I have been harassed by NCO off and on for a few years now, with the most recent harassment starting just a few months ago with regard to a utility account and 2 cell phone accounts (One with T-Mobile and the other with Alltel).
I had them stop contacting me regarding those accounts (and NCO bought my account with T-Mobile from Bay Area Credit Service based in California). Now they are harassing me about an account from their client American Electric Power which is over 6 years old. I have been called numerous times a day starting anywhere from 8 AM til 8 PM. I have encountered a few nasty individuals from their company, and have had some very rude remarks made to me.
One individual had the nerve to ask me to borrow the money to pay the $137 debt, and when I told him I would not do that, he then asked me why my parents could not pay the debt. I told him that it was not my parent's responsibility, and that I didn't want him calling my house anymore (he had an arab or pakistani accent). He said well, if this is your house, how are you maintaining it. I told him that it was my parents' house and they were currently supporting both me and my 17 month old son, since I had been fired from my job over 2 years ago. Of course he didn't care about that, and still demanded some form of payment to be made.
I told him not to call me anymore, and hung up the phone. A few weeks later, a young lady called and asked to speak to me. I noticed that on my caller ID, any time a bill collector is calling it will display "out of area" with no number listed. I acknowledged that she was speaking to whom she asked for and she identified herself and the reason for the call. I told her that I had just spoken with one of her other colleagues and asked not to be contacted regarding this debt.
I informed her that I was receiving voice automated calls telling me to call an 800 number regarding a personal business matter. I told her as I told all the other reps, that I am not currently employed and am currently on public assistance since I am not able to find suitable work in the region in which I live. I informed her that I only receive $250 a month for both me and my son and I have no other source of income, and that for her not to contact me again.
I told her that when I became gainfully employed I would glady pay the amount owed. She proceeded to tell me that "if I paid my bills, then they would have no reason to call." Well, that completely pissed me off, so I told her not to call and hung up the phone.
I have visited their website numerous times and sent emails to them requesting not to be contacted at my place of residence regarding this debt. Still, they insist on contacting me. This morning, I received a phone call from a gentleman named "Kailash".interestingly, he was not as rude as most of the others, but the fact that he contacted me at all was the problem.
Do these people not understand English? I mean, considering that they aren't from America anyway, I see how that would be an issue. I am fed up with the harassment and have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in PA. I don't have to be treated this way for uncontrollable circumstances, and seeing how many other people across the country have had problems with this company, I don't understand why nothing has been done to change the way they conduct themselves or their business.
Collections agencies have gotten just as bad as telemarketers. They have even been rude to my mother on the phone when she asked what the call was in reference too. Hell, this is her phone and her house, so she has every right to inquire about someone who calls. I have gone to great lengths to get these people off my back, and in another 6 months or so, the debt will be gone anyway because a span of 7 years will have elapsed. I hope all debt collectors out there rot in hell and that nothing good ever comes to you.
People like those at NCO give all debt collectors a bad name. Why can't you just heed what people ask of you and not call? What is so hard about it? My next step would be to file a suit for harassment, and I know they don't want that. Thanks for letting me vent.
Fed up Single Mom in VA
Andrea
Lynchburg, Virginia
U.S.A.
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