On June 1st at approximately 4pm I called Directv to speak with a representative to inquire about the scheduled installation for the same day. I was informed by the rep that the order was canceled due to past due balance on previous account at residence in the name of David Goodwin. The rep asked if I knew David Goodwin and I said "Yes. Why?" The rep stated that He owed $354.00, and that until this is paid I (Richard Goodwin) would not be able to open New account per Directv policy. I told the rep that my brother has moved and currently still has Directv. The rep then asked me for his current phone number. I told the rep that I am not at liberty to share that information and that it should be on his account.
The rep then had the nerve to request that I pay the debt and take it up with my brother later. I immediately informed the rep that she just violated Privacy laws and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and that I was not privy to any information of any other person even if its my mother. The rep re-informed me that this is Directv's policy and there is nothing more she could do. These laws have been broken:
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
Section 805
(b) COMMUNICATION WITH THIRD PARTIES. Except as provided in section 804, without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, or as reasonably necessary to effectuate a post judgment judicial remedy, a debt collector may not communicate, in connection with the collection of any debt, with any person other than a consumer, his attorney, a consumer reporting agency if otherwise permitted by law, the creditor, the attorney of the creditor, or the attorney of the debt collector.
Section 807
(10) The use of any false representation or deceptive means to collect or attempt to collect any debt or to obtain information concerning a consumer.
I later spoke with a Directv supervisor of the same department and informed her of what took place. The supervisor explained that there is nothing she could do and that it was the policy of Directv to share private information and that no laws were broken. And that I can take it up with legal counsel. And we will!
0 comments