Calling for someone with same last name as me (no relation). Received same call looking for a different person with same last name earlier this week - came from 319-984-4006. Same caller, same script. "If this is not Claudia {my last name}, hang up now. Hello this is Sylvia Holt...it's not too late...you or your attorney should call or your record will be permanently affected...blah blah blah." Bottom-feeder collection agency must be just going through online directories calling everyone with same last name. Thank goodness my Panasonic phone has 500 number call block!
This number called me today and I didn't answer it only for them to leave a message saying something about an important matter and their clients wanted me to contact an attorney to deal with this matter called back and being to google the number so I'm no longer Angry after reading y'all's comments!
Direct Recovery Services
629 7th Ave.
Suite 1
Two Harbors MN 55616
2182068541
How can I stop a debt collector from contacting me?
If a collector contacts you about a debt, you may want to talk to them at least once to see if you can resolve the matter – even if you don’t think you owe the debt, can’t repay it immediately, or think that the collector is contacting you by mistake. If you decide after contacting the debt collector that you don’t want the collector to contact you again, tell the collector – in writing – to stop contacting you. Here’s how to do that:
Make a copy of your letter. Send the original by certified mail, and pay for a “return receipt” so you’ll be able to document what the collector received. Once the collector receives your letter, they may not contact you again, with two exceptions: a collector can contact you to tell you there will be no further contact or to let you know that they or the creditor intend to take a specific action, like filing a lawsuit. Sending such a letter to a debt collector you owe money to does not get rid of the debt, but it should stop the contact. The creditor or the debt collector still can sue you to collect the debt.
If they call you again!
You have the right to sue a collector in a state or federal court within one year from the date the law was violated. If you win, the judge can require the collector to pay you for any damages you can prove you suffered because of the illegal collection practices, like lost wages and medical bills. The judge can require the debt collector to pay you up to $1,000, even if you can’t prove that you suffered actual damages. You also can be reimbursed for your attorney’s fees and court costs. A group of people also may sue a debt collector as part of a class action lawsuit and recover money for damages up to $500,000, or one percent of the collector’s net worth, whichever amount is lower. Even if a debt collector violates the FDCPA in trying to collect a debt, the debt does not go away if you owe it.
Also tell them they do not have the right to call you at your place of work and they have to immediately stop or you can SUE THEM for at least $1000. Free vacation on them!