newmarket

First off, you did the right thing by requesting a copy of the Collector’s license, as well as the Agency’s. One recommendation I’d make before doing that would be to have the collector spell out his name for you ahead of time. This does two things, one gives you a slight upper hand, and two you’ll have documented who the person is who’s claiming to be collecting on behalf of the agency.

Now your reaction to these calls is similar to many on this forum. Recalling back to a couple of years ago when I ran into trouble, I was taking calls from collectors and actually allowing them to get me fairly worked up. ... That’s exactly what these Trashbag’s are trying to do – raise one’s emotions so that we cave and opt to suppress the calls using cash.

Based on what I’ve gone through, I’d say that it may very well be unlikely that these Arsehole’s will attempt to sue you. How can I say that with confidence? Well, for starters I’m carrying a heck of a lot more debt then you, and I’ve received stacks of letters from the Collection Agencies and their [supposed] legal departments threatening pending lawsuits; but not once did I receive a call from any Attorney. After the first 4 or 5 months of phone abuse, I opted to start ignoring the calls – and I will continue to do so until I am able to deal with the debts (which are now almost stats barred). Now from what I understand, if the Agency does opt to sue anyone who is in arrears, we’ll first be given an opportunity to state our position in a mediation session before going in front of a judge. If a person is suffering from a valid financial hardship, they’ll most likely receive pretty favorable re-payment terms from the judge.

With respect to you feeling that “you did more harm to myself than good even though I tried to be reasonable and fair with them”, well I say flush that thought right out of your head! You were smart enough to ask the collector to provide you with a copy of his license – that indicates that you are more knowledgeable on the subject then most people. So, you should be aware that there is no reasoning with theses creeps. You talk AT them, as they are pre-programmed to reject any and all non-scripted conversation. In fact, the more time you take on the phone with them, the more frustrated they’ll actually become because they work on commission – and need to collect a daily quota before receiving their cut of it.

Will leave it there for now.. Do the smart thing and refrain from acknowledging the debt in writing – even in the Cease and Desist letter you may choose to fax them. I won’t say that the calls will stop, heck I still get one or two a day, but they don’t carry that much weight - in fact, if you heard some of the VM's they've left, you'd get a good laugh out of hearing these Trashbag's scramble to come up with some threat to hit me with.

Good luck, and keep us abreast of your progress.

O.C.

On February 9th of 2009 I received a phone call from the agent stating that I owed an outstanding debt of 2 grand. I admitted it was mine but asked the agent to send me proof (license, documentations) showing they can collect legally from me and that I know it is not a scam. After that I hanged up.

Three months down the road, I have not received anything from them but daily calls from the AIC. Yesterday I accidentally picked up the phone and got a hold of the same agent again. This time the phone call became drastically rude.

I tried to tell him to contact me by address from now on and he told me that was not possible. Then I asked to send me proof of that I owe the debt, his reply was, "The law firm already have and even that does not matter anymore since you gotta pay either way." I should have hang the phone right there. But didn't. By the end, he offered me three choices either 1) pay in full which is around 2 grand, 2) payment arrangements of 500 every 2 week or 3) he hangs up and sends my file to a lawyer which will be contacting me soon after our call where i will have NO OPTION but pay or else I will be sued.

I tried nicely to explain that there was no way I would be able to pay that
much since I live own my own to what he replied, "That should be the least of your concerns since you already have money paying for rent." And I will admit that was stupid of me saying but after threatening and telling me how miserable my life would be with all the examples stated from that guy I just literally broke up.

After 20 minutes of our phone call, as he promised, the law firm began calling me but being in huge stress with that ass on the phone I ignored the call.

I feel like I did more harm to myself than good even though I tried to be reasonable and fair with them. But I have no fear going to court where the only evidence will be that tape, and even that it would be clear on it where I was under my rights to demand all the future contact with my address only and sending me the proof of the documentations and bills.

It would be a great deal of pleasure if anyone can sort this out one more time for me since I am a total newb when it comes down to this nasty business. Thanks guys in advance.

One more thing does anyone where AIC's office in Toronto is? Since I want to send them a letter stating they violating my rights I found the address but not sure it is the right one.