Who called from 4042491099

I was rather startled at a person stating that I had a warrant issued against me; in regards to some fraudulent check issued to ACE EXPRESS. Also, asked me had I made any attempts to contact the company or had a lawyer to represent me.  I only had 24 hrs in which to respond before further action was going to be taken.  I got the number 404-249-1099 ext 2007 which I called several times the next morning which wasn't working but if you hit 0 for operator some person would anwer the phone and kept me on hold for a very long time until I decided to hangup.  Intially, I had already looked the phone number up online and started reading all this information.

Recieved a call on our answering machine that it was imperative that I call before they expedite on 5/9/08.  I called the number left on our answering machine 404-249-1099 x1013 spoke with Debra. Asking if I had wrote a check in Texas to ACE Hardware for $388.21 check #139, I have not been in Texas since 2003 when my stepdaughter graduated from High School.  Asked if I ever had a Texas driver license, which I have not. They have my social security number, asked if I knew of two other people, which I didn't know (don't remember who they are). Suspects that my stepdaughter wrote a bad check at ACE Hardware and that she may have forged my signature with the my social security numer on a promissory note, threaten jail time of 11 months and 29 days if I am convicted. They now have my work number since I called from my work phone. I requested a copy of the promissory note to verify if the signature has been forged, was told that they have an image copy and that I cannot have a copy of it. Debra called back asked if about a location in Texas "Walnut Hill". Doesn't sound familar to me. Saying now that I owe $1,167 which includes the check amount, fees and interest at 29.99%. I am not paying this. I NEVER signed a promissory note and would have not signed one either.

Spoke with my step daughter, she stated that she has never written a bad check. She called Vandenberg spoke with Debra also, and was told that she had written a check from my checking account, sounds like they can't keep their stories straight. Seems like this company is fishing for anyone that is naive. I have notified the Equifax to have a fraud alert on my SSN, will file a complaint with the FTC and local police. And keep track on my accounts if anything further occurs. I also advise that my step daughter do the same.

My Husband recieved a call from a man who claimed to be some kind of investigator claiming that my Husband had wrote a fraudulant ckeck, when we called back, we spoke with a man who refused to send us any documentation supporting this debt.  I asked to speak with a manager and was transferred to a "Debra".  I asked if her company was a collection agency and she said no, but titled her company as a "processesing firm". She said she would either fax or email proof of this debt to me, but would not mail anything to us.  I dont know if it is ligit, but ended up calling the FDC at 877-382-4357, and filed a complaint.  The rep at the FDC explained that if it is a ligit debt, this company would not refuse to send me documentation.   FDC also said to call the BBB in Georgia at 404-766-0875 to get company information, including any complaints against this company.  Another thing is to call your own state's FDCPA agency and get your state's laws regarding collection agencies.  The more complaints the FDC and the BBB has against this company, the better the chance of any action being taken, so CALL THE FDC at 877-382-4357, and the BBB of Georgia at 404-766-0875.

This is to Debra, Chris, or whoever.  First of all if your not a collection agency then why are you registered with the American Collectors Association ???  I have news for you.  According to them you are.  Secondly, because of your actions in my opinion, you are.  And, I'm sure under the FDCPA you are.  

You cannot threaten people with jail.  Debtors prisons went out years ago.  I also wish I was a lawyer so that I could point out to you and the people who have and or will read this just how many violations you are guilty of under the FDCPA.  In addition to violations of the Florida statute your guilty of violating when you called my wife here in Florida.  

People reading this or who read this allow me to give you some free advice here.  What most likely is going on here is this company has purchased the bad accounts from Ace Check Cashing.  Most likely all they have is very little information about you.  Maybe just your name, address, phone number, and the amount of the debt.  The chances are really good they don't even have the check you wrote to Ace Check Cashing.  If they do then fine.  Ask them to produce it.  Basically all they have is a print-out of the debts.  In my experience a print-out of the debt is not good enough to win a lawsuit of this type.  Secondly, the check you wrote was a promisory note, (my opinion).  They can't file criminal charges against you for writing the check to them because you didn't write the check to them.  Again, (my opinion).  If Ace was going to, they would have.  They didn't because it would have cost them more to go to all that trouble that to just write it off.  Again, (my opinion).  

Lastly, do not give any agent or inspector of the company any personal information about you or a family member.  If they can legally collect on this debt then they should be able to validate the debt.  I cannot advise you but if I were you this is exactly what I would do is to ask for validation of the debt.  

I would suggest to each of you to contact a lawyer about this matter who knows how to handle this type of case.  You may just end up with them paying you.  In fact, I would almost guarantee it if I was able to legally make a promise like that.  

Keep watchin this board to keep up on my progress on how I plan to deal with this company and their illegal tactics as a debt collector.