I received a message from Ms. Michaels stating that I was to call within 24 hours to handle an important matter in which she gave a case number for reference. Upon calling the number, I was unable to hear the gentleman clearly state the company in which he represented due to the fact that he had me on speaker phone.
He then proceeded to ask me for verification that he was speaking to the correct person by giving me the last 4 digits of my social security number. Once I had verified that I was the person he was looking for, the harrassment began.
He introduced himself to me as "Officer Bernstein with Horry County Police Department." He was advising me that this call was being recorded and he was representing Providian Financial. I knew that I had an old account that I was trying to clear up from my divorce, so he then had my attention.
Immediately, he began talking to me as if I were a criminal that had just broken major laws and had no rights. I asked why he was speaking to me in that manner, as I am a lawful citizen and have no problems with paying my old debt, however, I have not received any notification that this was even an issue. He started yelling at me that I had received several notices and then proceeded to give me and incorrect address. When I stated that I had not lived at that address for atleast 3 years, he said that wasn't his fault or problem that I had been notified. He proceeded to tell me that I could pay a certain amount now or more than double if I chose to go to court in 10 days.
I asked him if I needed a lawyer, as I did not want to go to court. He again started speaking to me in an inappropriate manner and said that I was more than welcome to have his attorney contact him. I was extremely upset at this point! I interrupted him by asking him if he did in fact state that this conversation was being recorded. He said yes and sarcastically reminded me that he had already advised me of that fact. So, I sarcastically reminded him that I had no problems with paying my old debts as I had stated before in the conversation.
I was sitting with someone at work who was able to hear the manner in which he was speaking to me over the phone and asked what was going on. I was trying to tell her who he was, and in hearing me discuss this, regardless of the low tone I was using, he began to get extremely irate that I was talking t to someone else while he was talking. He began to yell at me that I needed to have only one conversation that was the one I was having with him and accused ME of being RUDE!
Once I agreed AGAIN to pay the first amount he had given, he then informed that my word was no good and that I would have to get a bond. At this point, he could hear the lady sitting with me talking again and began yelling at me again. At this point, I hung up on him. I did not give him any information, I am extremely happy to say.
I made some phone calls which led me to this website. I was advised to contact my local police department to file a formal report against this "Officer Bernstein." That is next on my list!
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