back, I got a machine telling me that business hours were over. I was transfered to a voicemail that said I couldn't leave a message because the box was full. Finally, I found a diferent number and eventually spoke to Mr. Harkness who turned out to be one of the slimiest most evasive creep I have ever spoken to. He kept shrinking away from my questions, changing the subject, and eventually, even insulting me. He offered no help at all and would not tell me of anyone who could help me. Now I am left furious knowing that whoever I talk to tomorrow during business hours will give me the same run around. Don't they have any repercussions for their actions? Or is it ok for a business to call and openly scream in your ear and harass you??? Does anyone no anything I can do to get some answers from this disgrace of a company???

RUDE, RUDE, RUDE

7/16/2004 TN

I received a call today at my mothers house regarding a debt that I owe. I am willing to pay this debt, but, all the corrispondence that I have received concering the problem stopped in April so, I have not submitted any more payments. I want to see that my money is being added to my account. Well, Some very angry and seemed very uneducated and very foul mouthed individual called and practically blessed me out concerning this matter. I simply asked for a new statement sent to my address showing my balance and I would remit payment. Well, She wanted my CC number and or checking account numbers which I refuse to give her over the phone. She said my account was due in 48 hrs and HUNG UP ON ME! I had a job in collections once. It is not the best job, I admit, But come on use some common sense. My question is How can I clear this up with out talking to people that have no clue how to conduct collections? I want to pay my debts I am a responsible person But, I do not want to be treated like a scum bag.

Removing NCO From Credit Report

7/15/2004 Kansas City MO

My daughter just recently acquired a copy of her credit report and NCO Financial Svcs was listed for a delinquent account that she knew nothing about. She called NCO Svcs and received the same type of horribly bad service that most of the complaints on this web site are about -- the employees she talked to were extremely unprofessional; she was hung-up on twice; cussed out and yelled at by a supervisor!!; they would not tell her who the original company claiming the delinquent debt was - no address/phone number, etc.). What little info she did get from them was obviously WRONG!! When she tried to discuss their errors-in-fact, the NCO employee became so verbally abusive that my daughter had to hang up the phone to get away from him. The experience was physically jarring. As a result, I "surfed" the WWW trying to find something out about this company and "stumbled" across this web site. After reading numerous complaints about this company, it is obvious that her only option is to 1) pay it and hope it goes away, 2) ignore it and hope it goes away, or 3) subject herself to their abuse in order to accumulate a mound of evidence against them so that she can file a lawsuit against them (and hope she wins). This is so wrong....how can a legitimate company get away with this kind of conduct, blatant disregard for the law, and blackmailing techniques? Why hasn't someone in the law-enforcement community done something about this company? (It's obvious that many of the reviewers on this web site have contacted the appropriate authorities to no avail.) I just think that it's strange that our government can take down ENRON, Martha Stewart, and kick-out Nixon, but we can't stop a bogus collection company from harassing US citizens into paying for debts that don't exist? I'm no lawyer, but isn't that called FRAUD!! I know there's nothing any of you can do about this, but this is called "My3Cents" -- so there it is. At least I feel a little better. Thanx for listening.

What a bunch of bull...

7/2/2004 NJ

This company is nothing but bullsh-t. THey give you a non stop run around to find out anything.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
Due to the # of complaints against NCO Group, I have found an attorney in NYC that will take on a class action lawsuit against them and their representing attorney here in NJ (John Raymond Lindsay, Esquire in Turnersville NJ)
Want more info? email me at got2see@optonline.net

Unauthorized use

6/16/2004 Atlanta GA

I set up a payment arrangement for $70.06 a month. They told me that at any time I could call if I had a problem. When I did so they told me that everything was taking care of. That same week they went ahead a tried to take the money out of my account any, causing the check to bounce. When I confronted the so called manager the attitude was "oh well, you should have taken care of your bills". The person claiming to be the manager had the worst business manner. He started yelling at me and proceeded to tell me that because of my profession I should have plenty of money so this is not his problem. When I tried to resolve the matter of the bounced check he refused to do anything about it. He tried to muscle me into giving him the money. I tried to be professional about this matter and this man acted like a hood-rat. So now I've pulled out all of my payment arrangements and they'll be lucky if they see another dime out of me. I tried to take care of this matter and he proceeded to be unprofessional.

incorrect balance on account

5/6/2004 philadelphia PA

I had the official starting balance on my account and the initial letter from NCO was $170 more than the stated balance I had received from the original company I owed the money too.

Despite sending them this information 3 times they refuse to correct the balance due.

fraud

5/3/2004 BEACHWOOD OH

I HAVE BEEN IN THE COLLECTION BUSINESS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. AND I AM STUNNED BY THIS COMPANY. I NEVER DISPUTED A BILL I OWED AND KNEW I HADNT PAID FAST ENOUGH BEFORE IT WENT TO COLLECTIONS. ONCE NCO RECEIVED MY ACCOUNT I WAS ADVISED THEY ALSO REPRESENTED A EARLIER BILL FROM A DIFFERENT CLIENT. NOT HAPPY BUT UNDERSTOOD I NEVER HAD TO RECEIVE A CALL FROM THEM I CALLED AS SCHEDULED AND MDE THE APPROPRIATE PAYMENTS AND 98% OF THE TIME I PAID OVER WHAT WAS DUE THAT MONTH. MY JOB IS ENDING AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE GOOD ON WHAT WAS OWED I OFFERED A SETTLEMENT. WE FINALLY NEGOTIATED $XXX AND I WAS ADVISED TODAY WAS MY LUCKY DAY. WE STARTED TO PROCESS PAYMENT WHEN I CAUGHT THE COLLECTOR MAKING MENTION I WOULD ONLY RECEIVE ONE LETTER FOR ONE ACCOUNT. ( 3 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HE WAS OFFERING SETTLMENT AMOUNTS IN THE EXCESS OF BALANCE DUE ON 1 ACCOUNT) I ASKED WHAT CHANGED IN 3 MINUTES AND WAS ADVISED THEY NO LONGER REPRESENTED THE CLIENT'S BILL HE HAD BEEN ADVISING I OWED FOR 4 MONTHS. I ADVISED TO STOP PAYMENT TALKED TO SUPERVISOR HE SAID SAME THING ADVISED WOULD CALL BACK. 2 WEEKS LATER AFTER PLAYING PHONE TAG. HE SAYS I MAGICALLY OWE THE PAYMENT AGAIN...HE WOULDNT SETTLED FOR ORIGIANL SETTLEMENT AMOUNT.....WOULDNT GIVE A GUARANTEE LETTER.....WOULDNT ACCEPT PAYMENT BY PHONE ....AND WOULDNT GIVE PAID LETTER UNLESS I TOOK CERTIFIED FUNDS TO OFFICE....I CALLED ORIGINAL CREDITOR.....THEY ADVISED BALANCE NCO WAS CHARGING WAS MORE THEN OWED!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHO LET'S THESE PEOPLE GET AWAY WITH THIS????

I am currently trying to settle but the will not settle.

4/30/2004 us TX

I currently contacted NCO to pay a debt I owe. They provided a settlement amt. and said I had to pay over the phone today or the settlement was not good. I told them I was not confortable paying over the phone. The rep said. if I didnt pay today the settlement amt was not good. I told him all i wanted to do is pay the debt to get over it. But he insisted I pay today with a check. I told him , i was not going to pay over the phone and he refused to provide me with the address to send a payment. can he do this??? and he would not send me a settlement letter stating what I owe?? I am afraid to pay the settlement and then for them to try to get the rest. I just want to get this over with...

Contacting NCO Financial

4/24/2004 PA

I have never come in contact with such rudeness, disrespect and unprofessionalism as when I tried to contact NCO financial. I was simply trying to get my account information because I had misplaced my letter that had the number for NCO, my account number and my amount due and wanted to make a payment. So I looked it up online..and for anyone who's ever tried that before..there are either a million different numbers or none at all. I found my way to this very site where I saw posted a number for NCO that I could try..it was 1-800-709-8625. When the guy answere I started from the very beginning stating who I was and apologizing in advance if I had reached the wrong number...then I told him my reason for calling...to get the information. My polite disposition was immediately met with heavy breathing, annoyance and attitude. Then he told me I had the wrong number with such an attitude that I gasped. But he didn't stop there...he then went on to ask me where I got this number from since I claimed to have misplaced my bill and when I told him online it was like it sent cannons off in his head or something. He went on about how people always call that number and they get it online and it's always the wrong number. His tone and attitude were so harsh and unprofessional. And think...I was simply trying to get info to PAY them!! Then after all that...he had the nerve to ask me for my social security number and he might see what he could find. Did he really think that after being so incredibly rude and unprofessional that I would really give him my social security number? When I refused he caught even more of an attitude saying "well how do you expect me to help you then?" But what sense did that make? He had already told me I had the wrong number...I thought he couldn't help me? After showing his displeasure at my refusal...he then says "well here, try this number...maybe they can help" and he hangs up. Well, needless to say, after that experience I was almost too afraid to call the other number. But to my surprise, when I did, I was met with a friendly tone. It was another gentleman...who...while I'm sure it still wasn't the correct number to be calling...was much more helpful and prefessional..pleasant even! He looked up my account and gave me all the info I requested then wished me a nice day. Thank God for people like him. That number was 1-800-707-2637. If you have as much touble as I did simply trying to do the RIGHT thing and pay your bill...maybe you can get some help there. I didn't get the name of the first guy I called but I really wish I had. Needless to say I'd make the special effort to find a number to complain to his boss and make sure that anybody that has to call NCO never has to deal with him on the other line again!

NCO loses payments!

4/6/2004 las vegas NV

I am NOT impressed with NCO AT ALL!
At first, let me say by we just came here and had no health insurance at first...I had an emergency.. stomach pains and had to go to the hospital.. at this time we were shopping around for health insurance. Went into the hospital. First, I had already been to a clinic to get tested, so told the hospital that I already had certain tests and paid for them and NOT TO TAKE THE SAME ONES! THEY IGNORED ME and DID IT ANYWAY?! to make MONEY? OR WHAT I DO NOT KNOW! We were just setting up home and could NOT afford the over $5000.00 we were charged FOR ONE DAY of tests and care! CRAZY! so we let it slide.. I was in SHOCK to say the least! Anyhow, so NCO got our account and we in turn agreed to a payment amount. NOw if you were RICH and could pay off over 2,000.00 with a credit card right away-... you were DONE! Yeah, right! who can afford that with already relocation fees? NCO starts the harassing phone calls, problem is, we had sent them ALREADY 3 PAYMENTS THEY LOST!!! I FIND THEM NEGLIGENT-they dont' check with there other office peers to see if PERHAPS they hadn't applied payment! NOW... we send them MONEY ORDERS ONLY and get them to SIGN FOR IT!!!
COMMUNICATION they NEED DESPERATELY BEFORE they harass the customer!!!

Rude and discourteous treatment by a manger

3/29/2004 TX

I have communicated with several of your reps over the past two weeks since receiving a letter on 3-18-04. I talked with one rep, Ashley, who promised she would return a call on 3-22, after visiting with her supervisor. No call was made. I called again on 3-26 and was transferred to an answering machine of an individual who, I was informed later, is a supervisor. I gave my name and number as the message directed and requested a call. No such luck! On 3-29 I called again and a rep gave me another (toll free) number to call. I called that and was connected with a gentleman who was very abrupt and abrassive. I was told to, "read the letter NCO sent and send a letter." When I inquired as to his position with NCO he replied, "Management and I make a lot of money. Read your letter and send a letter. We are a public held company and I don't have time to listen to your complaint." When I objected to his treatment he said, "Read the letter and write a letter. I am hanging up on you." And, he did. When I called back and asked for the company's main office address and President's name, I was placed on hold and about 3 minutes later was cut off with a recording.

Hospital Bill of $184

3/5/2004 PA

I had a hospital bill from 3 years ago for $184 that was turned over to NCO Financial Services. Since I'm buying a house, I had to clear up this debt. I never received a letter or phone call from NCO before, but I knew it was bought from Paragon Emergency Services for the hospital. I called NCO and spoke wtih Vicki Jones, and she spoke so fast I could barely understand her. She told me that if I paid my debt with my Visa Checkcard, it would take 30 days to have a payoff letter faxed to me. She told me that if I paid through Western Union, she could fax my payoff letter that day. I went to westernunion.com and tried to send the payment that way, and couldn't get through. I called NCO after numerous attempts at the Western Union website. I couldn't even finish asking what the code city and state were, before the jerks that answered the phone would transfer me to Vicki Jones' voicemail. After calling repeatedly for over two hours, I finally spoke with Vicki Jones, who verified the code city and state and told me to call her back when I was done. So, I went to my local Western Union and paid the $12.95 fee for Quick Collect. I called Vicki Jones, and told her it went through and she took my fax number so that she could fax it to me. This was Monday at 1pm. I called her again at 3pm, and was sent to her voicemail. I left a message,telling her I needed the fax sent immediately. I called repeatedly on Tuesday. I left numerous messages and spoke with many RUDE people. Wednesday morning, I called and actually got through to Vicki Jones, who said she was headed to the fax machine now. I never got anything. I called repeatedly all day, and never got through to her again. I even explained the situation to numerous people who answered the phone and offered to help, and all they did was transfer me to Vicki Jones' voicemail. I've found that after 3:30, it takes over 1 minute of ringing for anyone to pick up the phone, and they immediately put you on hold. I think that they intend on leaving you on hold until you hang up. It must be too close to the end of their day to deal with their clients. I am very, very upset with this company, and am looking into contacting the BBB. This is a very unfriendly reminder to be sure I pay all my bills on time. Thank goodness, my mortgage company is willing to use the Western Union receipt as a receipt for paying NCO or else I'd be insane right now. It's been over 2 weeks since this happened and I still haven't seen a letter. I will be checking my credit report soon to make sure it shows as being paid.

Rude Employees

2/24/2004

These guys are some of the nastiest people I have ever dealt with. They called me, claiming I owed money for an old cell phone account which I denied. The guy then tells me to give him a checking acct routing and account number to a 'check by phone". From reading the posts here, that seems to be their favorite method. I refused to give him the information, stating that if the debt is truly mine, I would mail a money order and proof was presented. This was unacceptable to him and he said "You had time to pay this before. You don't have that option anymore". I said I wouldn't give him my acct info and he continued to refuse my request for thier company's information. This is just one reason why I can't stand SOME creditors. Others in the past have been VERY courteous and helpful.

Rudeness of ALL EMPLOYEES

2/25/2004

The employees and supervisors of this company do not know the meaning of courtesy or politeness. They are ignorant, rude, bitter people that work there only to make their way living, just like the people they call.

NCO Financial

2/17/2004 Houston TX

I have to agree that NCO is very unprofessional. I got a call that was for my husband, after telling her that he was not there and that there was no other number to reach him, I hung up. She called back numerous times insulting me. I tried calling back and all I got was a busy signal. They are so stupid, do they actually think that I would feel threatend by some lady on the phone? They must not get paid enough to give good customer service, imagine how the supervisors are or how they find such people....undergraduates I suppose.

Help Wanted at NCO: Must be extremely rude and dumb!

1/29/2004 Pittsburgh PA

My predicament began when I moved from one location to another and changed phone companies. My final bill was never forwarded to me (and I never called and requested it)...I know, that was mistake number one. Well anyway, mistake number two was thinking that NCO, the collection agency that Z-Tel Communications turned my bill over to would be helpful. They called me and offered me a settlement of 50% of the bill or $90. I stated that I did not have the extra money at that time, but got paid at the end of the week and would call them back...they would not give me a phone number...they said this deal would expire today...Whatever then! I hung up! When I got paid I called about 10 different numbers trying to find the one that had my account. Finally, I talked to someone who barely spoke english...(please note, I am not prejudice - I love that America is a melting pot, but why do they all have to answer phones?) the woman told me that they did not make settlements and she has no notation that someone offered me one in the past...she wanted payment in full ($180.00). After about 45 minutes of arguing, I had her talked down to $112.00 (It was like buying a car). I paid it on the spot with a debit card which cleared my account within two days. Now comes the trouble...my payoff letter. I was right in the middle of buying a house and I needed the payoff letter for that purpose. To make a long story short, I have talked to a different ignorant (meaning stupid)person everyday for the past two weeks that promised me my letter would arrive the next day. I have heard every excuse from our fax machine is broke...we are not allowed to fax...that person doesn't work here anymore...that person didn't keep their promise, but they are on morning shift, that's why. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????????????????????????????? NCO has probably taken about 3 years off of my life and I still don't have a payoff letter :(

Collection Settlement?!?!

1/13/2004 San Antonio TX

I received a phone call at about 7:00pm on December 12, 2003 from an employee (thug) at NCO. He told me that I owed $280 to a bank for overdraft fees and insisted that I had to make the payment right then and there. I told him that I didn't have the money, but would pay one hundred dollars every other week until the debt was paid off. He declined. After about 10 to 15 minutes of his unpolite demands, I hung up. He called back and kept on insisting that i make a payment. I hung up again. He called back again, and in a more friendly tone, he agreed to my payment arrangement, and knocked the $80 off the debt. Now that I paid off the $200, I am still receiving bills for the $80 that had been deducted from my total. When I try to reach anyone at the number posted on the bill, I just get an answering machine, and never any returned calls. This place should be shut down and every employee who threatens people should be lined up against a wall and beat down.

i'm keeping my money

1/7/2004

ok. so i owe a bunch of money. i'm 21yrs old. i'm still learning how to manage my money. however, my dealings w/ nco have made me want to keep my money and keep on living in debt rather than give them the satisfaction of taking just one cent. this guy named 'cedric' keeps calling me. first, about 1 month ago, i told him i was unemployed and didn't have any money at the time. he counters w/ 'well, i spoke to your father earlier when u weren't home, and we both agree you need to have this taken care of'!!! the nerve! my dad said all he did was say i wasn't home! he calls our answering machine and says, 'hello? hello? are you there?...-big sigh-...elizabeth? hello?' who does that? (and no, i'm not home) so today he calls, and i say i'm not home (to avoid another fatherly lecture), but i'll take a message. he pauses, i say i'm ready. his response, 'do you always answer the phone w/ a pen and paper handy?' i ask him if he wants me to take the message or not, and he hangs up on me! so i call back and ask to speak to a supervisor. the supervisor (john, i think) proceeds to chew me out for lying about who i was on the phone and says that they were willing to work something out, but since i'm being so unreasonable he is going to have the company i owe sue me. i repeatedly say that i can pay in two wks, once i get my 1st paycheck. he won't listen, says i've had long enough, and if i don't want to get harassing phone calls i can just have my wages garnished. hangs up on me. luckily, i just called back (i can't have my wages garnished, and i do intend to pay)and an 'angela' was very helpful and agreed to let me pay in 2 wks. i am so disappointed w/ their customer service. i used to work in telecommunications sitting in a cubical, too, taking crap from people on the phone all day, too. and when someone wanted to speak to a supervisor, s/he would calm the person down and try and reason w/ them, not piss them off more. it's like they think they're god or something!

Collection Practices

12/16/2003

In November I was contacted by NCO saying I owed $5000 to a credit card. They needed a payment over the phone to settle bill. I told them I wouldn't have the money until the end of the month. They took my bank information for the end of the month. Two hours later they called back saying that they needed an actual check. They sent out a FedEx guy to pick up the check, same day. This was on the 20th. I told them that I wouldn't have the money until the end of the month. You have my word, we won't run it until you tell us the money is there. They ran it 3 times before the end of the month. I didn't know this and called on the 28th to tell them the money was not there. They have ran the check at least 3 more times since then at $25/check overdraft. The bank closed the account due to so many insufficient funds. Now, they can't run the check so they are threatening to file a federal arrest for a bad check across state lines. Are they blowing smoke or what? I intend to pay, I am having a hard time collecting the money. Are their limitations on how long a debt is obtainable? They mentioned something about it being close to the end of the limitations at one point.

trying to information about my garnishment

12/3/2003 CO

after not accepting my offer of $100.00 A MONTH and a yelling match, and verbil abuse about how i should pay my bills and a few bad words on both sides i hung up.
garnishment papers showed up at work and had to start paying. 4 months later getting close to tax time , i needed some information about my account. called nco person ans. phone YES. THATS IT NOT THIS IS NCO MY NAME IS BILL MAY I HELP YOU, JUST YES?. i tell him i need some info. about what to do at tax time , when will my account be paid off and what is my balance. what i got was WHATS YOUR SS# thats all on hold,
back on the line IS THIS MY NAME yes it is back on hold, transfered to voice mail of some lady i could not understand her message or name.
i called back and told the YES man who i was and i want to talk to a person and was hung up on.
this is no way to run a company, wheather you are paying them or not.

Well trained rep policies? Read

11/13/2003 Anywhere NV

NCO/Wyse Financial and all their related companies clearly use intimidation and disruption of your life as their main weapon. Fight back, "get mad AND even". Send them a "cease and desist" letter and get them out of your life as soon as possible. (a pre-typed "cease and desist" letter available here http://www.ihatedebt.com/Cease_and_Desist_Letter_for_Debt_Collectors.html ), just fill in the blanks. If they fail to listen, file complaints with the FTC. Document all their abuses. Don't let "these guys" cause you anymore sleepless nights if you can help it. Fight back anyway you can. Hopefully NCO will wind up in the bankrupcty pile after enough consumers file complaints and lawsuits.

Read in their own words from their own web site the strategy their "well trained" reps will use on you. (What a joke)

"First it is important to understand why our collection agency can collect money that continued in-house efforts could not. It's called third party intervention, and it consists of 3 elements:
1.) Intensified demand. Debtors believe collection agencies have resources beyond those available to other companies.
2.) Negative image of collection agencies. Collection agencies are perceived as relentless and utterly serious about collecting money. Having that image gives us a tremendous amount of leverage to work with. Using the sales approach we develop a relationship with the customer listening to them yet re-emphasizing to not only pay our client but to pay our client first.
3.) Implied effect on credit standing. Third party involvement implies credit rating may suffer. WYSE Financial reports to Trans Union, Equifax and Experian"

Mistaken ID, wonder why you?

11/13/2003 Anywhere NV

Don't be fooled. NCO and Wyse Financial are one and the same, NCO owns a bunch like them, your debt will transfer from office to office with only the name of company changing. It is likely it will be ALL NCO owned companies.

Mistaken ID? Simple, read how they found you in their own words from their own web site.

"TECHNIQUE - Our collectors are trained to impact debtors with the urgency theory of collections. Balance in full is always the priority demand. Payment arrangements are only negotiated with cooperative debtors who have on history of broken promises or NSF checks. Our collectors are trained to ask a battery of questions, which will aid in any future need to skip trace or locate assets.
SKIP TRACE - Any debtor who cannot be contacted by telephone is processed through skip tracing. The following resources will be used on all skip accounts: Directory assistance, multiples (people with the same last name), references, "nearbys", credit reports and Acollaid Information Services. We also have the most advanced telephone system that provides us with ANI information"

Nasty Employees

11/12/2003 Englewood CO

I spoke with "Julie" today, a representive of NCO Financial Services. I called trying to resolve a debt for a student loan. After discussing this for several minutes JUlie then started yelling and screaming about how I know that my loan was in deferment and how I need to stop lying and take resposibility for my actions and referring to me as "You People". When asked what that was about she just laughed and said "you people are always trying to get over" I percieved this as a racial slur and let her know. Then she hung up on me. After calling back asking to speak to someone else, she informed me that she was the only person I could talk too. She then threatened me with the we will be garnishing your wages speech. I let her know that she could not do that without a court order and without me knowing. She told me she had the power to do what she wanted. She continued yelling and screaming and then she hung up a second time. People like this should not be allowed to work anywhere representing a company. After her episodes she fully expected me to give her my checking account number for automatic drafting. HA!!!Ha!!! What I could give her is a well deserved slap across the face!!!!!!!! Please do not let people like this represent your company!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

Just a couple of questions, really

10/12/2003

Okay, number one. On a couple of occasions, I've had collector's call and ask for Yvonne, or Yolanda. My name is Yvonna. If they can't get my name right, I don't correct them. I just say that no one by that name lives here. One collector even got defensive and asked how long I had had my phone number, then called me a liar. That just screams NCO. I am dealing with four collections agencies in total. The other three call once every two weeks, and I've paid them a little bit, in appreciation of their consideration. Politeness does wonders for debt collection.
Number two, and probably the most irritating. I pick up the phone, say hello, wait two seconds, say hello again, wait two more seconds, and FINALLY someone comes on the line. Then immediately puts me on hold. But I swear I cannot understand a gosh darn word they say. All I hear is "blah blah blah blah" then music. Um, if my debt was so important, why isn't there a live person on the phone immediately? And worse yet, they keep me on hold for 5 or more minutes? Why am I holding for someone when I don't even know why? Or for who? (And I know these people are NCO, all doubt removed when they speak) I have dealt with one polite person with NCO, but when it comes to repaying my debt, I am going directly to CrapOne.

P.S. I stated to one collector that I never received a debt validation letter from NCO, and they stated they work for CapitalOne, that they are employed by them. Is that correct?

CANDICE GET A LIFE>>NCO WATCH OUT!! HERE WE COME!!

10/9/2003

I thought I was alone...but lo and behold!! NCO is the most horrible company I have ever come across. To think that they can treat human beings that breathe the same air as they do, I might remind them, as inferior, really makes me laugh out loud. Money is in control here, not them! Isn't it great how WE, the inferior, can cause THEM so much anger? To the point of name calling and threatening? The almighty M (money, for those NCO employees who do not understand wit and joking). WE are the ones in control here, let them know this. It's already on your credit, why make it easy for them? I am taking action, and you all should too. NCO is functioning in an illegal way, and they WILL pay for it.

Do they intentionally break the law???

10/7/2003 Riverside CA

I got a call yesterday morning at 6:55 in the morning. From NCO. I couldn't believe it. Then, they called me again at 11:30am the same day. I was on the phone with that woman for about half an hour, kept telling her over and over and over that I was getting help, but I didn't know how much until that afternoon, and could she call back. But she wouldn't hear of it, just kept saying that I could postdate a check, (and after reading everyone's complaints, that is NEVER going to happen),and I said no. So, I got another call this morning, at 11:55am. Everytime NCO calls, I note it down, with the name of the person I talk to, and the time. I asked for the gentleman's name again, he asked "What is this in reference to?", and I replied "Well, everytime I get a call from your company, I write it down on my calendar and keep track of it." To which he replied, "What is your intentions to this account?", and so I asked for his name again, and this sequence repeated for 2 more rounds until I finally said, "If you aren't going to give me your name, I'm just gonna hang up now", he said "Thank you" and hung up on me. Now, according to the FDCPA, calling more than 3 times in a single week is a violation. NCO accomplished this in 2 days. I am dealing with 3 other collection agencies, and they have all been pleasant and very nice. Who do you think is gonna get money first? I know that CA's don't care that my family has been laid off, and we are looking for work, but please try to understand that we have to take care of our families first. Rent and food are always going to be the priorities.

When Has Yelling Made Anyone Pay a Bill

10/2/2003

I rec'd a called from Mr. Summers today telling me to call him back at 888-487-1479. I called back and he starts telling me that I owed a debt to Wachiova Bank. I started to tell him that I didn't have acct w/them, and that he was looking for the other person that has the same name as me w/in my company. He started to tell me that I was lying and I need to come clean that he had crimial charges against me.. I asked him what was the SSN# and he told me when i told him mind he laugh and hung up the phone. I called back because I was going to give info on how to get in touch w/her. He told me to stop being rude and started yelling really loud to the point my co-workers heard him. I told him that he need to stop yelling because I wasn't yelling at him. Then he said for me go and get someone a wheelchair. (I guess because I work for a health care provider). If they have people like that calling and yelling at someone for now reason they will never get a debt paid.

I should tell her that he gave me all her info since the Privacy Act is now in force ..

Ghetto Collectors

9/30/2003 PA

Most of these collectors have bad credit! They are a bunch of uneducated unskilled pions just off the welfare rolls! You--yes, you! You can't even pay your own cell phone bill, your electric bill, your gas bill, your cable bill! You couldn't even handle a credit card with a $200 limit! You have tons of bills sitting in collections! Show the people you are calling some respect, because your credit is worse than theirs! You have a padlock on your basement door, so the gas man can not shut off your service! Are you aware they will dig up the street, if they can't gain access to your home?

Manerisms not Collector's falut: NCO sets them up to fail

9/18/2003

I haven't checked this site in a month - but it seems we got some very animated feedback. Code Red, and I must have gotten under "Candice's" skin. Candice; we need to sit down and discuss the difference between 'your', and 'you're'. I hate to see you discredit yourself repeatedly by your use of bad grammar, and improper sentence structure. Also, I think it was mentioned that we all should get jobs and pay our bills, or something like along those lines (a (A job at Macdonald’s?? – I like Popeye’s Chicken more, and I also care a great deal for Burger King)...As countless people have noted, most of these issues came from the NCO collection reps calling us AT our jobs. So your suggestion is moot. That would subsequently indicate that we're all dealing with substandard intelligence levels here on this site as well as when these poor people call us. What that doesn’t mean is that we can abuse them back for being substandard. Stupid people really can’t help being stupid after certain point in their lives. It thusly isn’t fair for us to hold them up to a standard that they are not capable of living up to. I'm quite sure that I make more than any collection-agent at NCO; and further, I was fighting this debt out of principle, not out of necessity. However, I digress: an update on my situation. After all this, I had the pleasure of speaking with a 'supervisor'. He was of little help and tried to bully me into making a payment on the debt or he would refer my file to a lawyer. I told him to refer it to an attorney and then faxed a letter to them ordering them to cease and desist contacting me at work. I also included a note that stated I would be more than happy to pay the original amount due on the credit card that was referred for collections. This was to show, if it did go to court, that I made an effort to resolve the debt. Well, needless to say, I’ve not received a summons by any court. In fact, they sent me another letter informing me that the debt has been written off and I owe nothing. I will say that collections for a third party collection agency is a horrible job to have to do and I’m sorry that the collection reps at NCO feel their abusive methods are the only way to do it. Just try and be aware that it’s you who made decisions earlier in life that led up to your being stuck in a job you hate. Projecting that hate isn’t going to make it any easier for you to accept the fact that your stuck in a dead end job. At least you have a job; many people much more intelligent, and much worthier of employment don’t have jobs because they refuse to settle or less. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s not our fault your own lives suck, and despite the fact that your jealous of us, you shouldn’t come at us in a manner that depicts yourselves as white trash, and ghetto scum. We hate that. You’re nothing to us, just as you claim us to be nothing to you. God bless you anyway you silly crazy people. GO IRISH!

Harrassment, Rude Employees, and the Old Run-Around

8/4/2003 AZ

I have been dealing with NCO Financial over the last few months. It began about the end of May with the phone calls.
I should first state for the record that I understand these bill collectors are only doing their job. Everyone must earn a living, and I am sympathetic to that. However, I do not appreciate being lied to, or harrassed, as I have been as of late.
These individuals who have been calling me sound EXTREMELY uneducated. Their english skills are very sub-standard, and their tone is extremely rude. There have been times where I have been hung up on, and there have also been times where I have hung up myself.
I could almost deal with the constant calls from uneducated people, but what I will not stand for is being lied to.
I have been setting up debt consolidation over the last few weeks, getting all of my papers together and speaking with representatives from the company I have chosen to help me. When I had mentioned NCO Financial, I was told it was no problem, that the agency did work with them.
I got a call from one of the collectors a day after I had made the initial call. I told them I was trying to consolidate my bills and asked if they could search their database and round up whatever outstanding balances I had and mail them to me, so I could include it in the total. I was told that was fine, but I would need to give the man my social security number, my husband's, and my son's. Being the naive 23 year old woman I am, I gave them over without a thought. Now, I discover I should not have done this. When I brought this up to another collector who called me a few days later, I was hung up on.
About a week ago, I recieved a phone call from a man stating I had a credit card bill that needed to be paid IMMEDIATLY, or I would be taken into court, and my husband's paychecks would be garnished. I explained I was trying to consolidate my debt, and was told NCO Financial did not work with debt consolidators, and I had to pay. I told the man I did not have the money either to pay it outright, or to have my hasband's checks garnished. I asked if I could have his name and # so I could call around to see what I could do and call him back. I was told once the phone call was terminated, it would be considered non-payment on my part, and would be sent to the courts.
Long story short, I was basically forced to give the man a check over the phone for money I did not have.
Come to find out, I could have terminated the call and called back without being penalized such as I was told. What is more NCO Finacial DOES work with my consolidation agency, and I was forced to borrow money I did not have to borrow to cover the check, which still has not been cashed.
Trying to contact anyone from the conpany is like pulling teeth. You wither get a phone that rings forever and is not answered, and answering machine that is full, or an uneducated representative that is not only rude, but has the tendency (at least in my experience) to hang up when asked to locate a supervisor. I also find it ironic that the comsumer is unable to access NCO's e-mail address, but is able to send e-mail. Quite sneaky, ideed.
This comany is sneaky. I do not appreciate being harrassed like this. I do not appreicate being lied to. I do not like being forced to hand out my personal information, thinking it is for the betterment of my account.
I feel the worst thing is being made to feel like payment dodger (I have been told things like, "Well, you're the one who ran up this bill."), when most of these bills are hospital bills. I cannot help the need to go to the hospital!!
There need to be better laws to fight injustices like this on regular people like me who are unaware of their rights, and the laws. There needs to be more information readily available and in everyday speak to educate the public so companies like this can stop feeding off of consumers like me.

Get Over It!!!

7/31/2003 AZ

To all People who complain-
Gee-where do I start?! You know-it all starts at the fact that we have jobs to do!!!! Just like everyone who works in this world! So STOP WHINING and GO GET ONE!!!! And when a bill collecter calls you, how about cooperating with them and they won't jump down your throat! Our jobs are not easy-we talk to people,like you, who seems like you don't even care-and you know what? WE DONT EITHER!!!!!!! It's your credit reports, not ours. You act like we lose sleep just because you cant be civil adults and take care of your resposibilities! So when your kids come to you in the future and say, "Mom,Dad, can you co-sign for my brand new car?" You have to say, "No, son/daughter, I can't because I have bad credit!"
Now you as a parent are teaching your kids that its ok to borrow money and never pay it back! LEAD BY EXAMPLE PARENTS!!!! When collectors call you up, tell them whats going on, don't be rude, AND DONT HANG UP!!! Thats just going to piss us off more! We understand people have some hard times out there, (remember,were humans too!) we are willing to work with you! Not all collectors are the same out there! And just remember - if you paid your bill in the first place, you wouldn't be in this hard luck postion and WASTING YOUR TIME venting to a freaking web site! GET OVER IT-GET A JOB-GET A LIFE!!!!!!! from a collector to all DEBTORS out there! Your not consumers anymore-YOUR DEBTORS! Have a nice life :)

Collections in general

7/29/2003 Va Beach VA

I work for NCO, and I agree with some of the other statements, saying that collecting is honest work. It is! We are simply trying to get the money that you justly and rightfully owe. You are the ones that charged up the cards then didn't pay. We are in no way in the wrong. And in reguards to the comments on our salary, we make much more than minimum wage, plus bonuses off of what get from from you morons that can not pay your bills.

Harrassment by Company

6/19/2003 Grayson GA

I have been contacted by this company on three different occaisions at home concerning a credit card debt that is not mine. They have called me because the person owing the debt has the same name. Each time I have confirmed that it is not me and that the social security number they have is not mine. each time I have been treated rudely by their employee.

The last contact was today. Not recognizing the number, I returned the call left on my answering machine. The call was answered by a person who when confirming my telephone number launched into their tirade about me owing a credit card debt. After again confirming it was not me, I told them not to call me again. he said he would note that, but if they did call again, I would have to write a letter. I told him instead of writing a letter, I would contact my lawyer. He then said" No one cares what you do, No One" At which time I told him what he could do with his no one. ( Lost my temper unfortunately)