No one objects to legit third-party debt collecting but people do object to third-party debt collectors breaking the law.
The FDCPA http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre27.pdf treats the INITIAL CONTACT between collector and debtor (first call, first letter, first whatever) as a special event. Legit collectors per section 809 of the FDCPA *must* tell you at initial contact, or send you paperwork within 5 days of initial contact, the following:
1. $amount of debt,
2. name of the current creditor (which may differ from the original creditor who might have sold your debt),
3. a statement that that debt will be assumed to be valid unless you dispute in writing within 30 days,
4. a statement that that if you do dispute in writing within 30 days, the collector must mail you written verification of the debt,
5. a statement that if you ask the collector in writing within 30 days, the collector must send you the name and address of the original creditor if it's different from the current creditor.
If you don't get the 5 disclosures, orally or in writing (you do not have to ask for them, the FDCPA requires collectors to provide them), treat the collector like you would any SCAMMER.
Note that 3,4,5 must be done *IN WRITING* so you will need to ask an address from your collector. If s/he refuses to give you one for any reason, treat the collector like a SCAMMER.
The collector can threaten court action at initial contact but the FDCPA requires that the collector actually take you to court if the collector threatens it. Threatening court and not going through with it (coercion) is illegal.
If they say the FDCPA does not apply to them because they own your debt, the debt-owner exemption only applies to the original owner. A 3rd party who buys the debt for the purpose of collecting debt is treated as a debt collector and not an owner and must obey the FDCPA as explained in this FTC Staff Opinion letter here http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fdcpa/letters/arbuckle.htm
You can tape phone calls per your state law described here http://www.fairdebtforconsumers.com/Recording-Laws-Summaries.html
You can tape, then sue collectors (google "fdcpa attorney") for violations described in sections 805, 806, and 807, per section 813 of the FDCPA.
Has the statute of limitations for your state http://www.fair-debt-collection.com/SOL-by-State.html expired on your debt? If expired, don't pay.
Collectors generally have to be licensed by your state to practise (collect debt) in your state and you can find out by calling your state Attorney Generals Office. Ask if a license is required and does this collector have one. If not licensed, don't pay and file a complaint with your state AG.
Read useful debt-collection FAQs from the FTC here http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre18.shtm
The debt collection process explained in plain English http://www.consumeraffairs.com/debt/fdcpa.html
Be aware that scammers are using bought/hacked/phished loan application data to extort payments for fictitious debts from victims and victims' families and friends.
The FBI warns about payday loan extortion scams here http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/paydayloanscam_120710
The FBI warns again http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releas ... nt-payday-loans
The BBB has issued several alerts on this scam, just google "bbb.org alert phony debt collector"
Report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx , the Federal Communications Commission http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm , the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and your state AG http://www.naag.org/current-attorneys-general.php as appropriate.
Not asking you to buy it...
It is a fact that many people don't pay their bills. You may be one and that is why you are here. Burt & Associates provides a critical service for companies across the country. Do you expect people to load up their credit limits and not pay? If so, you along with many other people are also looking for "Obama Bucks". The train will end and your free ride will also end.
Pay your bill and only spend what you have in cash! Credit should only be used for Houses and Cars. If you can't pay in cash for other items you don't need it.
PS
I was a commissioned sales person with Burt & Associates.
Although the tactics seem harsh, they work.
One last comment... Jerry is now retired so trying to contact him at Burt is highly unlikely.
It would be easier to pay your bill rather then spend time on here complaining.
FUNNY I'M A DEBT COLLECTOR CALLED TO COLLECT A DEBT ON A HEATHER HARRIS I CALL HER AT 469-368-6406 & SHE PICKS UP I ASK HER TO VERIFY HER SS# WHICH SHE DID NOT DO & THEN WOULD NOT TRANSFER ME OVER TO MANAGER OR SUPERVISOR!!!! WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW IS IT THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR IS RACKING UP ON DEBT & SHE WORKS AT A DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY???? WHO IS SHE TO COLLECT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S DEBT WHEN CLEARLY SHE OWES A DEBT HERSELF IT SHOULD JUST BE WRONG THAT A DEBT COLLECTOR COLLECTS ON OTHER INDIVIDUAL'S DEBT WHEN THEY HAVE DEBT IN WHICH THEY ARE TRYING TO AVOID PAYING THEMSELVES!!!! HEATHER HARRIS YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL DEBTOR YOU SHOULD BE FIRED FOR OWING A DEBT & WORKING AT A COLLECTION AGENCY SHAME ON YOU
Re. "Do you expect people to load up their credit limits and not pay?", I expect the banks to *NOT* offer insane credit limits to people so they won't get into financial trouble. You know, like the insane LIAR LOANS that banks gave out to unqualified borrowers just so the banks could earn the insane $fees on them and then quickly sold them to sucker-investors on Wall Street to get the LIAR LOANS off the banks' books before they blew up?