I had to deal with these folks early on in my debt nightmare. At that time, I was still giving out my checking account information to collectors (stupid) and these people actually tried to steal $300 from my account via an unauthorized payment. I've NEVER given out account information since then. One of the collectors we dealt with here called up my wife one day and said "I don't understand how you people can run up your credit card and not pay your bill." After we complained in writing about collectors' conduct (there were two who called us constantly), the female collector called back and said "you people are so immature" and hung up. I wish I had known then some more about what my rights are -- then these guys would owe ME money.