First off, if you actually have a debt, yes, you should settle it and get it paid off. This, however, is a complaint regarding DCS's dishonest business practice.in my case, DCS, a collection agency, was hired by the VA Dept of Taxation (their client) to collect a "debt" that I supposedly owed for having a "non-filing" status in tax year 2006. Out of the blue in May i receive two letters in the mail, indicating that DCS is going to hold my account for 10 days from the date of the letter (4/29) to give me the opportunity to settle my obligation. Mind you. The letter was postmarked on 5/07, giving only a few days to even act on this rediculous demand and giving them more of an excuse to push for the $ when they speak with me.
So, I call them up the next morning, have to provide all sorts of personal information, and then they tell me that they're glad I called, because starting Friday 5/14 they would implement a Bank Lien review process on me, and that if I didnt want the lien to take place I should start payment on my rather large obligation. Important: Do not expect DCS to have any details on your situation, and Do not expect them to help you.in fact, they lied. All they wanted was their money, and that's all they could focus on. I told the DCS rep that if they can't provide details for me on why this was happening, than I would call the Va Dept of taxation. DCS then warned me against that, indicating that their 'client' would just refer me back to them (DCS). That Was a big, fat LIE. Important: DO NOT take their advice in the letter to contact DCS if there is any dispute.
They WILL NOT follow-up with the client and provide accurate info unless they are forced to. YOU MUST follow up w / the client personally. When I called the Va Dept of Taxation they couldn't have been more helpful. They quickly gave me the name and phone number of the auditer that carried out my collection request. I contacted the auditing group, and they told me specifically what the case was, and what I would need to do in order to prove my case. Within 24 hours, after sending my tax return to the VA tax office, my case was resolved... But only at the Dept of Taxation. DCS STILL tried to collect money from me. When I called DCS to let them know that i almost had the situation resolved, the rep said that it didnt matter because it would take VA 30-60 days to process, and that I should move forward on setting up the payment while things get resolved. Yes, that was LIE #2!! Later that day, the VA tax office tells me that they deleted my case after receiving the materials/proof, and that I was in the clear.
Would you believe that the next day, on Friday 5/14, the day of my supposed bank lien review, DCS calls me again to settle my 'obligation'? Even when i told them that it was resolved with their client? LIE#3 - DCS tells me that their client told them to follow-up with me. I told them that their client told me that i was clear and my case was abated. He then tells me he has to continue with the review process, so then I ask him, "What exactly is this review process." He actually says that he can't give me that information?! I said wow. That's interesting... You can't tell me what the review process is for my own obligation? He then asks if I want to speak with Management (it got a little too hot for him i guess). I explain my situation to another person, indicating that the client cleared me already. She then checks the Va dept of Taxation's database/system, and guess what? She comes back, tells me very quickly that yes, I was cleared. I then asked why I was called by DCS after proving i was clear with their client and then she goes into some pre-rehearsed jargon and hangs up on me. No apology, no explanation... Be careful with this group.
You will have to be proactive and aggressive. If they mention bank lien, ask them what their review process entails. And make sure you get details so you can explain this to their client. Do not Fax DCS any information, you should fax the info/proof to their client. You can certainly find client information online because DCS will not provide any information for you. Their objective is to push you into sending money which i'm sure they get some type of compensation, fee or interest from. This is scary, especially for the elderly, or those who do not have the means to research these things on their own. Ask many questions, and if you do not understand, ask them to explain in more detail. Report your experience back to the client. It is important for the client to know how you were treated. These people are not sympathetic, but stubborn and thick-skinned. You'll know you're ok when they finally hang up on you.
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