Viking Collections and their Tactics:
On Friday July 8th I called Viking Collections and/or was forwarded to them from Capital One - when I was calling on behalf of a credit card balance. I was calling with the effort to settle the account.
Robert (Viking employee) explained the total being $1,183. Or close to that amount. I explained that my statement showed an amount that was for approximately $360. Less that what he said it was. He said that Capital One probably made a mistake but the total balance was surely $1,180 something. I said I could not afford that.
He asked what I could afford. I said $800. And he proceeded to give me the okay and the information on sending that amount. It was clear that I could send that amount and that amount only and that I wanted to be sure that this would clear the account. He said that I should put upon cashing this is settlement for account *. Onto the check. This check number is *.
I sent the check overnight which cost $10.95 via California Overnight service. I was not mistaken about what we had discussed on the phone. But Robert was very clear about me calling him on Monday. Now I know why. I can see the technique that is being used and when I called him on it I was rudely verbally abused and threatened me that I must pay more or the total amount would revert to about $1,200.
I expressed that I had felt cheated according to our agreement on Friday. This felt like a procedure. They ask the person to send in a certain amount and then they call back to get more.
After some debate he said he could come down to just an additional $100. Only seconds earlier he said I had to pay the total balance. So I felt more like this was a scam. I debated the issue on principle. He then came down to $80. More than what I had sent. This was now ridiculous. Why not just accept my $800. Payment.
I debated again and he still said that what was agreed on Friday never happened. I imagine that they use a simple ploy to allow the customer to assume a certain action and then call back a few days later to say it isn't the case. I would like to speak with other clients of Viking to see if this is indeed a regular practice. After research on the internet I have discovered this to be TRUE.
Note that the so called can't go below the 1,100. Was dropped to $100. Above what I sent. Then I debated their tactics and he dropped it to $80. Above the $800. That I had sent. All this for $80. I truly believe Capital One would have preferred to resolve this issue.
In any case Robert Turrek said that he would review the tapes recorded on Friday with his manager. I immediately asked to speak with a manager and Robert refused. Stating that he didn't want to waste their time.
He also said that the conversation was being recorded but only after he had harassed, threatened and argued with me. Everything I said, about Viking or Robert he tried to say I was doing and not him. I called to settle a debt and he was not being helpful. He was simply threatening me that if I didn't take the offer he would say I was unwilling to pay because it was within his power to do so.
Isn't it my power to say that??? I called and I responded and I did what was agreed on. Robert denied access to a manager or anyone else at the place of business. He threatened me with high interest as well as reverting back to the full amount.
I was trying to resolve the issue and Robert was denying me the ability to do so. I believe that Robert lied about the conversations being recorded.
If the conversations were indeed recorded then that request will be on there as well as the constant speech of Robert trying to make me out to be some kind of bad guy. Saying I was going to harass the company. He said I couldn't speak with a manager and I stated that I could call back until I spoke with a manager.
My goal being able to speak with someone who could help.instead he said I was going to harass the company by calling and calling. That assumes my motives are different. My motives were to settle this debt. Isn't that in the best interest of Capital One?
I am trying hard to work this out but Robert has been very difficult. I believe that he has lied to me and I believe that on behalf of Viking they are responsible for his actions. If there were indeed tapes of these conversations I would like them to be released to me and if not then I would like request them via a lawyer. I have rights and a person calling to work WITH you should not be treated in such manner. This reflects poorly on Capital One as well as Viking.
Robert led me to believe that we had settled on $800. He threatened me on the phone with higher costs etc., he refused to let me speak with a manager or anyone else in the company and he hung up the phone on me after refusing to let me speak and when I did he tried to make me out to be some kind of a bad guy.
It was near impossible to speak with this person in a professional manner and he terminated the call. I am on the phone trying to work something out I feel that when he was called on his tactics and got offended so he ran from the issue and hung up on me.
Rick
Ahwahnee, California
U.S.A.
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