Ok so old fashioned tale on how you help a friend, and co-sign for a cell phone... Everyone should already know how this story begins...
Well when I was first contacted by Pinnacle Financial, I thought at first someone used my name to open an account, not thinking about when I co-signed for a phone 8-9 months ago... The friend didn't even tell me the phone had been shut off, so I am totally in the dark about this...
The lady her name was Kathy I believe... She was a sweetheart! She was polite, she also helped me figure out that the account was actually my friends account and not an "identity" theft situation... So at this point my friend claims she would go ahead and pay the bill, so Kathy from Pinnacle started to just call my friend. After 3-4 weeks passed, Kathy called me, and left a message stating my friend never called her... Ok so you all know where this is going... It was reported to my credit report, at this point I'm pissed!!! $400 was the amount, and if my friend couldn't pay it, at least let me know so it doesn't end up on my credit report. So I'm trying to call these people back, and CAN NEVER GET A HOLD OF ANYONE! Just automated messages "No available reps, call back at a later time" ALL DAY LONG! So, I'm at this like I know I'm screwed. But its on my credit report, so what can I do?
2 weeks passed... FINALLY GET A CALL FROM PINNACLE! But its not Kathy the lady who was contacting me before... Its some guy he said his name was Michael Sullivan. I don't even think that is his real name, but anyway...
He started yelling at me, saying, you and your friend are some irresponsible people, its only $392 I mean you cant even pay that?
So I'm like "sir first off, this was thrown at me last minute, i wasn't even aware of the account" he started saying "ma'am your a liar, we have been trying to get you to pay for this for months, now you need to pay this and pay this now. Your such a procrastinator, all you have done is ignore our phone calls... We have called you everyday" i was like sir that is not true, I have been trying to contact you guys, I want to pay the bill, I'm pregnant, and the baby is due in 2 weeks, I just need a little time, then this guy says "excuses excuses, your full of it!" i was like sir please stop talking to me like that, you are very rude... THIS GUY SAYS TO ME..."and your a debtor! I will call you everyday until you pay this" i was like well sir, I can pay this in two weeks call all you want, but I'm not paying until I'm ready, and I will not close this account with you, I would like to speak to someone else... Then he says... Well your not going to, I will be the one to close this account... So my husband at this point grabs the phone... And was like..."sir, I don't appreciate you yelling at my pregnant wife, now I'm going to tell you what I WANT AND NOT WHAT YOU WANT... The shit is already on her credit account, it cannot be removed in 7-10 years even if she paid now, it would just be a "paid collection" so as of right now, paying this doesn't even matter at this point, so I will pay when I am ready to pay... Now yes or no can you call call back in 2 weeks and ill pay then... The dude tells my husband, I can secure with a credit card and take the payment out of your account in 2 weeks, but if you don't pay we will call everyday until you do... My husband says.."sir yes or no, you can call everyday, thats fine, but I will pay when I'm ready to pay, now yes or no, can someone else contact us besides you, because at this point I do not trust your ass. The guy said no... My husband was like well have a good day and hung up in his face...
So basically being the person that I am, I googled this... Since I have never been contacted by collection agencies (since I do however pay my bills) I wanted to know if this guy could get away with this. And the answer is yes he could... OH I WAS PISSED!
But I did find out that I could get even, if anyone goes through this... I HIGHLY recommend you contact the original creditor... (the person you orginally owe) which in my case Tmobile. You see even though this may be there jobs, these people need to be stopped on how rude they are... REMEMBER! They want YOUR money, show them who is boss, this is how those reps make there money... Commission's check on how many accounts they can close... Now I can understand for people who are REALLY irresponsible and DO NOT pay there bills, but for innocent people like me, and others out there who go through this and was only trying to help a friend, this was TOTALLY uncalled for...
Tmobile basically stated they can take the payment from me anytime... Oh that was a joyful tune to my ears! So this is what you do... Send the collection agency a Cease and Desist Letter... And only deal with whatever company you owed in the first place. That's what I did... So guess what Mr. Michael Sullivan just lost a piece of his check, oh sweet sweet revenge...
I even got a sample letter for all those in need...
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip
(sent via certified return mail with return receipt)
Date:
XYZ Collection Agency/Law Firm
1234 Main Street, #100
Any town, USA 10021
Re: File #0000000 - ABC Bank - #4445566778899000 -For: $5555.55
Dear Debt Collector / Debt Collector Attorney:
This will serve as your legal notice under provisions of federal law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), to cease all communication with me in regard to the debt referenced above. If you fail to heed this notice, I will file a formal complaint against you with the Federal Trade Commission who is responsible for enforcement, the States Attorney General office and/or the American Collectors Association or local State Bar Association.
I/We have decided that we do not desire to work with a collection agency under any circumstances. I/We will contact the original creditor to resolve this matter directly, as circumstances warrant.
You are also notified that should any adverse information be placed against my/our credit reports as a result of this notice that appropriate actions will be taken. Give this very important matter the attention it deserves.
Sincerely,
Your Name
I could never work at a place like that, I am a claims specialist for a warranty company, so I do work in a call center, and no matter how much of my job I might think it is, I still have boundaries and limits (regardless of my companies policy) its just plain common sense, and human nature. Karma is a B*
what goes around comes around... Simple as that...
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