California state law states that no collections agency may call before 7 AM, after 8 PM, or during any time in which the agency 'has reason' to know that the debt-holder is working. This is plainly printed on the back of any collection notice.
However, whenever these people called, and they did, morning noon and night, I repeatedly begun informing them that I work from 8 AM to 6 PM, every Monday through Friday, and therefore, would not be able to receive calls in that time.
I say 'begun' because EVERY TIME the words 'I work' left my mouth, the human garbage who called me begins to talk loud and fast, over every single word I say. I even tried letting them finish their LOOONG spiel a couple times, hoping that when it ended, I could get through, uninterrupted.
But no. They just did it again and again and again, in the same phone call, until I eventually had to hang up every single time.
In that spiel, they continually gave me an '800' number to dial, and every time I called that number, I received no answer, only a shrill beep (like a voicemail, but higher-pitched, and without the convenience of actually reaching anyone... I tried).
Even their payment website is a third party, thus further preventing any communication to the company.
It got to the point where I was deleting up to 4 messages a day from these people, ALL OF THEM left during my stated business hours. According to California state law, this constitutes criminal harassment.
This company knows I live in California. Their client, Verizon, has this information on hand, or NES wouldn't have been able to find my new phone number IN California.
This brings two legal questions, despite their irrefutably illicit activity:
1) Does their blocking of communication from the debt-holder in regard to work schedule excuse them from their criminal liability?
And
2) If not, does the company location or consumer location take precedence? In other words, are they bound to CA law if the debt-holder they are contacting lives in California?
The harassment visited upon me was only made worse by the fact that these people had my California address and phone number, but sent a notice to an address that hasn't been valid in two years!
My first notice of any of this was when the hundred or so calls I've received, in only two weeks, started pouring in.
How are their practices even remotely legal?!
Somebody please help explain what sneaky loophole they're using, or asist me in finding whatever legal avenues are mine to pursue.
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