I'd been receiving tape recorded messages to my answering system which told me to push 1 for this and 2 for that, repeatedly. One cannot push buttons when listening to a twice-recorded message. I called the number the calls came from and asked that I not be called again. The agent said he would see to it that I did not receive further calls. I also sent a fax to the company to confirm my order to cease the calls. The calls did not stop, so I called again. The agent told me that the reason for the calls was a Verizon account, and that I owed money on this account. I was a customer of Verizon for 12 years, and always paid my bills. When a dispute arose later, I cancelled my Verizon account and paid it in full. However, Verizon did not cancel as I requested until at least a month later. I don't owe Verizon anything. The agent with Progressive did not want to hear this and kept badgering me about being someone who does not pay her bills, and he hung up on me. I called back, because the purpose of my call was to stop Progressive from placing telephone calls to me. I spoke to the same agent, who continued to badger me, but said he would apply a cease and desist order. It was horrible. I think these vile people should not only be reported, but taken to court when they violate the law. From what I have learned, collectors routinely violate collection laws, and they can do just that in the case of orders to cease and desist phone calls. The law is applied when they are taken to court by the consumer, and they are often fined heftily. I highly recommend this to consumers. The more consumers uphold their rights in court, the more the collection agencies will take care to abide by the law. They have nothing to fear as long as people are afraid to pursue their legal rights and justice, and their ugly, despicable and abusive tactics will continue until they realize such actions will cost them where it counts.
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