I received a call a few nights ago on my office phone number asking to speak to??? I told them that she is my ex-husband's ex-wife, and I didn't know why they would call my business number and ask for her. I suggested that they try to call her in Texas where she lives. I was polite but firm in that I couldn't help them. Ummm, notice that I am in a totally different state...
Today, I got another call from the same person, again asking for??? When I asked him why the hell he was calling my business number asking for a person that I had no association with, he responded that I didn't have to be rude about it. I told him that I had every right to be rude, because I already told him that this wasn't her number and I didn't have any contact with her, so why was he still calling. He said that it was "public information." I then asked how public information could possibly link my business with somebody that had nothing to do with me or my business. He responded that I was listed as a "possible relative." I again explained that she was my ex-husband's ex-wife, and that I was in no way, means, or manner related to her, and not to call me again. He hung up without responding.
The person didn't ID himself or who he was with, but a quick Google search of the phone number got me the info. Reading through the complaints posted on various sites, I found that these people will apparently harass and threaten anybody that they even think is related or knows the person. Telling them verbally not to call does no good, so I put it in writing and faxed it to them. I have delivery confirmation that the fax was received. The following is what I sent:
"Lowery Law Firm
4500 Cherry Creek Drive South, Ste 700
Denver, CO 80246
Via facsimile 303-218-7548
To Whom it may Concern:
I have received two phone calls at my place of business from your company looking for (name deleted). The first time I politely explained that she was my ex-husband's ex-wife, and that I didn't know where she was except probably some place in Dallas, Texas.
Today when I got the second call, I asked your collector why the hell he was calling me asking for her. He responded that it was public information, to which I asked how my phone number was linked to her name. He then said that I was listed as a possible relative. I again said that she is my ex-husband's ex-wife and that I am not related to her in any way, shape, or form. I also told him not to call me again.
I have no reason to know or care where she is, nor do I have any reason or obligation to find her for you. I also have access to restricted search engines and understand that collections is a permissible purpose for their use, but to contact possible relatives to repeatedly harass them when they have no liability for the other person is not permitted by law, nor would those companies agree with how you are abusing their service.
From what I am reading on the Internet, telling your firm not to call does no good, even if you are calling someone you have no right to call. Apparently this is true since you called my business phone number a second time after previously being told by me that I had no connection with her. I am now telling you in writing that I do NOT owe any debt that you could be calling me about, and am demanding that you do NOT contact me again in any manner!
Sincerely,
Kathy (last name deleted)"
This time they screwed up in that they called a person that knows how to research the laws and how to legally respond. They really, really hate when that happens. They rely on ignorance and fear to pull their scams. The laws vary by state, but every company has to follow the laws of the state they are working in.in Texas, an attorney cannot personally do collections. It may be a law firm, but the actual person doing the collections has to be a non-attorney employee.
Personally, I hate collectors of any sort. I have dealt with too many scams, personally and in my accounting business to believe anything that isn't in writing. I have several times gotten written permission from my clients to demand proof of a debt and proof that the collector (often law firms) had the right to collect on the debt. Once presented with the demands, neither me or the alleged debtor ever heard from them again.
I am also a bail bond agent, so I do have access to probably the same paid databases that they are using for skiptracing. The "possible relative" is what clued me in to that. I know how difficult it is to gain access to this alleged "public" information if the company is legit, and how easy it is to lose that access for any potential misuse of it. Of course there are always those databases that will provide information to anyone that pays the price, but they aren't usually that legit and have difficulty staying in business.
I have seen several complaints about this company posted, and can only hope that others will do the same. If they attempt to contact me again, I will definitely report them to the legit databases that I subscribe to, as well as to my local law enforcement agencies, if they are doing the same to you. I suggest you do the same if they are harassing you in the same manner. I will also turn them over to my attorney's law firm. If they can prove the debt and are the legitimate owners of the debt, that is your problem. If they are harassing you when you have nothing to do with the debt, please do whatever you have to do to stop the harassment.
Kathy
Walsenburg, Colorado
U.S.A.
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