About a month and a half ago I received a letter and phone call from a Ms. Garcia from ACA Recovery regarding an unpaid balance with an internet payday loan company (from October). The last email I received from Ten Dollar Payday Loan stated I owed them $510. The letter I received from ACA Recovered stated I owed $635.
I immediately returned Ms. Garcia's call regarding this balance. This woman was very nasty and unprofessional. I asked her why my balance was $635 and she replied these accounts are charged 30% interest weekly and I asked by who your company (meaning ACA Recovery) or Ten Dollar Payday Loan? She did not answer me, but stated that they needed payment in full. I then told her that I don't have $635 dollars to send. I could make reasonable payments. She would hear nothing of this. She stated they could only break this up in two payments. I told her that I still could not do this.
She then got really nasty and stated that "your wages could be detached". I then asked if I mailed a payment would they return it to me because it's not the "full amount"? She kept saying that they must have this in full or two payments western union. I told her that I wasn't agreeing to this ridculous demand and stated that I'm not paying Western Union fees when I could simply mail the payment. I also told her that she needed to calm down and adjust her attitude. I told her most people aren't even willing to pay their debts and that the least she can do is work with me a little.
She then stated she is not noting my account unless I agree to pay in full or two payments. I told her that I didn't care what she noted my account and I will call her back and let her know when I would be making my first reasonable payment and I hung up on her. I was so floored by her attitude and unprofessionalism.
About two days later I received another call from Ms. Garcia on my answering machine stating that she needed a return call from me or my attorney by the end of the day and slammed the phone down. It was so loud. I couldn't believe this.
A few days later she called me at work and at my job we are absoutely not allowed to receive these kind of calls (it's in our handbook!). I told her that she could not call me here at work, and that these kind of calls are forbidden. She stated "oh yes I can". I told her that I know my rights and once I tell you that you can't call me at my place of employment then you can no longer call me. She kept saying that "yes I can", "yes I can". She was acting like such a child. I told her no you can't and before I could offer her to speak to my supervisor to confirm this she replied "wanna make a bet?" and hung up on me. I was soooo angry by this.
I immediately searched this company and started reading some bad things about this company stating they are a law firm when they are only a collection agency. I couldn't believe it. I noticed on the letter I received that there was a Atty Norman G Kalina, Esq.
I went home that evening and called to speak to the attorney. I was given to Ms. Garcia. I asked to speak to the atty regarding my acct and she said he wasn't available. I asked her if she was a law firm and she said yes. I told her that wasn't so and she kept saying oh yes we are a law firm and I stated that if they were a law firm, that I wanted proof. She then stated she will have someone from the "legal dept" call me tomorrow. I asked her for a break down of the amount they are stating that I owe and she replied that "we don't do that". I asked why not and she again said "we don't do that here". I then hung up on her. I knew she was lying.
I then called the FTC and asked them my rights and they did in fact state that once I tell them not to call me at work, they are to longer to phone me at work. She also advised me to send this in writing and request for the company to send me in writing the amount with the fees and interest along with the original debtor and send it certified. I did this the very next day. I also stated in the letter that I would no longer speak to Ms. Garcia because of her phone behavior and unprofessionalism.
I also forgot to mention that I received another letter from ACA Recovery with the heading of Norman G Klaina, Esq instead of their company name and at the bottom of this letter it had his name with a stamped signature. It was so fake looking.
I also did some reseach and obtained a New York number for atty Kalina. I phoned them and she confirmed that atty Kalina was epmployed with their firm, but his office was located in new Jersey. I aksed her if he was affiliated with ACA Recovery and she told me not her knowledge and that if he was she would be aware of it. She also stated she had never heard of the company. I told her about ACA Recovery stating the were Norman Kalina's law firm. She could not unnderstand why they would be doing that. She gave me the address and the phone number of atty Kalina's Jersey office, and it wasn't the same address or phone number of ACA Recovery. I couldn't believe it!
Later on that day I phoned the number and atty Kalina answered himself. I asked him if he was affiliated with ACA Recovery and if he was, I wanted to discuss my case. He became very angry that I phoned him and asked how I got the number. I told him the New York office gave me the number. He asked me not to call him anymore regarding ACA Recovery and that he WAS NOT affiliated with them and would know nothing about my case. He also started to give me ACA Recovery's number and I interrupted him and told him I had it.
I apologized for botherring him and he replied that it was ok, but I did ask him why they would saying they are from his law firm and why are they using his name on their correspondence and he replied he had no idea and that they should not be doing that. I told him that they are and maybe he should look into it. I thanked him again and hung up. I couldn't wait for that sneaky company to call me again.
A couple days later, I got a call AT WORK from a Ms. Laurens. I again told her that I could not have these kind of calls and she apologized and stated she would make a note of this. She also stated she left me a message at home with her name and number. I went home and listened to the message and she was very sincere. Ms. Lauren's stated she was calling from the Law Office of Atty Norman G Kalina. Ms. Laurens also apologized for Ms. Garcia's behavior and that she would be handling my case. She also stated that the amount told to me that I owe is incorrect. She also stated that she would be "more than willing" to work out a payment plan withme and call her asap.
I returned Ms Lauren's call. She told me that the amount I owed was $510 (original amount). I asked her I could have this in writing and she replied that she didn't feel it was necessary since it has already been adjusted in their computer and they have a new secretary and it was "crazy" around there, and the secretary wouldn't have time. I could already see where this call was going. I told her it was necessary and I wanted it in writing.
Her attitude then changed. I told her that I would mail a payment of $75 and pay the remainder of the balance in February (when I get my tax refund). She would not hear of this. She began saying that they must have either 2 payments. I told her I could not do this. I reminded her that she stated on my answering machine (as far as being more than willing). She completely tried to turn it around on me and accused me of being defensive. I told her she was correct because she lied. I asked her if she would accept the $75 payment or not.
She then stated she would have to talk to her supervisor and call me back. I asked why she stated she was calling from a law firm when indeed they are not. She stated she is with a law firm and then I asked if I could speak to the atty and she stated he wasn't available. I then told her that I spoke to atty Kalina himself and he verified that he was not affiliated with them. All she could say was " I don't know why he would be telling you that when I'm sitting in his office".
I told her that I didn't appreciate the company's dishonesty and told her she was acting unprofessional. I told her that I didn't appreciate their scare tactics and it was wasn't gonna work with me. I then told her I was done talking to her and I hung up on her. That was on Sat. I will give them until Friday to send me in writing the amount I owe them. I haven't received a call from them either. I'm beginning to wonder what's going on.
I will not pay this company anything until I receive that letter. I'm beginning to wonder if I can even trust that the money I do send will even get applied to the account. How can I trust sending my money to a dishonest company like this? I'm not sure what else to do. The atty himself told me he is not affiliated with them and they are insisting they are.
Now that I think of it, atty Kalina didn't ask any questions or seem concerned. I know I would be. How can they do something like that and get away with it??? Does anybody out there have any advice??? Have I done anything wrong? Any input would greatly be appreciated. I do apologize for such a long letter, but I wanted to include every detail.
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