Collector harrassment?

[mgmkitty]

What is the name of your state? California

My husband asked our phone company to sign us up with long distance. Someone there signed us up with a different company than we asked for, but we didn't realize this until we received a bill. The bill is outrageous!! And we're not paying it. (I do not know anyone who'd pay $400 for a 1 1/2 hour phone call). I understand the phone company will call and try to get paid, and I understand the collection agency will call. But, what is considered harrassment? They call at 10:00 at night, and 7:30 in the morning on a weekend! They have been told not to call, and put everything in writing, as I have done so. Is there anyway (besides the obvious) to get them to stop calling?

[Ladynred]

Is it the phone company calling or a 3rd party collection agency ?

If its the phone company, they are not bound by the FDCPA as far as when and how often they can call you. If it IS a 3rd party CA, then they can only call you between 8AM and 9PM YOUR TIME.

OC's don't have to abide by cease and desist letters either, CA's do.

Did they make an error in the LD selection - or were you SLAMMED ??

[mgmkitty]

It's a 3rd party collection agency. They call all hours of the night and weekend. We asked for the long distance offered by our phone company, and they gave us a different one with an outrageous rate. Is there any way to get them to stop calling? I've sent letters saying to stop calling, and why I am not paying, what do I do?

[Ladynred]

Send this 3rd party CA another cease and desist letter and make sure you send it certified, RRR mail. Keep copies of everything.

By ignoring your C&D letter, they are violating the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA) and by calling before 8AM and after 9pm they are racking up even more violations.

So, in your letter you need to reference the FDCPA and point out their violations. You should also file a complaint with the FTC, your state Attorney General's office and the BBB.

You should read the FDCPA, you can find it at [url]www.ftc.gov[/url] under Consumers, then Credit.

Have you contacted the phone company about the LD service being incorrect ? Its still possible you were slammed and that is illegal as well.

[mgmkitty]

Yes, the phone company has been told many times by myself and my husband that we were signed up with the wrong LD company. They didn't seem to care.

[Ladynred]

Have you disputed in writing ?

Do you have any kind of records to show exactly what it was you DID request ?

[mgmkitty]

Yes, I did dispute this in writing. Whenever I call my phone company, they record all conversation. When I asked them to pull the tape from when we asked for LD, they said they can't find the tape.

[Ladynred]

How very convenient