Got a call from someone name jerry whitley 3178007958 claim to be calling from reed white and assoc. keep calling me at work. when I call him back he puts me on hold
They claimed to be collecting on a debt that I already paid in full over a year ago. I have a paid in full letter to prove it. When I informed them they started to threaten me with legal action. Didn't belive them as they couldn't be bothered to find my phone number. They just called my former employers and left a message their. It's not that hard to find a phone number. They just want money they are not entiled to.
This is about the fifth call received at my work number. Automated voice saying that they have a returned item from my bank. Call 404-445-2833. Checked with company bank and they do not notify this way. No name was given for "bank", the "returned item", and not an address to person's name.
REED WHITE & ASSOCIATES IS REGISTERED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE INGEORGIA I DID MY REASEARCH AFTER I RECIEVED A CALL. THEY ARE A CLAIMS PROCESSING AGENCY AS WELL AS A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO FILE A WARRANT AND TAKE THIER CASES TO THE STATES ATTYS OFFICE. BE CAREFUL WITH THOES PAYDAY LOANS THEY CAN BE TRICKY.
Specifically, what law allows a private entity to file an arrest warrant, particularly for a non-criminal offense, such as ordinary debt?
Lurkers:
1) Arrest warrants are legal papers that are issued BY A COURT, in response to a criminal complaint or indictment.
2) Ordinary debt is NOT a criminal offense ... it is a civil offense.
3) A phone call, email or text message from a supposed debt collector is not legally sufficient evidence of debt.
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) includes statements such as this:
* Every collector must send you a written “validation notice” telling you how much money you owe within five days after they first contact you. This notice also must include the name of the creditor to whom you owe the money, and how to proceed if you don’t think you owe the money. ["Written" means snailmailed ... not emailed or texted]
Therefore, if that caller wants you to pay immediately, before you get the written validation notice via snailmail, or if the caller wants payment via green dot, Western Union, or other untraceable means, then the call is definitely not legitimate.
IF you wish to communicate with the supposed collector / creditor, visit the following page, for example "Action Letters" to snailmail:
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/debtcollection/
If you KNOW you owe no money, or believe the call was from a fake debt collector, please take the time to read this:
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0258-fake-debt-collectors