Consumers Said...

Comments are from consumer emails. Personal data is redacted and some messages edited for brevity.

Date:  May 2008

My husband is in the Army, currently deployed to Iraq. Since he has been in Iraq, I continually receive phone calls from NCO Financial regarding a debt of my husband's over 5 years old. This Saturday morning at around 8 am, a woman from NCO called and threatened my husband's career and attempted to use intimidation and scare tactics on me. She claims to have spoken with his commanding officer, which, I can tell you, is impossible as his ENTIRE division is in Iraq. If I can't call them in Iraq, she most certainly cannot. She claimed that my husband will be dishonorably discharged (this isn't even a term that the military uses anymore) because his "commanding officer" guaranteed her that we would pay. If the Army wants a soldier to make good on a debt, they would have us set up an allotment directly out of his paycheck, which happens frequently with soldiers and their debt. No one from my husband's unit has spoken with either of us (neither me stateside nor my husband in Iraq) regarding contact from NCO so I'm inclined to believe that she is bluffing and resorting to using scare tactics. She informed me that the company wants the full balance (she also said his "commanding officer" promised her that we'd pay the balance in full) but she'd take $1000, which is how much she claims that we're in arrears for. I informed her this was impossible, that I only had about $100 in my account until May 1 to which she responded that I needed to find a way to get it. She told me that we could've been paying a reduced amount due to financial hardship but now it's too late. No one had ever informed us of this option. Additionally, she failed to give me the standard fair debt collection practice warning this morning when she called which, I believe, is a violation of the FDCPA. She and NCO Financial are taking advantage of a deployed soldier and his struggling family. I believe that NCO is not only violating the FDCPA but also the Service members' Civil Relief Act as this was debt that was incurred prior to my husband joining the military. I refuse to succumb to the harassment and threatening nature of these individuals.

Date:  May 2008

This company has stooped so low now, that they have sent a letter threatening to take my "Economic Stimulus" check if I do not pony up the money. So far, they will not answer any written correspondence, and they keep their fax machine off the hook so they make sure that you can only mail things to them, and slow down the process of dealing with them. I have found that if you not only fax your complaints and requests for information, to some of these bottom feeders, along with sending everything via USPS, Return Receipt Requested, that you can hit them with a two prong attacks.

Date:  April 2008

I've been reading through all the comments about NCO Financial Services and thought I'd add in my story. I was first contacted by mail by them back in November 2007 regarding a pharmacy bill. Long story short, my son was in-patient in a small hospital here in town, the only way they could provide medications was through a third party mail-order pharmacy. This pharmacy charged the medications as out-patient instead of in-patient. Having dealt successfully with this issue before, I tried to get the pharmacy to submit the bill (correctly) as in-patient to the insurance company. For some reason, they didn't want to do that this time (who knows why), so after several phone calls and letters from me, it ended up in collections with NCO.

Now, I don't feel I owe this money. It's 100% covered benefit, whatever the billing issue is, those folks need to clear it up, I'm not paying for it, it wasn't my mistake. So I get a letter from NCO, I immediately draft a letter with the appropriate Fair Debt Collections Act sections telling them I dispute the validity, why I dispute the validity, and to not contact me again as I don't deal with collection agencies, I only deal with the original creditor.

Tonight, the phone rings, my 17-year-old son answers, and judging by the conversation I was hearing, it sounded like someone was calling for my younger son (the patient) who is 15. So I take over the call thinking it's some friend of my younger son's, only to get a female heavy accent on the phone demanding that I verify my address. My response, of course, was I'm not verifying any information until you tell me who you are. She said she couldn't identify herself until I verified my address. I basically told her to pound sand, I wasn't going to verify anything until she identified herself, and added "Would you verify anything to a complete stranger over the phone with all the privacy issues these days?" She admitted she would not. So we sat there in complete silence for a few seconds, then she asked me again to verify my address, and I told her "Honey, we'll sit here all night if you want, but I'm not verifying anything until you tell me who you are and what this is about." Silence again, then she said "Have a good evening." and hung up. I ran the phone number through Google and discovered it was NCO Financial Services, called it to double-check, and sure enough, it was.

My credit rating is fine, and I really don't care what they put on my credit report, I'll just dispute it like I do everything else that has ended up on there that shouldn't (they usually take anything off that can't be verified after 30 days or so). But I did send a complaint to the FTC and to the PA AG office.

Bottom line is, whether the debt is valid or not, you have rights, and debt collectors do have consequences if they don't handle themselves in a legally defensible manner. They try to bully people because most people will respect "authority" or they feel guilty over the debt. Debt is debt. It's not something that makes you a bad person, you're not evil if you couldn't pay your bill, so stop feeling bad about it and don't let these people bully you! Sure, everyone has to make a living, and not everyone can be an effective debt collector - but keep your dignity and don't let these people get to you. Good luck to everyone who is still dealing with these people!

Date:  April 2008

NCO just tried to scam me. They tried to collect an alleged bill from an emergency room doctor at Barberton Hospital in Akron, Ohio from 4 years ago. They had sketchy information and tried to get more information which I would not supply to them. Be warned that they are still at it. If you know who I can report this to pursue legal action against them, please let me know.

Date:  April 2008

I just received a summons to respond to NCO portfolio management and their attorney Brian Block out of Cleveland, Ohio. I asked some attorney friends about Brian Block and the words "bottom feeder" and "lazy" were used to describe him on more than one occasion. Anyway, I do not owe this debt and will be fighting it. It is also clearly past the 6 year mark for credit card debt in Ohio. NCO portfolio management and Brian Block don't appear to be too bright. This is one consumer that will not be unfairly taken advantage of. I have filed complaints with the BBB the attorney general of Ohio and will be writing the local news sources and politicians. I will not let these people use the courts to do their dirty work. I will expose all of them and encourage you to do the same!

Date:  March 2008

NCO Financial Systems is purchasing debt from Capital One. Capital One will no longer work with Consumer Credit Counseling agencies nor will NCO.

When contacted NCO only identified themselves as: "The Attorney Network". When one individual was pressed for their Corporate Name, and address he refused to give it. He was notified that the call was being recorded from the very beginning. He also refused to provide their fax number.

I did call back and obtained the information. To date they have threatened a lawsuit, threatened a lawsuit from my ex-wife (I surmise on her behalf, as she has not mentioned it.) Have been verbally abusive in any number of forms to include profanity. This is the reason I began to record their calls.

They are abusive, non professional and will not provide a "reasonable" means to settle the debt other than an initial payment of which I can not afford and then possibly a reasonable payment schedule afterwards. For some reason they have failed to earn my trust!

Date:  November 28, 2007

These crooks just shook my father down for $1900 for an old debt more than 5 years old that was mine. They somehow got his SS Number and birthday and threatened him with a lawsuit until he paid them. I found out the next day after it was too late to stop this payment. Anyone know what I can do to get his money back?

Date:  November 16, 2007

These people called my mother and spoke to her so rudely that it will make a sailor cringe. First they pretended to be the IRS and told her to get my brother to call them because he was in a lot of trouble. My 78 year old mother was so nervous and her blood pressure shot up 5o points higher putting her at stroke level...She actually thought the guy was the IRS. Well when she told me about this call, I told her it was bogus because the IRS does not address you in such a manner. So I called the number they left. I kept phishing and found out it was NCO contacting my brother about a 4 year old credit card bill. When I started talking with the guy he became very angry and hostile for he realized I was on to his scheme and I knew it was illegal for him to claim to be the IRS. He yelled at me and I yelled at him, then I said, don't call my mother again or I will sue you for pretending to be the IRS and upsetting an old lady. They haven't called back. and better not.

Date:  November 15, 2007

I have been dealing with NCO for over 10 years. I have a federally-subsidized student loan. I can't believe that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT uses a company like NCO. I do not have to tell you how horrible these people are, as most people already know. They make it impossible for you to deal with them. They are very rude and don't realize that they could probably get more people to pay their debts if they were nicer and more fair. It is astonishing to me though, that our government condones these types of practices. The very laws they created are being violated by people they are paying!?! What is this country coming to?

Date:  November 15, 2007

I had to deal with NCO a few years ago. I ended up settling the original debt. with the creditor for about 50% of the balance but not before being harassed by NCO several times.

These folks had my work number from the original creditor and proceeded to call constantly. As you can imagine I didn't answer or return any calls. They tried to get around the companies phone system and get to someone in HR. They tried to "verify employment and or income". The HR lady at the time smelled a rat an alerted me. I was amazed at the tactics these folks will employ.

Needless to say I spoke to one of these clowns and told him off. I then informed him that if I heard from him again the call would be recorded and that I had send cease and desist letters to his organization.

Date:  November 5, 2007

Believe it or not, I actually had a positive experience with Bob from NCO. He was very professional and courteous on the phone. My $2000 Capital One bill was settled for $1200 which they accepted in two $600 bi-weekly payments. I was very surprised and impressed that everything went as smoothly as it did. I have had horrible experiences as well, so I guess it balances out.  See you are writing from Canada.  They had no choice but to be nice to you.

Date:  November 5, 2007

NCO contacted me at work, May 2005, and a Ms. Jones said it was a courtesy call to let me know of a lawsuit to be filed against me in NY. I panicked but did not send them any money. Then, a Mark Smith contacted me from the "legal department of Bank of America." I panicked and got a local lawyer to deal with him. The debt was $2,800. My lawyer laughed at Smith when he hem-hah'ed after being asked if he was a member of the Bar. Needless to say, the honest bastard I was, I agreed to settle. Initially, it was the $2,800. But then Smith said the bank would not settle for anything less then $5,400 which I can pay over 3 months. I did. At year end, Bank of America sent me an IRS form for the $2,800 it forgave.

Date:  October 29, 2007

My husband lost his business and as a result, a lot of card debt went to collections. Most of it went in house, but a few made it to outside collection agencies but still owned by the creditor. Out of 7 debts, we were able to reach amicable agreements with 4, and two collection agencies in a civil manner with good repayment terms for us that we could handle, and we have been paying those folks religiously. And then there was NCO.

Chevron first sent a $2100 debt as of June to one collection agency, and we sent a letter with repayment terms we could afford and waited for a counter offer, but none came and the company never contacted us again. Yesterday, I got a telephone call for my husband from Isabel at NCO Financial, and once we established on the phone that they had been transferred the debt, I offered the same repayment terms that we had offered the first company, and she was extremely nice about it, but determined that she was not authorized to accept less than a $300 down payment that day and in return, they would allow us $100 a month after that for 3 months and then re-examine it. I responded that simply wasn't possible, and I again offered $150 a month, pointing out for the next 3 months, it would come out to exactly the same amount in that time ($600). She stated she was going to put me on with a supervisor and she was *sure* that he could approve it or work something out.

Apparently, it was good cop/bad cop. The person that she put me on the phone with had a horrendous foreign accident and was barely able to be understood, but I did understand him when he said there was no way they would accept less than a $300 down payment, talked over me, told me that NCO collected millions of dollars and I certainly wasn't paying them for them because they didn't need my money, they were rolling in it, and neither did Chevron since they were a big oil company so no one really cared whether I paid my bill - at which point I asked him point blank, if that were the case, why they had bothered to call. It went downhill even quicker from there.

He repeatedly pointed out how I was only harming myself with my refusal to pay (which I hadn't refused), and that he was going to give me 24 hours, and only 24 hours, or else. I asked him quite calmly "Or else what, exactly?", and waited, but he just said "or else.". I stated the number of remedies I knew they could take, and he started being belligerent and saying "Oooooh, so you've done your homework, little girl, eh?" I asked him point blank if he would accept the $150, he said absolutely not and he would tell his client I refused to pay, and I stated that if that was the case, we had nothing further to discuss and said Goodbye and for him to have a nice day. He was yelling so loudly that the phone was vibrating in my hand as I hung it up.

I immediately called Chevron, as they had told me they did not own the debt (previous to this I had assumed Chevron had sold it), Chevron confirmed they would and could accept payments directly, and I sent off a check directly to the creditor that day for the $150 NCO refused to accept. Chevron, evidentially, *did* actually want that if it was all we could pay despite what NCO stated. Imagine that. After that, I faxed a Cease and Desist to NCO and figured that was that.

They called *again* today! When I stated that (1) I had made arrangements to directly pay the creditor, Isabel began questioning me on the deal and what I had said to them, to which I answered that it was flatly none of her business and if Chevron wanted them to know, they could let them know. She responded that their client hadn't communicated anything to them, and I let her know regardless of that, *I* had the day before and faxed them, with confirmation, a Cease and Desist and that this was their one phone call. She responded they didn't get it (Technology and my phone records say otherwise). She responded "Goodbye" and hung up on me as I was admonishing her not to call again.

I hope that NCO doesn't get a dime for any of what Chevron collects. And if they call here again after the fax, certified mail, and verbal statement that we filed a Cease and Desist with them, I have both a log and recorder on our phone, and a relationship with a NACA attorney who will sue on contingency, and they can help us pay for what we owe Chevron themselves since they are "rolling in millions".

I feel sorry for people that don't do their homework, and don't know their legal rights, or how these people work. And considering the supervisor's surprise that I knew what the heck I was doing and what he could do, it sounds like it sure doesn't happen often enough.

Date:  October 29, 2007

We have received numerous cell phone calls from, Unknown caller. Most calls between 8 AM and 8 PM. But recently we received calls at 2AM !!! in the morning, and I found out it was also from NCO 1-866-767-5640 in Canada, by Carolyn. I told her about the 2 AM phone calls, and she kept asking what time of the day it was in my location. Then she stated she wanted to know if they would have to adjust their calling system

Date:  October 18, 2007

This company just wiped out my husbands bank account. They swear they had his permission to take the money, but the funny thing about that is- he's in prison been there for months). Whats even better they won't say what the money was used to pay, or how they got the bank account number. God bless the U.S.A

Date:  October 11, 2007

Today, I received an alarming call from NCO Financial, saying "Due to Federal law, I'm not allowed to reveal the purpose of this call". "You or attorney needs to call 888-899-4332 extension 4137, case number *****" I quickly called and spoke to an extremely rude customer service person, who asked me to contact a neighbor about her account. First, I've never met, nor have knowledge of person NCO Financial is hunting down. Secondly, NCO Financial somehow obtained my phone number and address, probably illegally. I told the customer service rep. I would do not comply because I didn't know the person, nor did I want to get involved in this matter, The customer service rep. became belligerent, started ranting because I said I would not assist NCO Financial, and abruptly ended the call. It is doubtful whether incoming and outgoing calls are monitored or recorded for quality of service. There is no acceptable explanation for this woman's ill-mannered behavior nor the NCO Financial tactics for debt collection.

Date:  October 10, 2007

NCO Financial Systems collects regular monthly heating bill and oil payments on behalf of Petro. I am SURE they are collecting information through a necessary part of living....which is your HEAT! I just paid my first bill with Petro and noticed they said NCO Financial collects their payments. All...not just late ones (this was early) I bring this up because they hounded me for something I did not owe for ages. This has to be illegal. not only that but Petro would not let me opt out online and when I called Customers service to OPT out they said I have to talk to the Credit Department. Fishy to me. Nonetheless, I hope someone catches on to this little trick of theirs because that is probably how they are getting most of their information, from a GOVT. regulated necessity....HEATING!!!

Date:  October 09, 2007

I have not been able to reach ANY resolution with this company over my debt. They began calling my office a few days ago. I explained to them that my interest only loan went up and that I'm struggling with my payments because the child support payments owed to me have stopped. The person I was speaking to asked for a list of my debts which I gave him verbally and from memory and based on his calculations, I have $1,000 unaccounted for so I can afford the amount he proposed. I have no idea where he came up with that amount. He insisted it wasn't him but the "rules" he has to abide by. I told him that was impossible. He agreed to allow me to review my debts and submit the next day an itemized list. Before I could get to my office fax machine the next day, a different person called my office asking to be transferred to the payroll department so that he can begin garnishment proceedings. He said I had to agree to the amount they wanted or I would have more than that amount garnished. I lost it. I was crying and extremely upset and that was when the bullying began. He said to either make a payment today or transfer him to payroll to begin the garnishment. I told him that the person I spoke to said to fax over to him my itemized list which I was prepared to do. He said I had an hour to call that person back and finish making the arrangement or he'd call directly to my payroll department and hung up on me. I went to my payroll office in tears. Thank goodness she was very understanding and said that it can't be done without a court order. She also said that based on my income, there's no way I'd be able to survive if I paid them the amount they were asking for. She then asked me if I had verified that this company was supposed collect on this debt. I realized that in my confusion and hysteria, I had not. The following morning I had a message in my office voicemail that said to "call this number back and give us your payroll department so that we can begin garnishment proceedings"

Once I verify if they are supposed to collect on this, how in the world do I get this agency to accept a more reasonable payment?

Date:  October 5, 2007

 I have been getting calls for my ex boyfriend at my house for the past 2 months. We never lived together he NEVER gave my number out to anyone, let alone use my phone. He is very responsible individual and now i am getting these call s from NCO. i finally called the number and pretended to be his wife was told he owes over 11,000.00 to Capital one, and that he had another card but i was not told how much he owed. This man is rich, he has plenty of money and at the time they called he was out of the country building a home. I contacted him to tell him and i was panic stricken, but he told me there is not way that is a legitimate call i have a my cards and i am not missing any. so he is ignoring them . Mean while i continue to get these calls. who are these people. I think they are preying on people to get them to send in money. this has got to be a scam

Date:  October 1, 2007

I am being verbally abused by DeWayne Harding at 800 685 4343 and he will not stop. I paid this account and they agreed to settle in full per the statement on the back of the check and they still call and bother me. They say it is for a different account.

Date:  October 1, 2007

We received a letter from this company (addressed to my wife). It is a collection letter disguised to look like a statement, it even has a section to 'tear off' to send with the payment. The 'statement is for a 'debt' to Methodist Hospital for $500+. Neither my wife or I have a debt of any kind with this hospital. Anyway, the verbiage on the letter states (I'm paraphrasing) "Your 'mutually agreed upon payment' of $10 is due by October 1, 2007" It also stated that this 'mutually agreed upon payment' was setup to help us out with paying this bill. 1. We don't owe the bill, and 2. Since we don't owe the bill, we certainly didn't agree to make payments on it!!! I guess they were hoping that we would just blindly send a payment because it looked like a bill. It does have a single line stating that this is an attempt to collect a debt. No mention of having the right to request validation. Just wanted your readers to see what lengths this company will go to in order to try to extort money from an unsuspecting consumer.

Date:  Sep 24, 2007

I moved to another state after 10 years in the same state (with a listed phone number in both locations I lived there), Started receiving auto dialer/recorded messages about 6 months after I moved. Saying call a number about a financial matter on my answering machine. No company name, no details, just an first initial (matching mine, not my full name) and my surname. I don't respond to phone calls by companies who don't identify themselves or their business. Finally googled the number after getting half a dozen recorded phone calls a week, usually 2 on Saturdays. Debt collection, I'm clueless what they wanted. Calls stopped after 6 weeks.

Moved again recently. No auto dialer this time, 3-4 rings and they hang-up before the answering machine picks up. I have caller ID so I don't answer any 800 number unless I'm expecting a business call at home. Calls coming from 800-274-2538 this time so I googled it again, same collector.

If they want to collect on some debt that I don't know about they need to leave details in their messages so I can try to figure out why they're calling me. How can they collect if they don't leave a message? Idiots.

They just want to get someone on the phone so they can harass them and record contact has been made setting the collection machine rolling.  No letters so far, they're just fishing.

Date:  Sep 15, 2007

I received two letters from nco trying to collect a debt that's at least 20 years old and paid up/closed. It's a
NY & Co account that I had opened in the early 80's. Anyway, I sent them two cease collection letters, the second letter reminding them of Florida's statute of limitations on expired debts, and the many FDCPA/FCRA laws they have violated. I also reminded them that EXTORTION is a federal crime. I am not going to let them shake me down for money that is not owed to them. I'll keep on sending them a letter reply for every letter they send me. I guess I'll hear from them again, right before Christmas??!! The account isn't even on my credit report.

Date:  Sep 15, 2007

My son was diagnosed with Autism and in the initial phases of his diagnosis, we spent all of our money on medical testing and therapy needs. We fell behind on our bills. Three of them landed in the hands of NCO. Just recently we found out we have become available for some state funding that helps parents get back on their feet, so to speak. So, I called NCO and asked for some assistance in gaining the company TIN (tax id number). These numbers are public I just needed to get theirs. I cannot tell you how many times I explained my situation to this awful woman. She kept yelling at me. Telling me it was not their job to give me grants. Pay my bills. She would not give me any information needed. She told me to give her my bank name and information. Then told me if I was not going to pay by credit card or check right now she needed to hang up on my. I told her she was misunderstanding me. I was not looking for a grant tfrom them, I had gotten one and just needed a little bit of information to pay them off. She then told me they were not in the business of helping people not pay their bills and I needed to give her a check number. This went on and on, you get the point. The conversation ended in me teller her she was being of no help to anyone, and then her hanging up on me! Nice, huh? I called her supervisor and she gave me the corporate number to call and get the TIN. She did say she was sorry for the earlier phone call, but did you ever have to say sorry when you were like 8 or 9 for anything? You know when you parents take you over and make you say it...that is how warm this felt. I hope my complaints get heard. I cried over this. How can people make others feel so little?

Date:  Sep 12, 2007

Took a call from a woman last week who identified herself as working with "NCO Financial Services". She was inquiring about a debt and a possible settlement. I told her I was all ears for a potential settlement and she said "hold on". So, then a guy picks up and says "may I help you>" I said, I was holding for a woman. He says, "oh she transferred you to me". I said who is this? and should she say hold on I am transferring you? He says "Lets cut to the chase, I hear you want to settle?" I said I want to hear your proposal. He say's "ok, I'll fax it right over to you and it'll keep you out of court" I said, Mail it, please. He says, "our mail doesn't go out till the first of the month!"
CAn you believe that, so after several more back and forths, I told him we would have to agree to disagree that the fax was the best method for their proposal. Two days later, via UPS I received a settlement proposal saying per our agreement you will pay x amount. I sent them a strong armed certified and registered letter asking for validation of debt. They have called a few times, but I am not answering. Stay tuned.

Date:  Sep 10, 2007

I was contacted by NCO in January 2007 about a debt I have paid off 7years ago. They called several times a day and refused to provide any information and refused to accept the proof I had paid the debt. I quit returning calls, sent a cease and desist letter (which they ignored). The second letter I sent via certified mail. in it I included a copy of their original letter, a list of dates and times they called after receiving my cease and desist letter. In addition, I stated in the letter I was aware they were violating federal law and I was serving notice that any calls will be logged, should I talk to a rep from NCO I would be recording the conversation. Through June, they called, I logged the calls and each week I sent copies of ALL previous correspondence (to refresh their memory). In June I sent my final letter stating the number of violations and the estimated cost should I decide to take them to court. I offered them a settlement of 75% of the estimated cost if paid in 10 days plus an additional 5k for harassing me since they had all the information needed to close this account in January.  Two months have gone by with no contact.

Date:  Sep 7, 2007

David Shlee, Brian Taylor and all the rest of those clowns are breaking laws daily. They tell there collectors "do what you have to do to get that Money" Meaning forget FDCPA. They are beyond belief and I was fed up with it and I chose to leave.

Date:  Sep 5, 2007

A person named Kim Denning from NCO called this childcare center today and asked to speak to the owner. She was told she was not here would she like to leave a message. I was then told she has left several messages and she wants to speak to someone NOW! I again asked if she would like to leave a message. She asked me when the last time the health dept had visited my center. And as chance would have we had a visit that day. She then asked for the name of the health rep and I told her why is she asking these questions? She didn't think they would be here so soon. I asked if she was threatening me and I would not answer personal questions. TIP FOR NCO WE RUN A VERY CLEAN BUSINESS NEXT TIME THREATEN ME WITH THE IRS THEY ARE MUCH SCARIER!!!

Date:  Sep 5, 2007

I have been harassed by NCO Financial Systems for the last year and a half. They keep calling and asking for BARBARA WOLFE. I started out saying I'm not Barbara Wolfe. I moved here in Jan. 2006....maybe she had this phone number before me. The apologize and promise to delete my phone number from their system. A week or two or even two weeks go by, then they start calling again. For the past two months....I get hang-up calls every day. This morning....SUNDAY .....I answered the phone hoping it was my sons. It was NCO. We went through the whole process again with a promise to delete my number. Three months ago. I read the obituary of a BARBARA WOLFE in the local newspaper. I was so excited! 79 yr. old woman died. I scanned & copied the obit notice & mailed it to NCO along with a friendly, polite letter. I felt so smug. I knew I had solved (cured) the problem. NO WAY! They just know I'm hiding Barbara Wolfe in my apt. & she owes them money (dead or not) and they are going to collect it by harassing me. I cannot use my land line phone any longer. I do not answer.

Date:  August 23, 2007

These people NCO kept calling my home phone and leaving a number to call. When I called and asked them what they wanted, a Black rude lady, asked me what was my number and I told her you called me so you know my number and asked again, what did she want? She said, she wanted _____ ____ and I told her she had the wrong number but that did not stop NCO.

They called me at least 6 times a week asking for the same person. They are rude and when you ask for a supervisor, they scream at you and say, I don't have time for this and hang up.

I'm not the person they are looking for and I have no outstanding debts or collections. I'm going to blow a bugle in their ears the next time they call and then a horn. I'm tired of being harassed.

Thanks a bunch......by the way, that black comment is not racist, I'm black also.

Date:  August 7, 2007

I returned Eric Jones’s phone call in regard to a Capitol One credit card debt at 8:00 a.m.  In the conversation I explained that after some financial hardships and losing our home I was in no position to pay the outrageous amount they wanted and that I had offered Capital One a settlement in April but was turned down. That same afternoon he called my 80 year old mother, who is not even on the account or has a published number, and asked for my deceased father. After my mother told him that he had passed away 7 years ago he then asked for me. My mother, now very upset, asked why. Eric told her it was to collect a debt and proceeded to divulge personal information and details about my account. Isn’t this against the law?

Date:  July 26, 2007

I am dealing with NCO and what a nightmare it's been. They began calling me out of the blue at the same time I got a dunning letter from another CA collecting on behalf of NCO. I have never gotten anything from NCO. I sent a DV to the other collection agency, didn't hear back from them, calls stop. NCO, on the other hand, keeps calling. I pulled my credit reports and sent them a DV, I also disputed with the credit bureaus, sent letters to the AG's in my state and PA, complained to the FTC. I sent the NCO DV letter cmrrr, have not gotten the green card back but I do have proof that I sent it to them. Also, two of the three credit have investigated and deleted NCO from my reports. But, NCO still calls, every single day - sometimes a dozen calls a day. They won't respond to my letter they just call. They were even reporting the alleged debt wrong: as an open account, factoring company account.

Date:  July 23, 2007

NCO placed a negative report on my husband's credit for an account which was never his. After SEVEN YEARS of trying to clear this up, the hospital which sent this account to collection has again admitted their fault in this matter. Their admission clerk entered my husband's SSN into the computer system. It was a simple typo, but one that has been with us for SEVEN YEARS. I have threatened the hospital, and they sent letters (again) promising that the matter is closed for good. My question is: If this continues to show up, what is our recourse? The guy who was admitted to the hospital now has his name on my husband's credit report, and he died a year ago. We have filed ID theft charges against them, as we did in 2001 when we first became aware of this, but to no avail. www.myfaircredit.com

Date:  July 23, 2007

Outrageous. NCO Financial Systems, INC. continues it's outstanding reputation of complete and utter disregard to consumers. A college graduate in spring '05, I moved a considerable distance from home and school. Because of mistaken information between my parents and myself, my college loans, totally nearly $19,000, went unpaid. It is the policy of the US Dept. of Education to not contact the college graduate regards loans, rather the "responsibility" of the graduate. Fine. An ignorant and yet honest mistake. I received a letter on the 15th of this month from NCO stating I built over $7,000 worth of penalties and interest from my principle balance. When I contacted the Horsham, PA office, I was informed that my payment of the $19,000 was either due immediately, or a structured payment plan was available - $5,000 down immediately, $770 a month for eight months, $200 a month for up to nine years until account was paid in full. An incredible amount of money for so many hard-working, middle-class people. Even with this elevated structured payment, the two options are unbelievably polarizing.

The catch of it all, and my issue with NCO, is I was not contacted until AFTER my account was placed in default (to which they claimed I was unable to be located, though they had my address and phone number, as well as my social security number at this point. With that information, if I was living on Noah's Ark they could find me.) I was told they have had in my account in their possession since the beginning of 07. Essentially, they hesitated in contacting me, knowing that my account would be placed in default, crippling my chances of receiving a loan on the $19,000, and having to agree to their structured payment plan - therefore creating higher returns on their commission.
People, the jokes on them. I have $19,000, without a loan, and will be damned if they receive a half-cent more. Every conversation I've had with NCO (William, you know who you are) has been largely unpleasant - they are uncompromisingly confrontational, to which I feel no shame in this posting. I ask is this not, at it's most simplest form, with their methods of contact hesitation, profiteering? Is there a case against NCO with regard to their customer engagement practices?

Date:  July 23, 2007 TO POSTER OF JULY 12, 2007 about $2,500 judgment:

The EASIEST way to get companies like NCO to pay your judgment is for YOU to send a garnishment from your local state court to the Chapter 13 trustee for the bankruptcy court in the DISTRICT where you obtained your judgment. The trustee can suck NCO's money out of any monthly payments it is entitled to BEFORE it goes to NCO. The EASIEST thing to do is simply call the bankruptcy Trustee or his/her staff and tell them you would like to garnish a creditor's payments and ask them where to send the garnishment.

Please note that in some states, like Alabama, your judgment will expire at the end of 10 years if you do not go to court to "revive" it.

Collection companies have their hands in ALL bankruptcy courts. Might as well have yours.

Date:  July 19, 2007

You gonna love this -the account they are trying to collect on, i called fraud dept. of Lane Bryant this account
was closed on 07/10/1991, and there was no outstanding balance according to the woman i spoke with through the
fraud dept. of Lane Bryant, so why is it they think, I owe any thing, but according to NCO i owe a balance of $498.03 with interest of $934.39 which makes a grand total of $1432.42 this is outrageous. This account is over 16 years old get real, this shows how intelligent this bunch of people are and what they will do to try to collect, this
is not even my account, and according to the woman i spoke with through the fraud dept. it was even under a different social security number.

Date:  July 12, 2007

NCO is one of the worst bottom feeders. They froze my bank account without documented proof  I owed any money or the debt. They inflated the statute of limitation and the worst part was their lawyer said they served me a judgment to appear in court in New York when at the time I was living in Maryland. NCO’s lies eventually took a turn in my favor when I took them to court and was awarded over $2500 in damages. This was in 1995 and you can guess, I am still trying to get NCO to pay the court ordered judgment. NCO is one grimy company who breaks the rules without any consideration for others. Never admit to a debt with these guys and don’t let them intimidate you.

Date:  July 3, 2007

Hi, I'm seeing several different addresses for NCO in the consumer comments section. I'm mailing a cease and desist letter, since the statute of limitations has passed, by certified mail. Should I send a copy to every
office they have in the US so they can't say that they didn't  receive the letter?

or just use this address:  NCO Financial Services   Tracy Wild, Corporate Attorney
150 Cross Point Parkway  Getzville, NY 14068

Date:  July 3, 2007

NCO Financial Systems- I received letter today for a bill from NCO. Trying to collect on a bill from 20 years ago. They are really scraping the bottom on this one. In the past 20 years this has never showed up on our credit reports ever. Just finished my letter to cease & desist all collections. The law in my state (Missouri) is after 5 years they can not try to collect this amount. They could not confirm this purchase and I requested proof. Do not pay before checking with your State Attorney Generals office. These people are bottom feeders. Do not let them win.

Date:  June 29, 2007

I was never notified that a collection report had been lodged by IMBS Collections out of Florida, who sold the account to NCO Financial Systems, who lodged a negative report with Transunion, and then sold the account to West Asset Management. Only when I tried to do a real estate deal did I learn of the negative report of $216.00, which I immediately paid upon the assurance of West Asset Management and NCO that the negative report would be removed. After paying it and getting a receipt from WAM, NCO then tells me that their policy is NOT to remove the report until the 7-year expiration time, for me, in 2011. I intend to file a complaint and perhaps a lawsuit. I am a paralegal but this is not my area of law.

Date:  June 29, 2007

I owe $1103 to Capital One. I cancelled my card. They continue to charge me over limit fees and late payment fees of 70 dollars. Over half my debt is fees. NCO is pure evil! This company has been calling me five times EVERY DAY, I do not answer the call and am keeping track of the numbers they are using. And I am requesting a copy of received calls from my cell phone company. They will not stop calling. At one point, they called, I told them I didn't know when I would be able to make my next payment, but probably around the second week of July. They said, "That is not soon enough, or that is too far in advance, and by the way, next time you call, you might want to make more than one arrangement." They are repeatedly asking me for my bank information. I gave it to them once. I don't know what to do. I'm 19 and being harassed to the point where it is making me physically ill. I don't know what to do anymore, and NCO is going to push me in to another nervous breakdown.   Click Here

Date:  June 25, 2007

Sent a cease and desist letter to NCO Financial Systems in Horsham Pa. Now I have them calling from a Tulsa, Oklahoma number stating they never got the letter. Which is not true as I have all the post office documentation to prove otherwise. Well the Tulsa office will get a letter too. These folks violate all the rules and play games with their multiple office locations. FYI: NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS
4608 South Garnett Rd, Suite 200 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 Phone #918-665-8200

Date:  June 24, 2007 MedCLR

The address I have for them on my report is PO Box 8547, Philadelphia, PA 19101. They placed a negative item on my credit report. I have never even gotten a letter from them. I have disputed it and am sending NCO a letter of dispute and a validation request. I am cutting right to the chase and going ahead and sending letters to the BBB; FTC; NC State Attorney General, also. I have a feeling that I am going to have a hard time with this group.

Date:  June 4, 2007

NCO sent me a letter notifying me of a debt on May 4th. I sent my cease communication letter on June 1st. Before this they called my job and I told them I could not receive personal calls at work. One week later they called again. I again told them I could not receive calls at work. They call my house 4-6 times a day- mostly hang up calls. They have now resorted to calling my sister and mother. At first they didn't tell either one of them anything, but just this last week they went into detail with both my sister and my mom about who they were, what they were after me for, and that if I did not get a hold of them by 5pm on May 29th that they would garnish my wages. My mom freaked out and started calling me wondering what was going on. I have yet to verify this account (that is with the cease communication letter) and I know they violated something by speaking to my sister and mom about this. I have dealt once before with a bad credit collector before I knew my rights. They scared me into paying them by threatening to to garnish my wages up too 40%. (My state the max is 20% and 10% if you claim HOH) I want to make sure this company does not take advantage of me, especially before I even have time to verify this account is even mine.

Date:  May 31, 2007

my wife called me, gave me a phone number that called our home. When i returned the call to this number, NO business name was ever mentioned at all. Just a recording. when a live person answered, "Bonnie", the first question was "may I have your __________ credit card account number?" I said for what, she responds "that is the only way I can look up your account and you called us." I gave her my name and she still needed my card number.
I stated "I am returning your call and have no idea who you are, in no way will i give you that info". then I hung up.

Date:  May 28, 2007

This is an abomination. I've just received a notice from NCO that I owe UPS $1698.09 when I don't even, nor ever had, an account with UPS. Also, there is no middle initial shown in what is supposed to be my name. Can this really go on my credit report?  If it does, the law might provide you with compensation.  www.myfaircredit.com

Date:  May 28, 2007

I recently had a call from NCO regarding a credit card debt they acquired. BETH (who way refused to further identify herself), stated there was a pending legal matter filed in Travis County. When I asked for the case number she stated something like QN18118. I further probed to verify that when I contact an attorney he can use this case number in the court system to see where everything stands. Suddenly, there was no case filed in Travis County, but if I didn't pay up now, there will be. I asked for her law license number, and state she is licensed to practice in. Her response to me was how much did I intend to pay. On and on it went as I cited different sections of the FDCPA pertaining to the conversation.

She parted with "expect a wage garnishment and a lien put on your house soon" and hung up. I'll occasionally get a call from "the office" with a reference to that QN something case number, but I'm just at the point of refusing to answer the phone and see where they are going to go with it.

I've seen other people mention class action suits in these comments, and I'm all for it. Also, I would love to see these scumbags pay financially and criminally for their actions. In the meantime, I am going to start filing complaints with the FTC, TX state attorney general, and the state attorney general in which the company is based.

Hope your recorder was running when they called you in Texas and said what they did.

Date:  May 28, 2007

I've had a number of financial issues. For the most part, working directly with my creditors. I have been receiving calls regarding a large credit card debt. Yesterday, I returned their call and explained the situation.  Today, as I said I would I called them back. The young woman I spoke with was very meek, yet when I asked her for her address and title, she put me on hold and "Mr. Smith" came on the line and began calling me "a liar, a fraud and a number of other names." I remained very calm and that really set him off. I asked what his title was and he said he was a paralegal. Then I asked for the address and he told me I didn't need it. I told him, I'll just call the original creditor myself. He yelled and said, "Oh, they don't want to talk to you." Whatever. Again, I was calm and asked for additional info and he cut me off. I said fine I'll have my attorney contact you, he said "why?" Your attorney can't do anything. I said well I'll have him call you anyway and hung up. I then called back to speak to the mild mannered girl who originally called me and I asked her for her address and she begins to scream, " don't yell at me." I said, "I am not yelling, I'm simply asking for your address." She hung up on me. So, I called back several more times and it's funny they can call you all day, but the minute you turn the tables on them, they don't answer their extension. So, I left a very nice message and said my lawyer will be in touch, have a nice day. I am not denying I owe the debt, but they don't even want to work out a payment plan.

Date:  May 24, 2007

By this company being able to remain in business shows how really concerned the government is about protecting our consumer rights Forget about fines, its time to start locking people up. But I guess its the same old story when a corporation makes a huge amount of money they get slapped on the wrist. What they do is another type of terrorism. They don't go around blowing up people, they just destroy you slowly....  It's a "what's in it for me society and debt collectors personify it perfectly...

Date:  May 22, 2007

The more I read about NCO the more I wonder why they are still in business. Logic tells me that if everyone who's had dealings with them reported them to Better Business, it would send up a red flag. And hopefully BBB would investigate them. I, for one, plan on letting anyone who can do something about their bad business practices, by reporting them to anyone who can do something to put their company out of business. Or at least open their eyes. The BBB is a paid membership program and has no authority or power against any organization.

Date:  May 21, 2007

These people are horrid. I was unable to pay a credit card due in 02, my limit was $500.  In, 2004 my credit card company transferred the account to nco I did not know how bad nco was until I received their letter, my last balance with my credit card company I remember was $1100 due to late fees & interest charges nco added $100 of interest to my balance I was told they cannot add anymore money to the balance & they did that, the nco collector got very hateful when I told them I was not going to pay the extra interest & I hung the phone up. The, nco collector called me & left a message on my voicemail accusing me of harassing them, I made my complaints to the BBB, attorney general & the state of pa. I have heard nothing from nco since 2004 they have a lot of nerve, us good people end up in financial problems. My credit is fixed now & I am going to keep it that way.

Date:  May 15, 2007

These people are disgusting. I maxed out a credit card while in law school on books, as well as emergency medical expenses. After graduating, I was having a hard time making such high payments so the debt was bought by NCO. They called my constantly, at times calling and hanging up after one ring. The woman who was assigned to work with me - CARRIE - was constantly threatened, degrading, and warned me that I would be sued by Bank of America (huh??). So after doing my research on the Fair Debt Collection Practices, I wrote them a 4 page letter detailing to them my interactions with Carrie, and highlighted the FDCPA provisions that she had broken (you can find this online). I also let them know that I was aware of my remedies under this Act (either individual or class action suit - I told them I would be willing to find others via internet to create a class). Oh, and I mentioned that I would be happy to sue Carrie individually for fraud and for emotional distress. As soon as this letter was received, I was transferred to another person who has been more helpful in dealing with me. Although I have to say, he is extremely upset that I won't agree to his settlement - how in the world can I come up with thousands of dollars in a month???? So now he's telling me that their company policy states that they must receive a minimum payment of 300/months on any debts over 5000. This doesn't sound right to me, but I am going to see what I can do here. Bottom line, dont let them treat you in a way they are not legally able to. Tell them you are recording your conversations (even if you're not), also let them now that you intend on memorializing your conversations with them in writing. Look up the Fair Debt Collection Practices - if they break any of these rules - write them and let them know. Call them and tell them you wrote the letter, and that hopefully this situation will be taken care of without you having to send a copy of your letter to the PA Atty General.

Date:  May 15, 2007

NCO has left messages on my answering machine claiming a pending lawsuit towards me. The collector posed as an attorney stating he was from FRIEND OF THE COURT LEGAL SERVICES. I still have the message on my answering machine. This message was immediately preceded from another collection company with almost the same exact message. They must be reading from the same script. These companies always leave a return phone number. Odd they won't give it out if you ask for it when you answer the phone.

Date:  May 11, 2007

My ex-husband and I separated in April 2003. When I left, I left the DirecTV in my name and on for him, because he asked me to. Dumb mistake. He had it disconnected and placed in his name; AFTER he decided not to pay the remaining bill. I had moved to Miami, Florida and he decided not to let me know, he just didn't pay it. Yesterday, I decided to get a free credit report for the first time since leaving my ex. I had no reason before. My ex and I had filed bankruptcy and the only things listed on my report were for medical bills, which I couldn't pay, because my children's father stopped paying child support and I was disabled and still waiting for my disability approval (took 5 years). So, I call DirecTV, explain the situation, offer to pay them in full for the $92. They tell me they would love to take it, but can't because they turned it over to NCO, and I would have to deal with them. I said well, sorry, this company has a really bad rap for lying, cheating, fraud, illegal activity and they should do a search online about this company. and I would not in any way ever deal with NCO. I have no problem paying the bill. I just will not deal with this company. I also noticed on my credit report that they did NOT put down the date the account became overdue, which would have been sometime after April 2003. The date they put is only the dates they continue to add the info, reading the info and that the account is scheduled to continue on record until May 2009. I guess we will see if theydecide to extend that beyond the 7 year time frame, because I refuse to deal with this company, period.

Date:  May 11, 2007

I received (what appears to be) a bogus 'settlement offer' for this firm. They go out of their way to make it look legit but I'm not sure. When I called the number (3X), I was put on hold for more than 30 minutes each time before I finally gave up and decided to google this 'agency' and found this website. The notice claims I owe Wells Fargo money but no explanation as to what the money is, when it was supposedly incurred, and, naturally, no one to take my call to explain what this is all about. I have never owed Wells Fargo anything that went unpaid or paid late, but I tried to find the account # they reference in their notice. I have no idea where that number came from or what they claim the charges are. To whom should I report this? Isn't this mail fraud? And what's the deal with the threatening note (As required by the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations.)

Date:  May 3, 2007

nco employees are told by there mangers to break the law--then the manger will say they never told employees that to save there job--i am employed at nco now -at the end of the month they will take any settlement so if you are looking to pay you debt off do it at the end of the month--at nco they do not care about the debtor or the empylee they will do what ever to get the money--even the top mangers break the law and have had complaints filed against them--they only get a slap on the wrist-

Date:  April 27, 2007

I have just had the most ridiculous experience with NCO Financial Systems. I received in the mail about 4 days ago that I had a payment coming out of my account to payoff this current debt. I called them back to let them know that my housing payment was due and there would be no money in this account to cover it. The first woman I spoke to told me I would have to make a payment this month in order to keep the account current and I said that was not possible because of my housing payment. She said that I would have to speak to the person who was dealing with my account directly and she was not in so I was going to have to leave a message on her voicemail. I left a voice message saying the money was not going to be in my account and I was going to have to reschedule my payment and to please contact me if you have any questions and I left my phone number. She never called me and then I see the payment came out early out of my account and I placed a stop payment on it because I knew that money was not going to be available. So, I called them and got a voicemail and said that it was their fault that the money was not going to be paid and they owed me a stop payment fee because I did my part. Still I did not get any reply. I called them again today 4/27/2007 and spoke to a person she informed me first that the person who answered the phone was supposed to have helped me and not have transferred me to her voicemail. She then asked for me to hold on and I was then transferred to the supervisor, Alese Collins, and explained my situation and she said that they have NO record of me calling at all and that they owe me nothing. She was very rude and she told me that I was going to get nothing and that this conversation was over. I said you have to have some record of me calling. I called and left two voice messages and the calls are apparently recorded and monitored but apparently that only applies when it will benefit their company. Ms. Collins then hung up on me

Date:  April 27, 2007

Well, looks like NCO is still at it. I monitor my credit report, and received notification today of a potentially negative entry. An account showed up dated 6/1/2004 as NCO FIN/99. Of course, I did Google it and found it was NCO Financial, so I came here and was shocked to see them listed as America's Worst {sarcasm of course}.

I do not know who they are, but I've been very diligent about maintaining my credit, and have nothing delinquent or in collection, and haven't in several years now.

Here's my steps: I am sending a request for VALIDATION. I am also contacting a local lawyer who specializes in Credit Reporting and Fair Collection practices.

While investigating the company, I did find out they were acquired in November 2006 by a company called "Collect Holdings, Inc." who is controlled by One Equity Partners and its affiliates. Interesting to note that One Equity Partners has participation by none other than Michal Barrista, the president of NCO. Hmm.. One Equity manages approximately $5 billion of investments and commitments for JPMorgan Chase & Co. in direct private equity transactions. Hmmm.

Here are some helpful URLs:   http://www.ncogroup.com  (NCO Financial)  http://www.oneequity.com/  (One Equity Partners)

A very very very very shady outfit. I, for one, will not take this lying down. It's not the $88.00 amount. It's the principle and their unscrupulous activities. Anyhow, just thought I'd share some of what I've found out about this shady group.

Date:  April 27, 2007

 i just sent an e-mail warning people of this company and of others that act the same way. i forgot to add the address to my e-mail complaint. NCO FINANCIAL SYSTEMS. P.O. BOX 4905 TRENTON , NJ 08650 AND THEIR PHONE # IS 1-866-372-8496 THE EXT IS 7876 thank you for your time and help in all you do for us consumers nationwide.

Date:  April 13, 2007

NCO Group Financial Systems Inc. is my worst enemy.  They bought out National Revenue Corporation which is where I had an account placed back in 2003 - 2004.  I paid the debt in September of 2004.  THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REMOVE THIS FROM MY CREDIT REPORT FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS.  I am not in the process of buying a home and this one thing on my credit report is holding me up from closing on my home.  NCO REFUSES TO SEND A LETTER TO ME STATING THAT THE ACCOUNT HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL EVEN THOUGH THEY DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS PAID IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004.  They are refusing to send a letter to me and they refused to remove it from my credit report.   WHAT CAN I DO?? SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! I AM ABOUT TO LOSE MY MIND.

Date:  April 13, 2007

I have recently had dealings with this company. I am a lawyer and I have a suggestion. If people from this company are calling and representing themselves as attorneys, ask for their bar number. Inquire about their area of practice. Are they in house counsel or an independent contractor? Ask if they are, in calling you, practicing law? Most states forbid practicing law without a license. If nothing else, you can have some fun. I am appalled by people threatening others with legal action. Most people are scared to death of the legal system and don't understand it. The only answer is to educate yourself before doing anything. Read Mr. Hibbs book. Its a good start.

Date:  April 12, 2007

Yesterday, I received a call from a woman named Bernadette Monsour, claiming to be at NCO Financial Systems and wanting to collect a debt from me that was more than 8 years old (Sears) and that I had been paying off faithfully for a solid year. I had stopped paying when I saw NO reduction in the amount of the debt. She said the debt was past due since 11-2006 and that Sears had sold them my account. I immediately told her that I would not talk to her over the phone and that she should send me written notification of this change with regard to my account. She then began to harrass me, saying that she had every right to call and that if I didn't pay the "offer" they made at this time by April 23, NCO would take me to court. I was so dumbfounded, I stayed on the phone and talked to her. She was rude, doubted my birthdate, couldn't believe I worked part-time and had health problems that caused me to fall behind in bills, and on and on and on. I have never been more insulted or seen such flagrant abuse of my consumer rights in my life. I will be pursuing legal action against them, and if they call again, I will tell them to contact my lawyer. I suggest that if anyone gets any call from these people that they know and cite consumer rights law to the letter to them over the phone, and NOTHING MORE. You are right, they are "bottom feeders" who do not care about people, only money. Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggh!

Date:  April 2, 2007

I do not doubt any information on this site but i have some information about N.C.O located on Washington blvd. I have been working at N.C.O for 1 year now and i have noticed that the company i work for is firing and hiring non-educated people and not to mention some crack heads that bring in things that they sell around the office there are some things i just cant type that happens in the office on a daily basis. I will say that there some people at N.C.O who are skimming off the top meaning there is favoritism that is going on in our offices. what i mean is that managers are giving direct pays to woman for lets just say other reasons. One example is that every month there is a print out of the top collectors and every month its mainly the same people on top. I and many others new to N.C.O have noticed that we cant even make a decent commission check because we are following FDCPA rules and i asked around about " what it takes to really make it around here" and to my surprise the answer around the office is do what it takes to get the check by phone.  (it goes on a lot longer, but part of it would have disclosed his identity and we don't do that.)

Date:  April 2, 2007

NCO hires some quality employees. Per WKBW-ABC, a employee of NCO was arrested for kidnapping a 4 year old girl while on cocaine. http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=46805

Date:  April 2, 2007

To anyone who has any dealings with NCO Financial Services:  Do not give them credit card or bank account numbers. I don't owe them anything, but I just found out after dealing with a stolen credit card number that my electric company uses (you guessed it) NCO Financial Services to handle their on-line bill paying. Someone bought a bunch of clothes at a Pacific Sunwear storefront at Fashion Mall in Las Vegas, NV with my card. I live in Connecticut. I am in my fifties. I have never been to Las Vegas. The store sells teen clothes for skaters and surfers. I have never had any trouble like this before paying that one bill on-line. I guess they never heard of security either.

Date:  April 2, 2007

I'm relating this experience my mother had with NCO, so people are aware of the complete and utter lack of professionalism displayed by those employed by NCO. For at least a month now, my mother has been receiving misdirected calls from NCO. Each time that they call, they ask for the same person, someone with whom my mother is not familiar. Each time that my mother has spoken with a representative, she has informed them that the person they are attempting to contact does not and never has lived there. My mother has had the same phone number for more than 30 years. They continue to call her anyway, so one day, she had finally reached her limit, so she got NCO's phone number off of her caller ID and called to explain that she is not the person that they are trying to contact. The representative with whom she spoke was completely rude, raising her voice at mother. When my mother asked for the name of the organization, the rep responded "we have no business with you, so you don't need to know". I'm totally enraged by the demeanor of the representative that spoke with my mother. My mother is a recent widow, the last thing that she needs is to be harassed by this company over a matter that doesn't even concern her. I can't believe  this company is still operational given the business tactics they employ. It's an outrage.

Date:  March 22, 2007

I was an attorney in NCO’s legal department for three months. As of this date, if there are 2 attorneys there (including the VP David Schlee, who could not litigate his way out of a paper bag) then they are in the probate section, and the so-called attorney network, largely based in Baltimore, is a fiction. Sure, they have a network of attorneys they use to file suit, but the parameters for that actually occurring are far less frequent then they would have the debtor believe, I got fired because I left a message stating that the matter that I was handling might be referred back to the client for consideration of all possible remedies based on the circumstances of the account and the laws of the state. My violation was leaving that on a recorder (hence third party disclosure). I can tell you and anyone who reads this that every single collector there violates the FDCPA third party rule when they leave messages stating they are from the NCO attorney network, because, as you know, the least sophisticated consumer is likely to believe that the person calling is an attorney. I and one other person, who left before I did, were the only two people who could make that representation and have it be true. Moreover, we lawyers actually reported to non-lawyer supervisors, some of whom, had only a GED to their credit.

Certainly made me feel every inch special, considering I had been practicing law for over 22 years. Get the word out there. Eventually, I will have a blog of my own for NCO

Date:  March 22, 2007

I'm glad I have found this website. I have advice for you all who have the guts to do this. I too have been harassed by the NCO scumbags but I got smart. I turn these calls into a little game. One night A rep from NCO called me to demand payment. I said "do you take a check over the phone?". Smelling his commission, he said yes. I then asked him a question, " Who was the winning pitcher in the 1974 world series". He said I don't know, I said wrong answer... You lose. Call me back and we will play again stupid. He hung up on me. You see, you don't have to take there crap, take charge of the call and have some fun. I'm in sales and I know how to push peoples buttons. I change my games every call. They have stopped calling me. LOL

Date:  March 21, 2007

The other day, some crazy lady called me from nco about a debt i have with Chase bank. I told her i couldn't take the call because i work at a store and was ringing up customers and am not allowed to be talking on the phone when i am trying to take care of customers. She started yelling and telling me that if i didn't give her the money right then she was going to flood all of my stores lines with calls and then start calling my bosses too. Well, i told her that threatening me like that was in violation of the fair credit act and i didn't feel i needed to talk to her anymore. She then told me ( and I can't believe she had the balls to say this), but she said " i don't care about no fair credit act, you just shut up and pay me what you owe me! Well, I told her I wasn't going to talk to her anymore and hung up. Now, she is calling the store, asking for me and then making all kinds of noise on the phone like she is banging on her keyboard or something and then hanging up. This morning she called, asked for me, made fun of one of my employees and then hung up! what can I do about this crazy lady?

Date:  March 12, 2007

My husband and I keep getting letters from them for a debt they bought. The debt is now 8 years old, 1 year over the SOL in North Dakota. We don't respond to them, since we know the SOL is up for this debt. We have no intention of contacting them, starting the SOL all over again.  (Just be careful not to ignore anything in writing...)

Date:  March 1, 2007

More fodder for the mill: Twice in the last week, I have answered my home telephone to be greeted with a recording stating "Federal Law requires that we notify you that this call is in reference to the collection of a debt. Please call Tony Bruno at 888-550-4514 as soon as possible."

The interesting thing is that there was NO company (collection agency) identified in the message. The call made NO attempt to state who they were calling for or to identify the debt in question - so from my point of view, it seemed that the caller might be on a fishing expedition. (It was only later through internet research - explained below - that I identified the agency. LOL. Glad I did.)

Since I know that ALL my bills are paid and current (and ALWAYS have been), I ignored it the first time. When they called a second time, I decided I would think about calling them just to see what they had on their file that was causing them to call my (unlisted) home phone number....BUT...I would be smart about it. The ONLY information that I knew that they had for sure was my telephone number. I would call and tell them that "you have been calling phone number xxx-xxx-xxxx - what are you seeking? I would not even identify myself - I would make them do it. IF they had some sort of legitimate business purpose, it seemed to me that this would become apparent REAL quick.

Long story short...I called the number and was met with a hold pattern complete with annoying muzak and a female voice assuring me that "your call is important to us and we will be with you in ONE SECOND". OK. Fine. At this point, I'm fascinated. "One second" went on for 20 minutes with NO live person ever answering. I hung up and decided that the 20 minute "investment" answered everything I needed to know. If they had a legitimate purpose for contacting me to start with, I would not be subjected to a 20 minute hold.

I could have been done with it at that point...but then I headed to the internet and I googled the phone number the original recorded voice had given me - 888-550-4514 - and Bud Hibbs website and the NCO horror stories webpage popped up.   Vindication. I shall not be devoting even one second further to the contemplation that this company's calls to me have a legitimate purpose. My bills are paid, and THERE IS NO "outstanding debt to collect".

Anyone else in the state of Georgia getting these calls?

Date:  February 28, 2007

Our daughter had a phone through AT&T. She put the account in my husbands name as it was her first phone and she needed a reference. Long story short she paid the account off before moving. However, AT&T had already sold it to NCO. They came after my husband to pay the debt. After a year she can't prove that she paid, water damaged records. So we just paid it off. They never sent us any notice or bill on this account ever!
Because we are trying to clean up our credit we just paid them off the 119.11 dollars and asked them to send is a letter as well as report that it was paid. Hopefully, Atiya there will follow through on her word. We will just wait 14 days and see. Thanks Bud for your site and help.  If anyone is interested in a class-action against McKelvey and First American Investments Sign us up too.

Date:  February 25, 2007

I have been continually harassed by NCO Financial for a debt that was being paid on a debt management plan. The original debt was Providian Credit Card and they were paid for over 2 years and then sold the debt to NCO that has been continually harassing me, even after being sent the Cease Communication Letter. They need to be SHUT DOWN these bottom feeders.

Date:  February 24, 2007

I just had a baby and during my very high risk pregnancy my bills went past due. I contacted my original creditor about getting my bill taken care of they informed me that I have been sent to collections. I was sent to NCO, NOT COMPETENT OTHERS. I first spoke with a woman on February 16, 2007, I wanted to know what date I was sent to collections because I am still receiving bills from my original creditor, the girl, who I must add could not speak English well, told me she did not know. That makes me upset because I am an ex-collector and my husband is a current collections manager, I know that all info is in front of them. I then asked her to speak to her supervisor and she hung up on me. After I hung up I called the original creditor and said that I would send in a payment.
On February 17, a man non-English speaking man called me from NCO. I explained what had happened the day before and that I had sent a payment to the original creditor. He kept going around in circles with me trying to get me to pay him. After I told him that I will continue to make payments to original creditor. He then yelled at me and told me JUST STAY IN COLLECTIONS AND BE SUED, and then he hung up on me.
On February 21 at 7:08 pm, I received a call from NCO another non-English speaking man and I then AGAIN told him the story but then he started yelling at me, I then asked to speak with his supervisor. His manager came to the phone and I stated that I wanted him to know that I know the FDCPA and I know that they are calling me way too much with-in four days. I also told him that his collector had not stated the mini Miranda. I was then told he would notate me account and I would not receive another call until my bill was due again.
On February 21 at 7:50, I received another call from NCO, THE SAME THING

Date:  February 14, 2007

I received a call from someone at NCO Financial who identified himself as Jason Green and listed his company's mailing address as 507 Prudential Rd, Horsham, PA 19044. He was calling about a Capital One account. I have never had a Capital One account. Then he asked me for personal information he said he'd use to verify I was not the person who owed the debt and I refused to give him my personal info over the phone. At that point, I told him he needed to mail me the information about the debt. He said he had and I had not responded, etc. He became very abusive, threatening and overbearing. We went back and forth with him telling me I'd better pay, etc. and me saying that I didn't owe the money, that he'd made a mistake, etc. I asked for his supervisor's name and he gave me the name of Barb Wallace.He gave me the contact number of 877-212-9585 ext 1522 for him and the contact number of 877-212-9585 ext 1732 for Barb Wallace.I called Barb Wallace back immediately and she looked my account up on her computer and seemed reasonable in accepting my statement that the person whose info she read to me over the phone wasn't me. Jason Green did not do this. He demanded that I prove my identity to him and when I refused,he became abusive and threatening and said that I need to pay the debt, etc. I am not going to send them a nickel because I don't owe the money. I asked Jason Green for the name and address on the account. He read me off the 1st & last names, which are the same as mine, but he didn't read the middle initial which is different from mine. He read an address in another city in NC which is not mine, which is someplace I've never lived. said it wasn't me and he kind of chuckled and said something to the effect of "well, yeah, that's what you say..."He said something like "if it's not you, then how did I get you on the phone?" and I asked him how he got the phone number and he said he looked it up on the internet. I asked for the original phone number on the account, under which it was opened, and he said it was my number and I told him that he'd just admitted that he looked the number up on the internet and he said "no I didn't".

Anyway, I wrote them a letter detailing all this. According to what Barb Wallace told me on the phone, she updated the recordsto show that it wasn't me who owed this money. I have little confidence that she's actually done that so I wrote up a letter while it was all still fresh in my mind and I sent it just a moment ago.

Apparently I'm not the 1st person who's had this sort of trouble with NCO financial but I'm not going to pay a debt that's not mine and I'm not going to sit still while some person calls me at home and threatens me about a debt that I didn't incur.

Date:  February 14, 2007

This bunch of thugs are into threats and harassments. When I call them, they do not verify my information at all instead they start talking about my account based solely on the phone number on the phone number showing up on their screen. There is no verification of who I am. They have threatened me to the point of litigation and when I tell them that they should not threaten them they claim that it is not an "idle threat" which tells me that they do not speak English very well. I tried to make arrangements with them for $200 per month on a $7600 account and they refuse to accept it saying only that I should save it to hire an attorney. Please help me. II want to help stop them.

Date:  February 12, 2007

I just wanted to tell others that I have dealt with NCO twice in the past.

The first time was back in about 2000 and I had a really NASTY experience like others have described. The bill they were collecting wasn't even for me...it was for my DH, who was just my boyfriend at the time. This man lied constantly to me about calling and I knew he had not because I was home all day. He even said he sent letters but he had not because he didn't even have the correct address and the one they had was for my in-laws and I'm certain they would have given us the letters! Eventually it got to the point where this man was screaming at me and calling DH a piece of crap and I told him I did not have to take this and hung up on him. He then called back and slammed the phone in my ear and I never heard from them again :) Eventually they sold the account to another collection agency and we have been paying on it monthly for the last year without any harassment.

The most recent activity with NCO was just over the last year. I had trouble with them at first. The lady that was in charge of my account wanted to be nice and do what I could at the time but then her supervisor would call and argue with me. That went on for about a month. I made a double payment and then started paying them monthly. The account was later given to a man but I never had an issue with either him or the woman. They were always nice and even chatted a bit while doing my payments. I paid this bill off about three months ago :)

I don't know if it helps but in most cases I have learned if you are nice to them, they will be nice to you. I know there are exceptions, though. I just am honest with them and make my payments when I say I will and it's worked.

Date:  February 7, 2007

I received a call last night from NCO and a man named Tony. Of course his English was not great so I figured he was sitting in some other country on a computer. But anyway he was calling for my 21 year old daughter who has not lived in my home almost two years. We don't have the best relationship which is no ones business, I don't have a forwarding number for her, as far as I know she doesn't have a phone. This guy pretty much called me a liar and said he would call my number every single day until he got to talk with her. He was rude, disrespectful and has no right to talk to anyone in the manner he was using. I don't know my daughters financial activity. He said there was nothing I could do to keep him from calling every single day.

Date:  February 7, 2007

For the person that wrote in about NCO and your Student loans Please Please Please contact the Pa. Attorney generals Office. They are actively after this scum and need more help.

Date:  February 7, 2007

NCO started calling me repeatedly and sending me collection letters saying I owe the Dept. of Education for a student loan of $758.77 plus penalties of $249.00, which is their collection fee.

I told them I never took a student loan for this amount and that my loans were consolidated and discharged due to permanent disability over a year ago.

I called the Dept. of Educ. and they verified I had no outstanding loans. I went to the FSA website and entered my information to get the latest data concerning any outstanding loans I may have and it came back that there were none. I called Sallie Mae, the loan originator and they said it was paid August 5th, 2003 for the exact same amount NCO is trying to claim is the original amount. We shall see what effect this has once I receive the written verification that I do not owe the debt.

Recently, I got a letter (ostensibly from the Dept of Treasury) saying they were going to cut my disability to pay this debt. In the letter there is a number given for the Dept of Educ to call. When I did an online search on the number it comes back as a local business number!!

They also give a number to the Treasury Dept which when I search on it comes back as no information on that number. I don't believe the Treasury Department is trying to hide and suspect this is not their number either.

This company is engaged in fraudulent and illegal operations trying to bilk people out of their money via fear and intimidation.

The federal offices I called all had different views about what was happening. They don’t have access to the same database and things get misinterpreted and people get misinformed. NCO depends on these holes in the federal system to steal from people.

I am totally and permanently disabled. I need a machine to keep me alive at night because I cannot breathe on my own while sleeping and I don’t wake up. If they somehow manage to convince the Treasury dept. to cut my benefits, and I lose my place to live I will have no way to plug in the machine. This amounts to a death sentence meted out by a greedy thief. It seems they are graduating from fraud to a potential for murder.

Date:  February 1, 2007

These people call me every day, at work. They are very rude. They have never sent me a statement showing the payments Ive given them, though Ive requested it. I now know so much more about harrassment tactics that I wish I had known before. I want to get help from a credit counselor, but I dont know if it will even help.

Date:  January 28, 2007

I began receiving calls from NCO Financial about a week ago. First contact was with Mr. Becker. He stated that he was attempting to collect on a debt that I owe to Bank of America for $909.00. I told him that I do not owe this. He got irate and began to tell me that it is against the law for me not to pay my bills. I asked him to send me an itemized statement of what the charges are for and on what account. I have a current open account with Bank of America. He told me that he could not send me anything until I agreed to a settlement or made sufficient payment arrangements. I told him that I would not be willing to do that until he proved that the debt was legitimate. He stated that he was marking my file "Refusal to pay" and hung up. Then I started receiving about 12 to 20 calls a day at work, on my cell and at home. The people always change. First Mr. Becker (who refused to give a first name or extension to reah him at directly), then Mr. Palmer, Sally and now Melvin. I went to my local branch of Bank if BOA and inquired about this. Apparently, when I closed my personal account and opened a joint account with my husband over a year ago, there was a check that had posted by not cleared. BOA says that I owe $193 but NCO says that the balance is $909.00. Melvin called again this morning (Sunday) first call came at 7:30 AM and have continued up to now, 11:42 AM. I told him that I have talked to BOA directly and that the bill is nowhere near what he alleges and that he needs to send me verification in an itemized statement. He began yelling and cursing at me. At that point my husband took over the call. There is no need to harass someone like this, especially for a bogus claim. Now I am late for church and my nerves are tore up to boot. God does not like ugly and as a corporate paralegal I know what steps to take to handle this. I found this site while trying to locate a number on the internet to call his supervisor. I am stunned and appalled at all of the posts here.

Date:  January 24, 2007

The NCO Organization must have retained some of their collectors to man the telephones in the so-called CRM Division (Cust Relationship Management). The first call I received was a man who mentioned that he was calling on behalf of Capital One and I immediately said, "I am not interested" and hung up. I then received an "abandoned" call from them. I then received another call the next day from another man and I very firmly told him to remove my name from their records as I do not wish any calls from them, and I hung up.I then received an "abandoned call" again. This organization is obviously bad in the collections area but they are also going to gain a great reputation in the area of promoting Capital One credit cards, as if that Corporation needs any further bad publicity.
It looks like bottom feeders find each other and make partnerships that prey on vulnerable consumers.
After dealing with 2 years of daily calls from Canadian Bonded Credits (Intellirisk Management USA) by the time I got the advice to notify them in writing to cease calling me because I am not the person they are looking for, I succeeded but only for a few days because they passed the account to another Agency in Montreal Quebec who now calls my number every day. I have gone the route again of writing to demand they cease and desist but I am also contacting a lawyer to end this saga because I do not plan to be a victim any longer. It seems that having a telephone number that belonged to someone else 10 years ago is a risky thing. Thanks for the great info I read on here tonight! Asserting my rights is exhausting!

Date:  January 24, 2007

I have sent a stop calling letter at least twice. Unfortunately, it seems that NCO keeps buying all of my old debt. It's almost like they are out to get me. On the latest one, I stated two months ago that I was sending yet another stop calling letter, and they told me that was not needed, as they would stop calling me on the $80 disputed garbage bill (the garbage company refused to deal with me, they sent it to collection instead). This morning, here they are again. When I called back the third time to get the specific account information, Maryanne was actually fairly friendly, once again stating that I did not need to send a letter, she would take me off the call list. She then asked why I can't or won't pay, I told that the bill was originally a dispute between me and the garbage company, and she promptly hung up on me. Just in case, I intend to send a letter anyway.

Date:  January 18, 2007

I'M SO GLAD I FOUND THIS WEBSITE - I'M NOT SENDING A DIME!!! I was contacted by Mr. Clark at NCO Financial. He called my mothers house where I have not lived for years and asked to speak to me. When my mother told him I did not live there he requested my current information. My mom was not comfortable with giving out that kind of information to someone she did not know and asked if she could take his information and have me contact him - he kindly obliged. I returned Mr. Clark's phone call later this evening and he stated it was in regards to an account from Capital One that was last active in 2003. I do have a past due account with the company and explained my situation to Mr. Clark. He offered to cut my balance in half if I would pay him $200 plus a month for the next six months. I explained to him that I could not afford that kind of payment. He immediately got quite grumpy with me and demanded that I owed this debt and that I should be ever so willing to pay him what he offered. I did not deny that I owed the debt but I offered to pay $50 a month until I could pay more. Mr. Clark did not like that offer. So I asked that if I could scrape together the payment he requested where would I send my check and he informed me that I could not send them a check that I had to give him my account number and it would be withdrawn from my account directly. I told him that I would not give that kind of information due to the fact that I did not want them taking money when they felt like it and Mr. Clark went from grumpy to down right rude in no time flat. He said it was company policy not to receive a check because there was no guarantee that the money would be there. I argued with this gentleman from 20 minutes about giving him my account number and he told me my account was out of his hands and he would refer me to his supervisor. In the process of transfer I was cut off.

Date:  January 18, 2007

NCO Financial apparently cares nothing about adherence to the law. In spite of at least 50 return phone calls and acknowledgement that I do not owe a debt, they continue to call and interfered with my wedding as a result. Certified letters mean nothing an apparently nor does the mandate from the attorney general's office. Fines didn't do any good either, since they apparently have enough money to continue their practices post-fine.

Date:  January 1, 2007

My recent encounters with them started a month ago when I received at phone call at 7:30am. The number it is coming from is 703-880-6800. Someone recited an extremely fast and indecipherable message with number to call and reference number for me under my maiden name (I have been married 2.5 years); then they abruptly disconnected. If no one answers, they leave the same indecipherable on the answering machine. I literally had to listen to it half a dozen times, while slowing it down enough, to understand anything other than my name. The return number they give is 877-859-8938. I have yet to call them, but I am saving all messages and logging all Caller ID information

The calls are now daily and sometimes twice daily. I received one letter a few days after the first call. That is the main reason I know who they were. It is for a debt from TWELVE years ago that had been paid -- totally bogus.

I have filed a complaint with my state’s Attorney General’s office, the FTC and contacted a consumer attorney.

Date:  December 30, 2006

Dear Mr. Hibbs and Readers,  I recently posted a few weeks ago about advice on what to do if I contact you or you are contacted by the other unemployment line expert reps. that work with me in this company. I can tell you that I am no longer gonna be working for NCO on the basis that I am going to get a real job. Last words of advice from me tho:  NCO is full of crap. They won't spend the money to take you to court unless you show you are weak and won't fight back.  NCO employs the worst office crew I have ever worked with. Most will tell you they are attorneys or supervisors, In fact, most are just temp hires who will be out the door within weeks.

NCO is afraid of litigation. If you threaten with a lawsuit, most the time we will go away.

Funny, I read this site and wish I could give you all advice on how to talk back to a collection agency. Mr. Hibbs does a pretty good job. Listen to him and read his free book. Send the cease comm letter as soon as you get contacted. If someone in my office calls, write it down and keep track. You can def. sue us. For X-mas I was gonna give you all a gift. I was gonna post the personal contact list for all the collectors that work for NCO. That way you could have all contacted them at home like they contact you. Would have been suspicious though seeing my name would have been the only name I would have left off the list.  P.S. Don't worry, threats from NCO are just threats. The law is there to protect you, not protect NCO.

Date:  December 22, 2006

...Recently the newest player, NCO, called my wife's work number and called me at work, all violations. They told my wife that "you are still responsible for your husband's debt" (Not true in PA.) After I explained situation, the NCO rep asked me "So do you admit having a contract for this debt with MBNA?". Huh? "no BOA opened that account with someone else... I am sending you a VALIDATION request... so please stop calling me at work." He then told me "You need to get a lawyer for validation..." another untruth. When I mentioned it is federal law and asked him for that in writing as well as the comment about my wife being responsible for the debt, he told me "Good luck getting it..." and hung up. I called back to ask some more things, but he told me "I already marked that as Refused To Pay". I then told him, I never refused, all I did was ask for validation. His response was "same thing...". Then I mentioned to him, "By the way, I am recording this conversation to ensure nothing is misconstrued." He panicked and told me "You don't have my permission to record anything.." and hung up. So moral is: If you want them to stop harassing you, tell them that you are recording them...

Date:  December 6, 2006

These people are awful! Started to get harassed by Mike T from NCO about a Sears debt. Yes, we owe owe it, so I tried to make a payment of $150 right now, and the remaining $700 the end of next month. This was unacceptable to this person, and stated that the "Bank" won't allow this. I needed to pay them it all this month. I kept stating that $150 is all we could afford this month, and this was still not OK. He called my mother-in-law even. He tricked me into giving him more financial info by stating that it would be used to help the "bank" figure out what they could do for us. After I gave Mike T this info he began to shame me, asking me what I was doing with my money every month, and that I needed to borrow the full amount from someone to pay them. He was so rude. I have not been treated like that in a very long time. I'm glad I found this site!!

Date:  December 6, 2006

I received a call today at my work no less than 5 times today. After he could not reach me. Finally he spoke with our receptionist and proceeded to inform her that he would call everyone in my company until he reached me. Once he spoke with me, he commenced to yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs regarding my situation. After yelling quite extensively and not acknowledging my request for an address, he hung up. I immediately called back to request a supervisor to report him and he again yelled that he was the supervisor and he would only continue the conversation if I was willing to make payment over the phone today. I informed him that he was not conducting business in a professional manner and he should not call my place of employment any longer. At that point, I ceased the call. In most situations where any account has to go to a collection agency, it is already a stressful period and to have a collector berate, harass and humiliate you is totally unacceptable and should not be tolerated.