Telemarketer harassment and West Asset Management
Recently, I began getting calls on my cell phone from a debt collection agency, asking for my 19 year old daughter, usually three or four times a day. Not knowing the caller, I didn’t answer it for a while, and they didn’t leave a message.
When I finally took the calls, I told them this wasn’t her phone number and didn’t know why she would have given them my number, the caller would demand to know how to reach her. When I said I didn’t know, and told them they needed to stop calling me about her problems, I was told they would keep calling me until they got their money.
According to Fair Debt Collection practices, debt collectors cannot discuss debts with third parties, nor call after they are told not to. In this case, they did both. However, they would not tell me what she owed for, or how much, unless I was willing to “help her out with her problem”.
How nice of them.
I did a web search for the number which showed on my called ID (443-550-7975), which led me to West Asset Management. Apparently, their telemarketing staff likes to use harassing and improper debt collection to shake people down, including third parties such as myself.
While it initally seemed as if a call to the agency (888-433-2886) to tell the lady who took my call that what they were doing was illegal, took care of it, the calls resumed, at a lesser pace. So I decided to get rude and insulting with the callers.
That time, the calls stopped. Apparently there are some times of people whose phone manners telemarketers find offensive (imagine that).
Those folks at West Asset Management are real jerks to whom nothing is off-limits in the pursuit of their money.
If you or someone you know is getting harassed endlessly, you have rights. Check out the FTC’s web page of information for Fair Debt Collection practices: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.shtm
Perhaps the Legislature needs to look at what can be done to regulate debt collection practices at the state level, to protect the people of this state from these kinds of harassing practices.
When I finally took the calls, I told them this wasn’t her phone number and didn’t know why she would have given them my number, the caller would demand to know how to reach her. When I said I didn’t know, and told them they needed to stop calling me about her problems, I was told they would keep calling me until they got their money.
According to Fair Debt Collection practices, debt collectors cannot discuss debts with third parties, nor call after they are told not to. In this case, they did both. However, they would not tell me what she owed for, or how much, unless I was willing to “help her out with her problem”.
How nice of them.
I did a web search for the number which showed on my called ID (443-550-7975), which led me to West Asset Management. Apparently, their telemarketing staff likes to use harassing and improper debt collection to shake people down, including third parties such as myself.
While it initally seemed as if a call to the agency (888-433-2886) to tell the lady who took my call that what they were doing was illegal, took care of it, the calls resumed, at a lesser pace. So I decided to get rude and insulting with the callers.
That time, the calls stopped. Apparently there are some times of people whose phone manners telemarketers find offensive (imagine that).
Those folks at West Asset Management are real jerks to whom nothing is off-limits in the pursuit of their money.
If you or someone you know is getting harassed endlessly, you have rights. Check out the FTC’s web page of information for Fair Debt Collection practices: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.shtm
Perhaps the Legislature needs to look at what can be done to regulate debt collection practices at the state level, to protect the people of this state from these kinds of harassing practices.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/fdc.shtm
Also, that sounds like that he wwas making telephonic threats or telephone harassment. The South Carolina Code of Laws will help you. But, call the telephone company and have them advise you how to document electronically.
Kick'em square in the barney arse.
When the agent calls, they will give no account number - just what is owed and 'how are you going to pay this today?'
When I ask for an account number, or tell them they may not call me further as per the Fair Debt Collection Act, the stupid agent hangs up immediately - without giving me the information.
Then, the cycle continues.
GOSH! This is SO frustrating.
I came across your blog in my search for a solution. My story is the same as yours, except it is my son they keep asking for, and got rude, called my job looking for him, and cursed at me. I too tried to get the number. I asked the rep, who called my job, the address to send a letter to, or his supervisor..and he refused both. I have tried in vain to get an address, though I did get one for the headquarters or West Corp. I sent a letter to them requesting they stop calling my job or home. No response. I then filed a complaint against them. The kicker? It was for a 36.00 bill that our insurance company had already paid!!!
Linda Bottaro
It is SO easy to get them 'directly affected' by it. Just go to 'votesmart.org', put your ZIP in the top left corner's 'Find Your Representative' search box, and it will give you all your elected officials' phone numbers, and the numbers to quite a few state officials.
I am sure if they ALL start receiving these calls, the various collection companies will abandon this type of harassment.
=) Works for me!!
P.S dont let them piss you off, theyre bored at work and thats exactly what they want to make their day go by quickly ! I know its sick, but its true.
West asset management collection agency: How long does it take your customers, clients or patients to pay you for the products or services you have provided?
Have you developed a consistent collection management program?
Your answer to the above questions is a leading indicator as to how well you collection management is. Sending an invoice doesn't always result in payment. Successful collection management s a matter of making your payment terms crystal clear and separating west asset collection management agency from new business functions, in other words - keep your emotions out of collection management!. You can't be hesitant or soft in collection management.
Asset collection management is a sticky subject because it can require getting tough with the very same customers that pay your salary. Many small businesses handle the collection management process in-house, either by having their sales staff with the task of collecting their accounts (talk about playing on both sides of the fence) or by using billing staff that have never had formal collection management training.
I don't dispute your observation about the general problem caused by debt and debtors, but what happened to me and others is simply inexcusable.
You must work for one of these firms, which might be why you didn't leave a name.
My husband is a disabled veteran who didn't know the VA would pay his medical bills if they were related to his disability. I called them to find out the exact amount of the debt. I told them the approximate date I would pay them, thinking this wouldn't be a big deal as it was a three year old debt.
They keep calling me AT WORK. I work nights and they call my emergency business line (right next to my bed in case I have a client emergency). They keep trying to pressure me into a post dated check-an instrument which is illegal. They're rude, they're nasty (I am unfailingly polite), they just assume that I am trying to get out of paying. I have told them from day one I would pay at the end of Febuary, they are calling me every 4 days.
They do not know the law. We're not down and dirty debtors trying to get out of paying what we owe. Being treated like that is infuriating. I've never had problems like this before and it's really, really, gotten me angry.
If the only way to get them to stop waking me up at work is to heap verbal abuse on them, I don't WANT to but god damn it, I will. I do NOT like trying to be plesant to someone who's being a bitch to me on 3 hours sleep.
1. If you are getting calls for someone else at your home or getting mail sent to your house for someone else - call them back and let them know to remove your number and on the mail write "not at this address and send it back". Companies pay for mail forwarding.
2. If you have a debt, (a)you can be called at work (until you advise not to call any further or they can verify your employment). Then they cannot continue to call at work. (b) if they call you on a cell phone they must stop once you advise them not to call the cell phone because it incures debt on your part. (c) if they are calling your house they can call 1 time a day from (8am - 9pm) in your time zone unless you submit in writing to cease. There are some states which limit the speaking to spouse or calling more than 1 time in 7 days...
If someone is speaking using bad language, threats, etc... get it on tape... Then call the company back and ask for a manger/supervisor advise what happen and play the tape. Then advise you want to settle for a lesser amount 30 - 50% off.
If this does not work, document everything including your tape and see an attorney and have them file an attory general complaint along with the BBB.
Good luck
However in my case, I'm getting 4-5 calls a day asking for my mother (note, I am 27 years old and haven't shared a phone number or credit line with her in a long time). Once the company heard my voicemail enough times to catch my name, they started asking for me,too. Then they found my work number, and so on ad infinitum to where I can't freely answer the phone. They refuse to disclose the purpose of their call, just keep asking for my mother, and their callers are incredibly nasty. Maybe my mother does owe somebody something, but that's neither my concern nor my business. Whether West Asset Management's behavior is legal I have no idea, but it is beyond obnoxious.
As of today, June 18, 2009, they're still harassing innocent third parties.
Just now, I received a very mysterious voice message evidently intended for my long-estranged and VERY **DEAD** MOTHER (who, by the way, had a totally different surname than mine and who had never ever had my phone number). The voice message that I received asking for my late mother instructed me to call 1-866-512-8707 and give the reference number provided. I do not know how they obtained my phone number.
Instead of returning their mysterious call, I Googled that phone number and found the repository of similar accounts posted here on Earl's blog. Thanks, Earl [and others here], for exposing the practices of West Asset Management and for providing a space in which other innocent WAM victims can report their experiences.
While I suppose it is remotely possible that my late mother departed this life owing [completely uncharacteristic] unpaid bills, I have absolutely no evidence of that and no legal obligation to give a hoot, let alone pay them, if indeed that is what their mysterious call was about. Based on what I have read here, however, I certainly do not intend to communicate with WAM in any way, shape, or form -- unless, of course, they harass me further -- at which point they will be very, VERY sorry they did!
Sincerely,
Debt-free Responsible Adult
Today, June 22, 2009, I again received a voice message from WAM. This message was identical to the message I received on June 18. Rather than to contact WAM and possibly subject myself to the bullying that others have reported, I instead consulted the calling features page of my local telephone book. In those pages, along with call forwarding, caller ID, and other special features are included instructions on "Selective Call Rejection" which is a feature allowing users to block the numbers of parties calling even if the user does not know the caller's phone number. For my telephone company, this feature is accessed by dialing *60.
Sincerely,
Debt-free Responsible Adult
Today, June 26, 2009, I received yet another call from 866-512-8707, identical to the previous calls I have reported here. Evidently, my efforts to block this number have failed, so I contacted my phone company for more information.
While speaking with a representative of my telephone company, I was informed that the "Selective Call Rejection" (SCR) feature will not prevent these unwanted calls from getting through -- which was, of course, obvious, as the receipt of yet another of these calls was the sole reason for my contacting the phone company. The rep told me that only local calls and calls originating from another customer of my telephone company can be blocked by the SCR feature as the blocking occurs internally at the telephone company's switch.
On the advice of my telephone company's personnel, I now have opened a complaint file with the Federal Trade Commission, by calling the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The very helpful FTC agent was not only sympathetic, he indeed was quite pleasant and extremely efficient in advising me to send a certified letter to the offending caller demanding that these unwanted calls immediately cease. He also informed me of the FTC's Fair Credit rules which state that debt collectors are allowed to make *ONE* and *only* ONE contact with third parties, and that they must by law stop calling if said third parties demand that the callers stop calling. He then opened a complaint file, gave me a reference number for my complaint, and further advised me to contact the FTC again, using my reference number if the calls continue.
I asked him if an automated message that is played to me when I answer the phone constitutes one "contact" or if in fact two humans must actually communicate in real time for "contact" to be, in the eyes of the law, considered made. He replied that automated calls unfortunately are an area not specifically covered by the current FTC regulations -- and that perhaps additional legislation is warranted in order to close that loophole as it obviously is being brazenly exploited by outfits such as West Asset Management.
I am hopeful that this information will be helpful to other innocent third parties who are being harassed by West Asset Management.
Thank you again, Earl, for providing a forum in which these reports can be posited. As a taxpayer, I was very pleased by the performance of the FTC agent handling my complaint.
Sincerely,
Debt-free Responsible Adult
http://www.consumerlaw.org/issues/seniors_initiative/cc_debtcollection.shtml
take care
God bless
If im in a ornery mood and get fed up ill forward the calls to a porn shop or a number of other numbers that will get the point across. The nice thing is i can still get messages i want. I also have a dummy email account for spammers.
Beat em at their own game.
Randy
They have had too many resolved and unresolved complaints in my opinion.
http://www.bbb.org/atlanta/business-reviews/collection-agencies/west-asset-management-in-marietta-ga-11339
http://www.bbb.org/nebraska/business-reviews/collection-agencies/west-asset-management-in-omaha-ne-106000003
imagine being a victim of identity theft and dealing with these assholes...I've faxed and faxed and mailed and mailed to no assistance from anyone, not to mention the number of laws they have broken
so here's the best and free info for everyone, contact their Legal & Compliance Department 1-888-433-2886...They were more than willing to assist after my call!
They are also now using local numbers in an attempt to "trick" me into answering phone. When they call, they do not identify themselves, and they ask for personal information (date of birth, etc) to be verified, even though I say I am not willing to verify anything without knowing whom I am speaking with.