My husband received a call Tuesday (6/26/07) from "Peter Parker" (Spiderman?) stating that he was with Dell and that our payment was 15 days late. He was rude, demanding, and said that we were going to be sent to a collection agency. We first thought this a scam since we have always paid on time and paid more than the minimum. I receive my bills online and several Dell ads every week, never did I get an email that payment wasn't received (nothing in writing either). I check my Dell account, no payment. Checked my bank account, nothing had gone through. I immediately schedule a payment through Check Free. I don't know why my original payment didn't go through, but I tried to make it right.instead, I ended being treated rudely — like I was nothing but a criminal. And to be honest, I've been harassed.
By the time I finished scheduling payment, my husband received another call. He told the person that he was at work and could not receive calls. Within minutes, another call. My husband informed the caller payment had been scheduled and asked not to be called. A little bit later, another call. When he asked to speak to a supervisor, he was told that "you don't want to do that." After being on hold for a long time, he finally found someone who said that they would take the number off the list. However, we got several calls that night.
Wednesday was much of the same. Several phone calls even after we told them the payment had been scheduled and after we asked them not to call at work. This time, when my husband asked to speak to a supervisor, he was hung up on. He called Dell directly and talked to a supervisor who said that he saw the scheduled payment and that he would take our number off personally. I also sent an email to Dell telling them that their procedures went against the Fair Debt Collection Act. I pointed that they could not harass, abuse, oppress, threaten and use the telephone to annoy. I also reminded them that they cant call us at work when they know our employer disapproves. And once again, I explained the payment was scheduled (it takes a few days in Check Free to go through). I also explained that I felt like I was being harassed. Their response? The calls would only stop once the money goes through.
Thursday was much of the same—only instead of being hung up on when we asked for a supervisor, apparently there "none available". We were told that it takes a little bit for our number to get removed from the system and that's why we were still being called (we were told this Wednesday too). Again, we finally speak to someone who is "personally taking our number off the list."
Friday morning is quiet. However come noon, the calls start on my work phone. I tell the first man that the payment is paid, to stop calling. It only takes four minutes for me to be called again. After I answer the phone and ask the man if he's from Dell. He tells me that he cannot tell me that. I ask, "so you can't tell me who you're with?" He says, "I am not allow to give that information out." I am not going to talk to someone who won't identify themselves, so I hang up. Eight minutes later, ANOTHER call — this time a woman. Again, I verify who I am and ask if she's with Dell. She "can't tell me" because it's "personal business." I tell her (quite angrily this time) that I have paid, that this is harassment, and if I get another call, I will report this to the FTC. She said "ok" and hung up. My husband tries to call Dell to stop the calls. Again, there are "no supervisors available". And after several phone calls and being on hold for a long time, he is then told he can't remove my number since he's not on the account (although, they can harass him for money...).
To give you an example of the extremity of the calling here are the times I was called just this afternoon (6/29/07): 12:05,12:53,12:54,1:09,1:52,2:04,2:08,2:16,2:27,2:35,2:39, and 2:46.
April
Jonesboro, Arkansas
U.S.A.
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