November 2008    For the last 2 weeks my family in NC have received very stern phone calls from a woman named Ms. Kitchum with CRA. I was left 2 messages and called this evening after work. A lady named Melissa answered, asked my reference and phone number. I gave it to her and she asked is this Sandra or her legal representative. I repeated my name and told her I did in deed have attorney who is aware of this situation. She immediately asked me to hold for Ms Kitchum. Instead of Ms. Kitchum a man named Mr. Adair came on the line. He said, "I need some information" I told him "no, I need some information first.

In 2007 they called and threatened me with jail and judgment from an x-marriage a credit card debt already past the statue  for North Carolina (I did not know that then). They claimed the credit card was over $17,000.! Originally the credit card was $2000. but penalty and interest had accrued. In August 07 I paid $2,880. (borrowed from my mother)to settle the entire $17,000 debt. I was scared to death but before I gave them the money I made them send a letter of settlement!

Well, Mr Adair was going to collect some more on the debt!!!! I told him no way, this debt was paid and settled and my attorney will fax him the pay off letter.  My attorney told me to watch out for these people and he was right.

My credit service emails me of any changes on my report. Today CRA reported the old credit card debt to Experian  my as a "Major Derogatory" . It was already there as they did not report it settled last year as promised so I filed a dispute to all 3 credit agencies last month. Today, they reported it as major derogatory and CRA was the reporting agency.

Mr. Adair suddenly became very cordial and even gave me the address for Experian so I could send them a copy of the settlement letter. Strange it seems these crooks deal specifically with Experian but I will definitely send all 3 credit reporting agencies my proof!

Just wanted to let you know that CRA will come back for seconds but don't let them bully you and for goodness sake - if you pay them anything - get a letter from them first!! Hope this helps!

November 2008    I just had this number call today 877-360-1616 asking for my mother and saying that she gave them my number as a contact number. The woman said her name was Miss Flynn and she was with CRA and when I asked what exactly was their company, she hung up on me.

November 2008    This company contacted my wife's aunt in June and told her that there was a serious legal matter and I should contact them immediately. My wife called them and K. C. Scott started berating her. This was for a debt that I had in 2001. He told her that I was going to be arrested for defrauding a financial institution. She hung up on him and I called back later and talked to someone. I started payment arrangements with them due to them threatening legal action. I called in August to have them cease payments since I was moving and could not afford it. I wanted to continue next month but they told me that if I stopped payments now they would send this to county the next morning. Well they went ahead and took the money out. I filed a FTC complaint, as well as a complaint with my states Attorney General. My states AG contacted the company and they sent a letter stating that I did not state clearly that I wanted the payments stopped. Now that I have read other letters on this website I find that this is pretty much operations as normal

November 2008    877-507-3402 calls come from Christopher Adams

November 2008    November 2008 I have gotten calls for CRA for the last week and a half looking for my sister. I have informed the each time that she does not live with me and the number they are using needs to be removed from her case file and that I would also pass on their information to her. I later called to get information about their business and location and who I was speaking to. Each time I asked they refused to answer any questions I have about them to the point I was hung up on. When I tried to call back, each time They picked up the receiver and hung up again without speaking. I later called them again on my cell. This time I spoke to a gentleman, and I use this very loosely, I gave him the case number and began asking the same questions about them and their location to give to my lawyer. Once this was said I was asked for my phone number and I stated that I gave you the case number and your should know what phone number this is in reference to. It was at this point I was called a B***h and a lair and if I would pay my debt I would not be getting calls from them. I later found several other numbers for them on my caller ID and tired a third time from a different phone number to make contact and find out any information about them. I asked for the name of the person I was speaking to and was avoided the answering and was told he was the general manager, I could not get a straight answer as to the companies name and what they wanted. I explained to him I was upset about the treatment from one of his callers and his statement was "Well a lot of people are upset around here also because of last nights election out come." ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! How does the election of a new President effect how you treat a "CLIENT", what a moron. The only thing that I can think of is that this company is a scam artist and if not they think they are above the law.   1-760-208-1652, 1-706-417-9193, and 1-866-374-6604

October 2008    I received a call from these people earlier this week. Name and number blocked from the caller ID. They left a message to call back in regards to an urgent legal matter. I'm a nurse, so I considered it likely that I may have been named in a suit relative to someone's dissatisfaction with the care they received.

The girl I spoke to REFUSED to identify herself or the name of her company (I researched the phone number to gain that information). She never did say who the original creditor was, or exactly how much the alleged debt was. She was very rude. Disconnected the call abruptly with no clear end to the "conversation".

If you deal with these pimples-on-the-ass-of-society, DO NOT ADMIT LIABILITY...even if you know the debt to be legitimate. Instead, Request, in writing, every bit of information they have relative to the debt, and assert that until you receive that information the debt is in dispute. That way they MUST cease collection efforts, and expend time and energy...and perhaps money of their own to provide this information. This is also a good time to tell them not to contact you at home or at work. In your letter, cite the FDCPA line & verse. I suspect if they deduce that you know what you're talking about, and they have to spend time/money/energy to resume efforts...and they can't legally contact you...they'll just sell the account off to someone else.

In this letter, Carbon Copy the FTC, the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of VA, and you State's Attorney General as well. Let these folks know that you won't be pushed around

October 2008    Couple of new numbers to watch out for...1-317-536-5458  and   1-310-860-6293.

October 2008    CR Associates called me saying I must call or have my legal rep call. Called me from 617-674-2967. Said to call back at 877-334-2942 to Mr. Miller. I checked my credit reports and saw that they'd contacted Experian. I googled them and found this site as well as other negative info about them. I called them back and left a message stating that I saw they'd checked with Experian, and, as they could see, all of my accounts are in good standing, I have no idea why you are contacting me, and to stop it. Well, of course Mr. Miller called me back. He said that I owed debt from 10 years ago and brought up the 1099. I said that I was forewarned that he would try that tactic and that I was reporting them to the FTC for harassment and I hung up.

October 2008    Thank you for this site. I found this before I called them and found the information helpful. A Stephanie Martin called a relative who I hadn't spoken to in over 20 years with this number 877-298-7306 and a file number. After researching this company I called back using my cell with the number blocked and when they wouldn't tell me what it was I hung up. That was my first mistake because they were able to get my cell number and from there they had my home phone (6 calls) and my home address. After a week of calls I finally called them back and repeatedly asked for copies to be faxed. After Stephanie hung up on me I called back, dumb I know but I was pissed. Spoke to a gentleman who wouldn't give his name and started to berate me, call me a lowlife and deadbeat. I kept my cool for about ten seconds which was just long enough to ask him to fax it. He started stating that he didn't need to that I needed to show proof of payment. Unbelievable. He then continued to shout into the phone how sad an individual I was and that I should pay my debts. My blood was on full boil and I started to become belligerent myself. It wasn't until afterwards I realized that what they want. It kept me from gleaning information that might have help. I'm checking my credit reports just waiting for this to hit. Credit protection here I come.

October 2008    These people called my daughter-in-law. She just got the phone and her number was unlisted. They left a message on her answering machine that they were trying to contact me and left a ref.#, phone number 877-298-7036 and the name of Marion Dunham. She called them and asked how they got her phone number and the guy, Mr Gilam, probably a fake name just like everything else he said, stated that his private detective got the information and Mr Adams was a lawyer! BULL!!! And for her to make sure she got the message to me. She did tell him not to call her again.

When I called I told them NOT to call anyone for me and that the debt was time-barred. They threatened me with saying I owed IRS and that they would send me a 1099-C and I had 24 HRS.  My response was I do not owe you nor the IRS anything! I did pull my credit reports and they were listed on one. Consumer Recovery Associates
2697 International Pkwy Virginia Beach, VA 23452

October 2008    I received a call from someone named Mr. Gibson today, it was a restricted # so I said I wasn't there. He told me it was a call from a attorneys office and that I Paul) should call them immediately it was of great importance regarding a civil case. Curiosity got the best of me and I fessed up that it was really me on the phone. He was none to happy at me then..lol I was told that I owe 6,000 and some change and that if I did not give them my checking info or credit card info that they would file with the irs and they would garnish my wages. I'm thinking that the taxes on 6 grand would cost me less than 6 grand, so why would I pay up my debt????? duhhh. It's a debt that is almost 8yrs old and has dropped off my credit report. He got a little irate and said I just don't care, and he's not a collection agency, but then why does he care if I pay or not?? Glad I found this site Add 877-334-2942 to the list of #'s cr & associates uses now. Thanks all, now I'm gonna call them back and have some fun when I'm bored.

September 2008    Left was a voicemail demanding that I call back. He also stated that if I did not call back with payment for a debt he claimed I had with them I would be served with a summons. There was no name left nor a company name identified. He said to call back to the phone number 877-241-4559.
9/22/2008
I placed a call back to the phone number left on my voicemail (877-241-4559) and spoke with Christopher Adams. He reiterated that I had debt with CR & Associates but would not give me a case number. He demanded that I send in payment or tell him my bank account number over the phone. I told Christopher that I would not give him my account number and he asked if my wife (I am not married, never have been) could give it to him. Again, I told him I will not give out any information over the telephone. He hung up.
9/23/2008  I googled the phone number and researched that company. Found out that the telephone number was part of a wide-spanning scam and followed the advise of one the sites to call the company back and try to get a case number or ask them to send me written proof of the supposed debt.

9/24/2008 9:30am  Called into 801-349-2616 and spoke to a woman that would not give a name. I asked her for a case number, which she did give (703912). She proceeded to tell me that she would not send me any paperwork stating that I had debt with them. I told her that if she could send proof, I would be willing to settle the debt, but that was not an option. Before hanging up on me, she told me that I was probably just dead beat with debt.

9/24/2008 9:40  Received a phone call from 801-349-2616 from a Mr. Chapman; he apologize for the hang up from the previous phone call and stated that her name was Silva. There was nothing different from this call. He wanted my account number and was not willing to send me any information to verify the debt. I asked him once again for everything in writing to validate the debt� and he again told me that I was probably just dead beat a proceeded to verbally abuse me with words like you DUMB M.F./SORRY A** Person then threatened to send the I.R.S after me for unclaimed wages Followed with a hang up by Mr. Chapman.  I have never heard of these people until 9/22/08.

Seriously  Phone numbers found online: 757-368-3622, 877-241-4559, 801-241-2616

September 2008    GOOD NEWS! I submitted a story on here a few months ago about how CRA reported me and it landed on my credit report for not paying on a past due bill. It wasn't until I saw this web page and had the knowledge of so many other people having the same (or worse) experiences. Fortunately, I never got one call from them or had one of my family members tell me they got a call from them about me. But just the fact it was on my credit report made me irritated. So I contacted Experian and advised them that this was an error and explained to them about what they're doing to people. In less than a month, the entire company was eliminated on my credit report and it doesn't show up any longer. I just hope I don't get in this situation again with CRA. Good luck to everyone else out there and I'm really sorry to hear of the horrible experiences you've all had to face with this un reputable company. But don't give up hope, because if it can clear up for me, it will eventually happen for you too!

September 2008    Returning home from work yesterday there was a message which sounded terribly urgent. "We need you or your legal representative to call immediately." The number the woman left was 877-241-4559 and said her name was "Angela". Not knowing what it was about I ignored it. Last night I received a call from my daughter who said her mother-in-law had received a call from CR Associates looking for me. My daughter also had a message from them on her answering machine. Frustrated, I called the number this morning. The woman who answered sounded as though I had awakened her as she said a sleepy "Hello". No business greeting, just "hello". Told me I had a Visa card I stopped paying on in 2003 and they wanted $4800 including interest. However, if I paid by credit card today, they would not charge the interest and I would only owe $2680. When I asked her to send me a copy of the statement showing that I did indeed owe on this bill, she refused and said she would send it AFTER we had made arrangements for payment. She told me she knew that I had a rather high credit line and could use a credit card to pay. I told her that I would not just give her my credit card number without knowing that I owed this debt. She got belligerent again when I asked for paperwork. I finally just hung up on her. This debt does NOT show on my credit report and I don't believe I owe this. What a scam!

August 2008  I was called today by a guy who claimed to be a paralegal with a attorney's office in California. He claimed that if I gave him my credit card information he would resolve a debit that I had already settled. He claimed that if I did not pay, the attorney would file a judgment on me. I told him that I needed to contact him in a hour to let him know my decision. I got online and found this site which was helpful. I re-contacted him a hour later and asked him to send me a verification of the account before I pay it. He got upset and said that he will be able to sleep at night and hung up the phone in my face. At first he was very nice but when I started to inquire he became very rude. The number he called me from is 949-873-2855, BE AWARE. I checked my credit report and this company was listed on the account as a collection agency.

August 2008  My first experience with this company was around 2 months ago when my mother called me in tears stating a gentleman by the name of James Johnson called her stating I was being investigated for bank loan fraud. (Mind you I have not taken out any bank loans in over 15 years!) I panic assuming that someone has stolen my identity. I attempt to call this gentleman back and get a recorded message asking me to enter my bank card number or credit card number to find out who is calling me. I called the police and filed a report assuming someone had stolen my social security number and was attempting to commit fraud. I notified all of the credit bureaus and signed up for Lifelock.

Fast forward to today . My father in law and my mother both get phone calls from a Sarah Brevard.  I return the call only to be transferred to a man who demands I pay for a debt from Associates National Bank from Feb 2003. I tell him I have no idea if I ever had an account with these people and can I get a statement. He refuses stating he has send over a dozen and he won't mail another. I let him know the address he states he mailed them to is incorrect and he tells me that's my problem I hadn't updated my address. He says give me a credit card number and I will make this go away. I refuse stating I need a statement and I have that right here in CA to get one. I told him we can refer this to our attorney and then he gets petty stating I don't pay my debts and I am a deadbeat. He says that I can get in trouble with the law for not providing the correct information to their company. I told him then take me to court and then we can see if this is a legit debt. He gets more demanding about paying this now. I hang up on him and call back hoping to get a more civil person. No luck. This woman Sarah refuses to give me the company address NOR take my phone number or correct address. She says they will be sending a summons out for me and then hangs up on me. (How is this possible when they don't even have my correct address? LOL) My husband calls them being the calm voice of reason. Sarah lies to him stating she isn't herself she is her supervisor. My husband calmly asks for their address and says he wants to speak to someone regarding this matter. She refuses to both requests and then hangs up on him! I am now eagerly awaiting their summons so we can go to court and let the legal system know how these people conduct business. First their illegal collection methods and next trying to collect a debt that they won't even provide proof of. I thought extortion was illegal? I feel so sorry for everyone that these people prey on.

August 2008  Here is the jerk who owns and runs this agency, he is a heavy drug user, cheats on his wife and encourages employees to break every law on the books if it means making money.  CURTIS R TAYLOR
8511 FROST WAY   ANNANDALE, VA 22003   Phone: 703-280-1121  Born Sep 1972 

August 2008  Oh ya got a call from them a little while ago. They made it sound like they were a real attorney office with a very important legal matter etc. Chad Miller is the guy I talked to his boss name is Gary Reasons? phone number was 866-418-3360 that was the number given to call back. They wanted my husband on a debt that well for one does not show up on his credit report anymore and to top it off IT WAS PAID OFF LONG AGO!!!!!! they are dealing with a very old credit report and how this thing got this far is beyond me. They refused to talk to me so I called my husband after doing some research and low and behold I find they have a dirty little reputation. They are sooo stupid that they think they can fool me!!! I don't think so, I will not let them get past me!

August 2008  Same story as all of yours...wouldn't tell me the name of the organization until I called back three different times. I talked to "Peter Bronson", some lady, and some other guy who identified himself as Kirby Chapman. I have been getting calls from relatives all over the country with similar messages on answering machines to call Mr. Chapman with a case number. When I finally got a hold of him I messed with him a little bit because I could tell this was some sort of joke and wanted to mess with him, he then just blurted out that he was gay and couldn't take this job anymore and started crying...then hung up.

August 2008  I just checked all 3 of my credit reports and found that on my Experian, there is a negative mark on me from this company in the amount of $963. It says the debt was opened in 3/2008 and the terms are 1 month. I have no idea what this was about and disputed the claim with the credit bureau. And then I find this web site and ALL the other complaints against this company and was amazed and shocked to learn of so many others who have fallen victim with this company. I can say that I have not had any calls from anyone through this company, however, I have received numerous calls from a company called, Vision. I don't know who they are and have never called them back when they've left a voice mail. They've never been mean or harassed me in any way, just asking me to call them. Now I think I'll speak to them and find out if they belong to CRA in any way. What a nightmare for all those who have stated their experiences with this company, I'm so sorry to hear it. I'll submit another letter like this one to let you know what the outcome is on my credit report and what they do. Good luck to everyone else!

July 2008  My entire family received calls from them asking for me, when I called them they said I had a credit card that was opened and no payments were ever made on it. When I said I had no idea what they were talking about they also stated they were working for the Federal government in a fraud investigation. I laughed and the guy said I wouldn't be laughing when I was arrested and in handcuffs. I called the FTC on them this morning.

July 2008  I got a call from this consumer recovery service. the man was rude, but instead he called all my family leaving messages all over about me. I was so mad because its not my whole family business. Where do these people get off. This harassment from this company, really is un called for. Not only they only give there MR or Mrs. so and so. So when you ask them there first name they tell you that your hostile.

July 2008  Wow, all these stories. Over a year ago I married & moved 2000 miles away. Different time zone, 2 hours behind my parents. So, when my phone rang at 6:45 am with my parents number, I thought my dad had once again forgotten about the time difference. I answered to tell him I would call him back and he said no, I HAVE to talk to you. Attorney Chris Adam's office just called with this case number, there was going to be a summons put out on me by Weds. regarding charges I was not aware of and they needed to hear back from me no later than the end of the day to get my statement. My dad was very concerned and thought it was related to an ongoing court battle with my ex (relocation w/ kids/child support) He begged me to please call. I told him to call back and leave the number on my voicemail. I get up, get ready for work am pulling out of the garage when my ex-boyfriends dad (and I'm talking EX, like a boyfriend from 10 years ago-still keep in contact) calls me, with the same story.

" I don't know what the hell is going on, how these people got my number but you apparently are in some trouble and need to get it worked out, here is the Attorney's number and your case file #. I told him he was the 2nd person to call me this morning and it was only 7:45 am my time.

I tried blocking my number only to get a recording asking me to unblock it. I then get "Chris Adams may I help you" in a YOU ARE PUTTING ME OUT BY CALLING ME TONE. I fired right back with the same tone. I asked what he needed, he snapped back with what did i need? I said you called me, he asked for case number I told him I didn't have it(lie) and he then asked for my name. i gave him my maiden name. He said oh yes, here it is, and started to talk, only to be cut off quickly by me asking, "and you are you again?" He repeated his name and I asked what firm he belonged to. He was being very evasive and told me to drop my my attitude he was only here to help me. I said he could help me by telling me who he represented and what he does. This went on until he hung up on me.

I called back same thing. I called him out! You ARE A BILL COLLECTOR! He said no. I told him he told my parents that he was an attorney, he said no he didn't, he did not talk to my parents or my ex's and he wasn't sure what his assistant Melissa had said. But there was indeed going to be a lawsuit and judgment against me regarding a MasterCard acct I never paid, because he saw on my credit report that I have never had a judgment and he was going to teach me a lesson.

I HAVE NEVER HAD A MASTERCARD!!! This let me add is over several conversations because he continues to hang up on me. I talk to several other EVASIVE people and get the names Peter Bronson, Melissa, Chris Adams, and Mr. Stewart who answered the phone the last time and when I told him I didn't have a case # or know who i needed to talk to, he asked me what number was I asked to call and he could figure it out from there. I asked him who they were, no answer, where they were, ALL OVER, What his name was, I ALREADY TOLD YOU MR. STEWART.

Add some Numbers to the list. Out of area showed up on both caller id's with the # 304-881-0214 was asked to callback 888-530-9833

July 2008  Got a call from these low-lives. They have several numbers they use. The one I got was 866-563-9556, here in Pennsylvania. Names to watch out for are Gary Reison, who claims to be the boss there, Mrs. Campbell, and John Shelton. They called both of my home telephone lines and my sister's house. They weren't even calling for me! They were calling for my deceased mother's ex-husband who she'd been divorced from for over 10 years!!! I don't know where they get their information from, but they called me because her mail was coming to me as her executor. Some of it was still in her married last name. But they claimed I was a contact person for him. YEAH, right!!! My wife answered the one call and was verbally abused and threatened for supposedly withholding information about the person they were trying to reach. They threatened her with legal action and used foul language. She didn't know who they were or what they wanted! I called them back when I heard about it, and I got into an argument with the boss and told him the he was in violation of the FDCPA because he gave me information about the person they were trying to locate, and he told me they can do what they want to. He threatened to turn his lawyers loose on me for refusing to give him information I didn't have, used foul language, was very rude, and he absolutely refused to give me their mailing address, which I would have loved to have to pursue this legally. They also contacted my sister, who's father it is they are looking for and she has no contact with in 15 years, and when she called them back, they harassed her, insinuating she was lying to them, threatened legal action, swore at her and told her she was hiding information and was in big trouble for doing so.

I filed a complaint with the FTC, and I would recommend others do the same. The FTC has a site specially designed for people like me who are in the military and they apparently take this pretty serious. They put that information into a national database and report it to law enforcement and civil enforcement agencies. Even if you're not in the military, the FTC site is easy to navigate and it only took a couple minutes to file my complaint electronically.

July 2008  A "Miss Scott" called an old friend of mine today. She said she got his phone number because he is listed as my emergency contact somewhere. She actually wanted to get a hold of my father. She needed to talk to him -- or his lawyer -- urgently about a case she was working on. She said my father needed to call 866-563-9556, x 670182, said it was "VERY serious", and then hung up. My friend called me and told me about the call he described as "very strange." My father a number of years ago had some bad debts, but they are to the point where they can longer be collected on (if I understand correctly). Before calling the number, I decided to Google it -- and turned up this website among others about this business and its tactics.

July 2008  You can add 888-413-8823 and Jane to this list. They left a message on my cell phone telling me it is urgent to call them about a case. The message also stated they have tried to call me before which they didn't. The person said they work for Christopher Adam's Office but used the same exact tactics as in the other posts. These people put an inquiry on my Credit Report as Consumer Recovery Associates which is probably how they got my number.

I called them up to find out what is going on and they used cussing and fear tactics against me. I asked them for their address because I am disputing their claim and they said I don't need that because they have the file in front of them and proceeded to ask for my bank information. I asked what this is for and they didn’t tell me. I told them I wasn't gullible and know my rights and I asked for their mailing address again and they continued to use fear tactics to try and make me give in and threatened court summons. I responded with, "So you are going to summon me to court, when I am disputing the debt and you won't give me your address so I can do this?" They told me they will see me in court and hung up. I can prove by my credit report that I have no accounts that are delinquent.

July 2008  Mr. Chat Miller called and asked for contact information for my relative. He did not seem concern when I told him that it is 5:00AM in my local time, and I am on the "do not call" list. Anyway, he called again two weeks later. I understood that there are only few things we can do the stop them - report them to FTC and FCC. Please, please report them as many times as they call you. Each report will affects the FTC and FCC action to against them.

July 2008  Trey Johnson who stated he was representing the Law Office of Christopher Adams called my brother today to give me a message to call before 6:00 pm in regards to Stone Mnt. GA at phone number 888-310-5679. When I called this number Mr. Johnson transferred me to another man who did not reveal his name and stated he was the president of Consumer Recovery Associates. He stated I had a delinquent balance on a Bank of America card and was going to be given a summons for court for the balance of $4213.08. He said since it appears that I have since cleaned my credit up from 2000 -2001 that he would settle out of court for the full amount of $2384.80 the original balance. I told him that someone from his office had called me earlier this week in regards to this account and that I did not have a Bank of America credit card. He said this was a card Bank of America had bought out and would hate to see all my hard work at cleaning my credit up to go to waste for a 20 year judgment for this account. I told him that I had no proof he was not from the same company, he said no one from his office called earlier and I was wrong. He said he would send me a settlement letter, I said can you send me verification of who you are and he said in the settlement letter. I told him he was harassing me and he stated he was not because I had called him, I then told him he was harassing me by calling my family to get me to call him. He said I didn’t know the meaning of harassment and should not use such big words unless I know their meaning. I asked if he had a BBB account number and he said no because he didn’t see the sense in paying for that, I said it would make you a more valid company. He told me to hang up on him and I said I would not because unlike him I am not that kind of person. He said I had better get my lawyer in place because he was sending the summons Friday. I said I didn’t need to contact my lawyer because I had nothing to need one for. He also told me earlier in the conversation that I guess we have till Friday to see what happens.

June 2008  First, they called my new in-laws (how do they find this stuff?) and my daughter (who has moved repeatedly and has a new number) today leaving three messages. The premise was an “urgent matter concerning a court case in XXX County” filed against me I googled the return number 1-866-861-9257 and found this site just as they were calling me back. Tonya Sells asked me for a statement about a delinquent debt. She used the words “they” so I asked who “they” were. Tonya Sells repeated her name and became most upset when I continued to ask who “they” were. Consumer Recovery Associates. My caller ID picked up the number 404-474-4884. When I told Tonya this was a ghost debt she threatened with the IRS thing and became abusive. I calmly asked for her attention and asked her to cease and desist contacting me. As she was hanging up, she called me a deadbeat.  Glad to know about your website, I’ll be reading further……..

June 2008  Mr. Miller and Mr. Adair called my husband's cell phone looking for a relative. When we did not give them information they harassed my husband into a screaming match. He hung up on them and they promptly called our home phone and harassed me. The next day we got a call from my 89 year old father-in-law who resides in an assisted living home. He was very upset because they called him and told him stories about how we were hiding information from them and that he should talk to us. What pond-scum! How does anyone in this job sleep at night?

May 2008  Just had a delightful conversation with 2 of CRA's agents. They used the same old 1099 C IRS threat as well as they were going to sue me for defrauding a credit card company. When I mentioned this debt was 4 years past the SOL in Kansas he got defensive and tried to lie to me about it. When he attempted to transfer me to a Mr. Miller I hung up, of course they called me back and Mr. Miller accused me of lying about my status as unemployed (I'm a student doing an internship and stupid me I called from their phone) and threatened me again with a law suit, when I asked who officially owns my debt he got belligerent and told me to be prepared to be sued and hung up on me. (Very mature). If they attempt to call me again I will record the conversation and ask more direct questions about the legitimacy and company. That seems to scare them, which is only fair since this what they are attempting to do.   They also have a new number: 888-253-9713

May 2008  We were getting the same type of phone calls some of you on this site are getting. We contacted the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs and filed a complaint, we also filed complaints with the FTC, the Texas AG's office and told of my intent to hire an Attorney. CR Associates sees all of what you have written in your complaint. They CR Associates informed the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs they would leave us alone, and they have since that time. I also sent them a dispute and stop contact letter and they have stopped. They pretended to be investigators trying to get my family to give them information on me. Mr. Grey made the mistake of calling my husband on his personal cell phone and my husband is a Texas Peace Officer asked him what kind of investigations he was in trying to trap him into impersonating an officer, he didn't like it and hung up. I also put this same info in my complaint to the OAC so CR Associates could read it.  There is also an attorney here in Dallas that will take these cases strictly on contingency as long as you are willing to allow them to take 45 percent, big deal you have nothing to lose. I found him for my co-worker and he is going after Vincent Cignerale. He has already sued them twice and won. Mr. Cignerale called this attorney wanting to settle out of court for my co-worker for three thousand and they would take it off her credit.

May 2008  These people are a nightmare. After calling my ex in-laws looking for my sister, my mother called the 866 number back. They would not give her any information and started being very, very rude when she would not give my sister's name, location, etc. My mom ended up saying some rather unsavory things to the man on the phone and hung up. The man must have had caller id because he promptly called her back on her cell phone stating "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" and hung up. WTF?!?!? I decided I would call trying to be a bit more cool and collected but just got the run around. They told me it was an ongoing criminal investigation and they urgently needed a statement from my sister. Given the "legal aspects of the matter" they said they could not disclose any more information. I got a hold of my sister to let her know what was going on and when she called them back they stated she had to sign a 1099 form. My husband is going to law school and told me this was most likely a scam or an old debt collection agency. He pointed me to this and a few other sites where many people have similar stories. What is the exact deal with these people? Total high school dropout Tony Soprano wannabes! Anyway, told my sister not to give them ANY info or sign ANYTHING. Losers!

April 2008  OMG! After coming across this website I have come to realize that I may have been suckered here. About 6 months ago I was contacted by a man from the Consumer Recovery Associates, LLC and was told that my husband had an outstanding debt and he really scared me by telling me that if we did not set something up to settle this debt my husband was going to be reported to the IRS and our income tax was going to be attached for this debt. This man had me all shaken up. He knew personal information about my husband and told me that to take care of this debt he would settle on a lesser amount and the payments could be broken down over a three month period of time. After being so scared I went ahead and gave him our bank account information and have had two monthly payments come out of our account so far. We have another payment due to come out soon and due to some difficulties I was worried about whether or not we could make our next payment. Because of this I tried to find a phone number for this company and an address but could not find one. I decided to search the internet for one and the BBB (finding nothing) and came across this site with the consumer compalints. My husband is calling the bank to stop payment on the check for the next payment due. I am wondering if this is all legitimate. Have we paid over $400 so far on a scam? With the high cost of living and high gas prices we cannot afford to throw money away. I feel like a sucker for giving this company our bank information and for allowing them to scare me so badly! It all sounded so legitimate but when my husband tried to call them all he got was an answering machine, that sounded like more of a personal answering machine, not one of a legitimate business. My husband requested a call back ASAP to discuss the legitimacy of this matter but we have not yet heard back from anyone. I guess we are out of over $400 paid to them but no more. We are calling the bank to make sure they can no longer take money from us.

April 2008  The owner of the company is James Fox, he owns several debt collection companies. Gary Reison also called in regards to my husband for a debt that was over 10 years old. He stated that they have a 1009C to file with IRS, wanted 24 months of posted dated checks written and sent to his company and said that we would get a judgment by the IRS and it would be placed on our credit. All illegal. I called IRS, FL. Dept of Finance since they stated they were using there law and Virginia dept of Consumer Services and Affairs and Federal Trade Commission all to inquire my rights and file complaints. I also spoke to several of my friends who are attorneys and tax attorney. If the debt is more then 5 years old, they cannot sue you for it or re-age it or now put it on your credit. For example, this is not showing up on my husbands credit report at all and we have no idea what this is in regards to. We sent a letter via Fed Ex requiring signature stating that they validate and send us proof in mailing stating what the money is owed, how they calculated it, copies of papers that show I owe it, verification or copies of any judgment, Identify the original creditor, prove statute of limitations has not expired on this account, They are licensed to collect in my state (proof), and provide me with their license numbers and registered agent. I also stated if they report any false or information on my credit, they will be sued by both federal and state laws. They will then be in violation of the fair credit reporting act, fair debt collection practices act and defamation of credit. I also stated that all communication be done via mail and not to call my home or work. If they fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of the receipt of this letter. they must delete and completely removed from any credit files and a copy of such deletion is requested immediately.

First an utmost, file a complaint with the federal trade commission by online or calling them. the more complaints they get, the more it will become a priority to shut these people down or fine them heavily. Second file a complaint with Virginia Dept of consumer affairs in Virginia beach where CR Associates is located. Investigator Pritchard, very nice gentleman handled my case. The Va beach consumer affairs division number is 757-385-5836, go to their website and write your complaint and fax directly to the VA Beach division to get immediate results. The reason they jumped on it was after I sent off the letter, they continued to call my house and harass us after the letter, which is illegal.

CR Associates (consumer recovery associates)
2697 International Parkway  suite 260
VA Beach, VA 23452-7803
Put your acct number they gave you as in regards to.

This company in so many ways have broken the law, You have a right and do not fear them and this 1099C they state is a lie. In fact, they are liars about everything. They have to show and provide you proof first before you can do anything

March 2008  The Virginia Beach OAC is quick to respond to complaints about CR Associates. My parents filed a complaint on Conrad Grey for leading them to believe I was in some kind of trouble. I filed a complaint. Both I and my parents received a call from them within two days of our complaints. The gentleman that called us said he was sending our complaints on to CR Associates and mailed us copies of what they sent them. It was a request for CR Associates to contact them to answer some questions. Of course the gentleman told us that they cannot force CR Associates to contact them and whatever you send the OAC is public record which means your phone numbers and address are also sent to CR Associates with your complaint. So if you don't want those made public you need to let them know in your complaint to black it out.

November 2007   Person called claiming his name was Gary reisons spoke very politely on the telephone saying i was going to get reported to the IRS if I didn't pay $5131.18 was was so scarred because he had all my personal info he said right away he going to email me my settlement agreement by Mr. KC SCOTT I received that email when I was surprised to see no phone number or address to there location Mr. Gary reisons right away asked me for check acct number I thought it was legit because i was so nervous didn't want to be put in jail for any reasons because I have a disabled child at home and don't want to be separated from her my story was that I was young and naive when I was young in 1994 I cosigned for somebody that got a credit card and filed for bankruptcy for many years I was harassed by many collection companies that threaten me which always frightens me and causes me many health issues in the past, I was very concerned about scams so i googled this information about and very shocked to see all these comments on (CRA) I right away called the bank to stop this transaction from taking place again thank you

July  2007    This company called my cell number looking for Carlos and asked for a return call for an important matter. I knew from the tone it was somebody on a fishing expedition for info so I decided to call back and have a little fun. I called and got a machine. Told the machine to stop calling my number and remove it from their system as it was a wrong number. About an hour later I get a call from 757-271-8786 with a real rude nasty individual named Gary on the phone asking if I had any idea who I had called and that I was in big trouble. Well I was so frightened by his call (HA) that I just had to see who the number displayed on my phone belonged to. I got this info and when googled this site came up. Well being the well rounded individual that I am I decided to have lots of fun. I am now "Gary's" best new friend. Did you know that 866 numbers from a public phone don't cost anything? I travel all over the state in my line of work daily. There are public phones everywhere I go and when the mood hits me I give old Gary or one of his associates a call. Mr. Gary has had spurned gay lovers call, women he has run out on call, other collectors call, very mad husbands call about him and the mans wife, landlords etc. It has been a blast and to tell the truth a great stress reducer for me. Remember, they called me first, and then threatened me. Not a very smart bunch of bottom feeders.

July 2007   After 7 months of ignoring the calls, and their agents harassing family members, they have turned things out to a company giving its name as Jefferson Capital Systems, LLC at 16 McLeland Rd Dept A, Saint Cloud MN 56303. This letter is nicer in tone & follows more collection guidelines, but it names an account that does not show up on my credit report. The letter says it will be given back to Consumer Recovery upon receipt of dispute. I did send the dispute/verification letter Certified Mail and just got my Return Receipt back.

January  2007 Their operating procedures have changed somewhat. New phone number: 866-499-6608. Mailing address: POB 2916, Virginia Beach VA 23450. Person leaving messages: Conrad Grey.

Are threatening to report debt to IRS as unreported income unless something is done about it in 24 hours. I said that I would take my 24 hours to do some research and was told that I was being snippy. And that in 24 hours, I would be reported to the IRS---and then the phone was slammed down on me!!

I did my research and called back 4 hours later and talked to K.C. Scott. I requested a verification of the debt. He told me the name of the original creditor and to call them to confirm the debt. He said he could only send a letter to the address on the account (which is two years out-of-date) and that a letter stating the nature of the debt had already been sent out. Although he recorded my current phone number, he was not interested in my current address and said that it was a waste of time to send out a verification of the debt until I talked to the original creditor and admitted that the debt was mine.

As for the IRS: Mr. Scott told me although the Statute of limitations has run on this debt, there is no statute on reporting it as "unreported income." The form he wants to send the IRS is a 1099-C according to regulation 6030P.

I will be sending a request for verification of the debt as well as a cease and desist letter---all by certified mail.

I too have received the "1-866-857-3916" number on my caller ID. However, this fellow left voice mail identifying himself as "Peter Brunson" leaving his callback number as "1-800-762-9864". I called this fellow back, and he immediately launched into an abusive tirade about having a Wage Garnishment Order in his possession.
When I told him that he could not have such a thing and if he would like he was free to speak to my Attorney (which I do have) he began accusing me of "fleeing justice" and "changing my address" multiple time to avoid prosecution, I told him to take my Attorney's number and speak to him. He then quickly hung up the phone, that was four days ago and I haven't heard from him or these people since. Obviously bottom-feeder debt collectors looking for victims to scam. Pity, I doubt even know what sort of debt he was trying to collect on, he never did say.

I'm assuming this is the company causing me problems based on the 866-857-3916 number they used being referenced by someone else complaining about them. I have not spoke with them, but they have contacted multiple of my relatives in efforts to locate me. They have gone so far as to read back my relatives social security numbers to them in an effort to scare them. My relatives are all intending to record any conversations they have with them from this point on.

When they are asked directly who they are calling with, or for a mailing address to send a non contact letter to, they refuse to give that or any other information.

Hopefully I will never have to talk to these scumbags. If I do though, I plan to be prepared with corroborating data from my relatives.

I reported these rats to the FTC. They have harassed me and others with the same last name as me with threats, and foul language. They seem to operating from a secret location because there telephone # doesn't come up. It is 866-857-3916. The lady says her name is Christine Spruill. If anyone else has had these rats bother please let Bud know immediately. God Bless you Bud Hibbs!

budhibbs.com