Debt collector phone calls

[daughtersrus]

We received a call about 7:45am Saturday morning from a debt collector. This company has called here several times about a medical bill. The long story short is that we do not owe the bill. I have provided them with copies of the EOB from our insurance as well a copy of the canceled check for the remaining balance that I paid.

I mad about two things. First that they're still calling us after they admit that they received the paperwork that I sent. The second is that they called early in the morning on a weekend.

I called their office back yesterday. The rep answering the phone said that they are allowed to call that early. I thought that they weren't allowed to call until after 8:00am. She then transferred me to the rep that I previously spoke with and he confirmed that he received all of the paperwork that I sent and has no idea where why the doctor's office referred the bill to collection (insurance paid in Feb'10 and I paid in April when I got the bill with our balance).

Can I file a complaint with someone besides the supervisor of the collection company or the doctor's office?

My guess is that they outsource their call center (all of the people that call have heavy British accents but the company's office is in IL) but shouldn't they still make sure that the calls are being made during the proper time?

 

[aaarcher86]

I believe 8:00a is correct.

You can file a complaint with the attorney general, BBB and whoever enforces the rules of the FDCPA.

If you've sent them copies of the paperwork and they've admittedly received it I would send them a cease and desist letter advising that continued communication will result in you obtaining an attorney and filing suit. Might as well make some money while they break the law right?

And just to cover yourself I'd make sure the account numbers for the bill match. I'm sure you have already as it sounds like you're very organized about it. When I was pregnant I had multiple stress tests each week so I'd receive what appeared to be the same bill multiple times (hope that made sense).

Hopefully you can get it resolved quickly so they quit pestering you. I had recently had a debt collector call me on a medical bill I paid in 2006!

 

[tvguy]

I believe in some states you can take the collection agency to small claims court and get punitive damages for violating the law.

My wife and I both have run into these guys trying to call our coworkers at work. And of course our coworkers refuse to take the calls. I hate getting caught in the middle. But I believe it is also illegal to call you at work. Last time this happened at my wife's place she told the caller that this was a business not a private residence and the caller apologized and hung up.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I believe in some states you can take the collection agency to small claims court and get punitive damages for violating the law.

My wife and I both have run into these guys trying to call our coworkers at work. And of course our coworkers refuse to take the calls. I hate getting caught in the middle. But I believe it is also illegal to call you at work. Last time this happened at my wife's place she told the caller that this was a business not a private residence and the caller apologized and hung up.

Boy, am I glad to hear that! Imagine getting those early morning debt collector calls for some one else. We've lived in this house for 6 years. But apparently the previous owner skipped out on a debt. We wouldn't know her name except that we saw it on the transfer of papers 6 years ago, and it was kind of a unique, memorable name. We keep telling the debt collectors, and they keep calling. This is so annoying!

 

[aprilgail2]

Boy, am I glad to hear that! Imagine getting those early morning debt collector calls for some one else. We've lived in this house for 6 years. But apparently the previous owner skipped out on a debt. We wouldn't know her name except that we saw it on the transfer of papers 6 years ago, and it was kind of a unique, memorable name. We keep telling the debt collectors, and they keep calling. This is so annoying!

My 10 year old is getting to be a pro handling them LOL....the person that had her cell phone before her was a deadbeat! She gets calls from capitol one, visa, kohls, the cable company and others all for mr -----. She tells them over and over that she is 10 years old and this is her number now--they ask her if she knows Mr. ----- she says no but appartantly the debt then gets passed to another collection agency and they try calling... The cable company wants their equipment back- she told them its not his number anymore they called again she told them "come get it" and hung up!
The collection agents leave voice mail and she actually calls back to tell them she doesn't owe them money and to stop bothering her.

 

[FireDancer]

I worked in I.T. for a collection agency for a little while and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act dictates what debt collectors can and can't do. Check the link I provided for the time. It did used to be 8:00am but there was no limit on the day they can call.

Also, states can enact laws that grant the debtor more protection so check your states laws. The PDCPA spells out the lest level of protection, not the most, for debtors.

 

[Luvchefmic]

My 10 year old is getting to be a pro handling them LOL....the person that had her cell phone before her was a deadbeat! She gets calls from capitol one, visa, kohls, the cable company and others all for mr -----. She tells them over and over that she is 10 years old and this is her number now--they ask her if she knows Mr. ----- she says no but appartantly the debt then gets passed to another collection agency and they try calling... The cable company wants their equipment back- she told them its not his number anymore they called again she told them "come get it" and hung up! The collection agents leave voice mail and she actually calls back to tell them she doesn't owe them money and to stop bothering her.

what a smart little cookie you have there..I'll have to remember to say that when I get a call for the previous phone number person

 

[Guy Incognito]

they can't call before 8am/after 9pm local time (i.e. - doesn't matter where their call center is at, 8am/9pm *your* time is their range). Certain states will have additional restrictions (see the fdcpa link in the previous post for specific details). They can call Sat/Sun, with the same time restrictions; but once a contact is made that's it for the day (if you pick up/talk to them, they can't call you again the same day).

something to keep in mind, a lot of collection call centers use auto-dialers, which base their call time restrictions on the area code of the number in question. If you have moved from one time zone to another, and kept your previous cell number, you might end up getting calls outside the time zone restrictions (i.e. - if you have an east coast cell number, and move to the central zone, it's quite possible that they will call between 7-8am; in which case tell them that number needs to be removed from the 'auto dialer' system).

 

[tvguy]

My 10 year old is getting to be a pro handling them LOL....the person that had her cell phone before her was a deadbeat! She gets calls from capitol one, visa, kohls, the cable company and others all for mr -----. She tells them over and over that she is 10 years old and this is her number now--they ask her if she knows Mr. ----- she says no but appartantly the debt then gets passed to another collection agency and they try calling... The cable company wants their equipment back- she told them its not his number anymore they called again she told them "come get it" and hung up!
The collection agents leave voice mail and she actually calls back to tell them she doesn't owe them money and to stop bothering her.

Smart kid. Although I'm not sure I'd give a 10 year old a cell phone. I made mine wait until high school, which they didn't fight because they told me nobody talks on the phone anyway, they all IM on their computers. I guess it's still the same, they never talk on their cell phones, just text message which in really is the next generation of IM. They're 19 and 23 now.

 

[Happy Mom2]

By law they can not call before 8am your time zone. I would write a letter to the doctor's office, and let them know they are violating the Fair Debt Collection Act. You have paid them and provided proof of that payment. If they do not remove your account from the collection agency immediately, and notify you of their corrective action in writing within 30 days, you will contact your attorney. Send the letter via certified mail so you will have proof they received it.

Also, check your credit bureau... make sure the collection hasn't reported anything on it.

Good luck.